WFHS Medical Assisting Students Visit Northwell Health for Authentic ER Experience
Manhasset, NY - January 16, 2019 - William Floyd High School students enrolled in the award-winning Career and Technical Education (CTE) program’s Medical Assisting Academy recently had the opportunity to visit North Shore University Hospital’s Department of Surgery and Trauma, which is part of Northwell Health Systems, for an interactive learning experience inside of an actual emergency room environment. Under the supervision of North Shore University staff and their medical assisting teacher Jason McKay, students responded to a mock emergency based on an actual trauma event that occurred last year. Students took turns acting in various response team roles such as nurse, surgeon, anesthesiologist, emergency room physician, emergency room technician, physician assistant and respiratory therapist.
“Students gained a new perspective with this hands-on experience,” said Mr. McKay. “It demonstrated the various emergency situations that can arise and spurred on insightful questions to the nurses and doctors. Students also learned firsthand the amount of stress involved in emergency situations.”
At the conclusion of the visit, students were allowed to view the hospital’s helipad after the SkyHealth helicopter landed with an emergency patient. They also received important training in mass casualty bleeding and the use of tourniquets.
About Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting/Introduction to Health Professions Academy introduces students to a wide range of topics, including health care systems, health careers, anatomy and physiology, nutrition and diet therapy, infection control, vital signs, first aid and emergency care, CPR, EKG, pediatric and adult care, assisting with minor office surgery, laboratory skills and insurance, billing and administrative procedures. Students receive training on-site in our fully equipped classroom laboratory. Students completing the program will be eligible to take the national certification exam, the successful completion of which qualifies students to utilize their skills in any US state.