Health Science Education is designed for all students in grades 9-12 who are interested in a health career.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the health care industry will increase by 4.2 million and account for 17 percent of total growth.  Demand for health services will be stimulated as new technologies permit intervention for conditions previously undiagnosable or regarded as untreatable.

Health Science Education continues to provide students in grades K-12 with knowledge of health careers.  The Tennessee Health Science Education focuses on grades 9-12 with a major in health science education.  Students complete the major and continue into post-secondary education. 

Tennessee Health Science Education program has increased from 14,429 in 2000-2001 to 18,378 in 2003-2004.  A change in race has shown that local school systems are opening the enrollment to all students.  In 2003-2004 a total of 152 Asian students were reported, 2,635 black students and 305 Hispanic students.   

Goals for Health Science Education

• Provide students with adequate knowledge of health care careers and supply competent, trained workers from high school or a pathway for entrance into a one-, two-, or four-year, program at a college or university
• Recognize health care needs and provide students with updated information on new and innovative technology in health care
• Support a cooperative effort between high school and postsecondary
• Provide education for allied health and nursing programs
• Collaborate with health care industry to update and change knowledge and skills for all students enrolled in health science education

Health Science Education Courses

Health Science Education courses are designed to meet the needs of all students including honors credit.  The courses are as follows:

• Health Science Education
1. National Health Foundation Skill Standards Certificate
• Anatomy and Physiology
1. Science Credit
• Nursing Education
1. Certified Nursing Assistant
2. Certification Patient Care Technician
• Medical Therapeutics
1. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
2. Certified EKG/ECG
3. Pharmacy Technician
4. Dental Assisting
• Diagnostic Medicine
1. Medical Laboratory Certificate
2. Respiratory Therapy Certificate
3. Optical Assisting
• Health Informatics
1. Certified Medical Billing and Coding (CBCS)
2. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
3. Certified Medical Transcriptions (CMT)
• Rehabilitative Therapy
• Support Services
1. Sterile Technician
• Emergency Medical Services
1. First Responder
2. Emergency Medical Technician
• Biomedical Applications
• Forensic Science

Health Science Education is a program designed to prepare students for careers in health care.  The program provides students:

• an academic foundation that includes reading and writing (charts, reports, manuals...); the performance of mathematical operations, such as computations involving weights and measures; and the application of science knowledge, such as biology, chemistry and physics.
• hands-on experiences in a health care facility.  These include job shadowing, clinical internships, cooperative education and other work-based experiences.
• an opportunity to become a certified nurses aide.
• health care mentors who assist with learning opportunities in a health care facility.
• community involvement with health care partnerships.
• opportunities for Tech Prep programs to earn college credit while in high school.
• preparation for employment in new and innovative health care careers