14
May
2021
|
19:28 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

A Big Step Toward the Future … 51 Flour Bluff High School Students Receive Pins and Certificates from Continuing Ed Health Sciences Programs

Students prepare for careers by completing one or more certifications in Electrocardiography, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician and Basic Medical Assistant

Article by Melinda Eddleman

FBISD and DMC Health Sciences Pinnbing 2_051321

A shortage of healthcare professionals was already an industry challenge before the pandemic. Now more than ever, individuals eying careers in healthcare are needed locally, statewide and across the nation to fill gaps in the workforce.

For 51 Flour Bluff High School students who participated in the Health Sciences Program partnership between Del Mar College (DMC) and Flour Bluff ISD, they now have a head start toward a career in healthcare, many earning credentials in more than one discipline offered by the DMC Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs Division.

On May 13, FBISD and DMC held a pinning ceremony to award these dedicated juniors and seniors their pins and certificates for completing one or more programs, including Electrocardiography (EKG), Phlebotomy, Patient Care Technician and Basic Medical Assistant.

“Earning one in-demand national credential for a healthcare-related job is an achievement, but earning four credentials simultaneously is nothing short of an awesome feat of determination and steadfastness,” said Dr. Leonard Rivera, Dean of DMC’s Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs Division. “As partners, Flour Bluff ISD and Del Mar have set-up a state-of-the-art healthcare program that allows students to earn national credentials in four different areas and prepare for careers in an industry looking for well-prepared professionals.”

 

We are incredibly proud of our Hornets who will graduate in May from Flour Bluff High School with career-ready skills. Our continued partnership with Del Mar College ensures we develop life-long learners who are equipped with the necessary skills to compete and thrive in the healthcare industry.
Velma Soliz-Garcia, Flour Bluff ISD Superintendent of Schools

Taught by DMC faculty using the latest healthcare technology on-site at FBHS, these students underwent extensive theory and clinical skills training in one or more of the four programs offered by the College. Coursework is designed to prepare participants for National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) examinations for their certification upon program completion.

Students earn Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, that can be used toward a certificate or an associate’s degree if they pursue further studies at the college level. Thursday night’s honorees, which includes FBHS juniors and seniors, completed training in one or more of the following areas:

  • Electrocardiography: 64-hour program that awards 6.4 CEUs. Training covers the fundamentals of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology as well as basic electrocardiography procedures, including interpretation of basic dysrhythmias and appropriate treatment modalities.  Twenty-three (23) students are earning their credentials in this program.
  • Phlebotomy: 96-hour program that awards 9.6 CEUs. Students develop skills by performing a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and universal precautions. Twenty-four (24) students are earning their credentials in this program.
  • Patient Care Technician: 96-hour program that awards 9.6 CEUs. To participate, students are required to successfully complete both the EKG and Phlebotomy Programs as pre-requisites. Training includes basic patient care, clinical procedures, patient safety and routine office/lab procedures. Twenty-two (22) students are earning their credentials in this program.
  • Basic Medical Assistant: 166-hour program that awards 16.6 CEUs. To participate, students are required to successfully complete both the EKG and Phlebotomy Programs as pre-requisites. Training includes medical office operations, procedures and human relations skills; solving pharmaceutical calculation problems during preparation and distribution of drugs; competency in basic math commonly used in the medical profession; and an overview in ICD (International Classification of Diseases) and CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) coding and claims forms for medical services reimbursement. Twenty-seven (27) students are earning their credentials in this program.

 

Flour Bluff High School healthcare students will be well positioned to immediately enter the healthcare industry or use their knowledge and credentials toward furthering their post-secondary education in one of many related careers. Today’s high school healthcare students will be tomorrow’s registered nurses, nurse practitioners or medical doctors caring for all of us in the future.
Dr. Leonard Rivera, DMC Dean of Continuing Education & Off-Campus Programs
FBISD and DMC Health Sciences Pinnbing 3_051321

The FBHS students include: Aaron Acebo, Paige Aguilar, Natalie Albrecht, Kilah Athey, Keena Benham, Mariah Boberg, Camryn Clayton, Makenna Cordell, Marin Cox, Allison Davis, Claudia Downs, Kierra Dudley, Miyah Edwards, Helanina Ford, Victoria Garcia, Madison Garcia-Maciel , Hailey Garza, Katherine Geurin, Ariana Gonzalez, Lyaunna Hatch Grant, Emma Henson, Arath Herrera-Galvan, Alexia Holdforth, Morgan Hollingsworth, Emma Hopkins, Grayson Hubbard, Lanette Kemp, Alexandria Lopez, Meena Luis, Tamia Martin, Elisa Martinez, Matthew Martinez, Natalie Melton, Andrea Montenegro, Bella Moreno, Rose Navejas, Swachi Patel, Jayda Pena, Aaliyah Rangel, Rose Revett, Amanda Reyes, Ruben Rigali , Melodie Robertson, Caleb Rodriguez, Cynthia Sanchez, Kaylee Schmidt, Princess Sherman , Kaylee Turner, Brianna Valdez, Jorge Velez and Kylli Widas.

 

 

 

About Del Mar College

Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.