Health Services Career Pathway

Promoting Education Standards, Health, and Healthcare Professions Recruitment in Hawai'i

Abstract

Hawai‘i is facing a healthcare workforce shortage. Factors contributing to this shortage include poor marketing of healthcare professions, lack of preparation for postsecondary education, or attitudes and perception of healthcare careers by youth. This paper presents the Health Services Career Pathway program, a possible model for use in recruiting students for the health education profession. Health Services Career Pathway introduces secondary students to skills, knowledge, and attitudes found universally throughout the healthcare industry. High school education becomes engaging and relevant since it supports the student’s career choice and prepares the student for transition to postsecondary education. Evolution of the Health Services Career Pathway is described and a variety of activities are highlighted. Partnership of secondary, postsecondary, and industry is stressed.