The Medical Field
For most interested in pursing a health-science based career, going to a standard four year university and medical school is an assumption. In reality, there are plenty of job opportunities in the medical field, that do not require attendance at a four-year university.
WCHS Opportunities
CCC Opportunities
Nursing
EMS
There are a lot of ways to get into the medical field right here at WCHS! We offer classes including Health Team Relations, PLTW Bio Medical, Health Sciences I, II, and PLTW Human Body Systems.
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In PLTW Bio Medical, the class learns various different subjects, including CSI skills, blood types, and bone information. The class also participates in exciting projects, such as, "What happened to Ana Garcia?" A project that involves solving mystery of how this imaginary person died.
Health Team Relations is a class focusing on helping people interested in health care, learn the role and function of health team members. This includes "service learning, field trips, and job shadowing," to learn various skills and topics such as, terminology, the history of health care, ethics, human needs, leadership, and more.
Health Science I, students learn about health care careers in the context of human body systems. This focus on "human anatomy, physiology, and human body diseases and disorders," can help build the basis for Health Science II. That class involves understanding various trends of health care agencies and other broader ideas, which lead to CPR and first aid training.
PLTW Human Body Systems is another exciting class in the medical field. Using various examinations, experiments, and data, this class has the student play the role of the Bio Medical Professional.
All of these classes can prepare you for a job in any of the medical fields. If this type of field sounds good to you, check out HOSA, a medical club at WCHS focusing on medical volunteer work, this club can help students take their knowledge from these classes and put in into practice. It is very easy to prepare yourself for the real world in High School.
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If you are interested, contact your School Counselor, or our school's Health Science Teacher, Mrs. Zanaska, at pamela.zanaska@carteretk12.org.
Our local Community College also has tons of opportunities to break into the medical field. Many of the classes offered at WCHS, lead into certain programs found in our community.
Medical Assisting Program
This program at CCC allows students to gain knowledge about the medical field allowing them to perform administrative, clinical and laboratory procedures. This program which you can gain a Certificate in 2 semesters and a Diploma in 3,can lead to many jobs such as physician's offices. The median average wage for medical assistants is $29,370 (May 2012). This system allows students to take the American Association of Medical Assistants' Certification Examination to become Certified Medical Assistants. For more information, contact your CCC counselor or Vonda R. Godette, the Chairperson of the this program at godettev@carteret.edu.
Radiography Program
A Radiographer is a professional who uses radiation to create a diagnostic image of the human body. This program allows students to find an entry-level radiography position in a healthcare facility. With a mix of classroom instruction and internships, this hands-on program can be completed in 5 semesters and at the end of the program the students are eligible to apply for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the mean annual wage for this position is $57,510. For more information on this program speak to your CCC counselor or Chairperson of the Radiology Program Elaine M. Postawa at postawae@carteret.edu.
Respiratory Therapy Program
This program helps students become respiratory therapists with practice performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with exposure to different practices currently used. Communication, problem-solving strategies, ethical decision making, and understanding professional responsibilities are all important aspects that are emphasized in this program. 75% of graduates are hired at acute care hospitals, but there are many other locations that hire graduates as well. This program can be completed in 5 semesters. According to the Bureau of Statistics, the mean annual wage for this position is $58,490. After completion of the program students can complete the credentialing process through the National Board for Respiratory Care, fitting them with a license qualifying them for various responsibilities. For more information about this program, contact your CCC Counselor or Respiratory Chairperson, Trisha Miller at millert@carteret.edu.
The Emergency Medical Science program prepares students to find jobs as paramedics. In 5 semesters, students learn how to respond to medical emergencies, stabilize patients on the scene, and transport to the appropriate medical facility. The program offers learning in the classroom, online, and in the EMS lab. After completing the program, graduates can be eligible to complete the North Carolina paramedic exam and the National Registry examination. Both public and private job opportunities are available after graduation, with an average annual salary of $40,000. For more information on this subject, contact your CCC counselor or Frank St.Denis Emergency Medical Science Chairperson at stdenisf@carteret.edu.