High schoolers get hands-on health care experience

MultiCare Valley Hospital was abuzz with energy this spring as 30 local high school students got their chance to explore the world of health care.

Valley High School Career Day returned in 2023 after a years-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, its focus has shifted from middle school to high school students thinking about their post-graduation futures. With the goal of opening doors and students’ minds, staff showcase all the options available and how to get involved sooner rather than later.

This spring, juniors and seniors from University High School and juniors from Spokane Valley Tech worked through five hands-on stations, including CPR training, “Stop the Bleed” training and emergency triage, an operating room simulation, a step-by-step vitals review, and behind-the-scenes tour of the hospital.

Career Day is an easy and informative way to show students the many different routes and educational pathways available in the field, such as beginning as a volunteer or COPE Health Scholar; joining the facilities, IT or kitchen teams; or pursuing education to become a nurse or provider.

Some of the day’s lessons can even be put into action now. Stop the Bleed training teaches the public how to help someone experiencing a traumatic injury until professionals arrive, including how to apply pressure, pack a wound to control bleeding and use a tourniquet.

“I have three kids at home … and I like doing anything that can have a direct impact on the community and teaching skills [like Stop the Bleed],” says Kalvin Debusk, RN, in the Valley emergency department. “Stop the Bleed training can have a direct impact on patient care and patient outcomes.”

Connor, a 17-year-old who attended Career Day, especially enjoyed the Stop the Bleed training. He hopes to go into the medical field in the future, so getting to try the triage kits himself with those working in the field was especially educational, he says.

Other students also shared their experience from the day:

“I think the medical field is a really good opportunity, and experiences like this really helped build my knowledge. It’s really fun and really educational.” — Brody, 17

“I was interested in coming here today because I’ve been interested in getting a career in the medical field for a while now. People who have their job just saving lives is really inspirational and really cool. So, I think it’s a really good thing to learn about and a great possibility for a career in the future. I think it’s been a really fun and engaging experience for sure.” — Asher, 17

“I’m really interested in going into the medical field, probably physical therapy, but it’s undecided. So, just to see more options and get to interact with the hospital was cool because you don’t get to do that very often unless you’re inside one. I liked the tour a lot — getting to see patients and being in the hospital and seeing how it all works.” — Alexis, 17

“I know I really want to have a job in the medical field, but I just don’t know what career yet, so I’ve been trying to explore everything and find something that really fits what I want. I know I want to help people in the end, but I just don’t know which path I want to take to do it. It’s been really fun and I like how interactive it is.” — Ryan, 17

Sessions will be held three times a year and are open to all Spokane Valley-area high schools.

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