Health Sciences Academy

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• Health Sciences Academy

SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL
Grand Prairie, Texas
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There are five career pathways in the Health
Science Cluster Health Infomatics Biotechnology
Research and Development Diagnostic
Services Support Services Therapeutic Services
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Health Informatics-

• The following are two pathway models
• Medical Administration
• Medical Records

Thinking about a career in Medical Administration?
This career pathway may be for you! Medical
Administrators plan and direct the delivery of
health care. They run hospitals and other
healthcare facilities. They manage long term
health care facilities and other services for
older people. Health care administrators make
sure healthcare standards are maintained.
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Medical Records-
Health information technicians collect, code, and
maintain medical information about patients.
Maintaining medical records is critical because
they include the information about a patient's
visit to a hospital or doctor.
The job outlook for Medical Records and Health
Information Technicians is good. As the
population grows, the number of people receiving
medical care and the number of medical offices
will increase. In addition, elderly people are
more likely than younger people to need medical
care. Thus much of the growth for this occupation
will be at hospitals, long-term care facilities,
and home health care services. Nationally, the
salary range is 17,720 to 41,760 (Occupational
Outlook Handbook.)
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Biotechnology Research and Development-
Thinking about a career in Biotechnology?
This career pathway may be for you! Biological
Technicians conduct experiments and interpret
data. They use scientific theories to solve
problems in research and development. Many
technicians develop and adapt lab procedures to
get the best results. They also help invent and
improve products and processes.
The employment outlook for the biotechnology
profession is very good. Much of the growth will
be in industries such as drug manufacturing,
hospitals, and medical laboratories. The
biotechnology profession has a median salary of
34,340. Wages vary according to education and
area of the country.
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Diagnostic Services
The following are four Pathway Models

• Clinical Lab Science
• Medical Imaging
• Nutrition
• Special Technologies Services

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Clinical Lab Science
The job outlook for Clinical Lab Scientist is
good. Nationally, the number of jobs for medical
laboratory technologists is expected to grow as
fast as average through the year 2012. Some of
the fastest growth for technologists will be at
doctors' offices. Many physicians like having
medical tests evaluated in-house rather than
sending them to a laboratory (Career Information
System, 2006). The salary range for clinical lab
scientist is 32,240 to 63,120 (Occupational
Outlook Handbook).
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Medical Imaging
Thinking about a career in Medical Imaging?
This career pathway may be for you! Radiology
technologists provide information to diagnose
medical problems. They create images of the
inside of the body and analyze the images. The
images help doctors identify and treat medical
problems.
The job outlook for careers in Medical Imaging is
good. Nationally, the number of jobs for
radiology technologists is expected to grow
faster than average through the year 2012. Many
new jobs will be created at hospitals. However,
employment will grow most rapidly in medical
offices, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers.
These jobs will open up as part of a trend to
lower health care costs by doing procedures
outside the hospital setting (Career Information
System, 2006).
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Nutrition
Nutritionists promote healthy eating. They work
with patients, clients, doctors, nurses, and food
service workers. The demand for nutritionists is
growing faster than average. Look inside to see
the suggested coursework and learning
opportunities that will prepare you for an
exciting and rewarding career.
The job outlook for Nutritionists is good.
Nationally, the number of jobs for nutritionists
is expected to grow through the year 2012. The
need for nutritionists is expected to increase
since people are paying more attention to their
eating habits. As more people become interested
in nutrition, new jobs are being created (Career
Information Systems, 2006). The national salary
range for this profession is from 27,500 to
63,760 (Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2006-2007).
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Special Technologies Services
In the Special Technologies pathway, employees
conduct tests and do evaluations to assist with
detecting and identifying diseases and injuries.
Once a diagnosis is made, test results are used
to set up a treatment plan.
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians are
examples of careers in this pathway These
individuals help doctors identify and treat
cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood vessel)
problems. Nationally, the number of jobs for
cardiovascular technologists and technicians is
expected to grow faster than average through the
year 2012. Pay varies with the technologist's
level of education and skill. Technicians with
formal training generally earn more than those
who are trained at hospitals (Career Information
System, 2006). Nationally, salaries can range
from 21,790 to 59,000).
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Thinking about a career in Environmental Science?
Support Services
This career pathway may be for you! Environmental
Scientists advise and assist in the development
of technology for the environment. They conduct
research on the aspects of the biological systems
of humans and animals.
The job outlook for Environmental Scientists is
good. The number of jobs for environmental
scientists is expected to grow through the year
2012. As long as the public continues to be
concerned about the environment, these scientists
should be in demand (Career Information System,
2006). Nationally, the salary for environmental
scientists ranges from 31,610 to 85,940 per
year.
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Therapeutic Services

• Dentistry
• EMT
• Mental Health
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Physician
• Special Therapy Services
• Speech Therapy

