For MHS students like seniors Kerri Short and Erica Jarmer, the Health Occupations 2 class allows them to get, "As close to the medical field as you can get in high school," said Jarmer.
"[The class is] an internship experience where students complete four rotations, 12 hours each rotation, at a variety of healthcare settings in McMinnville," said MHS Health Occupations 2 teacher Bruce Scanlon.
A rotation in Health Occupations 2 is 12 hours of hands-on activities performed outside of class on the student's own time at either one of Willamette Valley Medical Center's hospital departments or at a private practice.
"We use the term ‘rotation' in our class because it's the same phrase used for the internships students conduct in residency at medical school," said Scanlon.
Students can choose areas in the medical field that interest them to conduct their rotations in.
"The hospital offers rotations at the birthing center, medical-surgery, cardiopulmonary, anesthesia, short stay surgery, emergency department, imaging, and physical therapy departments," said Scanlon.
Students can also complete their rotations outside of the hospital working in areas such as acupuncture, dental, veterinary, and massage.
"This class lets me see what a healthcare profession is really like. This class is an opportunity I wouldn't otherwise get," said Short, who is interested in a healthcare related career, but unsure of whether she wants to work in a research lab or in patient care. For her, the rotations are her favorite part of the class.
"They allow you to decide what you like, what you don't like, and give you a feel for how hospitals work," said Short.
Students like Jarmer and Short had to take Health Occupations 1 and Human Anatomy before getting the chance to do rotations for Health Occupations 2. This proves they have a legitimate interest in healthcare.
"I would only recommend this class to students who are really interested. They get to see real experiences, get a much greater appreciation for the job skills necessary, see the tasks and duties that are performed, see the interaction of disciplines and see teamwork," said Scanlon.
Students are not only graded on completing their rotations, but on reflection papers, participating in a tobacco prevention program with 5th graders and doing a presentation to hospital staff and administrators about their progress after their rotations. Scanlon said,
"This means the kids are really excited, motivated, responsible, and self-directed students who care about higher education and their next step in life," said Scanlon.
"You have to have a legitimate interest to be in the class," said Jarmer. "I have to complete my medical rotations on weekends even if I have a bunch of homework to do."
Rotations are not all fun and games as Short learned. When she was shadowing a doctor who was examining a 12 year old boy with a broken ankle, the doctor was feeling for tender spots. At every spot the boy said it hurt, but when the doctor felt the break, the kid began screaming. Short almost started laughing, but caught herself when she realized that she would be laughing at a patient who she was being trained to care for.
"Rotations take discipline and seriousness," said Short.
Despite this, rotations remain the best part of the class for Jarmer and Short. Scanlon enjoys seeing the change in his students' interest as they complete these rotations.
"It's not uncommon for students to think they know the career that they want, but then change it after their rotations," said Scanlon.
Due to the H1N1 influenza outbreak, Health Occupations 2 students aren't able to complete their hospital rotations.
"The hospital recognizes that teenagers are at a high risk to contract and have complications with H1N1," said Scanlon. "To limit the risk to patients, the hospital has limited visitations to people 18 and older,"
Alternative activities are being looked at for students to complete their course requirements.
"There is, however, the potential for vaccinated students to return to the hospital one week after their vaccination to complete their rotations," said Scanlon.
While Health Occupations 2 is a demanding class that offers students real world challenges, it is also a rewarding class that gives students a taste of their future. It gives them the opportunity to explore the medical world and the many career possibilities in caring for the wellness of others.
"This class is a great experience," said Jarmer. "When will I ever get the chance to try out so many medical careers again?" For Jarmer, Short, and the other students, it is exactly that- a once in a life time opportunity.