HOSA – Future Health Professionals is designated as a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).  The Middle School Division of HOSA is for students in Grades 6-8 who are interested in a health care career and has been specifically designed to meet the needs of these talented students!

HOSA – Future Health Professionals provides a unique program that helps the individual with LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, and SOCIAL ENHANCEMENT, EMPLOYMENT, JOB PREPARATION, SELF-WORTH, MOTIVATION, and EMPOWERMENT!

The Middle School Division allows students the opportunity to explore and learn more about the health care field.  This information can be used to define a possible future occupation, and the skills learned can be used for a lifetime!  HOSA programs are taught in middle and high schools, regional vocational/technical centers, community colleges and universities throughout Florida, the nation, and internationally.

Since its inception in 1978, Florida HOSA has grown steadily serving both employers and the educational community.  Membership is almost 17,000 – the second largest HOSA Chartered Association in the world!  Close to 285,000 members are involved nationally and globally in this worthwhile training as a vital part of their exploration of, and preparation for, a career in the health field!  Florida was the FIRST state to have a Middle School HOSA Division and we are serving as the MODEL FOR THE NATION!

Competitive Events:

     Middle school members are able to compete in only one competitive event total, plus as many Recognition Category events as they would like. Only the top 3 competitors in each event from their regional conference will be able to advance and compete at the State Leadership Conference (SLC); however, if any of the top 3 competitors are unable to attend the SLC, the 4^th and/or 5^th place competitors may take their place as long as there are no more than 3 competitors per event from one region competing at the SLC.  The SLC Registration Deadline Date will still need to be met for any 4^th and/or 5^th place competitor substitutions.
     On the HOSA website, you can find the Middle School Handbook (link) which has an overview of the program at the Global/National level, meeting ideas, letter templates, and more.  The Middle School Program in Florida HOSA will follow the Global/National HOSA Middle School Handbook.  Below is information to help you and your members as you prepare for competition and the various conferences.

– Competitor Limits – Middle school members may enter only one event total, and/or as many Recognition Category events as they would like (please see below).

– Advancing from the Regional Competitive Event Conferences to the State Leadership Conference – The top 3 competitors in all middle school competitive events can advance to compete at the State Conference.  Registration deadlines must be met.

– Recognition Category Events – Members/Chapters in all Recognition Category events automatically advance to the State Conference.  Deadlines for Recognition Category event submissions must be met in order to be recognized at the State Conference and/or International   Leadership Conference (ILC).

– State Leadership Conference Middle School Awards Session – During the Middle School Awards Session, the top 5 winners in each competitive event will be called to the stage to receive medals and ribbons (1^st place – gold medal, 2^nd place – silver medal, 3^rd place – bronze medal, 4^th place – white ribbon, and 5^th place – green ribbon).  The top 3 competitors from each of these events can then advance to compete at the ILC, if they choose.  If one of the top 3 winners in any of the Middle School competitive events is not able to attend the ILC, the 4^th place winner then becomes eligible to compete at the ILC.  If any of the remaining top 5 winners are unable to attend the ILC in an event in which the 4^th place winner has become eligible to compete, the 5^th place winner then becomes eligible to compete at the ILC.

Middle School competitors may select only one event from all the events listed in the Blue Box below and/or as many Recognition Category Events as they would like: