AMHS HEALTH STUDIES PROGRAM: START LEARNING ABOUT MEDICAL CAREERS IN HIGH SCHOOL

  • AMHS

Nov 16 2022 3:12 PM

Archbishop Murphy High School has a Health Studies Program that helps students prepare for medical careers. Learn more here.

Are you a high school student interested in the healthcare field, or the parent of one? Archbishop Murphy High School has a great program for you!

The AMHS Health Studies Program (HSP) is designed for 9th-12th grade students interested in the medical field. Students in this program take four classes in high school designed to give them experience with a wide variety of medical careers and to prepare them for any career in health care.

In addition to these four academic classes, students in the Health Studies Program tour local hospitals and clinics, can earn credentials for work in biotechnology, job shadow in medical fields of interest, and participate in HOSA (Future Health Professions Club).

COURSES

Students enter the HSP as a cohort their freshman year. They take a special section of Health and Introduction to Technology that covers traditional content for these courses and also provides an introduction to the medical field.

Sophomore through Senior year, students take three project based classes in the biomedical sciences. These courses introduce a wide variety of medical careers, but also help students to learn human biology, anatomy and physiology, and biotechnology. These courses use the PLTW Biomedical Sciences curriculum.

Students also take traditional high school science courses, such as biology, chemistry, and physics, to help them prepare for further study in the medical field. We offer a variety of academic opportunities for all of our students, including AP courses.

JOB SHADOWING AND VOLUNTEERING

Students in the HSP have the opportunity to shadow medical professionals in a wide variety of fields. Jobs shadowing helps students see what the work is truly like. 

In addition, the program helps students find volunteer opportunities in the medical field to enhance their experiences in medical settings. Our students volunteer with programs such as the COPE Junior Health Scholars and Camp Prov / High School Summer Program at Providence Hospital.

CREDENTIALING

Over the course of four years, students in the HSP learn many common biotechnology lab techniques. By the end of senior year they are ready to take the BACE, the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam

The BACE credential is recognized in many states, by many biotech firms, and by many universities, and recognition is growing quickly. This credential can give students preferential hiring status for entry level positions at biotech firms and in college labs.

HOSA

Our HOSA club organizes blood drives on campus and helps students study and prepare for regional competition with Washington HOSA. The competitions require students to study and learn skills for a selected medical profession. 

Our students have placed in the top three in state competitions multiple times, and we have sent students to HOSA International.

THE HEALTH STUDIES PROGRAM AT AMHS

The Health Studies Program at AMHS prepares students for future health care careers through advanced coursework, job shadowing, biotech industry credentialing, and volunteering. The four years of classes help students determine if a medical career is right for them, and they leave high school ready to pursue whatever medical field they choose.

HOW TO APPLY TO THE HEALTH STUDIES PROGRAM:

You can apply to the Health Studies Program by following these steps:

  1. Apply to AMHS — complete this online application.  
  2. Complete the application for the Health Studies Program one of two ways:
    • Check the box in the online application indicating your interest in Health Studies; the forms will automatically be added to your application.
    • Download the HSP application, print it, and email a scanned copy to admissions@am-hs.org 
  3. Have a middle school science teacher complete the HSP Teacher Recommendation Form electronically or on paper, and send it to admissions@am-hs.org.
  4. AMHS will contact you to schedule an interview with the Director of Health Studies, Tom Wier.

GOT QUESTIONS?

Contact the Director of Health Studies, Tom Wier, at twier@am-hs.org or the Director of Admissions, Jana James, at admissions@am-hs.org.