Robin Campbell: Health Careers Technology, Westinghouse Academy 6-12
Years Teaching: 13 Years
Previous Experience: Many, many years working as a professional nurse across multiple units within UPMC Health Systems, including spinal cord, stroke rehab, brain injury…
Why is CTE so vital and essential to PPS students in particular? To the District? To the job/work force in general?
This is a Three Level program of study encompassing grades 10 through 12, designed to prepare students for entry level healthcare careers. Our students learn using state-of-the-art equipment which can be found in any modern hospital or doctor’s office.
We’re a little different from other health career training programs in that we train the student in the theory and practical skill much like the other programs—however many our students haven’t reached the age of 18–which is a certification requirement.
Our students, upon graduation, are ready for on the job training and clinical experience which will allow them to obtain many entry-level certifications.
While enrolled in high school, health career students have the opportunity to earn up to 6 college credits from CCAC. They also earn industry certifications from OSHA-Healthcare Safety and AHA -BLS CPR. And? They also have an opportunity for a Direct Care certification from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Our students have the opportunity to see, first-hand, how many careers in health care really function through shadowing and field trip opportunities.
Our program makes that transition from school to work easier and keeps the students focused on their future goals by exposing them to every aspect of health care on a daily basis.
It really puts them in the right mindset with the incredible array of hands-on things they’re exposed to. It’s not just all the scenarios they’ll see as nursing assistants or medical assistants… but also being able to experience the 21st century interpersonal skills necessary to put themselves out there professionally.
In your opinion, how has the PFT’s involvement made a difference for CTE?
Health Students…doing the teaching!
I’m really grateful for two things from the PFT: Their appreciation of CTE and their willingness to go to great lengths to publicize the good work we do.
I can’t tell you this enough…EVERYBODY needs to know… that we feel appreciated by our PFT. And they have fought so hard for us.
It makes your day better to know that. Sometimes it’s a great springboard in your day to have someone tell you you’re doing a great job, you know?
We need money and opportunity to go into industry. One day we would like to have practical access to hospitals, testing facilities, ambulatory care—so that our student can see what really goes on and get a bird’s eye view of their training in action.
The PFT will be right there with us fighting for that.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching CTE in general, and your own subject matter in particular?
My favorite thing is watching their (my students) growth from 10th grade to 12th grade. When we’re doing certain practical skills… you can literally see the light bulb come on and hear the student saying… “I GOT it! I can DO this!”
I live for those moments! There is a healthcare employment disparity for minority students–I became a teacher to reach back to others to help them achieve some of the wonderful goals that I have.
Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.
