Killeen Early College students explore health care careers at CRDAMC Medical Simulation Center | Article

For students preparing to enter the health care workforce, a visit to the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Medical Simulation Center turned classroom lessons into a firsthand look at the skills, technology and teamwork behind patient care.

Students in Killeen Early College High School’s Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program toured the center to explore health care career opportunities and observe how medical professionals build and refine clinical skills through hands-on simulation training.

The students, who attend classes at the Central Texas College campus, met with resident physicians, nurses, physician assistants and other health care professionals. They also learned how the Medical Simulation Center prepares personnel to respond effectively in clinical environments before applying their skills in patient-care settings.

Richard Silvia, Medical Simulation Center administrator, introduced the students to the facility and explained the role medical simulation plays in developing both individual and team performance.

“I hope they get a better understanding and appreciation of what medical simulation has to offer, how it can improve their individual skill sets and how they can improve their team when they get to that place in life,” Silvia said.

The visit connected students’ classroom instruction with the clinical settings and responsibilities they may encounter as they pursue careers in health care.

The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant credential, offered through the National Healthcareer Association, prepares students for clinical and administrative duties in medical settings. Clinical responsibilities can include taking patients’ vital signs, drawing blood and performing electrocardiograms. Administrative duties may include managing front-office operations and updating electronic health records.

Dr. Lawrence Williams, a career technical educator at Killeen Early College High School, said the experience gave students an opportunity to see how their academic preparation translates to real-world practice.

“I want scholars to have a deeper understanding of the nuts and bolts of health care,” Williams said. “This visit provided another opportunity to go from theory to practice and help scholars see the tools they will be using in the profession.”

For senior Caitlin Dolan, the tour provided valuable perspective on her own career goals.

“Personally, I want to be a civilian contract nurse in a military hospital,” Dolan said. “Knowing this is a Level I trauma center, it was really neat to see the simulation labs, how they prepare their medical professionals and the standard they have set.”

Dolan said walking through the hospital and speaking with medical professionals gave her a clearer understanding of the career paths available in military medicine.

“It was good to see how big the hospital is, learn about the opportunities here and talk to medical professionals about how they were trained and what their day-to-day life looks like,” she said. “It is different to see what it looks like in person rather than hearing about it, reading about it or seeing it on TV.”

The tour gave students a closer look at the technical knowledge, teamwork and hands-on experience required in health care, while reinforcing the value of their education and training as they prepare for future careers.