Members of the Health Occupations Students of America club, HOSA, attended the annual Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center Conference on Oct. 9 in Scranton. Along with 700 other high school attendees from the Northeast PA regions, students had a chance to meet with employment and college/training representatives to advance their post graduation plans.

“It was absolutely terrific,” HOSA adviser Mrs. Barbara Coyle said

HOSA students graduate with a CPR and a PCA, personal care assistant, certification. This allows them to work in patient facilities at an assisted living level and provides students with more opportunities for jobs when they graduate. They can either head to college or immediately start working. 

HOSA is divided into two parts. The first part is the health care careers program which consists of three levels. Juniors and seniors spend their mornings in class and then complete their other high school academics in the afternoon. Level one students like sophomores do their high school academics in the morning and come to HOSA classes in the afternoon.

The second part of HOSA is an after school club that meets every week and is open to all grades regardless of whether students are enrolled in the class during the day. Each student is given a competitive event that they work on over the course of the year. Events center around many different topics such as health professions, community service and different health related projects.

 In March, students head off to compete at the statewide competition. 

If any students medal for second or third place, they get to go off to Nationals. Nationals take place during the last week of June.

HOSA helps students jumpstart their career opportunities by allowing them to explore possible careers and develop the basic skills that are required for the careers in which they are interested. Students learn leadership skills and have valuable learning experiences that help them in their secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities. 

“So that when you do go to college, you’re ahead of the game.” Mrs. Coyle said.