SRMC, School District Collaborate For Job Shadowing

One of the "hurry up and wait" stages in life is what to do with your life. Is the best career path initiated with a college degree, a certificate program, a doctoral degree or a mentorship that develops into an unexpected lifelong calling? The answer may be found in experiencing what is required of various careers.

That is where Sidney Middle School and Sidney Regional Medical Center come together to explain the many options within a medical facility.

SRMC hosted an eighth grade job shadowing program Wednesday to display some of the duties that take place within various departments of the hospital. The intent is twofold - students will learn more options as they plan their adult lives, and the hospital may gain future employees who are comfortable with the rural setting.

"We're really trying to expose the kids to different career options," said Sarah Deeds, Sidney Middle School counselor.

The school district and SRMC have a long-standing relationship. The hospital has hosted the job shadowing program for at least 10 years. This year's program included representation of the Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Extended Care, Laboratory, Respiratory Therapy, Radiology and medical flight services care of Medical Air Response Company (MARC).

"It is pretty interesting. We're learning different types of blood cells," said student Rishi Krisna after visiting one of the booths Wednesday.

Evette "Evie" Ranslem-Parsons, SRMC director of public relations, said the program provides students a way to see career options as more than book learning. In the Wednesday program, students were able to experience different departments in a hands-on approach; testing strength, pain measures, drawing blood (simulated experience) and how medicine is mixed in a pharmacy.

"I think they were incredibly engaged," Ranslem-Parsons said of the students. "We're just trying to pique their interest."

Ranslem-Parsons said the hospital has programs, including the eighth grade job shadowing, that provides students with hands-on experience and insight into medical career options, from housekeeping to a physician. The program includes a sophomore level job shadowing and a summer internship program. The program is designed to help students searching for career options and to encourage students to consider rural medical occupations.

"The whole effort is to help us grow our own," Ranslem-Parsons said.

She said the hospital has many Sidney residents on staff, one who is a physicians assistant who started as a summer intern.

"All of this is just our way to nurture their interest," she said of the students.