By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A group of Union City High School students recently found their niche with representatives from several rural healthcare career agencies.
An interest in the medical field was the common denominator between the collection of UCHS students and reps from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, the NWTN Workforce Board, the Dyersburg State EMT/Paramedic program, and Jackson State’s Respiratory Therapy program.
Career opportunities were highlighted by the visiting agencies, which involved students from Teka Kennedy’s medical therapeutics class and Jessica Tuck’s nursing education class in a variety of exercises learned during previous instructional time.
Students were able to practice CPR while “riding” in an ambulance simulator, apply tourniquets, and practice intubating a patient.
They also learned many details of the EMT/paramedic and respiratory therapy programs offered at JSCC and DSCC, respectively, and were allowed to ask extensive questions of professionals in those fields.
“This (event) really helps students see what it’s like to work in healthcare,” Tuck claimed. “It’s exciting to watch them connect what they’re learning in class to real-life skills.”
Kennedy was pleased with her group’s “willingness to participate” in the practice and emphasized the many opportunities to choose from in several rewarding career fields.
“There’s a real need in the West Tennessee area for healthcare positions,” she insisted. “The fact that you can be certified to be a respiratory therapist after just five semesters of schooling also makes it attractive for students who aren’t interested in four years of college.
“It was a great event and a tremendous experience for our kids.”