Facilitate healing

Dedicate your life to progressive learning and caring for others. The prestigious Academy of Health & Medical Sciences provides exposure to several health care specialties and career pathways. This is one of the most popular areas of study at PCTI.

Students in the Academy of Health & Medical Sciences will learn professional responsibility, how to assess patient needs, workplace-ready skills, medical terminology, and patient safety. This immersive program educates students in Dental Assisting, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, and Medical Office Procedures. Senior year, students have the opportunity to become Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) or Certified Medical Assistants. Additionally, students learn lifesaving skills through CPR and First Aid certifications. Throughout the duration of the program, students learn to use a wide range of professional medical equipment in a professional setting, as classrooms are designed to mirror real-world medical offices and institutions.

Membership in the national organization of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) is included as part of this career and technical program. PCTI is proud of our strong commitment to this worthwhile organization and is recognized as one of the largest chapters in the United States. Students participate in leadership and community service opportunities and have earned the distinction of serving as state officers. Those who qualify may also receive travel opportunities across the United States.

Students who select this honorable career path may choose to pursue further education to become doctors, nurse practitioners, healthcare administrators, dentists, nurses, medical technicians, and more.

The Academy of Health & Medical Sciences has specific tracks, or major areas of study, that students and parents will select in the future of the program. Each track has limited enrollment and does not allow for all first-choice requests to be guaranteed. Additional criteria may be taken into account to determine a student’s placement in a track.

Career Pathways

• Certified Nursing Assistant

• Dental Assistant

• Dental Hygienist

• Dentist

• Doctor

• Emergency Medical

• Technician

• Medical Lab Specialist

• Nurse

• Nurse Practitioner

• Pharmacist

• Physical Therapist

• Physician Assistant

• School Nurse

• Surgical Technician

• Ultra Sound Technician

• X-Ray Technician

Cutting-Edge Equipment, Laboratories, Computers and Software

PCTI students use Cardiac Defibrillator, Professional Medical Supplies, Professional Medical & Dental Equipment.

"College Connection Program" Earning College Credits in High School

Want to earn college credits before you graduate high school? At PCTI you have the opportunity to do just that. Almost 2 dozen college courses—some specific to career majors and others open to all PCTI students—are offered through affiliations with area colleges and universities.

Students of the Academy of Health & Medical Sciences are given the opportunity to earn up to 16 college credits during their junior and senior years through PCTI’s membership with the New Jersey Health Science Careers Consortium and 4 credits with an EMT course at Passaic County Community College.

Rutgers University Connection

AOHS graduates who qualify are eligable for admission to any one of seven allied health programs at the School of Health Related Professions. Rutgers Health Science Careers Program

College courses offered though Tech-Prep:

• Medical Terminology 3 Credits

• Dynamics of Health Care 3 Credits

• Anatomy & Physiology I - 4 Credits

• Anatomy & Physiology II - 4 Credits

College credits issued on a Rutgers University transcript may be transferred to many other four-year institutions. These college courses are infused directly into the medical curriculum.

Organizational Affiliation

AOHS students become members of the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) organization. HOSA’s mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. It provides a unique program of student leadership development, motivation, and recognition.

Licensure Opportunities

• Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)

• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation/First Aid – Through the Academy, AOHS students are trained in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid. Once trained, students can volunteer as cadets with a First Aid Squad, providing they are at least 16 years of age.

• National Registry of Emergency Medicial Technicians (EMT) certification.

• OSHA-10 (Healthcare)

• Certified Physical Therapy Aide.

School to Careers Experience

PCTI maintains a very strong and supportive School to Careers program, offering 9th, 10th, and 11th graders the opportunity to “job shadow,” and 11th & 12th graders the chance to put their skills to work at a paid position in the workplace. Hundreds of students participate and hundreds of business leaders support our efforts by employing our students.

Awards and Honors

The Academy of Health & Medical Sciences has earned:

• NJ State Department of Education “Best Practice Award” – HOSA/School to Careers Program

• Hundreds of Awards have been won by PCTI HOSA students in competition at the local, regional, state and national level

• Numerous PCTI HOSA students were elected to serve as State Officers.

• PCTI’s HOSA Chapter has been honored with the prestigious “Chapter Award” & was recently recognized as largest local HOSA chapter in the nation