Welcome to our exciting blog series where we dive into different career clusters, exploring the pathways students can take, and uncovering the wealth of rewarding careers within each pathway.

Middle school and high school teachers play a crucial role in preparing their students for life after graduation, whether it’s college or entering the workforce. Do you have students who are intrigued by the healthcare field? The healthcare field is so broad – where do they even start? What pathways and career opportunities are available? How can you ignite a passion for a future in healthcare within your students? This blog is here to provide you with the guidance you need and give you the tools to empower your students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

In this blog, we will help you discover answers to the following questions:

• What Is the Health & Human Services Career Cluster?
• Why Is This Career Cluster Important?
• What Are Some Career Pathways Within This Cluster?
• How can eDynamic Learning help you prepare your students for success in healthcare fields?

What Is the Health & Human Services Career Cluster?

The Health & Human Services Career Cluster focuses on preparing students for some of the most essential and rewarding professions. Using the Advance CTE framework, this career cluster is formerly known as the Health Science and Human Services Career Clusters. According to ACTE, the Health & Human Services Career Cluster paves the way to some of the most rewarding and in-demand careers, focusing on holistic well-being through diverse services. This cluster includes technical, mental, therapeutic, and personal care, supported by medical and social sciences. Students can explore roles that enhance the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Our Health Sciences courses are perfect for those looking for a rewarding and challenging career in the high-demand healthcare sector.

Why Is This Career Cluster Important?

As the global population continues to grow and age, the demand for health and human services professionals is increasing rapidly. Careers in this field, including roles such as medical assistants and social services specialists, are crucial for ensuring that communities receive the care they need.

With the fast pace of medical and technological advancements, professionals need to be well-prepared to meet modern challenges. This makes CTE (Career and Technical Education) and experiential learning programs crucial for providing students with real-world skills and knowledge.

What Are the Career Pathways and Careers Within This Cluster?

eDynamic Learning supports 6 pathways or sub-clusters & 14 career paths within the Health & Human Services career cluster. Students pursuing careers in the Health & Human Services cluster can follow multiple pathways, each leading to high-demand, meaningful jobs:

• Behavioral Health Pathway
  • Counselor: A professional who offers guidance and support to individuals dealing with mental health challenges, assisting them in achieving emotional well-being and personal growth.
• Community & Social Services Pathway
  • Social Services Specialist: A professional who assists individuals, families, and communities in accessing and navigating various social services and resources to enhance their well-being and address their social, emotional, and economic needs.
• Personal Care Services Pathway
  • Cosmetologist: A professional who provides beauty services such as haircutting, coloring, styling, makeup application, skin care treatments, and nail care services.
  • Fitness Trainer: A professional who develops and instructs individualized exercise programs to help clients achieve their fitness goals, improve their overall health and wellness, and adopt active lifestyles.

• Biotechnology Research & Development Pathway 

• • Biotechnician: This innovative career combines biology, chemistry, and technology to enhance our lives and the world through the manipulation of living things.
• Physical & Holistic Health Pathway 
  • EKG/ECG Technician: A healthcare professional skilled in performing electrocardiograms (EKGs) to monitor and record electrical impulses transmitted by the heart. They will be in high demand due to an aging population and advances in medical technology, leading to a high-growth career.
  • Medical Lab Assistant: Someone who works in various settings such as hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, doctor’s offices, and outpatient care centers. The high growth outlook for this career is driven by the aging baby-boomer population and increased demand for medical services.
  • Sports Medicine: In the field of sports medicine, maintaining both physical fitness and fostering clear communication are essential. These aspects are central to promoting healthier lifestyles and are fundamental to the practice of sports medicine.
  • Allied Health Assistant: Working directly with patients and their families provides opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. Over the next decade, there will be a high demand for careers in this field.
  • Emergency Medical Responders: Clinicians who assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities. Quick response times and providing lifesaving interventions are essential duties for this rewarding career.
  • Dental Assistant: A healthcare professional who focuses on providing therapeutic services in a dentist’s office. They help the dentist and dental hygienist care for patients. The increasing demand for dental assistants is driven by the connection between oral and overall health.
  • Nursing Assistant: Someone who provides care and assistance with daily living activities. This fulfilling career is projected to have faster-than-average job growth in the future.
  • Dietary Aide: A healthcare professional who plays a critical role in the healthcare and food service industries, focusing on assisting in meal preparation and ensuring proper nutrition for patients and residents.
• Health Data & Administration Pathway
  • Medical Assistant: A healthcare professional who performs both clinical and administrative tasks in various settings, such as clinics, physicians’ offices, and laboratories. This occupation is growing rapidly due to the aging population and increased demand for preventive medical services.

Each of these pathways equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the healthcare industry, backed by industry-recognized certifications that validate their expertise.

How can eDynamic Learning help you prepare your students for success in healthcare fields?

eDynamic Learning offers a comprehensive digital curriculum aligned with the Health & Human Services career cluster. Our courses are designed to guide students through the required knowledge and skills needed for certification and employment in healthcare. Additionally, students can benefit from our extensive course catalog, covering behavioral health, biotechnology, health data administration, and more.

To enhance learning, eDynamic Learning integrates Learning Blade, which introduces students in grades 5-9 to healthcare careers through missions like Heart Surgery. Students engage in STEM and CTE concepts in interactive, real-world scenarios, building foundational knowledge for high school courses.

We also provide Knowledge Matters Virtual Healthcare Simulations to immerse students in real-life healthcare environments. The Medical Assistant Simulation and Dental Simulation allow high school students to apply their skills in patient care, administrative tasks, and health procedures, giving them hands-on experience in a low-pressure environment.

Why Choose eDynamic Learning?

Comprehensive Curriculum: eDynamic Learning is the largest publisher of CTE digital curriculum in North America, offering a wide range of courses across career clusters, including Health & Human Services.

Hands-on Learning: eDynamic Learning paired with Knowledge Matters and Learning Blade ensures students receive experiential learning opportunities through virtual simulations and mission-based lessons, making CTE relevant and engaging.

Industry-Recognized Certifications: Our curriculum aligns with certification requirements, ensuring students are prepared for industry-recognized exams, and positioning them for success in the workforce.

Support for All Learners: With literacy support tools, WCAG-compliant courseware, and customizable lesson plans, eDynamic Learning provides accessible and equitable learning resources for every student.

Commitment to Success: We’re so confident in our curriculum that we offer the eDynamic Learning P.A.S.S. Promise, covering retake fees for students who don’t pass their certification exams.

The Health & Human Services career cluster is just one of 14 clusters in Career and Technical Education (CTE). The Health & Human Services career cluster is important for creating a workforce that keeps our communities safe, healthy, and thriving. eDynamic Learning partners with schools to provide students with the tools and experiences they need to succeed in this field. Our curriculum, simulations, and alignment with certifications make us the best choice for CTE programs.

Educators agree that a well-rounded curriculum is essential for student success. Our curriculum provides all the resources needed to effectively teach across various CTE pathways and prepare students for future success.

Click to explore the pathways and courses we support in the Health & Human Services Career Cluster.