What is HOSA?
HOSA is a national organization for secondary and postsecondary/collegiate students enrolled in Health Occupations/Health Sciences/Health Technology education classes.  The activities of HOSA are an integral part of the instructional program that provides occupational as well as leadership skills.  HOSA is found on three levels – a local level, a state level, and the national organization.  Local HOSA chapters provide programs and activities to help individual students develop their physical, mental, and social well-being.  Members strengthen their skills through interaction with professional, business, and student organizations.

A student enrolled in any Health Occupations/Health Sciences/Health Technology program at any educational institution has the opportunity to join with other students and form a local HOSA chapter under the supervision of the classroom instructor who also serves as the HOSA Chapter advisor.  These students and chapter advisor submit the Chapter Affiliation Application forms and fees to the state advisor.  Upon receipt of membership cards, the chapter is affiliated with national HOSA as an affiliate chapter.  The chapter will need to affiliate with both the state and national levels. 

HOSA members are involved in community orients, career related and leadership development activities.  Students from all local chapters attend statewide conference for leadership training, service projects, and participation in HOSA competitive events that test and recognize students’ competencies and related skills in their chosen health related career.  All affiliated state associations conduct state leadership conferences and send as many members as possible as well as the state competitive events finalists (three in each event and division) to the annual HOSA National Leadership Conference.

The activities of HOSA chapters are integral to the instructional program and are endorsed by the United Stated Department of Education as evidenced by a 1981 policy statement. 

HOSA PURPOSE
The mission of HOSA is to enhance the delivery of compassionate, quality health care by providing opportunities for knowledge, skills, and leadership development of all health occupations education students, therefore, helping the student meet the needs of the health care community.  The purpose of the HOSA organization is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Occupations Education instructional program.

HOSA GOALS

• Promote physical, mental, and social well being.

• Develop effective leadership and skills.

• Develop the ability to communicate more effectively with people.

• Develop character.

• Develop responsible citizenship traits.

• Understand the importance of pleasing oneself as well as being of service to others.

• Build self-confidence and pride in one’s work.

• Make realistic career choices and seek successful employment in the health care field.

• Develop an understanding of the importance of interacting and cooperating with other students and organizations.

• Encourage individual and group achievement.

• Develop an understanding of current health care issues, environmental concerns, and survival needs of the community, the nation, and the world.

• Encourage involvement in local, state, and national health care and education projects.

• Support Health Occupations Education instructional objectives.

Why Affiliate with HOSA?
Leadership skills are an important part of every vocation Health Occupations Education curriculum. The statement "HOSA is an integral part of Health Occupations Education" is frequently used. Being an integral part means HOSA can be a method of instruction which motivates and reinforces, through HOSA program activities, what the student learns in the classroom and on the job. Integrated chapter activities improve the effectiveness of every health occupations program and help students become more employable.

Health Occupations Students of America is a student organization that operates pursuant to federal and state laws which recognize the need for HOSA activities to be a viable component of vocational education programs in health occupations education. Students with leadership ability and social maturity, who can handle the spirit of competitiveness, will be more community oriented and will seek involvement and participation in citizenship activities.

HOSA activities that are integrated into the curriculum provide students with the ability to:

• Set goals for life long planning
  
• Be flexible for inevitable career changes
  
• Manage basic survival skills
  
• Lead by using democratic processes
  
• Build self esteem
  
• Raise their level of social learning
  
• Take pride in accomplishment
  
• Develop enthusiasm and maintain motivation
  
• Accept the spirit of competitiveness as a way of life and in the world around them
  
• Communicate more effectively
  
• Help others with no regard for recognition other than the satisfaction from helping those in need.

HOSA extends the scope of Health Occupations Education into the community. When students participate in HOSA activities as a group in the community, there is an involvement and cooperation of sharing responsibilities and a commitment of family, school, and community in current health care issues. HOSA activities provide health occupations students with visibility and develop a positive relationship with health care providers and the professional staff.

For more information about HOSA, please contact Denise Abbott at (801) 226-6158 or denisea@provo.k12.ut.us