Pioneer High School health students gearing up for competition

Pioneer High School is Carson City’s alternative to the large comprehensive high school concept. The small campus keeps a small population of up to 200 where students get personalized learning, smaller student to teacher ratios, and the option to earn nine or more high school or dual college credits per year.

One of the exciting options at Pioneer is the health science program. The health career tract offers three Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes for students interested in health related careers.

Students can enroll in Health Science I and Health Information Management I, II. Students are currently preparing to compete at the HOSA Nevada State Leadership Conference during their spring break.

The upcoming competition has a medical assisting focus where students will show their skills and knowledge in areas such as information management, professionalism, communication, medical ethics and law, office procedures, health insurance, infection control, diagnostic testing, clinical equipment, and physical examinations.

The competition consists of two rounds. Only the top scoring students will proceed to round two which consists of the demonstration of clinical skills identified in a scenario format. The performance will be timed and evaluated according to event guidelines.

Students are expected to wear proper business and official HOSA uniforms in the event.

Pioneer alumni students are invited to speak with current students about their employment after graduation at Renown and other hospitals in Northern Nevada. This real-world focus and style of teaching is exactly what employers have asked from educators to prepare young adults for their transition into careers.

The development of the program at PHS was in direct response to the career interests of students and the growing demand for health science professionals.

Health science careers have stayed at the top of list of employment potential and pay rates for several years.

The salary potential becomes a real motivation for students to get serious about high school achievement and success after graduation.

In a recent presentation at the Carson City School Board, students and district staff learned about the employment and wage comparisons across several fields. Heath Science showed to rank at the top of other entry level jobs.

PHS student highlight

Regan Hammond is a senior in the class of 2017 at Pioneer High School and Carson Online. She’s being recognized and highlighted for her 4.59 grade-point average, successful progress toward her honors high school diploma, completion of two science summer camps, and attendance at the Annapolis science camp. She has been accepted at six universities including the University of Nevada, Reno, and plans on studying medicine. Regan has been nominated for local scholarships and is also the PHS valedictorian candidate for the class of 2017. Congratulations, Regan!

Don Bland, CTE and science teacher, and Jason Zona, principal of Pioneer High School.