Introduction to Health Sciences Occupations 1
Course Number 4335, ½ credit, 1 term
Grade Level 10-12
Prerequisites: None
Course Syllabus
mkokan@sdsm.k12.wi.us
Course Description:
This course introduces students to career clusters in Health Sciences Occupations and assists them in
understanding the components of the American healthcare system. Career exploration and selfawareness experiences aid students in understanding where they fit into the health or human service
delivery system. Basic concepts including confidentiality, legal responsibility, universal precautions,
ethics and professional standards are developed. Medical terminology as it relates to disease, diagnosis
and treatment, and basic understanding of four systems of the human body comprise much of the course.
Students will leave this course with core concepts and vocabulary used in healthcare settings.
This course will benefit students considering careers in counseling, medical fields, allied health care,
nursing, elderly care or social work. With the use of guest speakers and field trips, students will learn
what personal characteristics and educational training is required of the health and human services
professional. Job shadowing and service learning experiences are used to assist students in clarifying
career goals and planning for beyond high school.
This is a required course in the Health Youth Apprenticeship program. Students who complete this
course qualify for entry into the senior level Family and Community Service class. Students may choose
the Co-op program where they will receive credit and pay for the on-the-job training in a health care or
human services related area. It is recommended that students interested in health care careers take this
course in 10th grade, prior to enrolling in the Nursing Assistant course in 11th grade.
Instructional Strategies:
During this 1 term course, you will:
1. Describe career options within 5 healthcare career clusters, considering levels of education,
credentialing requirements, employment opportunities, workplace environments and career
growth potential, through
a. personal research using career resources available in the school and on line,
b. listening to and speaking with guest speakers,
c. watching and discussing videotapes
d. textbook reading, outline, summarizing and class discussion
e. participating in a job shadowing experience,
f. construction and presentation of a Career Health Display through HOSA,
g. participating and reflecting on class simulations of tasks done by health care workers
h. writing a resume
i. navigating health care facility websites to obtain information on career and job
opportunities
2. Develop and use a medical terminology vocabulary in order to interpret the language of medicine
by
a. Completing weekly lessons, quizzes and tests following the Dean Vaughn Medical
Terminology Program.
b. Making and using 25 flashcards per week with terms and their definitions, and practice3
10 minutes per day outside of class.
3. Describe the structure and function of human body organs and systems and common disease
processes of the body systems by:
a. Completing assigned textbook reading and related assignments on human anatomy and
physiology.
b. Working collaboratively with a team to construct models of body systems.
c. Writing a description of human body systems and their functions by reporting on the
models constructed in class, and the materials used.
4. Describe the current system of health care delivery in the US, and identify trends and concerns
by.
a. Developing vocabulary to describe how healthcare is delivered and paid for.
b. Analyzing case studies on video, for trends in the delivery of health care and emerging
concerns. Ie prescription drug coverage, the underinsured, the uninsured, Medicare,
Medicaid.
5. Investigate and describe the role of technology in the delivery of healthcare through
a. A 3-page research paper and illustrated presentation on the use of technology in
healthcare.
6. Investigate a current health concern and develop a health promotion through lifestyle choices
project by:
a. Researching a health care concern, i.e. diabetes, heart disease, obesity, breast cancer,
cervical cancer, teen pregnancy, smoking, drinking, dating violence, sexually transmitted
disease, steroid use, etc.
b. Planning and implementing a service-learning project to address the concern through
education, program development etc. HOSA Community Awareness Project, Health
Lesson, FCCLA The Student Body
7. Demonstrate leadership, core employability skills and ethics needed by healthcare workers
through
a. Active participation in HOSA
b. Collaborative teamwork in learning experiences.
c. Peer education.
8. Address ethical issues through a reasoning process in order to take appropriate action by.
a. Analysis of American Medical Association Case studies and commentary.
This course may involve field trips to a health care facility, involvement with nursing home residents in
activities, guest speakers and student job shadowing. Students will be expected to practice
appropriate social interaction skills (communication, problem solving, negotiating, etc.) required of
health and human service workers in all aspects of classroom routines.
Textbook: Gerdin. (1997) Health Careers Today (ISBN 0-8151-9829-0) Dean Vaughn Medical
Terminology 350 2nd Ed. (ISBN 0-914901-12-5) $20.00 cost
Evaluation:
Course grade will be assigned based on the course requirements listed below.
Course Requriements:
Daily Assignments / Homework – 20%
 Completion of assigned textbook reading and related workbook assignments.
10 pts. Each chapter assignment.
Medical Terminology Weekly Assignments – 10 pts each assignment
Participation / Human Relations for the Health Care Setting
Tests / Projects – 70% total
 Medical Terminology Weekly Tests – 50-55 pts each
 Writing Assessment American Healthcare Delivery System
 Writing Assessment Medical Ethics
 Health Career Display with research presentation
 Medical Technology Paper and Presentation 5%
 Top 6 Colleges for my Career Charts
 Action Project – Service Learning
 Written Analogies of Body System Models and Body Systems – 10%
Classwork - 10%
 Healthcare Career Website Review (Origami Project)
 Construction of Body System Models –10%
Final Exam – 20%
Assignments / projects must be completed on time in order to earn full credit. Late assignments /
projects are accepted for reduced credit.