January – February 2007

Can competitors use their real names and school in the event?

The answer to that question depends upon the event. In some events, it is permitted for a competitor to reveal his/her name or school.  For example, in Clinical Specialty, Job Seeking Skills, and National Recognition Program, it would be impossible not to include one’s name and school in the documentation required for the event.

For events when the name and/or school is not required, it is generally better not give one’s name and school.  For example, a competitor in Extemporaneous Speaking should avoid identifying his/her school when giving a speech.

A general rule to follow is ‘When in doubt, don’t.”  This is because there are judges and event personnel who might interpret the divulging the name and school as unacceptable.  

Our chapter members placed in Clinical Specialty and Researched Persuasive Speaking at the Regional level.  Can they change their event before the state competition?

There are no rules that prevent individual or team competitors from changing their event materials from one level to the next.  The answer to your question about Clinical Specialty and Researched Persuasive Speaking is yes, competitors can change or revise their papers, speeches and videos.

Are there practice tests available for any of the tests?

There are no practice tests available for any of the HOSA events.  HOSA members who are successful on any HOSA test have spent hours and hours studying the recommended text resource AND have a sound general understanding of the concepts to be measured on the test.  It helps to pay attention to the test plan in the guidelines so you will know where to focus your attention.

Will the Category II events at the State Conference be the written test or the skills?

In Category II events, most states give the written test and have a skills portion.  At the National Leadership Conference, a written test is given.  Top scoring competitors quality for the skill portion (Round Two) of the event, which usually involves 2 or 3 skills.

What does it mean when it says Rescuer I and Rescuer II in CPR/First Aid?

There are usually 2 victims in CPR - one that needs first aid and one that needs CPR.  You and your partner decide who is Rescuer I and who is Rescuer 2.  Rescuer 1 does the first aid and helps with CPR.  Rescuer 2 starts CPR.

In the spelling events, are there ever any terms with two words or punctuation? 

Yes. Occasionally there are terms that have two words (Tinea corporis) and some that are hyphenated (Cheyne-Stokes) or have an apostrophe (Bartholin's glands).  Most judges would not give you credit for spelling the word correctly if you miss the punctuation.

Are there any practice lists for HOSA Bowl?

The key to success in this event is learning as much as possible about the topics (medical terminology, HOSA facts, parli pro and medical history) and then lots of practice.  The format of the questions is almost always a simple question, such as "What is the study of cells called?"

We can tell you that teams who are successful in this event know a LOT of information, and have learned to anticipate the question.  That is, they start to ring in at the point the moderator is going to give key information.  For example, "What is the medical term for..."  Just at the point when the moderator is going to say "headache" the competitors hit the buzzer. 

Of course, this only works if the team knows a lot of medical terminology, and if they time it correctly.  It is a strategy that allows a team a first chance at answering the question.

Truly though, there are no secret lists or shortcuts in HOSA Bowl.  It's one of those events where the more you know, the better you do.  We know this because the teams who do well on the written test seem to do the best in the buzzer rounds.

Can we move objects around on our display in Career Health Display?

You may move things around on your display, but all articles must stay within the dimensions of the display.  Taking radiographs out of a sleeve on the display and putting them in a viewbox could be done within the dimensions of the display, so that is permitted.

What the guidelines prevent you from doing is, for example, taking special goggles from your display and putting them on.  Your head is not within the dimensions of the display. 

 In Outstanding HOSA Chapter, what is a Program of Work?

The Program of Work for a HOSA chapter is a list or calendar of activities that your chapter has planned for the year.  To align a program of work with the OHC event, most chapters sit down and step by step, look at the sections of the OHC rating sheet, decide what will be done to meet that criteria, and then schedule that activity on a calendar.

For example, take a look at the Employer/Mentor/Appreciation Activity.  Your chapter might decide to honor a local Veterinary Clinic whose Vets and techs have been very supportive of your HOSA chapter this year.  You may schedule March 1 as a day to bring cakes to the staff members (baked by HOSA members of course) and present them with a plaque of appreciation. 

Your program of work becomes your guide for chapter activities throughout the year, and a copy is included in your OHC scrapbook.

In Researched Persuasive Speaking, we know the guidelines say we can’t use props, but what about a poster with information about our topic?

The answer to your question is no, a poster would NOT be permitted during the speech portion of the Researched Persuasive Speaking event.  
The rules are designed to give each competitor an equal opportunity for success in the event.  Competitors who are successful in this event have studied the judge rating sheet and know exactly what they will be rated on.  Of course, they practice over and over with parents, teachers, and friends who judge their speech, using the event rating sheet, and give them suggestions for improvement.

