BJHS class advances students in medical field
In order to give students a leg up, Bob Jones High School is offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) dual enrollment course, EMT Basic, for students who are interested in a career in medical professions.
The goal of the class is to equip students with work-force experience.
“This class gives students an opportunity, as seniors, to get a feel in a health related courses that’s hands-on and service oriented,” said Julie Finley, assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Bob Jones. “If they enjoy this, course they may look into going into the health science program, which is a double-block course that places in a variety of health-related services from pediatric to dentistry to sports medicine.”
The class meets at 8 a.m. every day for first block at Fire Station No. 1 on Hughes Road, just down the street from the high school.
Upon completing the course, students will also be eligible to take the EMT Basic Licensure exam.
Students will also have the opportunity to accompany responders to emergency calls and work in the emergency room as part of clinics.
Lauren Bingham, a 17-year-old senior in the class, said she would like to become a pediatric nurse, and the class is teaching her the basics of the medical profession.
“This class is a major stepping stone for me,” Bingham said. “The best part is being able to apply what you’ve learned to every day life. We are going to the senior center to take vital signs soon. It’s just a really informative class.”
Bingham went as far as to buy firefighter pants that she will wear to class, after she gets them hemmed.
Students who have taken the foundation of health science course and meet dual enrollment eligibility are qualified to take the course, with preference given to those who will be 18 by January. Finley said this is because 18 is the minimum age requirement to take the exam and it would be beneficial take the test immediately after the course instead of waiting an entire semester.
The 17 students participating in the program receive 11 credit hours from Calhoun College for free. Funding for the course comes from a $37,000 grant secured through workforce development funds that provide tuition, books, equipment and travel expenses for the instructor. The grant also covers the $70 fee for the national registry EMT exam.
This is the pilot year for the class and Finley said students who take the course could use it to further their studies in 2-year or 4-year fields such as paramedic, fire-fighting, nursing and physical therapy.
Finley said the school secured more funding for the class
“The great thing about this course is that it provides young people with emergency skills that can be used whether or not they are in a health career,” Finley said. “This is the first time we’ve had a course at a site that is this relevant to the students’ experience. My expectations have been exceeded in the success of this course through feedback from students as well as nurse Barnes.”
