Saint Francis Hospital and Bartlett High School Expand Clinical Internship Program
Lydia Means, a senior at Bartlett High School with a keen interest in pursuing a career in healthcare, is gaining valuable insights into the medical industry this academic year. Whether observing MRI technician Tim Drane analyze images of the human brain or witnessing surgeries in the operating room, Means is using this internship experience to shape her future. While initially considering nursing school, her exposure to various medical areas has broadened her perspective.
The clinical internship program, a collaboration between Bartlett High School and Saint Francis Hospital-Bartlett, includes Means and 15 other students. Chris Jenkins, COO of Saint Francis-Bartlett, notes a positive shift in students’ career aspirations. Rather than limiting themselves to specific roles like ER doctor or surgeon, students are now expressing interest in areas such as respiratory therapy and CT scanning.
The hospital emphasizes its commitment to being a good community partner by providing students with hands-on experience in different hospital departments. According to Erin Ozment, BHS Career Technical Education teacher and internship coordinator, most students already intend to pursue healthcare careers. The program aims to broaden their understanding of healthcare professions and potential career paths.
Throughout the second and third quarters of the school year, students participate in clinical rotations at the hospital, shadowing staff in 15 different departments. This exposure includes experiences in the intensive care unit, sterile processing, radiology, cath lab, wound care, and the operating room. The internship provides students with a comprehensive view of healthcare careers, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future.
Regina Lavelle, Saint Francis-Bartlett manager of radiology, appreciates the diverse exposure students receive in areas like interventional radiology, MRI, CT, mammography, and nuclear medicine. The partnership between the school and the hospital, initiated in 2018 but briefly halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed last year and has expanded, with 16 students divided into two classes this year.
To apply for the internship, students undergo a rigorous process, including completing a 15-page application and essay, submitting grades and medical records, and obtaining OSHA safety training and CPR certification. At the end of the course, students take a clinical-certified medical assistant exam.
Jacquelyn Whobrey, Chief Nursing Officer at Saint Francis-Bartlett, hopes students leave the program with an understanding of the diverse healthcare roles beyond nursing and physicians. She emphasizes the shortage in various healthcare disciplines and the need to expose students to positions like echo techs, stress test personnel, and nurse anesthetists.
The internship program addresses the gap in early exposure to healthcare career options in high schools and middle schools. Whobrey stresses the importance of allowing students to explore various career paths before graduation. Clark Knight, BHS CTE supervisor, envisions similar shadowing opportunities for students in the school’s expanding range of CTE programs, including advanced manufacturing, machining, mechatronics, IT, and criminal justice. As part of their preparations for BlueOval City, the school has even acquired an electric car for automotive repair students to gain hands-on experience. This is an exciting addition to the Bartlett education system.