Visit the Academy YouTube page for Exploring Health Science/Exploring the Language of Medicine to learn more about what to expect in this class.

Course Instructor

• Patricia McDonald
  • Room # 240
  • This course qualifies for non-transferrable dual enrollment credit with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), offering a 1.0 weight for the course and awards 1 dual enrollment credit with NOVA to students who qualify.
  • Students interested in Dual Enrollment (DE) must register with NOVA.  Contact the students base school counselor from January 15 - March 24, 2025 to register.   The NOVA equivalent for this course to use when registering is Medical Terminology - HLT 141

Course Description

General Course Prerequisites:

• Students MUST register for both Exploring Health Sciences for Fall Semester and Exploring the Language of Medicine for Spring semester
• Strong attendance is required

Exploring Health Sciences (Fall Semester):

Course #:  830226 – Grades: 10, 11, 12 – Credits:  One

Topics covered by this course include:

• History and Trends in Healthcare
• Professional Qualities and Characteristics of the Health Care Worker including resume writing and interviewing skills
• Infection control
• Health Care Issues
• Legal and Ethical Issues and Responsibilities
• Careers in Health Care Specialties including Educational Requirements
• Health Care Systems
• Health Care Regulatory Boards
• Medical Math
• Safety within the healthcare environment
• Vital signs

Exploring the Language of Medicine (Spring Semester):

Course #:  838326 – Grades:  10, 11, 12 – Credits:  One Prerequisite:  Students must have taken Exploring Health Sciences Course # 830226

This is part two (Spring semester) of a two-part, full-year course. Students must also register for part one, Exploring Health Sciences (Fall semester). This course builds on the foundations of the Exploring Health Sciences course. Exploring the Language of Medicine is designed to help students learn medical terminology used in healthcare fields.  Each unit is presented in logical order, beginning with each body system's anatomy and physiology and progressing through pathology, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions, and pharmacology. Concepts, terms, and abbreviations are also presented to the students.

Certifications

• American Heart Association Bloodborne Pathogens
• American Heart Association First Aid Certification
• American Heart Association Health Care Provider BLS CPR w/AED