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High School Co-op & 02 programs wrap up another successful year

Volunteer Services works in partnership with the Department of Education, the Halifax and Annapolis Valley Regional School Boards to provide 100-hour volunteer opportunities during the school year for students in Grade 11 and 12. Students in the high school co-operative education program learn valuable skills for the workplace by volunteering in hospitals and health centres throughout the Halifax area and the Annapolis Valley. After completing 25 hours of classroom time and their volunteer hours, they earn a high school credit. Volunteering in a hospital or health centre exposes students to a broad range of careers, giving them a taste of what it is like to work in a health care setting. They also get to see how teams of health professionals function. As one student said, “I was able to experience firsthand what it takes to work in a hospital setting and I realized that I may be more equipped for a career in health care than I imagined.” Since 2005, more than 315 high school students completed in excess of 32,000 hours exploring health careers while participating in volunteer activities.

Orientation to the Dartmouth General Hospital High School Co-op program"Saying goodbye to all the patients was hard because I really bonded with them and it was sad leaving."Inside an EHS ambulance during a career education day.Michaela Ferguson practicing her surgical skills in the Skills Lab at the VG site of the QEIIMichaela Ferguson practicing her surgical skills in the Skills Lab at the VG site of the QEII"I learned about how involved the nurses were in the Cardiac Cath lab, and how crucial the technicians are when performing any heart diagnostic tests." High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. "On the first day I was interacting with patients and the doctor as she did rounds, whereas on the  last day I was watching echos, ECGs and stress tests.  So essentially on the first day  I was introduced to the problems that can occur with the heart , and on the last day I was introduced into some of the testing and technology."High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. Callie McCutcheon experiencing what it’s like to have an ultrasound during a career exploration day with Dalhousie’s School of Health Sciences. High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. High School Co-op students from the QEII, Dartmouth General Hospital and Hants Community Hospital attending a career education day.High school Students enjoying recreation activities in Haliburton Place in Windsor.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.Stacia Dolliver and Leslie Greeno, High School Co-op Students at Hants Community Hospital transporting Diagnostic Imaging  equipment to Unit 200. Students attend breakout sessions with healthcare professionals at the end-of-year meetingStacia Dolliver gaining experience engaging older adults in care. "My co-op experience has led me to pursue a career in  health care and I have been so grateful for the opportunity to explore my options, and finally feel confident in my future plans. The relationships I have created with patients and residents will definitely be my motivation in my future studies.""Overall, I learned a lot in Pharmacy, and found it to be very  interesting but have come to the conclusion that  I do not think I would be able to pursue a career  in Pharmacy. It follows a strict routine and regimen,  which is enjoyable, but is not something that I desire in a career."Aaliyah Tidswell learning about oxygen levels "I know all of the patients by name and was able to lead the group exercises and do many individual exercises with patients. Saying goodbye to all the patients was hard because I really bonded with them and it was sad leaving."Students interact with nuclear medicine.Students attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingOrientation to the Dartmouth General Hospital High School Co-op program"Everything in this experience (Pharmacy Department, DGH) was worth it, I loved the people and all the stuff I learned. It actually made me change my mind for my future! ""The opportunity for young students to interact and learn from some of the patients is a valuable life experience. Hopefully these students will begin to reflect and continue to grow in their own lives, not only towards a potential career path but as productive individuals in society."High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. High School Co-op students being introduced to Dalhousie’s School Of Health Sciences Program. High School Co-op students being introduced to forensic medicine at the QEII."My biggest challenge while on the Dialysis Unit was watching a person on dialysis. I faint when I get blood drawn and watching the blood go through the tubes made me feel really weak the first week. By the next week in Home Dialysis I was able to watch it and was not affected by it."High School Co-op students being introduced to forensic medicine at the QEII.Callie Mccutcheon spending a day in the Mackenzie BuildingHigh School Co-op students being introduced to forensic medicine at the QEII.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII."In the ENT rotation, I discovered how much self control each doctor must have to be excellent in their chosen specialty. An example was a surgery that I was able to observe and seeing the surgeon standing for 3.5 hours, while keeping complete focus and a steady hand. This was very amazing to me."Students see the skills lab in action at the VG site at the QEII.All of the students get together for an end-of-year summit in HalifaxStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingAll of the students get together for an end-of-year summit in HalifaxStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meetingStudents attend breakout sessions with health care professionals at the end of year meeting

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