High-School Students Explore Health-Career Options in Program

By Mindy Johnston College Information & Community Relations Intern

Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Health Sciences and Susquehanna Health System are teaming up again to offer the third annual Introduction to Health Careers program for students in grades 10-12 on June 23-25.

Workshops for Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Paramedic Technology, Radiography, Dental Hygiene, Physical Fitness Specialist and Health Information Technology will give students a hands-on look at majors in these fields.

Students will be able to take part in real-life experiences, such as taking blood pressures and making an occupied bed in the nursing field, developing X-rays in the radiography workshop, and learning airway management and electrical therapy in the paramedic workshop, to name just a few.

This program was established to let students know about health-career options. After participating in the workshops, students will be able to choose the major that's best suited for them. The goal is to expose students to jobs they didn't know were available. It's also a good way to let local students know they can stay in the area while getting a degree in these fields.

Susquehanna Health System became involved with the program in hopes of hiring qualified graduates. Currently, there is a high demand statewide for graduates in many health-care fields. Any student interested in a health-care occupation also may contact Susquehanna Health System to find out about job-shadowing and "VolunTEEN" options.

For the first time, students will have the opportunity to stay at Penn College during the program, which has been expanded to a camp format. Project Director Shawn A. Kiser, coordinator of dental hygiene at Penn College, said it will be a good opportunity for students to see the College and "get the grasp of college life."

The participants also will be able to speak with Penn College students to get their perspectives. In addition, staff will arrange various types of entertainment for the students for the times when they are not participating in workshops.

The student guests will stay in their own section of the College, which will have eight summer-conference assistants and one or two adult chaperones on duty. The students also will be provided with three meals a day.

With 20 of 48 spots already spoken for, it's important to respond soon. The registration fee is $40. To register or receive more information, send e-mail or call (570) 320-2400, ext. 7092.