Mercy Flights has announced a partnership with Phoenix High School and Rogue Community College on a new pilot project tailored to provide college credit in a high school setting for students interested in a career in emergency services (EMS).
The first class is set to launch this fall.
Over the last decade, opportunities for high school students to earn college credit have steadily increased. The ability to offer early career and technical education in a high school setting provides a better foundation for students to choose what career field will best suit their passion and learning style.
Over the last 12 months, Mercy Flights, Phoenix High School and RCC have joined forces to build a curriculum that will provide insight and education surrounding a career in healthcare. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive their Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate while also earning their CPR and First Aid certifications.
Phoenix High School opened the EMT class to students at the end of the 2023-24 school year and had an overwhelmingly positive response, receiving more than 50 registrations ranging from sophomores to seniors. The program is open to all students, if the prerequisite courses are completed including Emergency Care, Safety Plans and Prevention, and Body Work (pre-anatomy and physiology).
The classroom setting will consist of a Phoenix High School health educator and a Mercy Flights instructor who will co-teach the Introduction to EMS curriculum approved by RCC. Hours in the classroom will count toward college credit.