The Health Science cluster is about using your love of science to help keep people healthy and treat those who are not. Work directly with people as a doctor or physical therapist or on your own by conducting research on diseases and other important health 
information. This field allows you to work in diverse environments such as hospitals, medical and dental offices, or labs.
An aging population is expected to increase so will the need for radiation therapists. Advancements in cancer treatment and detection also should boost the need for radiation therapists. There also will be a need for new nurses with an increase in the employment of registered nurses. The expected increase in jobs is due to many reasons, including an older population that is likely to have more medical problems, and growing access to health care due to federal health insurance reform. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics also should have favorable job prospects. Paramedics and EMTs will continue to be needed to care for sick and injured people during emergencies.
Health Science Career Cluster PDF
Middle School Courses
No Courses at this time
High School Courses
- Emergency Medical Technician: #8333, #8334 (ACE)
- Physical/Occupational Therapy (ACE) (2024/2025)
- Nurse Aide: #8360, #8362 (ACE)
- Pharmacy Technician: #8305, #8306 (ACE)
- Practical Nursing I & II & III: #8357, #8358, #8359 (ACE)
- Sports Medicine: #7660, #7662 (ACE)
- Vet Science I & II: #8088, #8089 (ACE)
Do You Like To…
- Help others stay healthy?
- Work in a fast paced, often pressure-filled environment?
- Show empathy and compassion to others?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Use your math and science skills proficiently?
Sample Careers
- Doctor
- Nurse
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Veterinarian
- Genetic Counselor
- Immunologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Cancer Researcher
- Patent Researcher
- Designing plants (food or materials) or medicines specific to bettering human life.
- Bioinformatics
- Gene Therapist
- Technical Writers
- Microbiologist
- Science Teacher
High school certifications, licenses and related college majors:
| High School/Industry Certifications | Certificate/License | College Degree Examples |
| Emergency Medical Technician License | Nursing | |
| National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) | Toxicology | |
| Pharmacy Technician State License | Medical Technology | |
| Certification of Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT) Examination: Virginia Board of Pharmacy | Health Administration | |
| Veterinary Medical Applications Certifications Examination: Eanco | Veterinary Medicine | |
| Zoology |
In Demand Careers
| Education Needed | Occupation | Median Salary | Job Growth Over next 10 years | Job Openings Projected over next 10 years |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Nursing Assistants and Orderlies | $29,640 per year | 8% (Much faster than average) | 119,500 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Home Health Aides and Personal Care Aides | $25,280 per year | 34% (Much faster than average) | 1,159,500 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Licensed Practical Nurses | $47,480 per year | 9% (Much faster than average) | 65,700 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Pharmacy Technicians | $33,950 per year | 4% (As fast as average) | 15,200 |
| High School Diploma + Certification | EMT’s and Paramedics | $35,400 per year | 6% (Faster than average) | 17,000 |
| Associates Degree | Registered Nurses | $73,300 per year | 7% (Faster than average) | 221,900 |
| Associates Degree | Respiratory Therapists | $61,330 per year | 19% (Much faster than average) | 26,300 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Microbiologists | $75,650 per year | 3% (As fast as average) | 600 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Forensic Science Technicians | $59,150 per year | 14% (Much faster than average) | 2,400 |
Student Leadership Organizations
HOSA helps students to become future health professionals and become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration, and experience. The purpose of HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science
Education instructional program.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.
Career Ambassadors
The Career Ambassador Program offers high school seniors an opportunity to represent and share their experiences with career exploration and our CTE programs to prospective students and community supporters through elementary school Career Fairs, middle school Career Clubs, and district-wide events.