Therapeutic Services Pathway (Health Sciences)

Therapeutic Services Pathway

The Therapeutic Services Pathway will provide students the opportunity to understand the relationship of their studies of the complexities of life science and biology to careers in the health care industry. The academic program, along with hands-on activities, interaction with mentors, and job shadowing, will provide students with projects designed to increase their critical thinking skills, and abilities to observe and discover. Students will learn how to collect and assess data, make interpretations and communicate their findings.

Students who attend the Governor's STEM Academy will have the opportunity to earn industry credentials which lead to a competitive headstart in a high skill, high demand, high wage career.

By the completion of the four year program, students will have had the opportunity to earn several industry credentials including Workplace Readiness Skills Assessment, National Health Science Assessment, Project-Lead-the-Way assessments, Emergency Medical Technician Exam, and the Certified Personal Trainer Exam.  These credentials prepare students for college and career options after high school graduation.

In addition, students can:

• participate in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS)
• engage in work-based learning opportunities (such as job shadowing, mentoring, internships, etc.)
• earn the VDOE Career and Technical Education (CTE) Seal in addition to a variety of other seals depending on their overall high school performance 

Courses: 

Introduction to Health and Medical Sciences (Year 1)

This course introduces the student to a variety of healthcare careers and develops basic skills required in all health and medical sciences. It is designed to help students understand the key elements of the U.S. healthcare system and to learn basic healthcare terminology, anatomy and physiology for each body system, pathologies, diagnostic and clinical procedures, therapeutic interventions, and the fundamentals of traumatic and medical emergency care. Throughout the course, instruction emphasizes safety, cleanliness, asepsis, professionalism, accountability, and efficiency within the healthcare environment. Students also begin gaining job-seeking skills for entry into the health and medical sciences field. In addition, instruction may include the basics of medical laboratory procedures, pharmacology fundamentals, biotechnology concepts, and communication skills essential for providing quality patient care.

Principles of Biomedical Sciences (Year 1)

In this specialization course for Project Lead the Way (PLTW), students are taught concepts of forensic inquiry, DNA and inheritance, and the function of human body systems, exploring the body through diseases, such as those leading to diabetes and heart, sickle cell, and infectious diseases. Students also explore medical interventions, postmortem examination, bioprocessing, bioinformatics, and concepts of microbiology and genetic engineering.

Medical Terminology (Year 2)

Medical Terminology is designed to help students learn common medical terms essential for patient care. Topics are presented in logical order, beginning with each body system's anatomy and physiology and progressing through pathology, laboratory tests and clinical procedures, therapeutic interventions, and pharmacology. Students learn concepts, terms, and abbreviations for each topic.   

Human Body Systems (Year 2)

In this specialization course for Project Lead the Way (PLTW), students explore the human body systems of communication, power, and movement. To do this, students are taught the body’s components, tissues, molecules, and cells, as well as concepts of homeostasis and body system defenses.  

 Emergency Medical Technician (Year 3)

The tasks  for  this  course  represent  the National  and  Virginia Emergency  Medical  Services (EMS)  Educational  Standards. Students  explore  and apply the  fundamentals  of  EMS, anatomy, physiology, and medical  terminology while  demonstrating skills  in assessing and managing patient  care, including assessing the  scene  and understanding shock, resuscitation, and trauma. Successful  completion of  this  course  and instructor  endorsement  qualifies  students  to enroll  in EMT II  to complete  the  program  sequence.

In the news:

'I want to be like them': EMTs in training raise Freedom Flag at Richmond school to remember 9/11  Richmond Technical Center public safety students held a 9/11 flag-raising ceremony Wed. Sept. 11, 2019. (Found in Richmond Times Dispatch, 9/11/2019)

Sports Medicine (Year 4)

In this course, students earn a certification in First Aid/CPR/AED. The course introduces students to topics such as human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, biomechanics, medical terminology, injuries and illnesses, and legal and ethical issues in sports medicine. Students also examine prospective careers in the sports medicine field. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to take Sports Medicine II and pursue certification as a personal trainer. 

* At least 3 years of a language is required for the Advanced Diploma

** Some courses may need to be taken during summer.

NOTE:  Please plan your four-year journey carefully with your home school counselor.