By Teresa Stepzinski
The Florida Times-Union
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Clay County career academy students soon will have an opportunity for hands-on training and clinical hours necessary to complete industry certifications through a partnership between the school district and Liberty Ambulance Service Inc.
Students in the Emergency Medical Response (EMR) program in the Academy of Health Science at Orange Park High School soon will be able to become fully certified before graduating.
It is the first time Liberty Ambulance Service has partnered with a school district to assist students in completing their industry certifications. The requirements for EMR certification include a number of ride-along hours with emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the field.
In the program beginning in January, students will be paired with training officers, travel on ambulances, and observe real emergency calls, according to school district officials
“Liberty Ambulance is very excited to partner with Orange Park High School and the Clay County school district in this new endeavor, and bring a new generation into this field of work,” said Wayne Cain, director of training, safety, and risk management for the ambulance service.
Clay schools Superintendent Addision Davis praised the partnership.
“This is a tremendous way for students to get a head start on their careers by graduating with their industry certifications,” Davis said. “Our Career and Technical Education programs and academies help students gain real-life experience in a variety of fields, and I am excited about the new opportunities this partnership with Liberty Ambulance Service will provide to current and future students.”
The district’s career and technical programs, known as the Academies of Clay, are designed to prepare students for both college and careers.
They are schools within schools that link students with peers, teachers, and community partners in a structured environment that fosters academic success. The career academy concept has three key elements: a small learning community, a college-preparatory sequential curriculum with a career theme and an advisory board designed to forge partnerships with employers, higher education institutions, and the community, according to the district.
Students have the opportunity to earn college credit – for free – and even earn an industry certification.
Copyright 2017 The Florida Times-Union