Turning Out EMT’s: Eastern

east washington life

Turning Out EMT’s

Eastern High’s Emergency Medicine Services Program

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

Agroup of seniors from Eastern High School wait patiently for the fi nal fi tting of their EMT Student uniform. This occasion is signifi cant 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. Eastern’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 certifi cation 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

by Regina McClure

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 fi rst aid at DC Scout Camporees.) Through the combined eff orts of the DCPS College and Career division and the Offi ce 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

with an educational framework that ensures students receive a relevant and exceptional learning experience in the career path.

Students who opt into the Academy commit to various requirements for career readiness. In addition to the regular sciences courses required to graduate, students must take a Project Lead the Way medical elective each year. Courses are engaging, project-based, and use the Modern Classrooms structure of blended learning to integrate technological literacy into everyday learning.

Paid Internships and Service Learning

Paid medical internships are another essential expectation of the academy. Students undergo a rigorous process before they’re placed in their hospital summer internship. They must participate in mock interviews and complete the employability skills and character development curriculum developed by DCPS. Eastern has a special partnership with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, originally established by Ward 6’s Joe Weedon and Tom Raffa’s Companies for Causes. Sophomore Damiyah Brown has found the preparation for the internship invaluable. “The Academy instills traits that students need for success, such as punctuality and leadership. We’re provided support and guidance for our futures,” she said.

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