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PEABODY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Some high school students are dressed in scrubs while using state-of-the-art healthcare simulation technology at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. The medical assisting program received a grant of $125,000 to upgrade the program's technology, allowing students to learn about the medical field in a hands-on setting.
Some equipment included a simulation mannequin, a pediatric station, and a geriatric kit. Students are learning how to do vision screenings, pregnancy tests, take vitals, and other essential healthcare skills.
"[There are] unbelievable materials and resources in here for students to learn in a true hands-on model," Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Principal Brooke Randall told WBZ's Suzanne Sausville.
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The upgraded equipment has life-like mannequins that can cough and have heartbeats to give students a more realistic experience. Medical assistants are able to use the sound effects to emulate different common symptoms.
"So when the students are working with her I can go ahead and throw in some of those different pieces as you would experience working with a real patient," Medical Assistant Jennifer Kornusky said.
The program allows students to explore the medical field and discover if healthcare could interest them as a potential career path.
"It just really gives us a good general overview of like how it really feels to be in the medical field," a student named Caleb said.
Governor Charlie Baker gave out Skills Capital Grants to 47 school districts including Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in 2021.
WBZ's Brooke McCarthy (BrookeWBZ) has more.
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