Program Instructor:
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Lara Peck RDN, CDCES, CDPhone Number: (802) 885-8323Email:
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General Program Description:
The Health Sciences Program is a two-year program that integrates classroom studies with clinical and practical application. Students are exposed to a wide variety of careers in healthcare. They will visit various medical facilities to get a first-hand look at the choices available to them. Guest speakers, classroom and online learning, and skills training in a realistic lab setting provide multiple learning strategies for all students.
In the first year, Health Sciences Level I students study medical terminology while examining the body systems. A wide variety of job shadow opportunities exposes students to multiple career options in healthcare. In Level II, students continue their studies to include the VT State Board of Nursing approved Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA) program where they will prepare and sit for the LNA state licensure exam. Students also participate in clinical learning experiences as part of the nurse assisting curriculum. Health Sciences students will focus on the development of workplace communication, organization, and time management skills. Students in this program are also eligible for dual enrollment in college-level courses as well as cooperative learning placement.
Both levels of the Health Sciences Program focus on RVTC’s center-wide employability skills; dependability, organization, communication, problem-solving, work ethic, and collaboration. This, along with the program curriculum, prepares students for college entry or for entering the workplace after high school.
This program is a great choice for those students interested in one of the over 100 career options in the healthcare field. General pathways include diagnostics, therapeutic services, health informatics, biotechnology research and development, and support services. Many graduates have gone on to college in the fields of nursing, sports medicine, X-ray technologist, physical therapy, pharmacy, and dental hygiene.
Health Sciences Level One
Credit: 3-4 elective credits
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12
Prerequisites: Biology, Algebra I strongly recommended. A student must have at least a “junior” standing at their home high school.
Scheduled Class Time: Full-year; 2 hours per day 7:45 AM to 9:45 AM
Highlights:
Health Sciences Level One students will study a wide range of subjects. Students examine the history of healthcare, complementary and alternative modalities, and learn medical terminology, the language spoken by most in healthcare. Lessons will include the systems of the body as students begin learning about the diseases and disorders affecting each system utilizing a hands-on approach to learning. Students will be certified in Heartsaver CPR, AED, and first aid, as well as bloodborne pathogens. One highlight of the year is job shadowing or opportunities for students to spend time with employers in the workplace, observing the ins and outs of each potential career pathway. Level one provides an opportunity for dual enrollment with River Valley Community College, an option that offers three (3) transferable college credits in Medical Terminology.
Health Sciences Level Two
Eligibility: Students in grades 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Health Sciences Level One with a grade of 70 or higher or written instructor approval.
Scheduled Class Time: Full-year; 2 hours per day 11:40 PM to 1:40 PM
Highlights: Health Sciences Level Two is a combination of classroom learning and onsite clinical rotations. Students will fulfill the Vermont Board of Nursing requirements necessary to allow students to sit for the Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA) exam. Students will be certified in BLS for Healthcare Providers. Students are offered the opportunity for college credits through a course in Human Growth and Development. Level Two also provides the opportunity for clinical externships, work cooperatives and dual enrollment with Community College of Vermont, offering three (3) transferable college credits.
Post Secondary Opportunities:
- Allied Health Preparation - Certificate Programs: MA, Radiology Tech, Pharmacy Tech apprentice, Opthamology Tech apprentice
- Associate in Science (A.S.) - Occupational Health
- Associate in Science (A.S.) - Physical Therapist Assistant
- Associate in Science (A.S.) - Respiratory Therapy
- Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.)
- Registered Nurse (R.N.)
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Pre-Med
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.N.) - Nursing
- And others
Career Opportunities:
- Nursing
- Dental Hygiene
- Medical Assistant
- Sports Medicine
- X-Ray Technologist
- Physical Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Phlebotomist
- Laboratory Technologist
- Licensed Nurse Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Paramedic
And others
Dual Enrollment / Postsecondary Agreements:
River Valley Community College - ALHT102R - Medical Terminology
Course Description: Students entering the field of medicine as allied health professionals need a foundation in the language of medicine. This lecture course is designed to introduce the student to medical terminology. Analysis and generation of medical terms and use of prefixes, roots, and suffixes will be emphasized. Definition, spelling, and pronunciation of medical terms is stressed. Medical terms built from basic word elements related to pathology, diagnosis, and treatment will be used in class and applied to body systems. Case studies are used to illustrate the use of medical terminology in medicine.
River Valley Community College - PSYC114R - Human Development
Course Description: This course, focusing on normal human development, will take a look at developmental life sequences of humans from a historical and contemporary view of theories of development and learning. Emphasis will be on the interaction and adaptation in the process of human maturation in growth, movement, perception, cognition, communication, social interaction, and activities of daily living. Students will be in the community doing clinical observations around the different stages of development during this learning experience as well.
Industry Recognized Credentials:
- Licensed Nurse Assistant - State of Vermont
- CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers- American Heart Association
- Heartsaver First Aid/CPR/AED K-12- American Heart Association
- BLS for Healthcare Providers-American Heart Association
- Blood Borne Pathogens -American Red Cross
- Stop The Bleed
- OSHA-10
Program Advisory Members and Organization:
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April Harmer - Lane Eye Associates
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Dave Culver - River Valley Technical Center
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Cathy Leone - Cedar Hill Nursing Home
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Patricia Horne - Cedar Hill Nursing Home
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Paul Stagner - Springfield Fire Department
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Joan Devine - SVAHEC
Pre Tech Foundations/Intro Course Description - Springfield High Only
Introduction To Health Careers
½ credit
Instructor: Ms. Peck
This introductory course will provide a window into the world of healthcare. Participants will have the opportunity to experience the various aspects of the Health Sciences curriculum taught in Health Sciences Level 1 and Level 2 with interactive labs, hands-on exploration, and knowledge and skills content learning. Students that are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare will benefit from the exploration of this foundation's program.