A family affair

EHOVE’S Medical Assistant Adult Education Program recently participated in a fun Friends and Family Night event.  This event allows students in the medical assistant program to bring either a friend or family member to class for the evening to experience different skills and become educated on what the students have been learning.

This practice will aid in preparation for their required practicum of 200 hours hands-on in various physician offices.  Examples of skills students are learning include:  blood pressure checks, routine venipuncture, throat swab, urinalysis, vital signs, wound dressings, first aid, injections and blood draw.

Medical Assistant Director and Coordinator Tonya Lloyd is in charge of putting together the annual Friends and Family Night, and has been doing so for the last three years.  “This is very important for my students because it helps them to be prepared for their practicum, and it helps my students understand patient education,” said Lloyd.

Friends and Family Night at EHOVE included a total of 15 stations.  Each student in this program had six minutes at each station to explain various topics they have been learning throughout this program.  Each student started off with his or her own project, then rotated to a different station.

EHOVE Medical Assistant student Amanda Heydinger of Willard felt the event was a great experience.  Heydinger’s main project included a glucometer station, a machine used to check blood sugar for diabetes.

 “I brought my mom, and she was very impressed,” said Heydinger.  “My mom had so many different questions, and was impressed I was able to answer all of them.  She was very surprised when I was able to explain and educate her about injections, and how many different types there are, “ she said.

EHOVE Medical Assistant student Sylvia Hendricks of Norwalk was very excited about Friends and Family Night. Her main project was to educate guests about intramuscular injections.

“It was cool explaining to guests how to hold a syringe and at what angle,” said Hendricks.  “My guest that I brought to this event was very impressed.  Friends and Family Night made her more knowledgeable about the program.  Being able to show what we know was a great experience,” she said.

EHOVE Medical Assistant student Jacob Bodi of Bay View started the evening off talking about oral medications.  He explained the different types of liquid and solid medications, how you would take them and store them.   “It was awesome I could educate each guest at each station,” said Bodi.

PHOTO:  EHOVE Medical Assistant student Brittany Ballard of Clyde (right) with a visitor at Friends and Family Night