San Juan School District piloting new EMT class

by Marah Long
Contributing writer
For the first time ever, San Juan School District is piloting a new course that allows students to become certified as Basic Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
The class is taught in San Juan High School and broadcast to other schools around the county so anyone who is interested can take the class.
Pioneering the course is Nataiah Giddings. This is her first year teaching. When asked what drew her to this course, Giddings said, “I’ve been around Emergency Medical Services (EMS) my whole life. My mom was the EMS directory when I was young. She taught me a lot of stuff and has been convincing me for years to become an EMT.
“The other part is just being able to educate kids. EMS always needs people. People are always getting injured and there is always a need, especially in our rural community.
“Even if all these kids don’t continue on to become EMTs, at least that knowledge is in the public. If someone goes down there’s at least that many more people who can help.”
Giddings said there is always the need for people who have the knowledge and the skills to save lives. 
The enrolled students study anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology. They become prepared to treat simple illnesses and injuries, as well as perform life-saving maneuvers.
With the help of the San Juan County Department of EMS staff, the students get to practice the skills they learn in the classroom as well as in the field. 
Also making its first appearance, is the Emergency Medical Technician CTE Internship.
Through the internship, students can ride on an ambulance and treat real patients in the field with the skills that they learn in class. During the internship, students sign up to be on call during the school day. They carry radios with them and leave if their ambulance is paged.
 In an interview about the class, San Juan High School Senior Cutler Baker, who is taking the course and the internship, says, “I’m planning on attending a paramedic program after high school.”
Baker is a prime example of how the course can open up opportunities for students to seek real-world skills that can turn into a successful career.
However, the field of EMS doesn’t come without its unique challenges. Giddings comments on the moral and emotional implications of the career, and the strides that the world has taken to create a safer environment for Emergency Medical Technicians.
“You can see some hard things in EMT. Back in the day, the EMS community and the whole world didn’t really care about first responders’ mental health. There’s been a really big change in that recently.
“There are more opportunities and resources for first responders than there ever have been. It’s a requirement that every first responder has access to mental health care which is provided free by their employer.
“So there are so many resources now for students to be able to have that. We teach how important mental health is.... You can always get the help you need if you see something that you can’t handle.” 

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