R.E.A.C.H.

R.E.A.C.H.  – Research and Explore Awesome Careers in Healthcare

 

The purpose of REACH is to provide Montana high school students a chance to learn about and explore various healthcare careers in a local facility. We want to encourage the next generation of youth to choose fulfilling careers in the high skill, high demand, and high pay healthcare industry.

REACH is a one-day healthcare career exploration program for Montana high school students. Local facilities host REACH and provide students the opportunity to explore the healthcare field through a variety of hands-on stations and activities. Professionals from the sponsoring healthcare facility lead the stations, volunteering their time and talent to mentor students and share their expertise.

Possible station topics in REACH Program:

  • Lab: Students learn how to draw blood, test for cholesterol, CBC and thyroid issues, how to use the machines, and what it takes to be a phlebotomist.
  • Emergency Room: Students learn gloving and sterilization procedures, how to conduct EKG tests, splinting procedures, how the machines work, and how to insert a needle using oranges.
  • Radiology: Students X-ray a classmate’s hand or ankle and learn how to read the results. They also see the technology involved and take their X-ray home on a CD.
  • Physical Therapy: Students are led in a variety of exercises for recovery, including stability ball, weights and bands. They also conduct manual muscle tests.
  • Medical Office: Students discover the importance of billing, coding, filing and transcription, as well as check-in and release procedures and how the admittance process works.
  • EMT/Life Flight: Students tour an ambulance and life flight helicopter and learn what to do and expect as the first to arrive on a scene. Volunteer students are put in a neck brace and on a backboard and transferred to an ambulance.
  • Nursing/Clinic: Students learn how to take a patient’s vitals and blood pressure, test for strep throat, and assess symptoms. They also gain an understanding of the role of a clinic nurse.

Additional Information

  • The SC MT AHEC has the ability to coordinate a REACH program for any community within the South Central region of Montana (from Granite County east to Park County & Beaverhead County north to Lewis & Clark County)
  • REACH is generally open to 9th and 10th grade students, but this will vary depending on participating schools & the size of the sponsoring healthcare facility.
  • No cost to the student
  • Students must submit an application to be considered for acceptance into REACH
  • Each student will receive a scrubs top with the REACH logo
  • Lunch & snacks will be provided to the students
  • Certificate of completion will be presented to each student