Overview
HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA's goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership. HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science and biochemical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions. Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily reaching over 245,000 members. HOSA is not a club to which a few students in school join. Rather, HOSA is a powerful instructional tool that works best when it is integrated into the HSE and health science related curriculum and classroom. HSE instructors are committed to the development of the total person. Those who join the HSE-HOSA Partnership recognize the importance of providing students with training far beyond the basic technical skills needed for entry into the health care field. The rapidly changing health care system needs dedicated workers who, in addition to their technical skills, are people-oriented and capable of playing a leadership or followership role as a member of a health care team. HOSA's mission is especially critical when considering the acute shortage of qualified workers for the health care industry. It is essential that the HSE-HOSA Partnership maintain its momentum and encourage all HSE instructors to integrate HOSA into their curriculum and classrooms.
National Association of Secondary School Principals
The National Association of Secondary of Secondary School Principals has placed HOSA on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities. The U.S. Department of Education has issued a policy statement in support of HOSA as one of the Career and Technical Student Organizations
Mission Statement
Mission
The mission of HOSA is to empower secondary and postsecondary students of HOSA-Future Health Professionals to become leaders in the global healthcare industry and health community by providing future health professionals with knowledge, technical training and leadership development through education, collaboration, and experience.
Purpose
The purpose of HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.