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 applications. Students are exposed to a wide variety of healthcare careers and visit various medical facilities to get a first-hand look at their choices. 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, Level I students study a Health Sciences/Health Foundations curriculum while taking college-level dual enrollment for Medical Terminology if they choose. A wide variety of job shadow opportunities expose students to multiple career options in healthcare. Students will earn certifications in CPR/AED/First Aid, blood-borne pathogens, Stop the Bleed, and HIPAA.
In Level II, students continue their studies to include the VT State Board of Nursing Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA) program, where they will prepare and sit for the LNA state licensure exam while taking college-level dual enrollment for Human Growth and Development if they choose. In addition, students will re-certify in Blood Borne Pathogens, HIPAA, and Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals. Students also participate in clinical learning experiences as part of the nurse-assisting curriculum. Health Sciences students will focus on developing workplace communication, organization, time management, and professionalism skills. Students in this program are also eligible for 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 technology, physical therapy, pharmacy, and dental hygiene.
Health Sciences Level One
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 most speak in healthcare. Lessons will include the body's systems as students begin learning about the diseases and disorders affecting each system utilizing a hands-on approach to learning. Students will be certified in CPR/First Aid/AED, Blood Borne Pathogens, HIPAA, and Stop the Bleed. One highlight of the year is job shadowing and 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 80 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 combines 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 and re-certify in Blood Borne Pathogens and HIPAA. Students are offered the opportunity for three (3) transferrable college credits through a course in Human Growth and Development dual enrollment at River Valley Community College. Level Two also provides the opportunity for clinical externships and work cooperatives.
Post Secondary Opportunities:
Health Sciences Pathways and Sample Career Specialities
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 using prefixes, roots, and suffixes will be emphasized. The definition, spelling, and pronunciation of medical terms are 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 look at the developmental life sequences of humans from a historical and contemporary view of theories of development and learning. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction and adaptation in the process of human maturation in terms of growth, movement, perception, cognition, communication, social interaction, and activities of daily living. Students will also be in the community doing clinical observations around the different stages of development during this learning experience.
Industry Recognized Credentials:
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Licensed Nurse Assistant - State of Vermont
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BLS for Healthcare Providers and First Aide- American Heart Association
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Stop The Bleed- American College of Surgeons
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Mandated Reporter-State of VT
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Blood Borne Pathogens
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HIPAA
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OSHA-10 for Healthcare
Embedded Academic Proficiencies and Performance Indicators
Please refer back to the student’s sending school regarding what embedded academic proficiencies and Performance Indicators students will earn from RVTC’s Health Sciences Program.
Program Advisory Members and Organization:
- Sue Pollard, RN-Springfield Hospital Adult Day Program
- Alysia Straw-Springfield Hospital
- Lori Twombly-Northstar Health
- Amanda Richardson-Souther VT AHEC
- Lester Peck-Springfield Hospital
- Paul Stagner - Springfield Fire Department
Student/Parent Quotes:
“I wanted to reach out to you to let you know how grateful I am for your class. I have started my true nursing classes and labs this semester, and I’m so thankful I took your class. I feel like I don’t have to stress because it’s all like a refresher. I hope your students know how lucky they are to have you and how glad they will be if they go to college and already have knowledge from your class.”
Former Health Sciences Student
Class of 2023
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 be able 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 interested in pursuing a healthcare career will benefit from exploring this foundation's program.