In math class, you need a calculator to solve the problems.
A Chromebook is necessary to type your essay in English class.
And for the students in Katrina King’s CCMA class, the necessary tools are needles, gloves, tourniquets and vials to collect blood from volunteers.
This week all members of the class passed their certification test. When they graduate in May, they will be Certified Clinical Medical Assistants – ready for the workforce and their next steps in their medical education.
“There are 13 students who passed at 100%,” CCMA instructor Katrina King said. “This is an amazing accomplishment. This group of students have over 100 classroom hours and 45 clinical hours. They are now working on their phlebotomy certification. These students will have the opportunity to start working in a medical office. Some of their duties include triaging, giving shots, drawing blood and performing EKG’s. This is a great step towards their medical careers.”
Staff members volunteered to act as patients for CCMA students to practice sticking with needles to gain the skills necessary for applying themselves in the medical field.
“When Natalia asked me to come after school and be her patient, I did not hesitate to say yes,” journalism teacher Emily Meachen said. “It is amazing that these students can get this certification while in high school. Mrs. King does amazing things in her class. She does more than give assignments and take grades. She trains health care professionals to be ready for the job force as soon as they walk that stage in May.”
Students in CCMA were required to reach a minimum of thirty successful sticks on volunteers, making senior Victoria Martinez the first student to reach the goal and master the skill of blood taking.
“I’m really proud of myself, and I’m especially grateful for the support I received from my friends and family who volunteered,” Martinez said. “I’m glad my hard work paid off, and now that I’m finished, I hope I can help my peers complete their skills with the same support and encouragement our teacher gave me.”
Many students, including senior Jacqueline Galeana, deal with the nerves of transitioning from practicing the procedure of taking blood from their peers and a phlebotomy arm to real volunteers.
“My motivation for getting my certification is to be one step closer to my dream career of becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner, which allows for more opportunities to gain experience,” Galeana said. “One obstacle that I faced during class was losing my nerves and becoming more confident when doing skills.”
Overcoming fears of failure while applying themselves to their studies is a crucial part of entering the higher levels of education needed for entering the medical field.
“One obstacle I’m currently facing in CCMA is trying to make time to study and retain as much information as I can, since it is a difficult course,” senior Samia Molina. I feel really lucky to be able to stick! I’m very excited to be able to be done and very happy that there are a lot of people who trust us to stick them.”
Behind these students’ hard work is a supportive teacher who sets them up for success not only inside the classroom, but also in their futures in medical careers in the real world.
“These students will be getting two certifications from this class,” King said. “They will leave ready to work. I am proud of them for working hard to get their 30 successful venous sticks. It is an honor and privilege to be part of their career path. These Wildkats have such a bright future and I look forward to seeing what they do in the future.”
