The effort to recruit high-quality healthcare workers is an ongoing every day for Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso. Hospital officials decided to start that process a little earlier, hoping to spark interest in some potential candidates’ educational career.Thirty-five 8th-grade students from Ruidoso Middle School spent a day at LCMC to learn about the various professions in healthcare and for hands-on experience in each area.
Tricia Jameson, health education teacher at Ruidoso Middle School, took 18 students on Feb. 15 and another 16 on Feb. 20 for (Medical Applications of Science for Health) MASH camp.
"I am so grateful to Mr. Todd Oberheu (hospital administrator) and his staff for taking the time to encourage my students to pursue a career in the healthcare field," she said. "I think it is so important for students to get hands on experience early to understand the academic performance needed for some of the professions. It really does start in high school for some of these students, who want to become doctors. The staff at LCMC appeared genuinely excited to have my students in their respective departments sharing their knowledge and I can’t thank them enough."
The students spent time in the Operating Room where they used laparoscopic surgery equipment and also orthopedic surgery equipment. In the Radiology Department, they spent time with the equipment and employed the ultrasound. While in the Emergency Medical Services (ambulance) building, they were part of a trauma response team in a mock accident.
Through it all, they also learned what it takes to get into a healthcare career in each discipline, from education and available schools in each discipline, Jameson said.
“It is a great opportunity to let these students see if healthcare is a field they may want to explore," Oberheu said.
During their visit to the Emergency Room, students learned how chest tubes are inserted and patients are intubated, Jameson said. While in the Laboratory, they saw how a specimen is collected and processed and the various equipment used to accomplished that procedure.
LCMC is hosting a final year pharmacy student, Colton Dant, from the University of New Mexico. Colton worked with students in the pharmacy department, teaching them how to mix intravenous (IV) fluids and what safety measures to follow while preparing medicine. He also discussed how to get admitted into the pharmacy program, what types of course work he took during his program and how many clinical rotations he has to complete.
“We need more people to enter the healthcare fields," Oberheu said. "To have a chance to inspire some of our local students to consider healthcare is invaluable. Wouldn’t it be great if we see a few doctors, nurses and lab technicians coming out of Lincoln County in the future.”