The Healthcare Science pathway is a three-course high school pathway that provides students with an opportunity to explore a variety of healthcare careers, learn about working in a healthcare environment, and gain hands-on patient care experience. A wide variety of healthcare internships are available to students after completing the pathway. Students in Nursing and Phlebotomy earn Basic Life Support CPR/AED certification and Be There (Mental Health) certifications. Upon successful completion of the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam and completing 30 live sticks, students will earn a Certified Phlebotomist Technician credential.

* High school level pathway offered through Athens Community Career Academy.
* Available for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students in Clarke County School District.

Introduction to Healthcare Science
The concepts of human growth and development, interaction with patients and family members, health, wellness and preventative care are evaluated, as well as the legal and ethical responsibilities of today’s healthcare provider. Fundamental health care skills development is initiated including microbiology, basic life support and first aid. 

Essentials of Healthcare
The Essentials of Healthcare is a medical-focused anatomy course addressing the physiology of each body system, along with the investigation of common diseases, disorders, and emerging diseases. The prevention of disease and the diagnosis and treatment that might be utilized are addressed, along with medical terminology related to each system. This course provides an opportunity to demonstrate technical skills that enforce the goal of helping students make connections between medical procedures and the pathophysiology of diseases and disorders. The prerequisite for this course is Introduction to Healthcare.

Allied Health and Medicine
This course is designed to offer students (preferably upperclassmen - juniors or seniors) the opportunity to become effective and efficient multi-skilled healthcare providers as they develop a working knowledge of various allied health opportunities. Students focusing on a career path in the healthcare field may apply classroom/lab knowledge and skills in the clinical setting as they participate in direct or simulated client care. The curriculum allows instructors to provide options for classroom/student growth opportunities in area(s) of interest to the student. These options may be determined by community needs, available resources, and/or student interest, etc. Currently, the focus will be on phlebotomy.  Phlebotomists, or phlebotomy technicians, are healthcare professionals who collect blood samples from patients for tests, transfusions, or donations. Phlebotomy is an entry-level role in laboratory sciences and it's not unusual for phlebotomists to continue their education, working as phlebotomists part-time while continuing school to study nursing, radiography, medical laboratory science or another avenue of health care.