Students Step into Healthcare

Middle and high schoolers explore healthcare careers at Allied Health’s annual camp

Pictured: Students show off the glowing bracelets they created during the "Grow and Glow" lab at this year's Healthcare Pathways Camp.

During the week of June 22, 84 middle and high schoolers stepped into the roles of emergency responders, nurses, dental hygienists, pharmacy technicians, and other healthcare professionals during Clark’s annual Healthcare Pathways Camp. 

Over three days, students explored the many career opportunities within the healthcare industry through hands-on workshops led by Clark’s instructors and other experts in the field. Divided into four groups, students rotated through different healthcare disciplines, learning not only what each role entails but also the skills needed to succeed. 

For students in Allied Health instructor Miranda Devault’s session, those skills included experiencing the controlled chaos of an emergency scene. 

Working in teams, one pair of students practiced chest compressions on a manikin while another — with closed eyes — searched the room for images of organs using only verbal directions from teammates. As if coordinating CPR and assembling the human body wasn’t challenging enough, additional students played concerned bystanders, distracting the group with questions and shouting over one another. 

The activity demonstrated that emergency medical technicians needed to stay focused, communicate effectively, and make quick decisions during high-pressure situations. 

“At any moment, someone can have an emergency, and we want to be helpful humans,” Miranda said.  

Exploring New Pathways

Students continued exploring specialized areas of healthcare throughout the week. 

During their nursing rotation, they discussed when and how to perform CPR and practiced helping patients with mobility issues. When Clark nursing graduate, Brooke, showed students how to properly use a syringe needle, students took the opportunity to ask her everything from patients’ reactions to being stuck with a needle to preparing for nursing school.  

In the phlebotomy lab, Professor Dr. Amy Castellano introduced students to blood draw procedures. After practicing how to apply tourniquets and locate veins on each other’s arms, students observed a live blood draw demonstration from Clark’s instructors. 

Medical assisting students learned about measuring the force of breath, which is used for patients with asthma or allergies, facilitated hearing and vision tests, and practiced proper bandaging techniques. 

At Clark’s Dental Hygiene Clinic, students created a plaster mold of their teeth, learned how to use an x-ray machine, and wrote their name backgrounds by maneuvering a dental mirror. 

During the pharmacy technician rotation, students filled mock prescriptions using Skittles and embraced their inner scientists as they made their own lip balm. 

Students interested in surgical technology examined the many kinds of specialized instruments a technician uses in the operating room. 

Students learned about health information management by investigating various scenarios involving employee incidents and deciphering medical records. 

Students also hit the gym for a crash course on physical fitness, identifying different muscle groups, participating in speed and agility exercises, and trying their hand at frisbee golf. 

At the beginning of the week, some students had a clear vision of the kind of careers they wanted to pursue. One middle school student is doing everything she can to become a pediatrician, inspired by her cousin who spent a lot of time in the hospital as a child.  

Others signed up for the camp looking for more direction. One recent high school graduate plans to enroll at Clark in the fall and wanted to explore his options before choosing a pathway. Throughout the week, students asked questions about class recommendations, college pathways, and beyond. By trying out a wide range of healthcare careers, they formed a clearer picture of where their interests might lead. 

Pictured (L to R): Wisnu (pharmacy tech), Victoria (surgical tech), Daniel (phlebotomist), Stephen (dental hygienist), Jacob (ER nurse), and Miranda (medical assistant) answer student questions during a panel at the end of the camp.

Pictured: Surgical Tech Professor Jim Reynolds displays a tool used in his field.

Pictured: Nursing program graduate Brooke shows students how to use a syringe needle.

Pictured: Students attempt to write their names backward while using dental mirrors.

Pictured: Students create their own lip balm during the pharmacy technician rotation.

Pictured: Student learns CPR during nursing rotation.

Pictured: Dr. Amy Castellano shows different kinds of needles used in blood draws.

Pictured: Students create dental molds using plaster.

Pictured: Phlebotomy instructor Lori Anderson with students.

Pictured: Students practice packing wounds during the nursing rotation.

Pictured: Students had various reactions to observing a live blood draw during the phlebotomy rotation.

Pictured: Students learn how to facilitate a hearing test during the medical assisting rotation.

Learn More about Health Care and Biosciences at Clark College

Clark College has a long-standing reputation as a premier educator of health care professionals, preparing students for a range of settings including home care, hospitals, medical offices, pharmacies, and dental offices. The Allied Health program inspires the next generation of professionals through hands-on career exploration opportunities in areas such as dental hygiene, emergency medical services, health information management, medical billing and coding, medical assisting, nursing, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy, and surgical technology. Learn more about Clark's Health Care and Biosciences programs. 

Photos: Clark College/Lisa Barsotti and Malena Goerl

Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing