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Health Sciences

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The Health Sciences cluster is dedicated to maintaining people's health and supporting them in recovery when they're sick or injured. People in this field work in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and many other settings where healthcare is provided. From doctors and nurses to medical technicians and therapists, health science workers use the latest technology and medical knowledge to save lives and improve health.

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Health science workers do many different types of jobs. Some directly care for patients by giving medicine or performing surgery. Others work behind the scenes, doing lab tests or taking X-rays. Some help people recover from injuries through physical therapy. Others work to prevent diseases and maintain community health.

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Why This Field Is Growing:

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  • The population is getting older and needs more medical care

  • New medical technologies and treatments are being developed constantly

  • There's a shortage of healthcare workers, creating many job opportunities

  • Mental health services are becoming more critical and available

  • Advances in science are creating entirely new types of medical jobs

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Cool Technology in Health Sciences:

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  • Robotic surgery systems that help doctors operate with incredible precision

  • 3D printing to create custom prosthetics and even replacement organs

  • Telemedicine that lets doctors treat patients from far away using video calls

  • AI systems that can help diagnose diseases by analyzing medical images

  • Virtual reality therapy to help patients recover from injuries or trauma

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In Virginia, this cluster employs over 400,000 people! Health science jobs are expected to grow much faster than most other careers, with some increasing by over 30% in the next decade.

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Nursing and Education in Healthcare 
Doctor 
Physical Therapy 
Medical Assistant

 

What They Do: Medical assistants are the helpers who make doctors' offices and clinics run smoothly. They work directly with patients and doctors, performing a range of tasks that include taking blood pressure and assisting with medical procedures. They're like the bridges between patients and doctors!

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Daily Tasks:

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  • Take patients' vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, and weight

  • Help patients fill out medical forms and update their health records

  • Prepare patients for medical exams and procedures

  • Give patients their shots and medications as directed by doctors

  • Draw blood for lab tests and perform simple medical tests

  • Schedule appointments and answer phones

  • Keep medical equipment clean and organized

  • Help doctors during examinations and minor procedures

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What's Cool About This Job: You get to work directly with patients and see how you're helping them feel better. You learn about medical procedures and get to use cool medical equipment while being part of the healthcare team!

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Registered Nurse

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What They Do: Registered nurses are the healthcare heroes who provide direct care to patients in hospitals, clinics, and other medical settings. They monitor patients' health, administer medications, and collaborate closely with doctors to facilitate patient recovery. They're often the people patients see most during their medical care!

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Daily Tasks:

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  • Monitor patients' health and watch for changes in their condition

  • Give patients their medications and explain what each medicine does

  • Start IVs and help with medical procedures

  • Educate patients and families about health conditions and treatments

  • Work with doctors to create and follow treatment plans

  • Use computers to keep detailed records of patient care

  • Comfort patients and families during difficult times

  • Operate medical equipment like heart monitors and ventilators

 

What's Cool About This Job: You get to save lives and help people through some of the most important moments of their lives. Every day is different, and you're constantly learning new things about medicine and human health!

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Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

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What They Do: Diagnostic medical sonographers use special ultrasound machines to take pictures inside people's bodies without surgery. They're most famous for showing parents pictures of their babies before they're born, but they also help doctors diagnose many different health conditions using sound waves!

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Daily Tasks:

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  • Operate ultrasound machines to create images of organs, blood vessels, and babies

  • Position patients correctly to get the best images possible

  • Explain procedures to patients to help them feel comfortable

  • Analyze the images to make sure they show what doctors need to see

  • Work with doctors to interpret what the images reveal about health conditions

  • Keep detailed records of all procedures and findings

  • Maintain and calibrate sensitive ultrasound equipment

  • Follow safety procedures to protect patients and themselves

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What's Cool About This Job: You get to use high-tech equipment to see inside the human body and help doctors make diagnoses. You might be the first person to show parents their new baby, or help discover a medical condition that saves someone's life!

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Start in Middle School:

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  • Take all available science classes, especially biology and chemistry

  • Learn basic first aid and CPR

  • Volunteer at hospitals, animal shelters, or nursing homes

  • Try the Virginia Education Wizard career assessment

  • Join health-related clubs or start learning about anatomy

  • Practice good study habits since health careers require lots of learning

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Continue in High School:

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  • Join HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)

  • Take advanced science classes, including anatomy, physiology, and chemistry

  • Take health science CTE courses if available

  • Get certified in CPR, first aid, and basic life support

  • Volunteer at hospitals, clinics, or emergency services

  • Take dual enrollment classes in biology or chemistry

  • Job shadow healthcare professionals in different specialties

  • Get part-time jobs in healthcare settings like nursing homes

  • Participate in medical internship programs

  • Take college-level science courses

  • Visit Virginia's medical schools and nursing programs

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Technical Training (1-2 years):

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  • Jobs: Medical Assistants, Dental Assistants, Home Health Aides, EMTs, Pharmacy Technicians

  • Average Salary: $35,000 - $45,000

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Community College (2 years):

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  • Jobs: Dental Hygienists, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Physical Therapy Assistants, Medical Laboratory Technicians

  • Average Salary: $50,000 - $70,000

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Four-Year College:

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  • Jobs: Registered Nurses, Health Services Managers, Medical Technologists, Respiratory Therapists

  • Average Salary: $70,000 - $100,000

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Advanced Degrees:

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  • Jobs: Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, Pharmacists, Dentists, Physical Therapists

  • Average Salary: $120,000 - $300,000+

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Try It Out!

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  • Volunteer at local hospitals, nursing homes, or animal shelters

  • Take first aid and CPR classes through the Red Cross

  • Shadow healthcare workers like nurses, doctors, or medical technicians

  • Join your school's HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) chapter

  • Visit medical labs or radiology departments on field trips

  • Participate in health fairs or blood drives in your community

  • Take science classes with a focus on anatomy and biology

  • Volunteer with organizations that help people with disabilities

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Fun Fact: Did you know that Virginia is home to some of the world's leading medical research institutions? Virginia Commonwealth University has one of the top medical schools in the country, and the University of Virginia performed the world's first successful kidney transplant between identical twins! Virginia also has over 90 hospitals and employs more than 50,000 registered nurses!

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