Hosted on Feb. 16 at the high school, senior-level Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) students learn phlebotomy, the process of drawing blood, and EKG or electrocardiogram, a test that measures heart activity, as a part of their coursework. They also have the opportunity to achieve both of those as separate certifications.
The students need 40 sticks and 10 EKGs to complete their certifications. So, this experience allows students to fulfill their practices outside of class hours.
The students sign up for a 30-minute time slot and bring friends, family, students, teachers, or anyone who will allow them to draw blood for practice purposes.
“It’s a way for their family and friends to see what they’re learning,” said health science instructor Alyssa Clader, “but also a way for them to get a large amount of sticks in a small period [of time].”
Individuals who were former teachers or students who are now nurses oversee the students’ practice sessions to ensure safety and sign off on their needed number of practices.
The stick practice began about seven years ago, whereas the EKG practice was added to the agenda this year. The hospital room in the school is now open and available for students to run EKG’s–optimizing practice time.
CCMA student Reagan James said the practice they get is “really helpful because the fact that we get to have actual hands-on experience is something that most high schools don’t get to do.” Emphasizing that when going into the medical field, the experience they get from this will allow them to feel more confident.
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