Interested in a medical position after high school? HOSA can prepare you for that! Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA, is an international student organization that promotes and prepares high school students for career opportunities in healthcare.
HOSA’s mission statement is to empower students to become leaders in the global health community by providing opportunities for knowledge, skill, and leadership development, ultimately aiming to promote career opportunities in healthcare and enhance the delivery of quality health care.
HOSA teaches students practical skills like medical terminology, CPR, First Aid training, and health sciences. Individuals who join HOSA can learn and receive skills such as leadership, public speaking, and collaboration, as well as build technical skills.
The organization originally started in the U.S. in the 1970s but has expanded to a global scale since then. Today, they host international conferences and competitions that allow students to explore healthcare practices and develop skills in the healthcare field.
Throughout the school year, HOSA members take part in several Rocky events, including the HOSA Blood Drive, Trick-or-Treat Street, and Adopt-a-Family.
If you’re interested in joining, they meet in the multipurpose room in the athletic hallway on Tuesdays every other week. Additionally, you can sign up for the club by talking to Antoinette Smith or Maya Wyllie for more information.
Competitions are an important aspect of HOSA because they teach high school students about medical concepts and provide hands-on experience, as well as the opportunity to receive scholarships and job opportunities.
Types of events that students participate in during competitions include first aid and performing CPR, written tests covering epidemiology, medical math, behavioral health, and medical terminology, the HOSA Bowl, biomedical debate, and forensic sciences.
“[It’s] an opportunity for a community at Rocky, to explore aspects at Rocky, rather than a normal classroom studying ideas,” co-advisor Antoinette Smith said.
Rocky Senior Silas Hansen has been involved in HOSA for the last four years. His goal after high school is to be in the medical field as an ultrasound technician or disease analyst. Hansen explained that by joining HOSA, he’s learned skills like public speaking, making connections with individuals who are passionate about the medical field, and learning about general medical topics.
“I personally do it because it helps me gain experience in medical fields or just learn more about medical fields, which can be kind of challenging…because you don’t know what you’re really getting into,” Hansen said regarding his experience with HOSA.
Beyond skills and competitions, HOSA allows students to get involved in medical subjects they are actually interested in–preparing for future careers in the medical field, as well as connecting with healthcare professionals through presentations or activities who come to Rocky to educate students.
It’s a great opportunity to learn life skills, earn scholarships, and better yourself for future job opportunities. HOSA provides a community within the school and a chance to connect with Mrs. Wyllie and Mrs. Smith!
