The Warren County Career Center’s Health and Medical Assisting (HMA) program, led by instructors Diane Swartz and Kylie Harris, in collaboration with WCCC pre-engineering instructor Dan Passmore and Watt Office Supply owner Brad Watt, is nearly finished with its new Multidisciplinary Simulation Center (MSC).

The one-of-a-kind learning experience provides students with realistic simulations in the areas of standard medical-surgical hospital care, standard bedside patient care, physical and occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, nutritional instruction, mental health/counseling, phlebotomy, patient triage, and medical office assisting/filing.

Grant funding of $74,407 made the project possible.

Grants included a Pennsylvania Department of Education Competitive Equipment Grant for $29,992 and a Carl Perkins Secondary Local Plan Grant for $14,421. The Warren County School District provided matching funds of $29,994.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Students Alexis Donato, Rachael Battko, Taylor Kraft, and Tyler Noe work in the new simulation lab.

The MSC concept was developed after reviewing the unique learning needs of the students enrolled in the HMA program.

“Simulation is an incredibly valuable aspect of practical education in healthcare careers,” said Harris. “The ability to craft real-life scenarios and provide true hands-on learning experiences opens up a whole new world behind the traditional classroom.”

Swartz said, “the challenge for us was to provide these experience for a varied student population planning on entering a large number of medical careers — everything from medical doctors to phlebotomists to physical therapists.”

Swartz conceptualized the primary skills lab, which serves as a fully-functioning simulated medical center.

“Diane’s vision for the program is incredible,” said Harris. “She designed practically the entirety of a large, complex space that meets the needs of so many different student learners, all with a different focus.”

Photo submitted to Times Observer From left, students Alanna Hultberg, Madison Gray, Evie Richard, and John Fankhouser demonstrate equipment in the therapy lab.

In the lab, “patients” are admitted and triaged at the doorway, allowing students the experience of intake assessment and paperwork completion. They then are escorted to a waiting area where “healthcare providers” from the various surrounding stations – phlebotomy, physical therapy, medical exam, and inpatient hospital room – meet selected patients and escort them to the appropriate area based on intake data.

Two new moderate-fidelity mannequins, one adult and one pediatric, were also purchased. They provide more lifelike simulation experiences within the skills center.

In addition to the primary skills lab and the simulated medical facility, a new simulation room was added, complete with a new mid-fidelity simulation mannequin, large-screen wall-mounted television for display of patient records and case studies, bedside telemetry monitor, simulated Smart Pump IV, desk and charting area, instructor observation window, and simulated hospital equipment.

The separate skills lab focused centers will further assist students in pursuit of the Direct Patient Care certification achieved upon completion of the HMA program, and will better prepare them for entering related healthcare fields, said Harris.

The new simulation room will be fully operational in time for the second annual Hospital of Horrors simulation experience, which is scheduled for Oct. 24 and 31.

The project called upon resources and support from almost every aspect of the Warren County School District.

“The combined efforts of so many people are what made the new MSC possible. It’s an honor and a privilege to work with such incredible individuals with such a heart for our Warren County School District kids,” said Harris.