east washington life
Turning Out
EMT’s
Eastern High’s Emergency Medicine Services Program by Regina McClure Bobbi and Alyssa check anchor Wisdom Martin’s blood pressure at the Fox 5 Zip Trip highlighting Eastern Market. Photo: Chief Julius D. Jackson, NREMT
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group of seniors from Eastern High School wait patiently for the final fitting of their EMT Student uniform. This occasion is significant as it marks a crucial step in their journey toward EMT licensure—clinical rotations. EMT Student uniforms are an industry requirement for working on an ambulance, a challenge that students are literally gearing up to in the coming months. American Medical Response, Capitol Region (AMR) has established an employment pipeline with Eastern Academy of Health Sciences (EAHS), a Career Technical Education program within Eastern that’s now designated by DC Health as an EMS Educational Institution. East32
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ern’s EMS Program is on equal standing with other local and national postsecondary Allied Health career education programs. This allows seniors who pass the course to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) national certification exam. Those who pass can become licensed and begin working as an EMT. AMR will host “ride-along” experiences so that students can meet the clinical requirement for patient contacts. The program is the result of a community-wide effort over many years and the advocacy of a variety of stakeholders. Our major partners include Eastern’s parents, staff, and Business Advisory Council; Companies
for Causes; MedStar Health; DC Fire and EMS Department; Life Star Response; GW Medical Faculty Associates; Westlink Career Institute, the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters, and the Boy Scouts of America National Capitol Area Council. (EAHS students provide 24-hour first aid at DC Scout Camporees.) Through the combined efforts of the DCPS College and Career division and the Office of the State Superintendent, the existing Health and Medical Sciences Academy at Eastern was elevated to a NAF Academy, and rebranded as the Eastern Academy of Health Sciences. NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation), provides career-technical education programs in the District
