GHS
HEALTHSCIENCE CE
T
he Health Science pathway at Gainesville High School involves four courses that students begin their Freshman year and finish with a double-block their Senior year. The courses offered are Principles of Health Science, Health Science Theory, Medical Terminology, and Practicum of Health Science. In 2022, there were 179 students in grades 9-12 enrolled in the Health Science pathway. This program is made possible with instruction from Brandi Dunn, BSN-RN, who is a full-time teacher at GHS and Jane Bohac, BSN-RN. The pathway produced a record 43 healthcare certifications during the 2021-2022 school year. Throughout these courses, students build their knowledge of patient assessment, vital signs, first aid, CPR, EKGs, anatomy of the human body, medication administration, injections, phlebotomy, the disease process and complications, healthcare careers and much more! The classroom is much like a “clinical setting” with five manikins and four hospital beds, allowing students to utilize real medical equipment in the classroom setting. Students have access in the classroom to a patient lift, wheelchair, canes, crutches, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers, an EKG machine, bandaging supplies, medication administration kits, and much more.
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION The 2021-2022 school year was the first year that the Patient Care Technician Certification (CPCT) was offered to Juniors taking the Medical 12
• Gainesville SPOT SPOTlight light • Summer 2022
Program
Terminology course. This new testing opportunity gained an additional 23 certifications for GHS students.
O BTAI N I NG CPCT A R E: Sarai Samos, Ariadna Ramos, Edith Mesta, Adriana Galano, Bradyen Mackey, Caitlyn Gomez, Yajaira Cerda, Dillon Reasor, Ashlyn Garrison, Debora Castillo, Gabriel Martinez, Celine Alzubi, Bryce Martin, Zyla Alonso
CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION Upon completion of the pathway their senior year, students are able to test to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA). Since testing began in 2019, the program has produced 43 CMAs, and 21 of those certifications were earned this year alone. This occupation offers excellent job opportunities right out of high school and also helps build students’ resumes for future Health Science careers. Students also have the
