On the job

story by Breyanna Helm

Jaiana Johnson, Sr., leaves EHS right after 5th hour, two days a week. Why is she so special? Where is she going?

OJT (On the Job Training) is an opportunity for senior students to expand their experience in the health career field. It requires a completion of Health Careers II/ Medical Terminology as a junior, and gives students a paid position to shadow/volunteer in a health career based place. Students in the past have worked as CNAs, home health aides, and assistants at veterinary hospitals but most students work at the nursing home, Medicalodges as a CNA (certified nurses assistant.)

“I enjoy working at Medicalodges and with residents. It has really taught me a lot, and I get to make money while y’all sit there in class,” Johnson, Sr., CNA, said.

To qualify for OJT, students are required to shadow/volunteer a minimum of 10 hours a week, and at the end of the semester have to have a total of 180 hours completed. Johnson works at Medicalodges three times a week to complete her hours.

“When they meet this criteria, student are able to leave school at the end of 5th hour,” Andrea Pyle, EHS health careers teacher, said. “They find this very helpful in managing their busy schedules and they are able to use the time to get much of their school work completed.”