Health Academy Course Descriptions

Note: Health Academy I and Health Academy II (Do NOT meet A-G subject requirements). They

are elective courses.

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Healthcare Pathway


At the intersection of technology, science, and empathy lies healthcare. From one-on-one roles like nursing to operating electromagnetic rays to solving medical mysteries, healthcare workers help the public stay healthy and well while quickly solving problems when something goes wrong. This field calls for workers who are both people- and detail-oriented with a desire to help others. Part of California’s Career Technical Education (CTE) framework, the Mission Hills Healthcare pathway seeks to integrate academic, technical, and 21st century skills and knowledge to give students an understanding and experience of the healthcare profession, empowering them to seek employment in this highly competitive and in-demand field. This two-year program offers an excellent opportunity for students to get a head start to a post high school certificate or degree program in a healthcare field. The course of study also prepares students to engage life as critical thinkers while maintaining high standards of professionalism, academics, and service. 



2985 HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS 1 P 

Grade level: 9-12 

Prerequisite: None 

A-G Designation: G - College Prep Elective 


This course is designed to be the introductory class for the Healthcare pathway. It explores a variety of healthcare careers through study and industry guest speakers. Students will learn first aid as well as an introduction to knowledge and skills used by Emergency Medical Responders. The course also includes instruction on communication skills, safety and health maintenance, and the ethical and legal responsibilities of healthcare providers. Students will also study medical terminology with an overview of anatomy and physiology. Wellness activities will be integrated into various units throughout the year to emphasize the importance of maintaining personal health for the healthcare worker. Students may earn American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid certification. Students who complete this course and Health Essentials 2 Honors with a grade of B or better may be eligible to earn college credit (EME-100) from Palomar College. In this case, students will complete and submit an application in class for admission to Palomar College. This course is UC A-G, category “G”, approved. 


2986 HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS 2 P and HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS 2 H 

Grade level: 10-12 

Prerequisite: Healthcare Essentials 1

A-G Designation: G - College Prep Elective 


This course is the second year of a two-year pathway to prepare students for a future career in the healthcare industry. The focus of this course is a clinical externship at a local, approved healthcare facility to gain real-world skills through job shadowing experiences in the second semester. In the first semester, students learn how to interact with virtual patients through a program called Shadow Health. This program is used by many college nursing programs to teach students body systems, patient charting, and patient assessment. Additionally, students will complete projects covering prevention of injury and disease, communication and cultural differences, personal career plan, and others. Externship requirements for this course start with the utmost professional and mature behavior, reliable transportation, daily access to email/phone messaging app, and possession of American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED First Aid certification. Students may earn American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR/AED certification in this class (the minimum CPR level to work in healthcare settings). Students can earn non-weighted Honors status for Healthcare Essentials 2 if they also complete the Emergency Medical Responder curriculum started in Healthcare Essentials 1. These Honors students who complete this course and Health Essentials 1 with a grade of B or better will earn college credit (EME-100) from Palomar College. In this case, students will complete and submit an application in class for admission to Palomar College. This course is UC A-G, category “G”, approved. 


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