HOSA is now known as Future Health Professionals. It is supported and recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education. Such an organization is known for its global impact and is widespread in numerous high schools.
HOSA is a student organization solely to provide adequate skills and resources to all students. It focuses on providing healthcare services and raising awareness amongst communities everywhere. The reason is that there is never a surplus of health care professionals or aid needed within the community.
As HOSA demonstrates its services in high school, it encourages students to become leaders. Moreover, it provides motivation, education, and technical skills. Hence, if you’re wondering why your high school has a HOSA club, what they do, and whether you should join, read the rest of the article to find out.
What is HOSA Club in High School?
What is HOSA Club in High School?When one mentions the HOSA club in high school, it often indicates a group of students interested in medicine. Under the preparation and support of HOSA, they often work as a competitive medical team. No matter where it is, the club often participates in competitions and events on a local and national level.
As a club, not only do you participate in competitions, but you might have the opportunity to meet medical professionals and be part of the field.
But what is HOSA in high school? Since it focuses entirely on healthcare and health science, it’s most effective when integrated into the curriculum of a high school. That makes students more aware of the medical field and what to expect as medical personnel.
As HOSA was founded in 1967, it now includes approximately 200,000 members. These members are spread across multiple countries, including American Samoa, Canada, the District of Columbia, Germany, Puerto Rico, and Italy.
But why is HOSA important? After the onset of the pandemic of COVID-19, the craze ensued had many in shambles. Moreover, there was a lack of support in the healthcare system, as many hospitals had an overflow of patients without enough doctors to support them.
Moreover, many retired doctors had to come out of retirement simply to provide enough qualified people to help during the crisis. That made people worldwide realize how lacking the medical field can sometimes be. Hence, qualified healthcare professionals are needed everywhere. The ultimate place to raise awareness and start motivating people is throughout high school.
Who Can Join HOSA?
If you’re intrigued by the concept, you’re wondering who can join HOSA. Well, there is no restriction on anyone. Simply bring your motivation, and you’re all set! However, the process is something that can be a little time-consuming. Moreover, there are three levels of HOSA that you can join, which are referred to as “divisions.” These are:
- Middle School Division
- Secondary Division
- Postsecondary/Collegiate Division
As you can see, even if you’re a college student, then you have a chance to be part of the organization. While almost any student can join, there often are restrictions. For instance, that student has to be at least interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Here are the two main criteria for joining HOSA:
- You must be enrolled in a high school or college to qualify to join one of the appropriate divisions mentioned above.
- If you’re in college, you’re expected to enroll in a health science program. However, if you’re in high school and are interested in the topic, you can register as well. You simply need to have the desire to pursue a career in the medical field.
If you find yourself satisfying the criteria above and wanting to join HOSA, simply contact your school’s chapter advisor to be able to join the official HOSA chapter.
However, if your specific school or district doesn’t include a chapter, there is a loophole around it. While you still need to talk to your health science instructors and suggest the idea, you can initiate your own HOSA chapter in your school. To do so, read through the affiliate page on HOSA’s official website.
What are the Benefits of Being Involved in HOSA?
As a student involved with HOSA, you have the chance to grow your career in numerous ways. Not only do you develop your interpersonal skills, but it hones your skills and expectations of your future in the field. Moreover, there are several ways in which HOSA can support you, your career, and your experiences. Some include the following listed below.
Soft Skills Development
HOSA allows you to develop all the soft skills any professional requires in the field. Some of those include:
- Empathy
- Public Speaking
- Customer Service
- Leadership
- Social Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Project Management
- Time Management
Event Participation
There are numerous HOSA events. These events, for first-time students, begin at a regional level. However, those students who excel and demonstrate excellence qualify to participate in state and national level events. Below are skills you learn and demonstrate through those events:
- Job Seeking Skills
- Interviewing Skills
- CPR/First Aid
- Sports Medicine
- Nursing Assistants
- Medical Assistance
- Medical Terminology
- Medical Ethics
Numerous Opportunities
As HOSA is a well-recognized organization, it aims to establish numerous benefits for its team members. Some include:
- Ability to share motivation and enthusiasm within the health field
- Opportunity to serve as an officer within your community or internationally
- Build a portfolio and resume
- Opportunity to volunteer, promote HOSA, and donate time to more significant causes
- Travel around for both competition and conferences
Is HOSA Good for College Applications?
There is no specific answer to whether HOSA will guarantee you a place in college. However, it can definitely cause no harm. As colleges always emphasize the need for extracurricular activities, participating in such activities and making the most of them is always a bonus.
Moreover, being a long-lasting member of HOSA demonstrates numerous characteristics. It shows that you have commitment, time management skills, and the ability to lead others. Hence, mentioning such participation can never cause harm.
So, is HOSA suitable for college applications? As almost every student out there mentions a limitless amount of extracurricular activities in their personal essays, consider the following questions:
- Are you an officer? Did you demonstrate leadership roles on a broader scale?
- What impact did your participation have on the community? Did it impact you?
- How much time and effort did you give to HOSA? How devoted were you to the entire organization?
- Does mentioning HOSA apply to your major? Is it relevant to the field you’re pursuing?
- Does HOCA align with your future and career goals? If so, how?
- Do you have proof and experience to back up your HOSA journey? Is it possible for you to get some reference or a letter from professional personnel?
Once you answer the questions above, you’ll have a better idea of whether mentioning HOSA is a relevant idea or not.
What is HOSA Competition?
At this point, you must be wondering what the HOSA competition is. Well, there is no specific event that sums it all up. Instead, the experiences and organizations are broken down into numerous different occasions. The general rules and regulations for the events can be found here. As for more detailed information on the individual circumstances, listed below are some examples.
Health Science Events
- Medical Terminology: includes 100 questions that are administered as tests.
- Medical Spelling:there are two rounds. The first one is composed of 50 questions. The second is a traditional spelling bee.
- Medical Math:solving math problems for 50 questions.
- Medical Reading:there are 5 books selected every year, which participants are then asked on.
Health Professions Events
- General: This includes various subjects, including medical assisting, dental science, biotechnology, and physical therapy. You’re tested on them all on paper and your skill set.
- Personal Care:This event is similar to others and tests nursing assistance for HOSA members with special needs.
- Clinical Speciality:for students who choose their career path, this tests them on specific skills for their future careers.
Leadership Events
- Medical Photography: all competitors showcase three photographs taken in various health science fields.
- Healthy Lifestyle:you choose one lifestyle change and document your journey through it.
- Job-seeking Skills: once you fill out an application and write your resume, you’re judged through a simulated job interview.
However, the list of events is not limited to the ones mentioned above. For a complete list, check the website. Moreover, the possibilities are spread out according to the division you belong to. Hence, you can find out the events available according to your level.
Wrapping Things Up: What is HOSA in High School?
All in all, joining HOSA is an excellent idea for any student considering joining the healthcare field. It provides you with insight into what your life will entail. Moreover, you get the chance to connect and communicate with many in your future job role.
Hence, if your school or college offers HOSA support, a club, or events, consider joining them. Whether you’re already interested or considering your future options, joining such an organization gives you an inner perspective on things.
