By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–A unique opportunity in the healthcare industry drew the attention of several Union City High School seniors recently.
Students in Jessica Tuck’s Nursing Education class received a visit from representatives of Dyersburg State and Jackson State Community Colleges and heard about a three-year all-expenses paid opportunity in the EMT and Respiratory Therapy fields.
A $1.5 million grant that will provide educational, training and employment opportunities was the focus of the West Tennessee Public Health Workforce Training Network, which helped present the proposal. The network will identify shared regional assets and challenges and link programs in nine Northwest Tennessee counties, including Obion, Weakley, Henry, Dyer, Lake Carroll, Benton, Gibson and Crockett.
Baptist Memorial Hospital – Union City, and Baptist Memorial Hospital – Carroll County are partnering with the two colleges. The grant is designed to provide scholarships for 60 students to receive certified paramedic/EMT training and another 24 to receive respiratory therapy training.
The opportunity is in response to a shortage of healthcare workers in the two fields and bring awareness to the programs, according to Tuck.
In addition to the free education/certification, a stipend and books are part of the program.
“It was really intended to open the eyes of students to other options in the healthcare industry,” Tuck said.
Students were introduced to a simulator, and an ambulance was brought to campus to assist with virtual interaction and hands-on experience.