Healthcare Day with Clarkston High School: Student Scrubs Camp

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Scrubs Camps have emerged as a unique and innovative approach to medical training and professional development in recent years. These intensive programs offer a one-of-a-kind learning experience, aiming to equip aspiring healthcare professionals with essential skills, knowledge, and practical experience in a condensed time frame.

As a part of TriState Health’s evolving workforce development initiative, our first “Scrubs Camp” was held with Clarkston High School students in early October. The Scrubs Camp allows interested students to observe and participate in hands-on activities related to various health modalities offered at TriState. This interactive workshop is part of an essential goal in aiding students pursuing careers in healthcare.

TriState’s Scrubs Camp was an all day event where 18 Clarkston High School students traveled to TriState Health and heard from healthcare professionals in a variety of departments, including Emergency, Radiology, Nursing, and Respiratory Therapy. During the camp, each department representative discussed in-depth details related to their positions and the steps they took to develop into their professions. Students also learned about how and where to receive higher educational opportunities in healthcare within the Lewis-Clark Valley.

Many healthcare roles require effective teamwork. Scrubs Camp often emphasizes collaboration through group exercises, helping participants learn to work within
a team in a clinical setting. One of the most significant advantages of these day camps is the focus on practical, hands-on experience. Participants engage in simulations that mimic real-life healthcare scenarios, allowing them to practice skills such as taking ultrasounds, drilling into bone, splinting, airway management, CPR, and infection prevention.

In rural areas, in particular, we are facing a critical shortage of healthcare workers. Continuing to find ways to identify, recruit, train, and retain residents within the community is a large part of helping keep care local. Interactive educational opportunities like these not only raise students’ awareness of the wide variety of health careers available to them but also empower them to shape the future of healthcare. As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals continues to rise, these healthcare camps are likely to expand in popularity and are poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of workforce development.

“Scrubs Camp is more than a program; it’s an investment in our community and the healthcare industry as a whole,” said Tammi Hernandez, Chief Human Resources Officer for TriState Health. “We have other areas that students may be interested in exploring, and we hope to create similar opportunities for them in the spring of 2025.”

Encouraging students to reflect on their passions and values and helping them explore their interests can lead students on the path to a healthy and prosperous future. TriState Health is eager to encourage students through resources that provide continued learning opportunities, setting goals, and career guidance. By providing these resources and support systems, students can receive the knowledge needed to navigate life after high school and empower them to thrive in their future endeavors.

Learn about all of TriState’s Workforce Development Partnerships and Opportunities by visiting TSH.org/Workforce