Cooperative Education Skills Standards Health Program

- Health Science -

Health Science Occupations-Career Foundations is a one-year, school-supervised, paid work experience skill certificate program for high school juniors and seniors interested in the Health Science career field.  The cooperative is for those students who have completed a minimum of one course in the field of Health Science, such as Introduction to Health Science, Medical Terminology or Nursing Assisting.  Additional course work in body structure and function and medial terminology are highly recommended. Basic proficiency in keyboarding and work processing would be necessary for success in medical office settings.

The Health Science Co-op addresses both core employability skill standards and Health Science Occupation skill standards.  The employability skills include basic, interpersonal, information processing, and technology skills.

The Health Science skills are aligned with the standards developed in 2002 by the National Consortium on Health Science and Technology Education (NCHSTE).  These standards encompass the core skills needed for a wide range of health-related careers to include the five career clusters:  informational, diagnostic, therapeutic, support services and biotechnology research and development.  The Health Science skills include academic foundations, communications, systems, legal responsibilities, ethics, safety practices, teamwork and health maintenance practices.

Students meet the standards through a combination of school and work-based learning.  The goal of the Health Science Cooperative is for students to apply health science technology and skills in a real-world context and assist students in transitioning from school into a career of their choice.

Background Information and Rationale

Health Science Occupations programming is expanding in Wisconsin high schools.  Approximately 250 Wisconsin high schools report offering at least one course in health science occupations.  This growth mirrors the increasing need for health services workers.  Many of the fastest growing occupations in Wisconsin are concentrated in health service.

Students with foundational skills in health science occupations will find entry-level employment opportunities in a variety of healthcare facilities.  Currently, the health youth apprenticeship has nursing as its focus.  Many high school students are interested in healthcare careers, but don’t want to provide direct hands-on care for patients.  This health science occupations skills standards program will offer a cooperative learning experience for a wider range of health careers.

Employment opportunities will continue to be found in long term care facilities for students to provide direct care for residents.  Additionally, students may find entry-level employment in pharmacies; dental, vision and chiropractic offices; medical clinic offices; and insurance companies.

Wisconsin Cooperative Education Skill Standards:

• Health Science Portfolio [68KB, 6pgs]
• Health Science Final Evaluation

For questions about this information, contact Janice Atkinson (608) 266-2347

Last updated on 8/19/2008 1:55:19 PM