New mobility equipment teaching students at Somerset Tech about age-related illnesses
WESTOVER, Md. – Grant funding is helping to equip Somerset County High School with some new tech.
It comes at a time where the health care field is in need of fresh faces with caring hands. “Tremendous shortage of health care workers in society right now, so now it’s really more important than ever to get people in the health care field even at such a young age level,” said Mrs. Paula Fisher, teacher of the program. The new equipment comes from grant funding from the Community Foundation, which allowed the school to buy an immobility suit along with other age-related simulations. “Arthritis simulator that shows what it feels like to have arthritis and impaired mobility in your use of your hands, and we have the vision simulator that they mix six different vision impairments,” said Mrs. Fisher. Leading the program, Ms. Fisher says that the students in the Career and Technical Education Program want to be here. The students are inspired by everyday circumstances. “Taking care of people after my mom got sick, I just fell in love with helping others,” said Emyria Jones, a student in the program. “Helping some people because people don’t get the care that they should be getting so making sure that you’re doing things with the right way,” said Autumn Schaffer, also a student in the program. “We can prevent and fight other illnesses and people don’t get the care that they need so being in healthcare is really needed right now,” said Mya Holden. In addition to classroom instruction, Mrs. Fisher says having this hands-on experience helps them better associate illnesses that they may encounter in the real world. “Tell someone all you want but it doesn’t always register to them as what it would feel like, what it would feel like to be in their position. You know what it feels like to be a little slower moving,” Mrs. Fisher explained.
Once students complete the 2-year program, Mrs. Fisher says the job opportunities are endless. “In entry health care so they could work in the doctor’s office, or clinics, they can work at a hospital, nursing home, so they can leave with the ability to have a job,” said Mrs. Fisher.
The students will be starting clinicals next week. They will attend a local nursing home for their practice.
