Our Mission:
Health Science Education prepares students for employment and/or continuing education opportunities in health care through technical instruction in the classroom, experiential education in the laboratory, work-based learning opportunities at clinical settings, and leadership skills through Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION PATHWAYS
The Utah Health Science Pathways are based on the national health care skills standards and national health science career cluster pathways. Through health science courses students can gain an important foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for continued education in health sciences.

The health care industry is robust and growing nationwide; however, it is actually experiencing a critical shortage of workers. These shortages are impacting the quality of care throughout the industry. An increased demand for qualified health professionals is expected to continue through the year 2012, resulting in 16 percent of all new wage and salary jobs.

Below are the nine Pathways in Health Science Education:

Biotech Research & Development
  -Biotechnology

Health Informatics
  -Medical Office Administrative Assistant

Therapeutic Services
  -Dental
  -Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  -Medical Assistant
  -Nursing
  -Pharmacy
  -Surgical Technician
  -Therapeutic Rehabilitation/Exercise

Our vision is to provide awareness and exploration experiences that motivate students to pursue a profession in health care. Once students are motivated, it is our intent to prepare students for continued education and/or employment opportunities in health care.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) is the student organization for Health Science Education. HOSA is involved in leadership development, career training, and service projects. The primary focus of HOSA is to increase opportunities in health care careers and enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA provides students with opportunities to attain the knowledge, skills, and leadership characteristics necessary to succeed in a health care profession.

• Nationally there are over 80,000 members.
  www.hosa.org
• Utah has over 2,500 members in 65 chapters. *
  www.hosa.org/state/ut.html

* The HOSA service project for 2007-2008 is Blood Services. The national HOSA service project for 2007-2008 is Autism Speaks.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION
In 2007, twenty-four Utah students placed in the top ten nationally in a variety of health care related competitions, ranking seventh in the nation. For 2008, Kristen Davidson from Northridge High School is the National HOSA Inc. Board of Directors Chair, Denise Abbott is the HOSA Inc. Region I Advisor, and Thalea Longhurst is the National HOSA Tabulations Committee Member.

AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTERS
Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Youth Programs provide services to schools and students in rural and urban medically underserved areas. Services are focused on motivating students to pursue careers in health care.

www.ahec.utah.edu

CAREER PREPARATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Health Science Education is a program that motivates and prepares students for pursuit of a health care profession. The program is based on:

• Employment needs of the health care community.
• National Health Care Skill Standards.
• Individual needs of students.
• Health care leadership and technical skills.
• Post-secondary education requirements.

Utah’s educational programs provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for health care career opportunities in many diverse settings.

• In 2008-2009, 4,969 students were awarded a CTE Skill Certificate in Health Science, indicating a high level of performance.
• In 2008-2009, students earned the following industry certificates: 406 as a Certified Nursing Assistant, 44 as an Emergency Medical Technician, 39 as a Pharmacy Technician, and 13 as a Surgical Technician.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

• 29 from Career and Technical Education Scholarship Program
• 7 from ARUP
• 4 from Utah Hospital Association
• 3 from Intermountain Healthcare
• 1 from Army ROTC

STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

ARUP
American Red Cross
Area Health Ed. Centers
Intermountain Healthcare
Utah Department of Health
Utah Hospital Association

Updated January 22, 2010