Students shouting directions, victims crying out in pain and emergency responders moving quickly from one patient to the next may have appeared chaotic at first glance. At Hartselle High School, however, the scene last week was part of a carefully designed learning experience aimed at preparing students for real-world medical situations.
Comprised of 11th-grade students, the Diagnostic Services class serves as a steppingstone to the senior-level Medical Internship program, according to Medical Academy instructor Kim Goins. As part of their training, students earn certification in First Aid through the American Heart Association and complete instruction in the nationally recognized Stop the Bleed protocol, including the proper use of a tourniquet.
In addition to certifications, students participate in HOSA – Future Health Professionals, a component of the curriculum that promotes leadership and hands-on healthcare skills, Goins said. One of the organization’s most rigorous competitive events focuses on Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) skills. This year, two student teams demonstrated exceptional ability, earning the opportunity to compete at the International Leadership Conference in June…