CTE- Health Science
The CTE Health Science Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostics services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development. To pursue a career in the health science industry, high school students should learn to reason, think critically, make decisions, solve problems, communicate effectively, and work well with others.
Exercise Science and Wellness
The Exercise Science and Wellness program of study introduces high school CTE learners to the fields that assist patients with maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. Students research diet and exercise needed to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and they learn and practice techniques to help patients recover from injury, illness, or disease.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Exercise Science and Wellness
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Volunteer at a hospital or rehabilitation center
- Manage a school sports team
High School CTE Exercise Science and Wellness Certifications
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Pre-Professional Certification in Nutrition, Food, and Wellness
Exercise Science and Wellness Salary Information
Exercise Science and Wellness Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Athletic Trainers | $53,450 |
Exercise Physiologists | $41,662 |
Coaches and Scouts | $40,010 |
Dieticians and Nutritionists | $57,762 |
Recreational Therapists | $45,906 |
Health Informatics
The Health Informatics program of study focuses on exposing high school CTE students to the management and use of patient information in the healthcare field. CTE students learn about and research recent modifications of computerized healthcare and the process of creating and maintaining hospital and patient records in accordance with healthcare system requirements. Students may also practice writing and interpreting medical reports.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Health Informatics
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living center, or nursing home
High School CTE Health Informatics Certifications
- Certified Coding Associate
- Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
- Insurance and Coding Specialist
- Nationally Certified Medical Coding and Billing Specialist
Health Informatics Salary Information
Health Informatics Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Medical Records and Health Information Technician | $35,922 |
Medical and Health Service Managers | $93,995 |
Billing and Posting Clerks | $35,485 |
Healthcare Diagnostics
The Healthcare Diagnostics program of study introduces high school CTE students to opportunities related to performing complex medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. The Healthcare Diagnostics program of study may also include exploration into blood laboratories as well as radiologic technology and ultrasound technology.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Healthcare Diagnostics
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Perform clinical rotations at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living, or nursing home
High School CTE Healthcare Diagnostics Certifications
- Certified Cardiographic Technician
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
- Certified EKG Technician
- ECG Technician
- Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen
- Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Registered Technologist - Cardiac-Interventional Radiography
- Registered Technologist - Computed Tomography
- Registered Technologist - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Registered Technologist - Mammography
- Registered Technologist - Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Registered Technologist - Radiography
- Registered Technologist - Sonography
- Registered Technologist - Vascular Sonography
- Registered Technologist - Vascular-Interventional Radiography
- Registered Vascular Technology
Healthcare Diagnostics Salary Information
Healthcare Diagnostics Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $69,909 |
Phlebotomist | $30,597 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $75,962 |
Radiologic Technologists | $55,494 |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists | $68,661 |
Healthcare Therapeutic
The high school CTE Healthcare Therapeutic program of study introduces students to occupations and educational opportunities related to diagnosing and treating acute, episodic, or chronic illness independently or as part of a healthcare team. The Healthcare Therapeutic program of study also includes an introduction to opportunities associated with providing treatment and counsel to patients as well as rehabilitative programs that help build or restore daily living skills to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Healthcare Therapeutic
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living, or nursing home
High School CTE Healthcare Therapeutic Certifications
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Dental Assistant
- Certified EKG Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- ECG Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Assistant
- Nationally Registered Certified EKG Technician
- Patient Care Technician
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Registered Dental Assistant X-Ray Certification
Healthcare Therapeutic Salary Information
Healthcare Therapeutic Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Medical Assistants | $29,598 |
Surgical Technologists | $45,032 |
Dental Hygienists | $73,507 |
Physicians and Surgeons | $213,071 |
Medical Therapy
The Medical Therapy program of CTE study focuses on biology and medicine in order to introduce high school students to the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the healthcare field in occupations such as Respiratory, Occupational, Physical, or Speech Therapy. CTE learners may also practice patient care and communication.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Medical Therapy
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Intern at a lab
- Shadow a therapist
- Participate in clinical rotations
High School CTE Medical Therapy Certifications
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Certified Respiratory Therapist
- Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
Medical Therapy Salary Information
Medical Therapy Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Speech Language Pathologists | $73,070 |
Respiratory Therapists | $57,429 |
Occupational Therapists | $92,227 |
Physical Therapy Assistants | $70,200 |
Nursing Science
The high school Nursing Science program of study introduces CTE students to the knowledge and skills related to patient care. CTE learners may learn about or practice patient care, routine procedures such as monitoring vital signs, development and implementation of care plans, maintenance of medical records, and disease or pain management. Students may focus on the healthcare system and research system designs and make recommended modifications.
Work-Based and Expanded Learning Opportunities in Nursing Science
- Participate in Health Occupations Students of America
- Volunteer at a community wellness center, hospital, assisted living center, or nursing home
High School CTE Nursing Science Certifications
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Medical Assistant
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Registered Nurse
Nursing Science Salary Information
Nursing Science Occupations | Average Salary |
|---|---|
Licensed Vocational Nurses | $45,178 |
Registered Nurses | $68,682 |
Nurse Practitioners | $107,827 |
Nurse Anesthetists | $154,856 |
Sources and Additional Information on CTE and Health Science:
- US News- What You Can Do with a Health Science Degree
- Texas HOSA
- TEA- Health Science Career Cluster
- Nursing Science Program of Study
- Healthcare Therapeutic Program of Study
- Medical Therapy Program of Study
- Healthcare Diagnostics Program of Study
- Health Informatics Program of Study
- Exercise Science Wellness Program of Study
Health Science CTE Sponsors
