Virginia's Health and Medical Sciences pathway prepares students for careers in one of the Commonwealth's largest employment sectors. Serving over 690,000 students in CTE courses, this comprehensive program provides foundational healthcare knowledge, patient care skills, medical terminology, and clinical experiences. Virginia's extensive healthcare infrastructure including major medical centers, research hospitals, and healthcare systems throughout the state creates abundant career opportunities for healthcare professionals.
The pathway emphasizes both clinical competencies and professional skills essential for healthcare careers. Students study anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, healthcare systems, patient care fundamentals, and medical ethics. Hands-on experiences through laboratory simulations and clinical rotations provide authentic healthcare exposure. Virginia's program includes specialized tracks in areas such as nursing, therapeutic services, diagnostic services, and health informatics allowing students to focus their healthcare career preparation.
Virginia's Health and Medical Sciences pathway benefits from partnerships with major healthcare systems including VCU Health, Inova, Sentara, and regional hospitals providing clinical learning sites and employment pipelines. The Commonwealth's strong healthcare sector, combined with an aging population, creates sustained demand for healthcare professionals. Graduates are prepared for entry-level healthcare positions, healthcare industry certifications, or continuation to healthcare degree programs at Virginia colleges and universities.
Health and Medical Sciences at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Health and Medical Sciences standards align with National Healthcare Foundation Standards and emphasize healthcare systems, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient care, infection control, healthcare ethics, and professional communication. Standards prepare students for healthcare industry certifications and CTE credentials including dual enrollment opportunities with Virginia community colleges.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Health and Medical Sciences Foundations | 8305 |
| Health and Medical Sciences Essentials | 8306 |
| Health and Medical Sciences Clinical | 8307 |
| Health and Medical Sciences Advanced Practicum | 8308 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓EKG Technician
- ✓Pharmacy Technician (PTCB)
- ✓NOCTI Emergency and Medical Services
- ✓NOCTI Health Assistant
- ✓Medical Terminology Certification
- ✓Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- ✓CPR/AED for Healthcare Providers (BLS)
- ✓First Aid
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Registered Nurse
ExperiencedSalary range: $77,650 - $100,920
Licensed Practical Nurse
ExperiencedSalary range: $56,240 - $72,800
Medical Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $37,380 - $46,060
Certified Nursing Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $35,830 - $45,640
Healthcare Administrator
ExperiencedSalary range: $98,050 - $159,370
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students complete clinical rotations at Virginia hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and medical offices. Work-based learning includes job shadowing healthcare professionals, structured clinical practicums providing patient care experience, and partnerships with major healthcare systems. Many Virginia districts have articulation agreements enabling students to earn college credit through dual enrollment in healthcare programs.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in HOSA-Future Health Professionals, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentCareer and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)
Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are national organizations that provide CTE students with opportunities for leadership development, competitive events, community service, and career preparation. Recognized CTSOs include DECA, FBLA, FFA, HOSA, SkillsUSA, and TSA, each serving students in specific career cluster areas.
ProgrammaticReady to Build Health and Medical Sciences Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Health and Medical Sciences in Virginia.