Repealed Date: 08/01/2024

(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. Prerequisite: Biology. Recommended corequisite: Health Science Clinical. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
(b) Introduction.
  (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.
  (2) The Health Science Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development.
  (3) The Health Science Theory course is designed to provide for the development of advanced knowledge and skills related to a wide variety of health careers. Students will employ hands-on experiences for continued knowledge and skill development.
  (4) To pursue a career in the health science industry, students should recognize, learn to reason, think critically, make decisions, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Students should recognize that quality health care depends on the ability to work well with others.
  (5) The health science industry is comprised of diagnostic, therapeutic, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development systems that function individually and collaboratively to provide comprehensive health care. Students should identify the employment opportunities, technology, and safety requirements of each system. Students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a health science career through further education and employment.
  (6) Professional integrity in the health science industry is dependent on acceptance of ethical and legal responsibilities. Students are expected to employ their ethical and legal responsibilities, recognize limitations, and understand the implications of their actions.
  (7) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
  (8) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
  (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) express ideas in a clear, concise, and effective manner; and
    (B) exhibit the ability to cooperate, contribute, and collaborate as a member of a team.
  (2) The student applies mathematics, science, English language arts, and social studies in health science. The student is expected to:
    (A) solve mathematical calculations appropriate to situations in a health-related environment;
    (B) communicate using medical terminology;
    (C) express ideas in writing and develop skills in documentation;
    (D) interpret complex technical material related to the health science industry;
    (E) summarize biological and chemical processes that maintain homeostasis;
    (F) explain the changes in structure and function due to trauma and disease; and
    (G) research the global impact of disease prevention and cost containment.
  (3) The student displays verbal and non-verbal communication skills. The student is expected to:
    (A) demonstrate therapeutic communication appropriate to the situation;
    (B) execute verbal and nonverbal skills when communicating with persons with sensory loss and language barriers in a simulated setting; and
    (C) use electronic communication devices with appropriate supervision in the classroom setting such as facsimile, scanner, electronic mail, and telephone.
  (4) The student analyzes and evaluates communication skills for maintaining healthy relationships throughout the life span. The student is expected to:
    (A) evaluate how healthy relationships influence career goals;
    (B) demonstrate communication skills in building and maintaining healthy relationships;
    (C) demonstrate strategies for communicating needs, wants, and emotions; and
    (D) evaluate the effectiveness of conflict resolution techniques in various simulated situations.
  (5) The student relates appropriate information to the proper authority in a simulated classroom setting. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify and retrieve reportable information; and
    (B) report simulated information according to facility policy.
  (6) The student identifies documents integrated into the permanent record of the health informatics system. The student is expected to:
    (A) research document formats; and
    (B) compile and record data according to industry-based standards.
  (7) The student describes academic requirements necessary for employment in the health science industry. The student is expected to:
    (A) research specific health science careers; and
    (B) examine employment procedures for a specific health science career.
  (8) The student identifies problems and participates in the decision-making process. The student is expected to:
    (A) analyze systematic procedures for problem solving;
    (B) evaluate the impact of decisions; and
    (C) suggest modifications based on decision outcomes.
  (9) The student implements the knowledge and skills of a health science professional in the classroom setting. The student is expected to:
    (A) comply with specific industry standards related to safety and substance abuse;
    (B) model industry expectations of professional conduct such as attendance, punctuality, personal appearance, hygiene, and time management;
    (C) articulate comprehension of assignment;
    (D) employ medical vocabulary specific to the health care setting;
    (E) perform admission, discharge, and transfer functions in a simulated setting;
    (F) demonstrate skills related to activities of daily living in rehabilitative care such as range of motion, positioning, and ambulation according to the health science industry standards, regulatory agency standards, and professional guidelines;
    (G) role play techniques used in stressful situations such as trauma and chronic and terminal illness;
    (H) demonstrate first aid, vital signs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and automated external defibrillator skills in a laboratory setting; and
    (I) perform skills specific to a health science professional such as medical assistant, dental assistant, emergency medical technician-basic, phlebotomy technician, and pharmacy technician.
  (10) The student evaluates ethical behavioral standards and legal responsibilities. The student is expected to:
    (A) research and describe the role of professional associations and regulatory agencies;
    (B) examine legal and ethical behavior standards such as Patient Bill of Rights, Advanced Directives, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; and
    (C) investigate the legal and ethical ramifications of unacceptable behavior.
  (11) The student exhibits the leadership skills necessary to function in a democratic society. The student is expected to:
    (A) identify leadership skills of health science professionals;
    (B) participate in group dynamics; and
    (C) integrate consensus-building techniques.
  (12) The student maintains a safe environment. The student is expected to:
    (A) conform to governmental regulations and guidelines from entities such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Joint Commission, and National Institute of Health;
    (B) explain protocol related to hazardous materials and situations;
    (C) observe and report unsafe conditions; and
    (D) support recycling and waste management for cost containment and environmental protection.
  (13) The student assesses wellness strategies for the prevention of disease. The student is expected to:
    (A) research wellness strategies for the prevention of disease;
    (B) evaluate positive and negative effects of relationships on physical and emotional health;
    (C) explain the benefits of positive relationships among community health professionals in promoting a healthy community;
    (D) research and analyze the effects of access to quality health care; and
    (E) research alternative health practices and therapies.

Source Note: The provisions of this §127.412 adopted to be effective April 7, 2022, 47 TexReg 1677