I-WIN Resource Hub

An Overview of Resources

Work-Based Learning Continuum for Health Sciences

The following resource is compiled of models across the work-based learning continuum from communities throughout Illinois to offer high-quality experiences in health sciences. We hope school districts and their partners can utilize, repurpose, and apply these models to support the design and implementation of work-based learning experiences aligned to a health sciences pathway.

Alignment Rockford created a series of videos exploring health sciences professions:
The BJC School Outreach and Youth Development website includes career exploration videos and resources.
ConnectED created a Day at Work video series, which includes biomedical and health professions.
ExploreHealthCareers.org is a collaboration between leading healthcare associations designed to help students explore careers in health by providing easy access to updated, peer-reviewed career descriptions that inspire and motivate students to find health careers that suit them. Their vision is to see the health professionals of tomorrow be highly skilled and motivated, and as diverse as the patients they serve.

Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Rush Education and Career Hub (REACH), and Barnes-Jewish Hospital shared their health sciences career exploration events at an I-WIN showcase.
Chicago Public Schools hosts a Girls in Future Careers event to expose female students to career possibilities in the trades, healthcare, IT, and manufacturing. The event brings together industry experts and diversity-focused employers in a safe and inclusive space. Students engage with partners and participate in hands-on activities, presentations led by industry partners, and panel discussions. A sample event schedule is:
- 9:30-10:00 am: Light Breakfast
- 10:00-10:30 am: Welcome & Keynote by Kina McAfee, Mid America Carpenters
- 10:30-11:30 am: Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders (Questions led by CPS Students, Topic: Closing the Gap on Gender Gap Disparities)
- 11:00-12:30 am: Hands-on Activities/Financial Literacy/Soft Skills/Health Eating Workshops
- 12:30-1:00 pm: Closing Mindfulness Exercise
- 1:30 pm: End of Program

I-WIN’s Health Sciences and Technology – Ideas for Inspiration lists concepts your team can use to jump-start the team-based challenge design process.
Community Example: D214 Stop the Bleed Team-Based Challenge: D214 shares a team-based challenge description and activity slides for its “Stop the Bleed” health sciences challenge. This team-based challenge is used in the district’s health sciences pathway, including Medical Academy and Certified Nursing Assistant courses.
Community Example: Des Plaines Valley Region Certified Nursing Assistant Team-Based Challenge: The Des Plaines Valley Region shares its team-based challenge descriptions for “Improving Communication for Better Patient Outcomes” and “Championing Resident Rights: Enhancing Care in Long-Term Facilities.”

Download community models of career development experiences from the East St. Louis, Plainfield/Joliet, and Chicago regions.
At the Career Development Experiences in Health Sciences I-WIN convening, Jennifer Irvin, School-Community Education Partner at BJC Healthcare, shared on high school internships and healthcare career exploration in East St. Louis, and Michael Kuhn, Principal at Woodruff Career & Technical Center, shared on his school’s partnership with UnityPoint Health and how their career program offerings are evolving.
NorthShore University Health System hosts a job shadow and internship program. High school students first job shadow during spring break and then participate in summer internships in multiple departments. (Resources include the internship description and videos from various student interns about their experiences.)

Related Resources

The I-WIN community of practice on September 20, 2021, focused on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the Health Sciences sector.

The Whiteside Area Career Center provided an overview of its career exploration experiences and opportunities for young people to engage directly with health science professionals.
District 211 discussed the development process of its team-based challenges that are embedded in health science coursework.
Danville Area Community College presented its clinical experience model co-developed with employers to provide career development experiences for students in the health sciences pathway.

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I-WIN Resource Hub

An Overview of Resources

Work-Based Learning Continuum for Health Sciences

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