Staff Report

The Jessamine County Career and Technology Center offers a wide variety of activities to the youth in Jessamine County, one of which is health science. 

Designed to prepare students to apply for secondary academics and gain technical knowledge for entry-level employment in a health science career, health science gives students career planning activities, related courses, national skill standards and work-based learning experiences through a student organization called HOSA Future Health Professionals.

This month, HOSA members hosted a Valentines Day party Feb. 8 in support of National Alliance on Mental Illness for the residents of Rose Terrace. Residents were given the opportunity to participate in crafts and treats will be provided.

“HOSA is a student organization whose mission is to promote career opportunities in health care and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people,” JCTC teacher Freddie Grall said. “Jessamine HOSA currently has 95 members.”

The HOSA program offers students three different pathways which include Allied Health, pre-nursing and phlebotomy technician. Courses offered through these programs are Principals of health and science, medical terminology, emergency procedures, Medicaid nurse aide, medical math, and phlebotomy.

Grall said HOSA members work in the community throughout the year by assisting the Jessamine County Health Department with their annual Family Health Fair in May and also working at the Warner Elementary Health Fair the past two years. Students are scheduled to work both fairs this year as well.

“During this school year, HOSA members also received training with employees of the Jessamine County Health Department from the Kentucky Coalition on Cardiovascular HOSA members also attend and compete in events throughout the year. Grall said these events allow them to also attend symposiums related to health careers and health issues facing the world.

“National HOSA week was held the second week of November last year,” Grall said. “Local HOSA officers also attended a Leadership Training Conference in October, and a State Leadership Conference will be held March 15-17 this year.”

Grall said at the fall leadership conference last year, Victoria Antoniu won Outstanding secretary for the leadership she demonstrated in office of secretary during the conference. He also said Jessamine County members were also awarded the Parliamentarian Award for the knowledge of parliamentary procedures.

Grall said this year HOSA students from JCTC which will compete in March are Selena Garcia and Lllie Eaton who will compete in Community Awareness; Jenna Mullen who will compete in Health Career Photography; J.C. Diehl who will be a conference intern working with state officers and our state advisor; Emma Neely, Rya Zieker, and Carly Liaupsin who will compete in Creative Problem Solving; and Kyndall Amburgey who will compete in Interviewing Skills.

For more information on the classes offered at Jessamine County Career and Technology Center please visit http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/12/Home.