Welcome to the Health Science Department!
Course Descriptions:
Health Issues
Students who did not pass 7th AND 8th grade Health or transferred from another school (including St. John’s or St. Mary’s) must take the Health Issues course - This is NOT an elective course. Course introduces relevant trends in health topics by connecting these concepts: understanding health and wellness, making responsible decisions, achieving mental and emotional health, managing stress and coping with loss, foundations of healthy and safe relationships. This includes nutrition and physical activity as well as body systems: diseases and disorders, growth and development, alcohol and other drugs. Required assessments will include the areas of guided practice, activity labs, projects and quizzes and tests. Earbuds and colored markers are required for class.
Family Life
This Family & Consumer Science course satisfies the required Health credit for graduation from Portage High School. This course allows students to explore issues relating to themselves and their role in the family. Guest speakers, multimedia presentations, and class discussions are often used to help students gain an understanding of personal and family issues. Examples of topics include relationships with our parents and siblings, decisions about dating and marriage, decisions about having children, and family crisis situations.
Introduction to Health Careers I
This course is designed to introduce the student to a wide variety of health careers. Students will investigate a variety of health care careers including the educational requirements, personal characteristics, and necessary skill sets. Healthcare past, present, and future perspectives are presented. Earbuds and colored markers are required for class.
Personal Wellness
This course focuses on your personal responsibility for your health, including family health history, lifestyle factors and their relationships to well being, behaviors, and disease. Some topics include: the health dimensions, personal awareness and personality, sleep and stress management. Students will develop their own goals and wellness plan. Every student will be expected to actively participate in their wellness plan that requires changing into appropriate clothing for all physical activities and actively contributing to class activities including a final project and portfolio. Earbuds and colored markers are required for class.
Health Careers II
Prerequisites: Successful completion in Introduction to Health Careers I. This course is designed to give you a look into basic structures and functions of the body systems; causes, diagnosis and care for specific diseases / disorders; and current health related issues in the news. Ethical and legal responsibilities in healthcare and employability skills and technical writing in the workplace with added emphasis on academic honesty, providing original work, and submitting and performing accurate work. Earbuds and colored markers are required for class.
Health Careers III - Medical Laws & Ethics
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Health Careers I and Health Careers II. Students will have an overview of the laws and ethics needed to help provide competent, compassionate care to patients within the healthcare setting. Students will be introduced to and examine acceptable legal and ethical aspects of healthcare systems and various careers. The focus of healthcare employability skills will be emphasized. HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) activities will be integrated throughout the curriculum. Earbuds and colored markers are required for class.
Nursing Assistant
Prerequisites: Students must have a minimum of a “C” in Introduction to Health Careers I course, minimal school absences, and have teacher recommendation. Student must be 17 years old and have a valid driver’s license. A minimum score of 13 on the Reading portion of the ACT Test is required. Students must attend Prep Steps meeting as well as complete/pass online background check, health history information, current immunizations, two-step TB tests, and flu shot to be enrolled in the class – cost is paid by student. The NA class will be held during the school day with clinicals to be determined.
This 120-hour course prepares students for employment as a Nursing Assistant (“NA") - 50 hours of theory classroom, 30 hours of lab experience and 40 hours in a clinical setting. Course prepares students to care for patients under the supervision of a licensed professional nurse. In addition to using a textbook, the NA course allows students to view instructional nursing skills videos, practice-nursing skills, and complete nursing assistant skills testing. Course skills taught include: bed making, personal care and hygiene, transporting patients, taking temperature, pulse and respiration, and feeding patients. Learn to assist patients with activities of daily living, assisting patients to their highest level of functioning, and maintain resident rights and patient confidentiality. The State of Wisconsin requirements for certification will not be met if student is absent for 8 clock hours for any reason.
Student and parent(s) must sign an Agreement to reimburse the school district the full cost of the class and books (approximately $500) if you drop or fail the class.
Students will take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam immediately after successful completion of the CNA course. Your name will then placed in the nursing assistant directory for the State of Wisconsin. Testing fees are approximately $115 and are to be paid by the student.
Sports Medicine
This class is designed for students who are interested in going into sports medicine or other medical fields. Students will be introduced to the profession and gain an in-depth knowledge of the skeletal and muscular system, such as the bony landmarks and muscles that connect to the body. Students will be taught various ways to care for patients and their injuries, and have the opportunity to practice preventative sports medicine skills, such as taping. Ultimately, students will gain a better understanding of sports medicine and the healthcare profession.
Youth Apprenticeship
The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a unique opportunity for students to start preparing for a career while still in high school. This one- or two-year program provides the opportunity for earning an hourly wage while learning from skilled professionals. Excused time from school is optional. Students completing the program will receive a certificate of occupational proficiency from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Participation in the Youth Apprenticeship Program requires the student to meet entry criteria. Students must have a high interest in the Health field (nursing assistant, pharmacy technician, and medical assistant), be on track to graduate, have adequate transportation, obtain parental permission, have a good attendance record, and be willing to submit to an application and interview process. Applicants are approved for the program on a case-by-case basis.
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