1. What is the HCP?
2. Who is the HCP?
3. What are some careers in healthcare?
4. What classes are part of the HCP Cluster program?
5. How can parents help?
6. Career planning websites
7. HCP in the News:
Megan Cato8. Contacting HCP
1. What is the HCP?
Careers in healthcare are among the fastest growing, most exciting and most challenging choices available today. Choosing a career in healthcare could be one of the most important decisions you (or your student) will ever make.
Students who are in the HCP Cluster take classes that are designed to provide educational enrichment regarding health issues and science relevant to health careers across the core curriculum areas. HCP students are also required to take specific science classes that train them in skills and knowledge that are fundamental to success in the healthcare field. HCP students can participate in
HOSA. Seniors in the HCP can participate in job internships in Petaluma, perform community service projects, earn certificates for adult CPR, adult First Aid, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) on adults, and complete projects related to their field of interest including job shadowing working professionals in the field.
2. Who is the HCP?
Teachers in the HCP cluster come from across the curriculum. Listed below are the teachers who teach classes in the HCP cluster.
Paula Biancalana teaches US History HCP.
Michael Buchmann teaches Chemistry.
Heather Campbell teaches Sports Medicine and PE.
Steve Connor teaches US History HCP.
Dan D'Angelo teaches English 12 HCP.
Scott Dietlin teaches Economics HCP.
Kevin Harrington teaches Introduction to Psychology, an HCP elective.
Kelley Holly teaches Biology and Honors Biology.
Paul Koene is the counseling rep on the HCP Team.
Brian Loctan teaches American Government HCP.
Diane MacNamara teaches RSP English and Study Skills.
Rick O'Brien teaches Sociology, an HCP Elective.
Elaine Petersen teaches Biology and HCP Human Anatomy & Physiology.
Kim Sharp teaches English 11 HCP.
Jon Simon teaches AP Psychology, an HCP elective.
Jo Thinnes teaches English 11 HCP.
Jen Titus teaches Health Co-Op ROP, Clinical Biology, and Biology.
3. What are some healthcare careers?
Careers in healthcare include chiropractor, dental assistant, dentist, sonographer, health services manager, medical assistant, nurse aide/orderly, occupational therapist, optometrist, pathology technician, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician, podiatrist, registered nurse, surgeon, veterinarian or x-ray technician, to name a few.
4. What classes are part of the HCP Cluster program?
Courses in the HCP Cluster are designed to prepare students for their next levels of training in all curriculum areas.
Required: All HCP students are required to take HCP English and HCP History, designed with content that enriches and supplements learning in the health careers context. For example, when HCP students learn about the First World War, the lessons of the pandemic flu of that same era are integrated into the geopolitical context of the time.
Recommended: All students take Biology in 10th grade, and HCP students are encouraged to take additional science classes including Anatomy & Physiology and Clinical Biology. Recommended science electives include Psychology, Sociology, Sports Medicine, and Chemistry.
Exciting Opportunities for Students Who Take Human Anatomy and Physiology:
Certificates in Adult CPR, First Aid and AED (automated external defibrillator)
Participation in two animal dissections during the year
Exploration of a variety of jobs in the healthcare field through job shadowing
5. How can parents help?
Many teenagers have high career ambitions, but are unaware of steps they can take to help them reach their goals. Parents have a great influence on the career development of their children, and students rank parents as having the single most influence on their career choice, after friends, teachers, counselors and siblings. How can parents help?
Communicate. Ask what is happening in specific classes, and how the student is doing. What is interesting/challenging/easy? Talk about preparing for tests like the SAT and ACT. Blue-sky about career dreams and "someday I want to...", then make connections between school and making those fantasies into realities.
Get involved. Help with homework and class projects (but make sure the student does the work!) Teach time management skills. Plan college visits together.
5. Some helpful websites for parents assisting students with health career planning:
Career Explorer, Everything you want to know about a wide variety of health careers.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
"Which Health Career is Best for You?" at About.com
Careers in Medicine, a program of the Association of American Medical Colleges
6. HCP in the News: Megan Cato was recently profiled in the Press Democrat's Teen Faces feature article (Oct. 21, 2008).
7. Contacting HCP
For more information on HCP, contact Erin Fender, Assistant Principal, Casa Grande High School, 333 Casa Grande Rd, Petaluma, CA 94954, phone (707) 778-4681, fax (707) 778-4687, efender@pet.k12.ca.us.
