Brighton High School’s Health Occupations program gives students the rare opportunity to explore the real world of healthcare before they even graduate from high school. The program is designed for students who are interested in careers in the medical field and blends classroom learning with hands-on experience and real-life simulations.
Health Occupations is a two-hour class offered to juniors and seniors, taught by Ms. Brielle Haupt, and focuses on building medical expertise while exposing students to the daily lives and operations of a wide range of healthcare professionals.
During class, students learn medical vocabulary, practice healthcare procedures on a state-of-the-art patient simulator and strengthen their overall knowledge of health in society, among many other skills. Beyond the classroom, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, students have the opportunity to leave campus and travel to their assigned clinical sites to shadow healthcare professionals. They are able to choose their preferred placements, allowing some to explore multiple fields while others hone in on the specific career paths they hope to pursue.
Senior Hailey Geary was assigned to CSW Dental, where she shadowed dentists and observed oral procedures firsthand.
“Clinicals are super fun,” she said, “and they give us immersive medical opportunities to enrich our knowledge.”
Other students in Health Occupations have shared similar experiences, noting how the hands-on aspects of this program set it apart from other classes.
“Unlike other classes, Health Oc gives you insight into what a day-to-day life looks like for your future profession,” senior Valerie Avellino, who did a rotation at the Brighton Area Fire Department, said.
In addition to shadowing professionals and building knowledge, students also make connections and learn professionalism and communication skills. Interacting with patients and medical staff teaches them to handle high-pressure situations and manage responsibilities.
Overall, Brighton High School’s Health Occupations program provides a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing a medical career. By combining academic learning with real-world experience, the program gives students a head start on their futures and a deeper understanding of the world of healthcare.
