Students learn about healthcare careers
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News from St. Luke Community Healthcare
RONAN — Thursday, Nov. 10 was a good day for high school students from Ronan and Charlo. More than 40 students were able to take a break from their regular school day, and they were given an opportunity to kickstart their futures by learning about careers in health care.
The Western Montana Area Health Education Center encourages interest in medical fields by partnering with local high schools and community hospitals. Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare, better known as REACH, is one of the programs offered. REACH is a one-day program that provides high school students the opportunity to explore the healthcare field through a variety of activities.
Students were welcomed at St. Luke Community Healthcare, where healthcare professionals led five different stations, volunteering time and talent to answer questions, share expertise, and demonstrate hands-on activities. Students were divided into groups that rotated through a variety of hospital locations. These stations included Radiology/ Imaging, Laboratory, Physical Therapy, and the Emergency Department. Dental career information was also covered in a hands-on lab setting.
In the emergency room, Respiratory Care Practitioner Brandon Hungerford represented Respiratory Therapy. Students were able to see and take part in practicing intubation of a manikin, which consists of placing a tube into the “patient’s” airway in order to support breathing. A camera device called a Glidescope provided real-time imaging to aid insertion of the tube. Also in the Emergency Department Trauma Bay, Registered Nurse Linda Cox provided a brief description of the ED equipment, including use of an intraosseous (in the bone) device. The IntraOsseous device, referred to as an IO, allows emergency providers to use the patient’s bone as a route to introduce fluids, blood, or medications when intravenous routes are not possible. Used primarily for trauma patients, the IO is extremely helpful for pediatric patients or any patient in shock. Students used the IO drill to place special needles into raw eggs, duplicating the precise nature of the procedure.
The radiology station discussed the different modalities including nuclear medicine, MRI, CT scans and mammography. Students learned about how x-rays are taken and how to read them as well as the education needed to pursue a career in radiology.
In the hospital laboratory, students learned about hematology, microbiology, looked in a microscope and found out what it takes to be a phlebotomist.
The physical therapy department brought the chance to see a variety of exercises for recovery, learn about wound care, manual therapy and balance issues.
Students had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on lab, making molds of their teeth. They were quite impressed.
All students had the opportunity to tour the New Beginnings Birth Center and meet a brand new baby. They were all quite amazed how tiny babies are and how quickly we grow.St. Luke Community Healthcare has been a proud contributor to REACH for more than seven years. It is important to encourage the next generation of youth to choose fulfilling careers in the high skill, high demand, and high pay healthcare industry. With the AHEC programs, students are afforded an opportunity to see healthcare in action. S
