PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Career Exploration in the 21st Century has been the centerpiece of King/Drew High School’s unique curriculum since its establishment in the early eighties. The Medicine and Science Careers Program is the driving force and often the primary reason parents and students select King/Drew Magnet High School.  The Careers program has two course offerings, Career Exploration in the 21st Century is for the eleventh grade students. Our program provides an opportunity for students to access experience-based learning in environments including hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, child development, and university facilities. Additionally, students actively develop connections with experts and professionals throughout the community, both locally and virtually.

The curriculum and training of our program are designed to expose eleventh grade students to careers in Medicine and Science.  Furthermore, the focus is to give each student the academic foundation to qualify and compete in post secondary institutions.  

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

To gain experience, students will be placed in sites according to their own interest and/or availability. They meet from morning time until lunch, one day a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.  

Through directed activities and on-site/virtual experiences, students will apply interpersonal, problem solving, time management, and communication skills that will enable them to be effective communicators, critical thinkers, goal setters, and life-long learners.

PROGRAM GOALS

• Students will explore opportunities in the science, healthcare, and other professional fields
• Students will be exposed to careers in multiple fields to motivate the pursuit of higher education
• Students will be inspired to pursue careers in traditionally underrepresented fields, primarily in medicine and science

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Obtain a California Identification Card (California Driver’s License accepted)
• Signed Consent for Live scan/Fingerprinting and provide social security number. Medical facilities require that students submit their social security number and that parental consent for fingerprint and background clearance be given. Students are processed as non-compensated employees and must adhere to patient protection and privacy regulations.
• Take a QuantiFERON test. Students with a positive TB skin test/QuantiFERON must take an x-ray and bring both the written results of the x-ray AND a copy of the positive TB/QuantiFERON test and should NOT be retested.  
• Purchase scrubs with embroidered student first name and last name initial on right-hand side and King/Drew Careers Program on left-hand side in August at school.
• Successfully complete Hospital Orientation/HIPAA training and exam which is done in August at school.

DAILY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Facility issued ID badge and CA ID/King Drew student ID must be worn
• Steno pad (provided) and pens/pencils must be carried each class meeting
• Health Professional Attire: Absolutely NO jewelry. NO acrylic nails. No ear pieces. (Air pods)
• Well-groomed natural colored hair, worn back and up. NO extreme make-up. (excessively long eyelashes)
• Students must wear uniform scrubs.  Scrubs only and MUST wear matching scrub pants on site visit days. NO shorts, capris, skirts, or hoodies. BLACK sweaters, jackets, and long-sleeved shirts are appropriate.
• BLACK rubber soled shoes only (i.e. tennis shoes). NO boots, sandals, or heels.

• CAN DO attitude
• Willingness to learn
• Assertive and outgoing
• Excellent communication skills

CURRICULAR REQUIRMENTS

• Completion of site visit evaluation sheets
• Writing Project and Careers Poster Presentations
• Completion of assignments and assessments necessary for classroom component

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

• 2.5 GPA or higher
• Grades of “C” or better in Math and Science courses
• Excellent marks in Cooperation and Work Habits and no discipline record
• Dean, Counselor and Science Teacher Recommendations

Medicine and Science Careers General Job Descriptions

General duties and tasks

• Restock supplies
• Prepare rooms for patients
• Call patients from the waiting area
• Take patient vital signs
• Pull prescriptions
• Health Information Management (medical coding, medical legal, medical transcription, and use of electronic patient record information etc.)
• Preparation of educational or informational materials for patients
• Transport files/records/supplies to various locations within the hospital
• Other duties relevant to specific site

Working with Doctors and Nurses

• Observe patient/doctor consultations (with consent of patient)
• Observe patient/nurse and patient/doctor procedures (with consent of patient) including diagnosis of conditions, routine tests, general surgery, respiratory therapy, physical therapy, etc.
• Observe Doctor/Intern conferences on patient care
• Escort patients to alternate sites within the hospital
• Assist nurses with care of patients (lifting, moving, adjusting, etc.)
• Practice/mock procedures (not on patients), or verbal walk-through of procedures including vital signs, running tests, preparing casts, X-ray technology, mammograms, wound care, autopsies, etc.

Participate in Mentoring

• Science and Health Care Professionals engage students in conversations related to their specific field.  Topics include education, advantages and disadvantages of a specific career, specific training, interpretation of test results, etc.

Research

• Students work under the guidance of doctors on a variety of research projects (clinical research on diabetes, laboratory studies of cancer and endocrinology, environmental health and social justice)