Students in the Mount Pleasant High School Health Science program began clinical rotations last week at Titus Regional Medical Center and various health care settings around the community. Third and fourth year health science students spend 2 days per week at field sites getting actual, hands-on training in everything from emergency medicine to pharmaceuticals to dentistry. Students have the opportunity to earn multiple medical certifications prior to graduating from high school.

Health Science courses at MPHS are taught by industry experts with multiple degrees and certifications. Beginner students in Principles of Health Science can earn certifications in CPR, Stop the Bleed, and First Aid, taught by Sarah Carrell, LVN. Advanced Practicum in Health Science I students are being trained to be Electrocardiogram Technicians (CET) by Cortney McCallum RN. Seniors in Practicum in Health Science II are either being trained in Phlebotomy (CPT) and Patient Care Technology (PCT) by Kristi Houchin RN-BSN, or to be a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) by Amanda Hutchings MS-HSA, BS, CMA (AAMA).

The MPHS Health Science program is a 4-year program beginning with Principles of Health Science, providing an overview of the therapeutic, diagnostic, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development systems of the health care industry. Second year students spend a year in Medical Terminology learning medical vocabulary appropriate to medical procedures, human anatomy and physiology, and pathophysiology. Skills attained include hand washing, vital signs, and American Heart Association CPR certification. In addition to Practicum I and II, third and fourth year students can choose to take Anatomy and Physiology as a fourth science credit as well as Dual Credit courses in Medical Terminology and Medical Law and Ethics.

For more information on the MPHS Health Science program, contact Career and Technology Director, Karl Whitehurst, at 903-575-2020.

Photos:

1: Practicum II students pose in front of TRMC Ambulance in the bay after completing the tour.

2: TRMC Paramedics, Terra Eagan and Veronique Phifer, explain how the new LUCAS 3 works for Level 2 Practicum students. LUCAS 3 provides proficient compressions to the patient so that the paramedics can focus on other skills during transport.

3: TRMC Cath Lab employees, Adam Larson and Michael Seanz, explain the process of completing patient care.