Health Sciences

Explore exciting health services programs designed for students at every level! Middle school students can become "medical detectives," investigating the human body, diagnosing diseases, and solving medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs. High school students can dive into the world of health care with courses like Introduction to Health Care, where they explore medical careers, anatomy, physiology, and earn CPR/First Aid certification. The Health Science Careers program offers intensive training in patient care, including clinical experience and the opportunity to earn Nursing Assistant Certification. For those interested in the inner workings of the body, Anatomy & Physiology provides an in-depth look at human biology, while Biotechnology introduces students to the scientific techniques used in the biotech industry. These programs give students valuable skills and experiences, preparing them for careers in the health care field or further education in the medical sciences.

Courses in this Pathway

Medical Detectives

Location: Highland Middle School, Odle Middle School and Tillicum Middle School

Become medical detectives and solve medical mysteries! Apply experimental design, creative thinking, and problem solving to investigate the inner workings of the human body, diagnose disease, and improve human health. Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data, solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, examine nervous system structure and function, and investigate disease outbreaks.

Introduction to Health Care

Location: Bellevue High School, Interlake High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Interested in a career in the health care industry? If so, this course is for you! Study the history of health care and explore different careers. Become familiar with anatomy and physiology, disease processes and hand-on health care skills like handwashing and body mechanics. An introduction to vital signs and anatomy and physiology will also be included. You will also receive an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Card.

Health Science Careers

Location: Sammamish High School (Available to all schools)

This course is part of Washington Network for Innovative Careers (WANIC), a seven-district partnership whose primary mission is to provide quality, diverse, and cost-effective career and technical education for all students through interdistrict cooperation. WANIC courses are challenging, relevant, specialized programs that meet for 3 periods per day all year. BSD students do not need to fill out a WANIC application for courses held at Bellevue schools. Learn more about all the opportunities available through WANIC at their website.  

This intensive course of study introduces students to a variety of careers in the health care industry with emphasis on hands-on, patient-oriented skills training for those interested in becoming nurses, physicians, and other therapists. Learn about a variety of health care topics, procedures and careers in patient care, and earn certification in CPR/First Aid. Students complete clinical experience hours in healthcare facilities to meet Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) requirements. At the end of the year, students who meet course requirements earning an "A" or "B" will qualify to take the NNAAP (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program) written examination and skills evaluation, offered at Sammamish High School. The rigor required for success in this class plus college credits earned allow students to immediately enter employment in the health care industry and/or to continue their post-secondary education.

Program fees may apply. Financial assistance may be available for qualifying students. Compare this class description with Medical Careers to understand your options.

Anatomy & Physiology

Location: Bellevue High School, Newport High School, Sammamish High School

In this introductory human anatomy and physiology course, students investigate the intricate machinery that makes the body work, relating the functional anatomy and physical geography of organs and organ systems to the physiological functions which they perform. Students will also explore the delicate web of interaction among body systems, the importance of maintaining homeostatic balance within this web, and the medical implications of disturbing this balance.

Biotechnology

Location: Newport High School, Sammamish High School

Biotechnology is a course designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the scientific concepts and laboratory research techniques currently used in the field of biotechnology. Students attain knowledge about the field of biotechnology and deeper understanding of the biological concepts used. In addition, students develop the laboratory, critical thinking, and communication skills currently used in the biotechnology industry. Furthermore, students will explore and evaluate career opportunities in the field of biotechnology through extensive readings, laboratory experiments, class discussions, research projects, guest speakers, and workplace visits. The objectives covered in this course are both academic and technical in nature and are presented in a progressively rigorous manner.

Post-Secondary

University of Washington School of Nursing - Renowned for its comprehensive nursing programs, the University of Washington offers traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, as well as Master's and Doctoral programs.
Washington State University College of Nursing - With campuses in Spokane, Yakima, and Vancouver, WSU offers a BSN program and various advanced nursing degrees, focusing on innovative research and community health.
Shoreline Community College - Shoreline offers an Associate of Science in Biotechnology, along with a one-year certificate program for students with existing scientific training. The college serves as the Northwest Region Bio-Link Center for Biotechnology Education, providing specialized resources and training.
Eastern Washington University (EWU) - EWU provides a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Biotechnology Option. This program includes a year-long biotechnology course series where students design and conduct original research, enhancing their skills in molecular biotechniques and teamwork.

Careers in this Pathway

Registered Nurse (RN) - Registered nurses provide patient care, educate patients about health conditions, and offer emotional support. They work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
Medical and Health Services Manager - These professionals oversee healthcare facilities, departments, or specific services. They manage operations, budgets, staff, and ensure compliance with healthcare regulations.
Physician (Doctor) - Physicians diagnose illnesses, prescribe treatments, and provide ongoing care for patients. They specialize in various areas such as pediatrics, surgery, or general practice.
Pharmacist - Pharmacists dispense medications, provide information about their proper use, and work with healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive the correct drugs for their conditions.
Physical Therapist - Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries or surgeries, manage pain, and improve their mobility through exercises and other therapeutic techniques.