Competitors in Dental Assisting must supply overgloves.  After searching I found 2 suppliers, but they both require a minimum order of at least $300+!  Do you have any suggestions?

Competitors in Dental Assisting can buy some of those rubber gloves that you use when you are cleaning with harsh chemicals. They are basically the same thing as dental overgoves and work just as well.

2006 FAQ's

How are sites and facilities for skill events chosen?

When a city is being considered for a National Leadership Conference, the availability of clinical sites for skill events is an important consideration. Typically, the State Advisor of the host state is invited to serve on the Competitive Events program for the year preceding a national conference.

A year before the national conference, the state advisor from the host state makes recommendations for clinical sites. National HOSA contacts potential clinical sites, and often, site visits are made by members of the National Competitive Events program staff. A cooperative arrangement is made with the health care professionals at the clinical site and HOSA to offer the best possible skill event experience for HOSA members.

The goal in all discussions between National HOSA and potential clinical sites is offering the best possible event experience for HOSA members. The challenge is making all skill events work for a large number of national competitors in a short distance from the HOSA headquarters hotel!

Will some sites have perfect facilities for a national conference? Yes. Sometimes, clinical sites can meet the needs of National HOSA competitors and offer an ideal competitive environment. More frequently, sites are almost ideal, and some adjustments are made to provide a fair and challenging national competitive events program.

For example, at the 1998 National Conference, one of the sites had excellent clinical facilities, but minimal holding space. Conference planners determined that the potential for a quality event outweighed the lack of ideal holding space, and the event ran well. (The halls were crowded and there were few chairs, but the actual event facility was excellent.)

When an acceptable clinical site is not available, a skill event may be held in the conference hotel. When this happens, efforts are made to simulate the clinical site as much as possible.

Whether at a clinical site or in the hotel, event planners strive to assure that the guidelines are followed, and that the event is as realistic as possible. The goal is to provide a national experience for all state winners, and to treat all competitors equally. 

Many years ago, competitors in most events reported to a holding room, and then waited for their turn to compete - sometimes for hours.

As HOSA grew larger, space for holding rooms became scarce, and competitors complained about the long wait. In response to the needs of HOSA competitors, appointment times are now used for most events.

The appointment times are a "best guess" based on the event starting on time, with no interruptions. Sometimes, events run exactly as planned. Other times, it takes a little longer than planned to assure that the event runs as it should.

Competitors should know that their appointment time is meant to be an estimate of when they will compete. Short waiting periods are normal, and should be anticipated. 

Why isn’t the dress code enforced?

Actually, the dress code IS enforced according to the event guidelines. For each event, the event manager awards five (5) points to every competitor dressed correctly. If you see someone at an event who does not comply with the dress code, the dress bonus was NOT given.

Why don’t we have finals? Why don’t we have more rounds in Biomedical Debate?

Time.

Take for example, Biomedical Debate. HOSA understands that a traditional debate tournament may last for days, with each team participating in as many as ten (10) one hour debates. While such a format is desirable for a school "Debate Team", the needs for HOSA members were different in designing the Biomedical Debate competition.

HOSA strives to support classroom learning. There are many debatable topics in a Health Occupations classroom that can be addressed using a method of research, evaluation, discussion, critical thinking, and verbal expression. When a HOSA member participates in Biomedical Debate, the member is learning important skills for success as a future health care professional. The actual event is a showcase for demonstrating what has been learned about a critical issue - as opposed to a tournament to prove who the best debaters are.

HOSA also takes into consideration the amount of time it takes to provide an event opportunity at the national level. Current rules allow each state to send their top three individuals/teams in each event in categories I-IV, or the potential of over 100 teams/individuals in every category of every event. Whew!

In 1999, over 4000 students had the opportunity to travel to Nashville and participate in HOSA National Competitive Events under the current format. Adding time for finals or more rounds would add to the cost and length of the National Conference - something that HOSA leaders and elected student officers have been reluctant to do.

Why are the rooms we compete in so cold!

Conference hotels are generally kept very cool in the summer, so that a businessman in a suit and tie would be comfortable. HOSA competitors should always dress accordingly. Suits are a good idea (especially a HOSA uniform) and coordinated blazers or sweaters suggested.  It may be June outside, but the hotel temperature will be a frosty 68-70 degrees.

Why do we have event orientations?

Event orientations are designed to answer questions, clarify any challenges, and help prepare competitors for their event. The orientation also helps to assure that competitors are properly registered. If there are any registration glitches - the orientation provides an opportunity to find any problems and correct them.

Sometimes, events will run as planned, and it may seem as though an orientation is not necessary. If, however, there had been something unexpected about the event, having a scheduled orientation would have been critical. For that reason, ALL events have scheduled orientation sessions.