SIXTH form students have their finger on the pulse after taking part in an interactive workshop designed to inspire them to take up careers within the NHS.
Health and social care students at Northallerton College got to grips with the latest in medical technology during a day long visit by health education consultants Classroom Medics.
Backed by a team of doctors and scientists Classroom Medics visit schools across the country with medical equipment for pupils to experience with the aim of helping them to make informed decisions about future careers in health.
Classroom Medics ambassador Nick Insley, who led the workshop, said: “There are over 350 different careers within the NHS.
“Bringing real healthcare equipment into the classroom, which pupils would not normally get to use, helps the students see the variety of jobs on offer and also lets them try their hand at everyday medical skills.”
Students from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, were also invited to attend the workshop, which was organised by Northallerton College’s health and social care teacher Debbie Moore.
She said: “This is an ideal opportunity for our students to experiment with real medical equipment that is not generally available in schools and colleges.
“To be able to see first hand and to take part in practical aspects of healthcare really helps to raise their awareness of careers that they may not have previously thought about. It really is cutting edge stuff and working with Prior Pursglove College really helped to enhance our relationship through the sharing of resources.”
Using real needles students were able to take fake blood from a simulation injection arm, practise stitching and suturing fake skin, record an ECG from their own heart, take ultrasound recordings and work on ‘Stan’, a patient simulator to diagnose a variety of medical conditions.
Student Shannan Gallagher, 18, of Northallerton, said: “Having a career in healthcare has always appealed to me especially midwifery.
“It has been extremely interesting today being able to get hands-on experience using the medical equipment especially the ultrasound.”
Jemma Trousdale, 18, of Northallerton, added: “I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to pursue a career as a mental health nurse or as a social worker.
“Listening to the Classroom Medics today and having a go on all the different pieces of equipment has helped me to see more clearly all the different areas of healthcare that are actually available to me.”
