McCracken County High School and Mercy Health — Lourdes is working together to better prepare students for careers in the medical field. The MCHS Career Readiness Program places high school students in work environments they may consider pursuing after graduation. Mercy Health — Lourdes and MCHS are collaborating on a pilot program focused on those students graduating with their Medical Assistant Certificate.
“Medical assistants are a vital part of the patient’s care team. They are an extension of the provider, and this relationship starts as soon as a patient enters an office. They room patients, take med histories, give injections, handled phone calls, MyChart messages and so much more. My treatment plan as a provider is often executed by the MA because I am confident in their skills and in the rapport that they have built with the patient,” said April Dunning, PA-C; Administrative Clinical Director for Mercy Health Physicians.
There are currently 30 students for the 2024-2025 school year shadowing Mercy Health team members in clinics, such as family practice, internal medicine, vascular surgery, general surgery, behavioral health, and the new cancer center.
Andrea Heisner, MCHS Allied Health Science Teacher said, “Shadowing hospital departments or medical offices provides high school medical assisting students with real-world experience, helping them bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application. It enhances clinical skills, and offers insight into various healthcare roles, inspiring their future career paths."
Students in the Career Readiness program fulfill 300 shadowing hours during their time at MCHS. Mercy Health — Lourdes wants to help the students complete their hour requirement by giving them hands-on experience in the medical field. The opportunity of employment increases after high school as students are introduced to team members and gain the experience needed to be a top candidate whether it be local or wherever they decide to pursue their college career.
"I was able to observe a bone marrow aspiration. This was probably one of the best experiences I've ever been able to do. I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to see this if it wasn’t for this program", said Hannah Edwards, McCracken County High School Senior.
McCracken County High School and Mercy Health — Lourdes will continue to collaborate to discover more opportunities for students to become successful after graduation.
“When a student graduates with a MA certification and can show their experience on a resumé, their chances of being hired increases exponentially. The medical field is always looking for new members to join their teams,” said Dunning.
For more information about how your school or student can be involved, please contact your school's career readiness counselor.