This week we will continue our extracurricular section with a focus on HOSA – Future Health Professionals. HOSA is an international student organization supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education Division of ACTE (Association for Career and Technical Education). HOSA is dedicated to preparing students for careers in the health science division.
Membership
Divisions of HOSA:
· Middle School Division
· Secondary Division
· Collegiate Division
In order to become a member of HOSA, you must be in the appropriate level of schooling and should have an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. You must join an official HOSA chapter to be a member of HOSA. However, if your school does not have a HOSA chapter, you should consider talking to a school instructor to obtain official approval to start a new HOSA chapter.
The following link includes instructions your instructor should take to set up a HOSA chapter: Establishing a HOSA Chapter
Competitions
Essentially, members can choose to compete in a competition of their choice. HOSA events can be used to explore different health career paths. These competitions occur at the local, regional, state, and international levels. HOSA has six different competitive event categories: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Teamwork, and Recognition Events.
· Health Science events are exam-based and test your knowledge on topics such as Medical Terminology or Medical Law and Ethics.
· Health Profession events allow you to learn and enhance your clinical skill set. Health Profession events involve a test and provide an opportunity for you to perform clinical skills in front of a panel of judges. Taking blood pressure and taping for sports medicine are some of the skills you will develop while participating in these events.
· Emergency Preparedness events require participants to perform emergency scenarios, such as CPR or First Aid and will be judged accordingly.
· Leadership events include Prepared Speaking, Job Seeking skills, Extemporaneous Writing, and Extemporaneous Health Poster. Through these events, you develop more general life skills, while also being able to showcase your creativity through events like photography or poster-making.
· Teamwork events allow students to work with others to complete events, such as Medical Innovation, HOSA Bowl, or Biomedical Debate.
· Recognition events are events in which competitors are recognized for their work in the community or outstanding leadership in your HOSA chapter.
Leadership in Your HOSA Chapter
In each HOSA Chapter, there are leadership positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Parliamentarian, Historian, and Reporter. However, these positions are not set. Depending on the HOSA chapter, these roles can be adjusted based on the needs of the chapter. Holding an officer position in your HOSA chapter is an honor and it is your responsibility to encourage growth and change within your chapter.
The following link includes information on the general officer positions and what each role entails: HOSA Chapter Officers-Duties and Responsibilities
Why should I join?
HOSA is an incredible organization that promotes collaboration and provides fantastic opportunities for students to either develop clinical and life skills or refine them. Because HOSA competitions are held at every level, students are able to meet and befriend students from around the world. The abundance of diverse events HOSA has to offer is what sets HOSA apart from many other STEM clubs. There is an event for everyone, and the knowledge you acquire from those events is invaluable. Even if you are not completely sure you want to be in the medical field, the experience and fun times you will have at HOSA are priceless.
That being said, I’ll leave you with a video of the 2020 HOSA International Leaders Conference. If this doesn’t convince you to join, I don’t know what will.
