Students Benefit From Practical Experience Through Health Cert III Course

Since 2015, the senior students of Pacific have benefitted from the important practical learning offered through their Certificate III in Basic Health Care. Students have taken advantage of the College’s mini ward that includes a hospital bed, mannequin, x-ray viewer and instruments including IV equipment. In addition to this, they volunteer at lunchtime to work alongside the College nurses and Dr Peter McMahon to provide first aid assistance in our sick bay. The course covers a variety of units including applying First Aid and Advanced First Aid, complying with infection control policies and procedures, interpreting and applying medical terminology and delivering basic clinical care such as monitoring vital signs and measuring blood pressure.

A key part of the learning involves practical experience in the workplace. Earlier this year in our newsletter, we featured an article that highlighted the learning achieved by Gemma Whitelaw (http://pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au/plc-news/certificate-iii-basic-health-...) as she spent time at the Caloundra Skin Cancer Clinic. The Year 12 Health students will be gaining valuable practical experience over the next week in high-end care units at Blue Care Warana, Blue Care Dicky Beach, St Mary’s Pelican Waters and Seasons Caloundra. We thank Dr Peter McMahon and the College nurses for their leadership of this course, which gives students important life skills but also important prior learnings for further study in the health area. We wish the students well as they take advantage of this amazing opportunity.