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Careers in Dentistry allow you to work directly
with patients to improve and maintain their oral
health. Contact with patients varies from routine
check-ups to specific treatments. They also give
information and counseling so patients can care
for themselves.
Dentistry
The outlook for careers in Dentistry is positive.
The desire for and need for dental care is
continuing to grow. Older adults are more likely
to require more care than in the past when people
often needed dentures. Besides the growth in
preventative dentistry, the need for cosmetic
dentistry continues to grow. Nationally, the
median salary for dentists is 129,290. Earnings
vary according to number of years in practice,
location, hours worked, and specialty.
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EMT
SGP

• To enter the Emergency Medical Technician program
  students must be seniors
• This class is two periods a day for one trimester
• The EMT class offers CPR certification and
  insight to becoming EMTs
• The class is taught by actual EMTs from
  Methodist Hospital
• At the end of the class, students will take an
  EMT certification test.

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Mental Health
Mental health professionals help people manage or
overcome a range of illnesses and emotional
problems. They help their clients and patients
develop skills and strategies for dealing with
problems.
The job outlook is good for Psychiatrists working
in mental health. The elderly are more likely to
need mental health care services. The public is
becoming more aware of the importance of mental
health. As a result, people are more likely to
consult a mental health care professional (Career
Information System, 2006). Nationally,
psychiatrists with over one year of practice have
an average salary of over 180,000. Earnings vary
according to number of years in practice,
geographic region, hours worked, and skill,
personality, and professional reputation
(Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007).
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Nursing
Thinking about a career in Nursing? This career
pathway may be for you! Registered Nurses (RNs)
work with patients in hospitals, in doctors'
offices, and in long-term care facilities to
promote health. They also work in public health
facilities and schools.
The job outlook for Nursing is good. Growth in
this occupation will be due in part to
technological advances that allow more medical
problems to be treated. Rapid growth is expected
in home health care and long-term care
facilities. Wages vary according to level of
education and employer. For instance, hospital
nurses earn more than those employed in doctors'
offices (Texas Workforce Commission, 2006).
Nationally, salaries for registered nurses range
from 37,300 to 74,760 (Occupation Outlook
Handbook, 2006-2007).
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Pharmacy
Pharmacists dispense drugs that are prescribed by
doctors. Those who work in hospitals or clinics
advise medical staff on the selection and effects
of drugs.
Nationally, the number of jobs for Pharmacists is
expected to increase faster than average through
the year 2012. The number of middle-aged and
elderly people is growing and will increase the
demand for pharmacists (Career Information
System, May 2006). Nationally, the salary range
for pharmacists is 61,200 to 109,850
(Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007).
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Physician
Physicians work directly with patients to improve
their health. They also give information and
counseling so patients can care for themselves.
The job outlook for Physicians is very good.
Growth in this profession will be due in part to
technological advances that allow more medical
problems to be treated. In addition, the number
of older people is expected to increase rapidly.
Nationally, the average salary is about 137,670
per year (Career Information System, 2006). The
average salary for physicians in Texas is 62,100.
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Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists,
Respiratory Therapists, and Recreational
Therapists work directly with patients to improve
their health. They may also give information and
counseling so patients can care for themselves.
Special Therapy Services
The job outlook for Special Therapy Services is
good. An aging population will increase the
number of people that require different types of
therapy (Career Information System, 2006). These
professions offer salaries that range from
20,130 to 88,580.
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Special Therapy Services
Speech pathologists and audiologists help people
speak more clearly or hear better. Speech
pathologists treat language and speaking
disorders. They are often called speech-language
pathologists or speech therapists. Audiologists
treat hearing disorders and work to prevent
hearing loss.
Nationally, the number of jobs for Speech
Pathologists and Audiologists is expected to grow
faster than average through the year 2012.
Treatment for speech and hearing disorders is
available in schools and private practice (Career
Information System, 2006). The national salary
range for speech pathologists and audiologists is
34,720 to 82,420.
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And now you have seen opportunities in the
Health Sciences!
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RESOURCES
http//www.achievetexas.org
Texas Education Agency- www.tea.state.tx.us Hi
gh Schools That Work- www.sreb.org/programs/h
sts/hstwindex.asp National Centers for Career and
Technical Education- www.nccte.org States Career
Cluster Initiative- www.careerclusters.org Americ
as Career Research Network- www.acrnetwork.org A
ssociation for Career and Technical Education
(ACTE)- www.acteonline.org U.S. Department of
Education- www.ed.gov Texas High School
Project- www.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/thsp/index.
html
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For questions or more information, please
contact Barbara Hagle, Smaller Learning
Communities Coordinator, Academy
Facilitator South Grand Prairie High
School barbara.hagle_at_gpisd.org