Angie Powell, EdS, NRP CovingtonCares 9 High school seniors in the county can take an emergency medical technician class that gives them the opportunity to begin working as an EMT right out of high school. It’s a dual-enrollment program with Jones College, a community college in Ellisville. Paying Dividends The program, only in its third year, has already sent several graduates to work at nearby EMS services. Graduates can also opt for additional training and step up to being paramedics, who can perform more advanced procedures and administer more advanced life support. And EMT certification can open doors to other lifesaving careers. “A lot of our students want to go into nursing or eventually be a doctor,” said Angie Powell, EdS, NRP. “Having that ‘EMT’ behind their name helps them get into those programs. For example, it’s a point-based system to get into nursing school, and this helps them.” Career & Tech Complex Powell directs the Covington County Career & Technical Education Complex, a ninth-through-12th-grade campus in Collins. It’s part of the Covington County School District. The CTE Complex offers classes in Health Science, and Law and Public Safety, which are prerequisites for the EMT class. Completion of the Health Science class qualifies students to test for certification as phlebotomists (technicians who draw blood) or certified nurse aides. Powell described the Law and Public Safety curriculum as “a combination of law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, and emergency 911 dispatch.” Todd Jones, BS, NRP, CCH EMS Director, is a big fan of the CTE Complex’s programs – in particular the EMT class and its prerequisites. He described them as “invaluable resources for Covington County Ambulance Service and EMS services across Mississippi.” 10,000 Calls a Year The Covington County Hospital Ambulance Service handles nearly 10,000 calls each year. It has 60 employees, six ambulances, and four nonemergency transport vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs. EMT students ride along with CCH ambulances as part of their training. “This program not only gives students a head start on their career,” Jones said, “but also provides essential workforce support for local ambulance services.” Covington County Hospital and the CTE Complex have strong ties. Powell is a part-time paramedic at CCH, where she has worked since 2016. Melanie Blackwell, RN, the Health Science instructor, is a CCH nurse and leads clinical rotations for Health Science students at the hospital. Law and Public Safety Instructor Jennifer Cade used to work at CCH. First-Year Director Powell is in her first year as CTE Complex Director. She had previously taught the EMT and Law and Public Safety classes. “I love that I can help these kids and hopefully keep them here in Covington County,” she said. “And I love Covington County Hospital. They have always been great to me.” “A lot of our students want to go into nursing or eventually be a doctor.” –Angie Powell CTE Complex Director
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