Health Careers Program
The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Program works to increase the number of students entering the health professions in South Carolina. Emphasis is placed on underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students in order to address disparities in the health professions workforce.
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| The Health Careers Program (HCP) is designed to develop academically proficient and self-confident future health care professionals. |
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Areas of Focus:
South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy
The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy is a health career exploration experience for high school students. Activities demonstrating the use of communications, math and science make up the curriculum specifically designed for future health professions students of South Carolina.
Academy Fellows are selected to participate in four years of programming in sessions filled with activities that promote academic success, career development and personal growth. One-on-one mentoring and parental involvement are major components of the Academy. Completion of the South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Academy prepares participants for the academic challenge of pre-health training programs. |
Opportunities for Participants
Academic Scholarship
Standardized Test Preparation
Health Professions Shadowing
Career Interest Inventory
Mentoring
Pre-Health Skills Building
Hands on Clinical Skills Training
Health Professions Certification
Summer Internships and/or Pre-College Credit
State and National Conference Participation
College and University visits
High School Credit
.... And Much More
Download the 2010 Brochure. For more information, email Paula Jones.
Summer Employment and Enrichment Programs
The South Carolina AHEC Health Careers Summer Institute provides an intensive, residential educational experience for high school and undergraduate students interested in a health professions career. The four-day event includes activities and interactive sessions on academic and career planning, resource development and basic health skills training. Sessions are facilitated by healthcare practitioners and educators. At the conclusion of the Leadership Institute, a five-week summer program is facilitated by each regional AHEC site. Programs vary by region and may include academic enrichment workshops, college level course instruction, internships in healthcare offices or facilities or health professions training. Applications for the Institute are available by contacting your regional HCP Coordinator.
The South Carolina AHEC Summer Careers Academy is designed to increase the acceptance, retention, and graduation rates of under-represented minority and disadvantaged students to nursing, dental medicine, medicine, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and physician assistant training programs in South Carolina. Click here for a copy of the 2012 Summer Academy Brochure The Academy is conducted in collaboration with the MUSC College of Nursing, College of Dental Medicine, College of Medicine, College of Health Professions, Library and the South Carolina College of Pharmacy. The 2012 Academy is scheduled for June 3-8, 2012.
Here's how to apply:
- Complete the Online Application
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Download and complete the Mail-in Release Form
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Mail the following to: Paula Jones c/o SC AHEC, 19 Hagood Ave, Suite 802, Charleston SC 29425
- Printout of of your online registration confirmation
- Completed Release form
- Two letters of recommendation (e.g., employer, community individual, teacher, academic advisor)
- Current official transcripts (must be received as a sealed, school registrar stamped envelope OR directly from the registrar’s office)
- High school students must submit documentation by a counselor, on school letterhead, confirming anticipated 2012 graduation
- $25 Application Fee (Cashier's Check or Money Order payable to 'South Carolina AHEC')
The deadline for submitting all application items is Mar 30, 2012.
Special Initiatives
The Health Career Education Resources in South Carolina website is an electronic database that contains information about agencies and organizations that support the preparation of minorities and under-served residents of South Carolina who are interested in exploring or pursuing professions of healthcare. The website is made possible through the support of the Duke Endowment. Access the HCER website at http://ahec.library.musc.edu/hcer/.
South Carolina Diversity Coalitions have been formed in each of the four AHEC regions. Each coalition is establishing goals, objectives, implementation strategies and outcome measures for collaborative programs designed to increase the number of minority students who choose to enter careers in healthcare. Coalition membership includes representatives from healthcare professions, hospitals, educational programs, faith-based organizations, business, industries and others. Established in 2005, the coalitions are financially supported by a grant from The Duke Endowment. To learn more, visit the following Coalition websites:
Lowcountry: www.lowcountryrc.org
Mid-Carolina:www.midcarolinaahec.org/images/mcahec_hcp(1).htm
Pee Dee: www.peedeerc.net
Upstate: www.upstaterc.org
Each regional Coalition developed a “Blue Paper” for sustainability and included lessons learned, obstacles to avoid, recommendations for success, specific plans for coalition continuation, and highlighted community projects. Click HERE.
The Teach-the-Teacher Academy is an instructional program for middle and high school educators designed to promote health career advocacy. This Academy provides instructional tools and information educators can utilize when working with students who are interested in healthcare careers. By providing current information and activities designed to increase support for health career guidance and advice to students, the Teach-the-Teacher Academy empowers teachers, counselors, and the career development facilitators to guide students’ decision making and career planning. Activities include:
- Shadowing a variety of healthcare providers in area healthcare settings.
- Receiving basic information regarding requirements for healthcare careers. including prerequisites for college, personality traits needed, employment areas, levels of education and training needed, duties of specialty areas and job outlook.
- Interacting with other subject teachers.
Next Offerings: TBA
Publications & Resources
South Carolina AHEC Connects is a quarterly published newsletter. Each publication contains a section dedicated to the exploration of health careers. A health career specialty, which spotlights HCP graduates, and HCP highlights are included. Click here for the latest edition.
Planning for a South Carolina College Education - The need to expand access to higher education for South Carolinians has been recognized by a group of higher education professionals, state government officials, and business leaders. They have come together to write a new book titled Planning for College: A Comprehensive Guide for South Carolina Families. The book was written to help families plan for, pay for, and successfully manage a college education. The authors have created a comprehensive volume of practical information to assist families in planning for the investment of a lifetime – post secondary education.
The Guide will assist families with almost all phases of college planning. Chapter one, titled “Preparing for Success in College,” was written by Angelica Christie and David Garr from the South Carolina AHEC. Malik Whitaker, a consultant with the South Carolina AHEC, contributed as a coauthor as well. The chapter provides suggestions about what parents can do to help their child do well in school and be successful in gaining admission to college.
The Guide is being published by the Alliance for Research on Higher Education under the auspices of the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs at Clemson University. Financial support for the Guide is being provided by the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation. Copies of the Guide will be available free of charge online (click here for a downloadable PDF) and will also be made available in print to schools, libraries, and other organizations as funding permits. Requests for a printed copy of the book may be made by calling the Alliance at 864-656-0208.
Online Health Career Resources - For up-to-date health career information, visit www.explorehealthcareers.org.
Health Career
Program Coordinators
Graduate Medical Education • Continuing Education • Health
Professions Students' Program
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