The Health Occupations program at Howell High School allows students to explore the many possibilities that a career in the medical field offers. Throughout this year-long, two-credit block, students learn the skills used daily in many healthcare jobs. 

The curriculum also includes the process of getting various applicable certifications, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and BLS Basic Life Support (BLS). Including students from schools all around Livingston County, the class offers the opportunity to work with different people and in unfamiliar settings, opening students up to real-life experiences.  

“Health Occupations really helped me come out of my shell, and I now feel more comfortable around new people and new places,” Health Occupations program alumnus, senior Meghan Mastroeni said.

The instructors teach a variety of interactive skills and vital information and lessons to prepare students for a career in healthcare. Students learn about different topics such as infection control, standard precautions, and medical terminology. Then, along with each unit, students get to learn skills. Students are taught how to take vitals, feed patients, make beds, and do many other tasks that are common processes in most healthcare careers. This balance of hands-on and theoretical learning creates an environment that aids in student success within the program.

“It’s a hard class but the teachers make it super manageable. We do a lot of hands-on practice, so it makes the material easy to learn,” Mastroeni said.

The clinical rotations that this class offers also contribute to the interactive sense of the program. Throughout ten weeks of the class, students get the unique opportunity to shadow various types of healthcare workers. During this time, students get to put their knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to use in the professional world.

“I was able to apply everything we did in class to my clinicals,” Mastroeni said.

As the current classes prepare for clinicals, some students’ anticipation rises.

“I am very excited to get some hands-on medical experience,” current Health Occupations student, senior Celeste Sharma said.

Some of the many clinical opportunities that this class offers are veterinarian practices, emergency room, geriatrics, and physical therapy.

“The clinical rotations allow you to dive into all different areas of healthcare so you see a little bit of everything. Students get to go out and see things they wouldn’t normally see,” HHS Health Occupations teacher, Mrs. Laura Fillinger said.

The clinicals can even help students get a headstart into working in healthcare. For example, a student from last year got a job at a physical therapy office that she went to for a clinical rotation.

“They liked her so much that she actually got a job there. Things like that happen all the time.” Mrs. Fillinger said.

Throughout the entire year, the teachers and students foster a cohesive community of aspiring healthcare workers. This sense of camaraderie and mutual support plays a vital role in preparing students for their future careers, where collaboration and teamwork are key. Mrs. Fillinger made sure to highlight the strong relationships built throughout the program. 

For anyone even slightly interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, it is highly encouraged to take this class. Most of what is learned throughout the year is highly valuable and applicable to any career.

“Even if you’re slightly interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, I definitely recommend this class,” Mastroeni said. “It would definitely be a benefit to anyone who has even a little bit of interest in health occupations.”

The Health Occupations class not only prepares students with essential skills and certifications but also provides a supportive environment where students can connect, collaborate, and grow. The program gives students the opportunity to get a headstart on learning invaluable information and skills that allow alumni of the program to be exceptional workers in the medical field. As seen through the opinions of past and present students, this class does more than prepare students for their career, but also creates a community that works together and strives to be successful in order to reach long-term goals.

“The progress I made from the beginning to the end of the year was astronomical and it was a privilege to be part of the program,” Mastroeni said.