Career & Technical Education and Michael Berry Career Center

Health Sciences

This program provides students the needed skills in health careers which focus primarily on changing the health status of the patient over time.  Careers and course work deal directly with patients and may also provide care, treatment, counseling, and health education information. Additional subject areas are Nursing Occupations, Dental Occupations, Pharmacy Assisting, Medical/Rehab and Sports Medicine Assisting, Emergency Medical Services and Veterinary Science. All students begin in Allied Health and then can continue specialized training in one or more of our Advanced Allied Health Courses. Health Science course descriptions are found below.

  • Health Science Courses
    • Allied Health
    • Advanced Allied Health
      • Clinical (Juniors allowed only if space permits)
      • Dental Assisting
      • Medical Assisting
      • Pharmacy Technician (Seniors only. Must be 18 to take exam)
      • Sports Medicine / PT Assistant
    • Electives
      • Anatomy & Physiology (Science Elective offered by DCMST)
      • ER Response Tech (Advanced CPR/First Aid Elective for all students)

Learn more about our Pharmacy Technician program with this student-produced video:

Health Science Course Descriptions

ALLIED HEALTH Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, two-hour block course is designed to create an awareness of career possibilities in health care and inform students of the educational options available for health science and health technology programs.  Instruction includes beginning anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical ethics, diseases and disorders.  Hands on instruction in first aid, vital signs, universal precautions and basic medical office procedures is covered.  The course prepares students for a variety of health technology programs. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for entry-level employment in a medical setting and for transition to a post-secondary (community college associates degree or four-year university bachelor’s degree) health science program. Students will complete a one-day job shadow in a health career of their choosing. Students may earn their American Red Cross CPR, AED and First Aid certificates.  Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

ADVANCED ALLIED HEALTH – CLINICAL Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, two-hour block course will provide students transferable skills and technical experience to meet the needs of the healthcare industry. The overall goal of this second year is to review the core set of knowledge and skills, build upon previous knowledge in both areas, and observe and apply it in the worksite setting. A simulated medical setting and laboratory is provided within the classroom for practicing clinical skills on site. Students will have the opportunity to intensely observe health care professionals in their area of interest during clinical rotations. Students will be assigned mentors in the health care facility to increase their exposure to the knowledge and skills needed, professional requirements and employability skills, and reality of the workplace. .  Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). 
(Prerequisite: Students must pass Allied Health with a grade of “C” or better)

ADVANCED ALLIED HEALTH – DENTAL ASSISTING Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, two-hour block course will provide students with the continued knowledge and skills necessary for clinical dental assisting procedures. The lecture portion will focus on anatomy and physiology of the face and neck as well as lesions, diseases, x-rays, and deformities commonly seen in the oral cavity. The clinical portion will introduce students to basic clinical setups, unit breakdowns, materials commonly used in the dental office and delivery of clinical procedures. Students will also be required to participate in 5 hours of dental externship per week.  Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). 
(Prerequisite: Students must pass Allied Health with a grade of “C” or better)

ADVANCED ALLIED HEALTH – MEDICAL ASSISTING Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, two-hour block course focuses on the back office, hands-on concepts and skills, including taking vital signs, venipunctures, injections, EKG’s, collecting and processing lab specimens, preparing patients for examinations, assisting with office surgeries and other treatments and procedures. Emphasis is also placed on basic medical terminology and medical math. Students will complete a comprehensive job shadow and/or 120-hour externship during the course. Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). Students may earn a Medical Assisting Certificate stating that they are proficient in the skills of venipuncture, EKG’s, and injections upon successful completion of class. (Prerequisite: Students must pass Allied Health with a grade of “C” or better)

ADV ALLIED HEALTH – SPORTS MED/PT ASSISTING Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, two-hour block course builds on knowledge and skills from the first year Allied Health course and provides students with a general overview of athletic training (AT), sports medicine, physical therapy (PT) and its history. It includes introductory information about the AT/PT’s scope of practice: injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, emergency injury management and administrative functions. This course is intended to help students gain an understanding of sports medicine and physical therapy’s various associated disciplines and the role they play in the physically active community. This course is also intended as an introduction and foundation for students interested in AT/PT colleges and careers. Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). . (Prerequisite: Students must pass Allied Health with a grade of “C” or better)

ADV ALLIED HEALTH – PHARMACY TECHNICIAN Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, one-hour block course encompasses the knowledge and skills necessary to help prepare you to work as a Pharmacy Technician. Emphasis is placed on basic medical terminology and medical math with special preparation given to taking the Pharmacy Technician certification exam (go to www.ptcb.org for additional information). Emphasis will also be placed on procedural skills, basic dosage calculations, terminology and abbreviations as they relate to pharmacology. Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). (Prerequisite: Students must pass Allied Health with a grade of “C” or better and be Seniors to take class)

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (Offered by DCMST) Academy of Health Sciences

Anatomy and Physiology is a laboratory-based course that investigates the structure and function of the human body. Topics covered will include the basic organization of the body and major body systems (integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive, and reproductive). The impact of aging and diseases on body systems will also be studied. The full-year course culminates with the dissection of a fetal pig.

ER RESPONSE TRAINING Academy of Health Sciences

This full-year, one-hour block course teaches participants to respond to a medical emergency with advanced first aid and CPR skills, preparing the student to perform the role of a First Responder in a variety of workplace settings. Students will also be prepared to pursue further education and training toward a career in emergency medicine. The second semester of this course focuses on common prefixes, suffixes and combining terms in medical terminology today. Students may earn a variety of American Red Cross certificates. Students are encouraged to join and compete in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).