Academy of Health Sciences

This pathway provides students with skills and essential knowledge to investigate an individual’s health status through various diagnostic procedures.

Students will explore careers in medical laboratory, radiology, cardiovascular service, and pulmonology to determine underlying causes of diseases and disorders.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Diagnostic Services Pathway is a part of the Health Science career cluster. The Health Science Career Cluster involves planning, managing, and providing therapeutic, diagnostic, and health support services. This cluster also includes medical and biotech research.

Pathway Courses

Level 1: Health Science Education

• Health Science Education is an introductory course designed to prepare students to pursue careers in the fields of public health, therapeutics, health services administration, diagnostics, and support services. Upon completion of this course, a proficient student will be able to identify careers in these fields, compare and contrast the features of healthcare systems, explain the legal and ethical ramifications of the healthcare setting, and begin to perform foundational healthcare skills. This course will serve as a strong foundation for all of the Health Science programs of study as well as the Health Services Administration program of study.
• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry
  • The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2: Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy and Physiology is designed to develop an understanding of the structures and functions of the human body, while relating those to knowledge and skills associated with pathophysiology. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to (1) apply the gross anatomy from earlier courses to a deeper understanding of all body systems, (2) identify the organs and structures of the support and movement systems, (3) relate the structure and function of the communication, control, and integration system, and (4) demonstrate a professional, working understanding of the transportation, respiration, excretory, and reproduction systems.
• Aligned Industry Credential
  • Adult, Infant, and Child CPR/AED/First Aid. Earning the Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification and training equips students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and babies.

Level 3: Diagnostic Medicine

• Diagnostic Medicine is a second or third level course designed to prepare students to pursue careers in the fields of diagnostic medical imaging, medical laboratory testing, optometry, and other patient diagnostic procedures. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to describe new and evolving diagnostic technologies, compare and contrast the features of healthcare systems, explain the legal and ethical ramifications of the healthcare setting, and begin to perform foundational healthcare skills. In addition, students will continue to add artifacts to a portfolio, which they will continue to build throughout the program of study.
• Aligned Industry Credential: Certified EKG Technician
  • The Certified EKG Technician (CET) certification is for cardiovascular technologists and technicians who assist physicians in diagnosing and treating cardiac (heart) and peripheral vascular (blood vessel) ailments. Cardiovascular technologists may specialize in any of three areas of practice: invasive cardiology, echocardiography, and vascular technology.

Additional Course(s) in this Pathway:

• Cardiovascular Services: The health-related profession of cardiovascular science is concerned specifically with the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cardiac and peripheral vascular disease. Upon completion of this course, students will be proficient in the anatomy and physiology of the heart and knowledgeable about both invasive and non-invasive cardiovascular procedures.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Enrollment Only
• Institution: Nashville State Community College (NSCC)
• Dual Enrollment: Students are dually enrolled in both college and high school courses. Students must meet college admission requirements and complete all coursework. If the student passes the course, he/she will be awarded the college credit via a transcript.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: HOSA

HOSA — Future Health Professionals is a national student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.

This pathway prepares students for careers in medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, pharmacology, nutrition, and many more established and emerging fields in the healthcare sector.

Course content provides foundational knowledge and skills in each of these areas.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Therapeutic Services Pathway is a part of the Health Science career cluster. The Health Science Career Cluster involves planning, managing, and providing therapeutic, diagnostic, and health support services. This cluster also includes medical and biotech research.

Pathway Courses

Level 1: Health Science Education

• Health Science Education is an introductory course designed to prepare students to pursue careers in the fields of public health, therapeutics, health services administration, diagnostics, and support services. Upon completion of this course, a proficient student will be able to identify careers in these fields, compare and contrast the features of healthcare systems, explain the legal and ethical ramifications of the healthcare setting, and begin to perform foundational healthcare skills. This course will serve as a strong foundation for all of the Health Science programs of study as well as the Health Services Administration program of study.
• Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry
  • The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2: Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy and Physiology is designed to develop an understanding of the structures and functions of the human body, while relating those to knowledge and skills associated with pathophysiology. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to (1) apply the gross anatomy from earlier courses to a deeper understanding of all body systems, (2) identify the organs and structures of the support and movement systems, (3) relate the structure and function of the communication, control, and integration system, and (4) demonstrate a professional, working understanding of the transportation, respiration, excretory, and reproduction systems.
• Aligned Industry Credential: Adult, Infant, and Child CPR/AED/First Aid
  • Earning the Adult, Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification and training equips students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and babies.

Level 3: Medical Assisting

• Medical Assisting is a level 2 or level 3 course designed to prepare students to pursue careers in medical assisting. Upon completion of this course, a proficient student will be able to implement communication and interpersonal skills, provide care safely, prevent emergency situations, prevent infection through infection control, and perform the skills required of a medical assistant. At the conclusion of this course and an appropriate clinical internship, students may sit for the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam.
• Aligned Industry Credential: Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
  • The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification measures knowledge and skills in ambulatory settings (clinics and medical offices) under the supervision of physicians. CMAs are capable of doing both clinical and administrative procedures and are tested in such procedures.

Additional Course(s) in this Pathway:

• Pharmacological Sciences. Pharmacological Sciences is intended to prepare students with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the healthcare worker in a pharmacy setting. This course equips students with the communication, goal-setting, and information-processing skills to be successful in the workplace, in addition to covering key topics in pharmacology, pharmacy law and regulations, sterile and non-sterile compounding, medication safety, quality assurance, and more.
• Aligned Industry Credential: Certified Pharmacy Technician. Benefits of this certification include an increase in job promotion opportunities, recognition within the pharmacy profession, and an increased focus on patient safety. Pharmacists recognize that certified pharmacy technicians demonstrate the qualifications and the knowledge necessary to function as a pharmacy technician through the examination. Individuals who meet eligibility requirements and pass the certification exam may use the designation CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician).
• Nutrition Science and Diet Therapy. Nutrition Science and Diet Therapy is an applied knowledge course in nutrition for students interested in the role of nutrition in health and disease. Upon completion of this course, proficient students will be able to develop a nutrition care plan as part of the overall health care process, use methods for analyzing the nutritional health of a community, and understand the relationship of diet and nutrition to specific diseases.
• Aligned Industry Credential: ServSafe Food Handler. The ServSafe Food Handler Certification, suitable for individuals in food handler employee-level positions, verifies basic food safety knowledge.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

• Credit Type: Dual Enrollment Only
• Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College
• Dual Enrollment: Students are dually enrolled in both college and high school courses. Students must meet college admission requirements and complete all coursework. If the student passes the course, he/she will be awarded the college credit via a transcript.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: HOSA

HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a national student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE. HOSA’s two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people.