JCHS phlebotomy students held their first school district-wide wellness blood draw clinic, allowing them to practice their skills and provide a free service for staff members. This started last year strictly for high school staff members, but was so successful that it became district-wide just in its second year.
On April 11th, phlebotomy students held their clinic for Jefferson and Lincoln Elementary schools, drawing blood for 14 staff members. On April 25th, students did the same for middle school and high school staff, with at least 23 participating. The blood draw tests cholesterol, blood glucose, and A1C levels. It also checks thyroid and PSA for men to detect prostate cancer.
One teacher taking advantage of this wellness check is English Teacher Cori Ashmore. She praised this school program and Deaconess Illinois Medical Center for allowing students to earn clinical hours at their medical facilities.
"I think it's wonderful that our medical community is so supportive of our program," she says. "The experiences that our students get to have before they leave high school are priceless. They get exposed to many facets of health care, which play a critical role in helping them decide if healthcare is truly the path they want to pursue and, if so, what area they want to concentrate on."
Ashmore, who took part in the clinic last year, had her blood drawn by JCHS Senior Kara Smith. While some people are nervous about needles and getting pricked, Ashmore says Smith made it easy.
"My phlebotomist did amazing," she adds."Perfect stick. I didn't feel it at all. "
Smith had the choice between phlebotomy and pharmacy technician routes after completing the school's Certified Nursing Assistant program. Her heart was in phlebotomy, and she believes this wellness clinic provides hands-on training.
"I wanted to learn more about drawing blood from people than I did medicine," says the senior. "I think it's good to get this experience because a lot of people who go into healthcare don't have much experience, so I felt this would be a good thing for me going into nursing."
Deaconess Illinois Medical Center processes the blood samples from the wellness clinic and gives staff their lab results. Lori Adams is the lead phlebotomist at the facility. She’s worked there for 14 years and helps train our phlebotomy students while they attain their clinical hours.
"We bring them over, and we teach them how to stick," she explains. "We teach them how to find some veins, and we teach them what to look for. It's turned out well."
The hope is that our students will stay local after graduating and find jobs in the healthcare profession. Then, be able to treat patients with compassion and exceptional care.
"Most of these kids are going into the medical field," says Adams. " Most of them are going in as nurses. A few that went into radiology. There have been a few going into being a doctor. It's a full circle. We put out to the community, the community gives back. "