The Future of Healthcare Starts Here: Exploring ORCA's ASCEND Medical Science Pathway
Healthcare plays a significant role in the American economy. Over the last 60 years, the sector has grown from just five percent of the country’s GDP to more than 17 percent. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be 1.8 million annual healthcare job openings each year from 2022 to 2032 — faster growth than almost all other parts of the economy.
While some 22 million people hold healthcare roles, the sector is experiencing employee shortages in nearly every area, from doctors to home health aides. As a result of rising demand and ongoing worker shortages, healthcare jobs will be very attractive and high-paying career options for many current high school students. That’s why Oregon Charter Academy (ORCA) is investing resources into the medical science pathway of ASCEND, our career and technical education (CTE) program, so our graduates are prepared and equipped with certifications to enter this critical field.
Healthcare Pathway Curriculum Overview
One of the primary goals of the medical science pathway is to show students that attending medical school is not the only avenue toward working in healthcare. To do this, we offer a range of coursework designed to give students a glimpse into every aspect of the profession, from health informatics to diagnostics to support services, research, and more.
ORCA students can begin exploring healthcare-related classes in eighth grade. Once they decide to enroll in the ASCEND medical science pathway, students will complete six related coursework classes and a work-based learning course. Some of our class options include:
Health Science Education I & II: These classes provide an overview of the hospital system, including topics ranging from keeping a healthcare facility clean to creating a fax cover letter.
Intro to Public Health: This introductory course allows students to reflect on how they interact with the world and how interdependent healthcare is.
Medical Law and Ethics: This course guides students through complex topics like racism in healthcare and significant historical events like the Tuskegee experiments.
Medical Terminology/Anatomy-Physiology/Health Occupations: These classes, held in partnership with the Oregon Institute of Technology, are all part of our dual credit program, which enables ORCA students to earn college credits while in high school.
In addition to illuminating coursework and college credit opportunities, medical science pathway students also have access to work-based learning opportunities and professional certifications to help them transition from high school into college or a career.
Work-Based Learning
Every student who graduates from the ASCEND medical science pathway must first complete a work-based learning class, which provides valuable real-world career and skill development opportunities.
Students can fulfill this requirement by completing 100 hours of volunteer or internship work in a healthcare setting and then writing a reflection on their experience. Students who can’t find in-person opportunities participate in a simulation-based workplace learning environment, triaging virtual patients and making decisions in a controlled environment.
During work-based learning, students can earn certifications for bloodborne pathogens and basic life support through the American Heart Association. Beginning next year, ORCA will also offer Stop the Bleed training, which will teach students how to address severe bleeding.
Industry Certifications
In addition to work-based learning, ORCA’s medical science pathway offers two significant certification opportunities. The first is an electronic health records specialist certification, which teaches students how to use and manage electronic health records systems, data entry, and handling medical records. The second is a clinical medical assistant certification, focused on the practical skills necessary for clinical settings, including patient care, basic lab procedures, and administrative tasks.
To earn these certifications, students must complete the required coursework and a test preparation class before taking a National Healthcareer Association certification exam. Once students pass their certification test, they earn a provisional certification until they receive their high school diploma.
Clubs and Extracurricular Opportunities
ORCA students also have ample opportunities to pursue their healthcare interests outside the classroom by participating in clubs and extracurricular activities.
HOSA — Future Health Professionals is an optional career and technical student organization that allows students to further their healthcare education by participating in annual leadership conferences.
Students can also join ORCA’s student-led Scrub Club. The club meets twice a month, allowing students to connect with peers around their shared interests. During meetings, students play games, interact with guest speakers, and more.
Career Pathways Post-Graduation
Upon graduation, medical science pathway students can leave ORCA with significant work-based experience and professional certifications that will enable them to immediately begin working in healthcare roles or continue their education at a postsecondary institution.
Many of our students attend four-year universities to continue their healthcare studies. About a third of our graduates become medical assistants and can start working in hospitals after spending a year in a clinic setting. Some students complete the pathway and discover they aren’t interested in a healthcare career but can use the dual credit classes in other college pathways.
Creating Future Healthcare Workers
ORCA’s ASCEND medical science pathway is a valuable experience for any high school student interested in a healthcare career. Our curriculum enables students to understand the field better while exploring education requirements and income levels for different healthcare jobs. After completing the pathway, students can make more informed decisions about their future and even enter the profession immediately upon graduation. ASCEND graduates will be ready to take advantage of the amazing opportunities that will arise as the healthcare field continues to grow in the coming years.
Join Us for an Info Session
If you’d like to learn more about ORCA’s ASCEND medical science pathway or our approach to virtual learning, join one of our virtual information sessions to connect with ORCA staff and preview our learning platform. We hope to see you there!