86 Copperas Cove High School students pinned at Health Science ceremony

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

86 Copperas Cove High School students were honored with a special pinning ceremony celebrating students who earned an industry-based certification in healthcare.

On Wednesday evening at Lea Ledger Auditorium, CCHS students participated in CCHS’s Inaugural Health Science Pinning Ceremony celebrating those who were graduating as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPT), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) with some also earning certification as a phlebotomy technician, CCMA interns, and Patient Care Technician (PCT) with some also earning certification as an EKG technician and/or phlebotomist.

Those 86 students completed the rigorous requirements set forth in order to become certified which was no easy task. They also outpaced national averages for passing the certification testing.

90% of the CCMAs passed, compared to the national average of 69.02%.

100% of PCTs passed, compared to 74.5% nationally.

100% of those certifying as EKG technicians passed, compared to 71% nationally.

93% of CCHS’s phlebotomists passed, compared with 76.3% nationally.

The pharmacy technician course is notoriously difficult, but 80% which is impressive compared with the national pass rate of only 59%.

Morgan Camese covers a number of CCHS courses including CPCT - Patient Care Technician, CPT – Phlebotomy, CCMA, CET Certified, and EKG Technician.

Camese said that it is important to her and the other teachers that their students also receive real-world training.

“You can teach the student by the book all day long, but until they get in there and they do the hands on…they see it with a whole different perspective,” said Camese. “Experiencing it in the real world is a whole new level for them.”

Camese talked about one of her students who began a day helping during a baby’s delivery and, later that same day assisted in a room where a man took his last breath.

She said that by witnessing that, her student was able to witness the highs and the lows of that particular career. Camese said that by showing the students all of what is available to them, then they learn that certain areas may not suit them or they might find something that suits them perfectly and may change their career trajectory.

Camese said that the best part for her is seeing them grow and succeed.

“The teachers that teach these programs are amazing people,” said Zechar Jose who became certified as a patient care technician this year. “They will not let you fail, but in the best way. They teach you correctly and make sure that you will not go into the exam feeling nervous.”

Jose said that he loved his experiences during his time in CCHS’s healthcare program.

“This is probably the most beneficial thing that’s ever happened to me,” said Jose. “I found out what I would actually like to do as a career.”

Jose said he learned a lot through clinicals. He said he learned about workflow, what he likes, and what he doesn’t like. He was able to talk with several professionals who helped him realize that he wants to become a radiologist or x-ray technician. Jose said that he got a lot of advice on which colleges to go to, which scholarships to apply for and how to apply for them.

“This year we got a lot more opportunities to go on clinical rotations which I really enjoyed. Darnall being in partnership with us this year was great,” said A’Mirakale Davis, who became certified as a CNA and phlebotomy technician this year. “I can’t wait to use these certifications in the future.”

Davis wants to become an OB-GYN.

“It’s nice to be able to bring life into the world,” said Davis. She said she loved being able to witness a birth and talk to professionals in that field.

“It’s been a very rewarding experience,” said Madison Sims, who became certified as a patient care technician and EKG certified. “We went to the hospital this year and it was very exciting to get hands on experience. We were actually at the bedsides of the patients and were able to interact with them…I’ve gotten a lot out of it.”

Sims said she hopes to become an anesthesiologist. She said that she loved the program and the teachers. She plans on working as a CNA this summer.