Health Studies Program

HEALTH STUDIES PROGRAM

The Health Studies Program fosters student interest in health and health services. Committed to academic excellence, the program enhances student understanding of the healthcare field through a specialized curriculum and experiential learning. Honoring the mission of AMHS, the program aims to cultivate respect for life and compassion for those in need.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

MISSION

Students in the Health Studies Program (HSP) are admitted as a cohort in freshman year. Over the four years of high school, HSP students take a full regular academic schedule but have one class per year with their cohort- see the courses section below for more information. These specialized courses require students to develop independent learning skills and expose students to a wide variety of medical careers.

In addition to these classes, students attend several field trips to local hospitals and other medical centers to see and learn from people working directly in medicine. Each year multiple guest speakers provide additional insight about different aspects of medicine and related fields.

Students are required to complete extensive volunteering, job shadowing, and participation in our HOSA club over four years, some of which can be used to fulfill the school service hour requirement.

By the end of the program, students within the Health Studies Program will:

  • Understand personal and public health issues.
  • Make responsible health decisions.
  • Be prepared for possible careers and leadership positions in the healthcare field.
  • Explore various healthcare careers through site visits, speakers, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Appreciate and respect life.
  • Respond to people in need through direct action.
  • Work for a just world.

COURSES

Students in the Health Studies Program take four courses with their cohort: Health for HSP & Health Technology, Principles of Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions. One of these courses is taken each year as shown below.

VOLUNTEERING AND JOB SHADOWING

Over the course of four years, students in the HSP are required to complete health care specific volunteer work, job shadowing, and participation in HOSA.

The program requirements are:

  • 50 volunteer service hours in a medical setting
  • 10 hours or more job shadowing with a medical professional
  • 10 hours service with a community health related organization
  • Participation in HOSA can count toward job shadowing hours
  • Hours can be used for HSP service and the school service requirement if completed with an approved organization

HOSA

AMHS has a chapter of HOSA- Future Health Professionals for students to pursue individual interests in medical fields beyond the classroom. Students may participate in this club school wide, but those in the HSP can satisfy some of the volunteering and job shadowing requirements of the program by participation in HOSA.

At the 2024 HOSA State Leadership Conference:

  • Three AMHS students were awarded the Barbara James Service Award
  • One student placed 10th in the Biotechnology competition
  • Three students placed in the top ten in the Medical Assisting Competition (5th, 7th, and 9th)

For more information on HOSA, click here: https://www.wahosa.org/

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

A student admitted to the Health Studies Program possesses:

  • Motivation and maturity
  • Strong records and recommendations from previous school
  • Competitive placement exam scores
  • A high quality personal interview
  • Approval of the Administration and the Director of the Health Studies Program
  • The ability to participate in the program’s activities and projects outside of regular school hours

Click HERE to download the application

Click HERE to download the teacher recommendation form

APPLICATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY THE JANUARY AMHS APPLICATION DEADLINE.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

BIOTECHNICIAN ASSISTANT CREDENTIAL

Over the four years of Health Studies program classes, students learn the skills necessary to pass the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE). In spring of senior year students can choose to take the BACE. The certification gives students preferential hiring status for entry level biotechnology positions at some biotech firms, and preferential treatment when trying to work in certain research labs as an undergraduate.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Thomas Wier
Health Studies Program Director