21st Century Health Careers Program
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Asked Questions | Contact
Information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 21st Century Health Careers Program?
The
21st Century Health Careers Program is an effort to introduce
11th and 12th grade students to potential career paths in
the health care industry. Battle Creek Health System, Kellogg
Community College, and the Calhoun Area Career Center joined
to create the 21st Century Health Careers Program in support
of the School-to-Work initiatives.
Why should I be interested in joining the 21st Century
Health Careers Program?
This program offers young people like you the opportunity to explore career options
and become a part of an interesting and challenging profession. You will have
the opportunity to acquire skills, understand work expectations, and learn about
health as a specialization while training directly with professionals in the
medical field.
How are applicants selected for the 21st Century
Health Career Program?
Applicants will be selected for admission based on the following
criteria: Interest and motivation for learning about the
careers available in the health and medical profession; Interest
in career research and the application of technology; Aptitude
for successful study in the health careers area; Record of
prior academic achievement as indicated by grades, attendance,
and test scores.
What do the students learn and how is the program
set up?
Interested students with the necessary math, science and
English skills are encouraged to join the two-year program.
Students will receive an introduction to a wide variety of
basic health care skills, including medical ethics, supplies
and equipment, asepsis, medical terminology, body structures
and function, assessment communications, emergency procedures,
transportation of patients, positioning of patients and hygiene
and personal care. Following this introduction, students
spend three weeks of each month in the hospital setting learning
new skills and experiencing health careers. One week of every
month is spent in the classroom testing new-found knowledge
and preparing for the next hospital experience. Up to 10
college credits can be earned at Kellogg Community College
during the 2-year program in Communications, anatomy, and
physiology.
How much credit will I earn, and will it apply toward
math, science or English credit?
You will receive the same amount of credit per semester that
your school currently grants to students attending the Calhoun
Area Career Center as long as your attendance and grade point
average is at an acceptable level.
If I am accepted into the 21st Century Health Careers Program, what
should my expectation be?
Students participating in the Battle Creek Health System/Calhoun
Area Career Center 21st Century Careers Program will be part
of an academically challenging curriculum in a visually stimulating
atmosphere. In addition to academic instructions, students
will develop effective teamwork, communication and research
skills.
How will I fit into the hospital setting?
Students will be members of teams under the guidance direction
of the Calhoun Area Career Center's 21st Century Health
Careers Instructor and mentors from Battle Creek Health
System. Each student will be on a separate rotation throughout
Battle Creek Health System or the surrounding medical community
and they will work with the staff on their rotation as
if they were also an employee. Teams will change during
the year to facilitate skill development. Students can
expect to become models for their colleagues and develop
mentoring skills within the teams. In addition, all hours
the students spend in the hospital will be totaled and
counted toward college internship requirements at many
local colleges and nursing schools.
How will credit be granted for study at the Battle
Creek Health System/Calhoun Area Career Site?
All credits will be granted through the student's home school.
Transcripts will be maintained at the home school and the
home school will be responsible for calculating the student's
grade point average.
What about transportation?
Transportation to the Calhoun Area Career Center and/or Battle
Creek Health System will be the responsibility of the home
school or individual student.
Can I expect homework as a part of the 21st Century
Health Careers Program?
The expectations of the 21st Century Health Careers Program
are not to be viewed any differently than any other academic
program. Instructors and mentors will assign homework if
it is part of the professional development required for that
profession. Students should realize they are "students" and
as with anything new, education must first take place before
one is allowed to practice within his/her area of interest.
You must be prepared before you will be allowed patient contact.
How will instruction at the hospital differ from
instruction in most schools?
The Calhoun Area Career Center's staff, in conjunction with
the hospital staff, plan and coordinate the instructional program
as a team. Most of the activities carried out by the students
are done in cooperation with the staff. Though direct instruction
may be presented in a lecture or video, with a demonstration,
nearly all activities to reinforce the learning are carried
out in a team environment. Students are encouraged to share
within their team, seek information from others and openly
present their knowledge. The process of explaining an idea
or concept to another person is an effective means of enhancing
one's own learning. Student teams will also plan and conduct
presentations and share with their classmates. |
