DOBSON — Thanks to a grant from the NC Area Health Education Center, 19 students from Surry County high schools are getting the chance to explore healthcare fields for three days.

The students, from East Surry, North Surry, Surry Central and Surry Early College high schools, started off the program Monday by learning about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and diversity sensitivity after receiving their lab coats and stethoscopes. They also had a roundtable discussion with Hope Lineberry with Surry County Emergency Medical Services, Buck Turner with the forensics department of the Surry County Sheriff’s Office, Dr. Renee Sykes with animal medical services, Casey Vedder with Surry Community College’s physical therapy program and Suzanne Key with dental hygiene.

Tuesday started out with a speech from Tim Hayes, former paramedic with Mecklenburg County EMS. Participants then traveled to Surry Community College for a lunch and learn session in order to get familiar with the healthcare programs available at the college before taking a tour of some of the facilities.

Jean Mosley, director of the medical assisting program, spoke to the students about the expectations in that field, letting them know they would be expected to know how to check patients in, get insurance information, give shots, draw blood and read charts. She said they mostly would work in doctor offices.

“You will be trained in medical terminology. If you’re not you’re going to be up the creek without a paddle because you’re not going to know what anybody’s talking about,” she said. “If you’re going to be coming into this program I’m going to give you fair warning - you will be drawing blood on each other.”

Casey Vedder, director of the physical therapy assistant program, spoke to the students for a second time. On Monday, he talked to them about the field of physical therapy while on Tuesday he focused mainly on the assistant program offered at the college. The program had its first group of graduates in May when it also received accreditation.

The PTA program lasts for five semesters with 16 students admitted each fall. It also includes three clinical internships. He said there is an emphasis on being able to communicate well both with other professionals and with patients. He said communication skills are something they look for during the interview required during the admissions process. He also said they need to be able to write clearly and effectively.

“Get your good science foundation in high school. If you don’t it pushes everything in the program back a year. It’s great to have that redundancy of information to build on,” he said.

Ellen Wyrick and Wendy Moser spoke to the students about the nursing programs offered through the college, including the Licensed Practical Nurse program, the Registered Nurse program and the Certified Nursing Assistant program.

“It requires you to think ahead and get started in high school with science. You need biology and chemistry and you need a computer class. If you’re offered anatomy and physiology take it. A and P is the rest of your life,” said Wyrick.

The students also learned that the LPN and RN programs require a CNA, something they can take care of in high school through an allied health course of study.

“The program is just as active and just as exciting as it’s ever been,” said Wyrick. “There’s lots of jobs out there.”

Kirk Killon, director of emergency medical program, spoke to students about some other opportunities they may have in the healthcare field.

“There’s different levels just like in nursing,” he said. “EMS is a hard labor type job. They do a tremendous amount of advanced medical skills.”

He spoke about the different reasons people get into the profession, but mentioned that a desire to care for people is one of the main requirements in the field.

“You made a difference in their life and they’ll never forget you for that,” he said. “You’re embarking on a noble profession no matter what facet you choose.”

The students will also have the opportunity to tour Northern Hospital of Surry County and its surgical center as well as Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.