Greenfield, MA
Parents and students in the Greenfield/Franklin County area may learn of HCOP programs through the HCOP partnerships at Franklin County Technical High School, Greenfield High School, and Greenfield Community College. HCOP will be seeking to expand student interest in healthcare related fields with its connections with the regional employment board, and health organizations such as Baystate Franklin Medical Center and Farren Care Center.
Franklin County Technical High School in Turners Falls coordinates a Health Technology program in which students receive academic instruction and other supportive enrichment activities. Students are introduced to health careers choices, participate as interns at various health care facilities, and receive career mentoring from health professionals. Through site visits, interviews, field trips, class work, and skills practice, students will gain foundational knowledge and skills necessary to enter a health career.
The goal of the Health Technology course curriculum is to develop pathways for Franklin County Technical High School students to transition from high school to higher education programs with a healthcare focus. Highlights of the Health Technology program include student membership in the Health Careers Expeditions Club, which will connect and enable students to learn about the varied careers associated with allied health fields, and what academic courses are necessary to enter these careers.
HCOP activities at Greenfield High School are coordinated within some of the existing programs such its School to Career Program and its partnership with Baystate Franklin Medical Center. A health interest and dual enrollment program also exists between Greenfield High School and Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA. This relationship has resulted in obtaining speakers and other support to engage students in a variety of methods to increase awareness of a career in the healthcare field.
Other partners from the Franklin County area include Greenfield Community College, who has partnered with FCTHS to offer 9th and 10th grade students survey courses that will aid the students in selection of health careers. GCC has designed a Liberal Arts/Health Science Degree program that provides a foundation in the liberal arts with an emphasis on preparation for continued study in the health science field. The program includes an exploration of health careers, as well as basic science courses necessary for many health occupation programs. The program helps students prepare for transfer to a certificate or associate degree health occupation program such as medical technology, clinical laboratory science, radiologic technology, public health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or emergency management science, or a bachelor's degree program in health science. This degree program will enable students to matriculate to Berkshire Community College, Mount Wachusetts Community College, Holyoke Community College, American International College, Springfield College, or the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
