Health Sciences Pathway Student Opportunities

The new Healthcare Careers Academy program at Lincoln High School provides students with the opportunity to explore the health sciences with the Introduction to Healthcare Careers course, along with hands-on experiential learning opportunities and field visits.

The four-year Healthcare Careers Academy program at Mt. Tahoma High School features a state-of-the-art healthcare lab outfitted with training equipment. In 9th and 10th grade, students complete exploratory coursework to learn hands-on skills in health sciences, such as taking vitals, performing blood draws, laboratory procedures, and sutures, and conducting digital human dissections and a patient examination. At the end of their sophomore year, students can apply for the district’s only Medical Assistant program, a two-year double-block program where they engage in the required 720 clock hours of the National Healthcareer Association’s medical assistant coursework, demonstrate competency in a comprehensive set of patient care, administrative, and lab skills assessments, complete 160 hands-on externship hours with one of our healthcare industry partners, and sit for the Medical Assistant certification exam.

Program completers can access the following resource to support them in applying for their Medical Assistant certification after graduation: MA Application Checklist and Resources for Students

In addition to HCA, Mt. Tahoma students can participate in the two-year Sports Medicine pathway, learning hands-on skills and certifications to prepare them for careers in exercise science, athletic training, and physical therapy.

To help meet the growing local demand for veterinarians as well as veterinary technicians and scribes, our veterinary technology program at SAMi works in partnership with the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium to offer students a unique learning environment in animal care and injury and disease management. Students can apply their learning with the school’s chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) as well as internships with the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

The Sports Medicine program at Silas High School offers a pathway for students interested in exercise science, physiology, athletic training, and physical therapy. It begins with Beginning Sports Medicine, an introductory course covering health and medicine basics such as first aid, emergency care, medical terminology, injury care and treatments, and nutrition. Students can then advance to Advanced Sports Medicine, where they deepen their knowledge through the study of injury evaluation and rehabilitation, basic pharmacology, sports psychology, and career preparation. Additionally, students may take Anatomy & Physiology, a lab science class aligned with the Biomedical Human Body Systems framework that provides an in-depth look at the body’s systems, supporting a strong foundation in biomedical science.

Students who participate in Healthcare Careers Academy at Stadium High School take 9th Grade English, Biology, and Introduction to Healthcare Careers together. They participate in field trips, guest speaker opportunities, and other career exposure activities to learn about the diverse opportunities available in the health sciences career cluster while earning entry-level IRCs such as CPR/First Aid/AED certification. As upperclassmen, students can participate in Jobs 253 or internship opportunities in the health sciences, such as with COPE Health Solutions or TRA Medical Imaging.

Several of our Jobs 253 Summer Credential Programs open opportunities for students who are interested in careers in the health sciences, including the following:

Community Health Worker: The Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification Program, sponsored by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to serve as frontline public health professionals. This program prepares participants to connect communities with healthcare resources, promote wellness, and address social determinants of health. The content is provided online through Morehouse School of Medicine, and in-person opportunities are provided by Tacoma Public Schools to connect students to career opportunities, practice skills learned online and extend their online learning.

Home Care Aide: The Home Care Aide Certification Program provides training for individuals looking to enter the growing field of home healthcare. This program equips students with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to provide high-quality care to elderly, disabled, or chronically ill individuals in home settings. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in personal care assistance, infection control, nutrition, mobility support, and communication techniques. The curriculum also includes CPR and First Aid training, safety procedures, and legal and ethical considerations for caregivers. Upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the state certification exam to become a licensed Home Care Aide (HCA).

Veterinary - Medical Scribe: Offered through Washington State University, this program trains individuals in veterinary medical documentation, preparing students to work alongside veterinarians, recording patient histories, exam results, treatments, and procedures in real-time. The course combines online coursework with hands-on practice for real-world experience. Graduates earn a Junior Veterinary Scribe Completion Certificate. This certification improves workflow and patient care in veterinary clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices.

Veterinary - Preventative Health: Offered through Washington State University, this program teaches how to prevent diseases, promote animal wellness, and protect public health. The curriculum is designed to support aspiring veterinary professionals, animal caregivers, and industry workers to improve animal health and prevent the spread of infections. The course is a combination of online and hands-on instruction. Graduates receive a Veterinary Preventative Health Completion Certificate, proving their expertise in proactive veterinary care. This program prepares students for careers in clinical, agricultural, and shelter settings to improve animal health and well-being.