Northwest ISD Navigator Magazine Spring 2017-18 | Page 6

Eaton students learn emergency medical skills By Taylor Glissman Eaton High School Student Day in and day out, paramedics arrive to scenes of trauma, prepared to save a life. They work tirelessly, knowing that they are holding someone’s future in their hands. Now, this responsibility lies upon a group of seniors from Eaton High School. New this year to Eaton’s health science classes, the EMT – emergency medical technician – program walks seniors through all aspects of healthcare, allowing them to expand their knowledge and skills. Then, their past four years of high school training will be put to the test with hands-on experience in the field and in emergency rooms. A student who fully completes the program is able to go straight into the workforce as an EMT after graduation. 6 As Eaton begins its third year in existence, the school now consists of all four grade levels, including its first class of seniors. Because the EMT course is exclusively available to seniors, the program is just now being established during Eaton’s 2017-18 school year. The program isn’t exclusive to Eaton in Northwest ISD though, as seniors are also able to participate at Byron Nelson and Northwest high schools. Although the idea of high school seniors working on a trauma scene may seem daunting, they first go through extensive training to ensure they’re prepared. The students initially have to complete the prerequisites of principles of health science, health science theory, and biology before even being considered for entry into the program.