The students stood quietly near the nurse’s station, watching the lead nurse move around like she’d done it a million times before. In just a few minutes, she checked vitals, adjusted an IV, and calmed down a nervous patient. Everything she did was so smooth and effortless like she didn’t even have to think about it. Her calm energy seemed to spread to the whole room, making it feel more relaxed. The observers glanced at each other, amazed at how fast she worked while still being so caring and precise.
At Greater Latrobe, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take a semester-long class called Allied Health. This course is designed to give teens both knowledge and hands-on experience in healthcare, helping them figure out if a medical career is right. For the first six weeks at EWCTC, learners start with the basics of healthcare. They learn about things like medical terms, infection control, keeping patient information private, and even the history of medicine. On top of that, they explore all the different types of jobs in healthcare. Then, they move on to shadowing professionals in all kinds of fields. Whether it’s watching radiologists, checking out how a pharmacy works, observing physical or occupational therapy, or seeing what nurses do every day, students get real-world experience. They even get a glimpse into areas like chiropractic care and more, making it a great way to see what healthcare is all about. 
Senior, Brock Pflugh, took Allied Health in the fall semester. Going into his senior year, he knew he wanted a career in healthcare but wasn’t exactly sure which path to take. He thought this class would help him figure it out, and he was right. At first, Brock was considering either nursing or becoming a doctor. During the course, he shadowed several nurses at places like Bethlen Nursing Home and the emergency department at IHS (Independence Health System) Latrobe Hospital. While he gained a lot of respect for nurses and the hard work they do, he realized it wasn’t the right fit for him. Brock discovered he was more interested in diagnosing and creating treatment plans, ideally in an outpatient setting where he could build relationships with his patients.
Although he didn’t directly shadow a physician, many of the professionals he observed explained how their roles connected to the doctor’s work. For example, when shadowing an x-ray technician, she explained how the images would be sent to a doctor, who would analyze them and decide on a diagnosis and treatment plan. These connections gave Brock a better understanding of what being a doctor involves.
Brock’s favorite experience was at Kids Care Pediatrics. “It’s a calm outpatient setting, and it was neat because I saw a patient with pneumonia get evaluated and got to see the behind-the-scenes process,” he said. This experience sparked his interest in family medicine. He likes the idea of “continuity with the patients” and being able to see their progress over the years. “It’s not like a surgeon, where you never see your patient again,” he explained.
Overall, Brock is glad he took Allied Health. The class helped him narrow down his career options and get a clearer picture of what he wants to do in the future. He’s just one example of how this class gives student observers a better understanding of healthcare careers and helps them make informed decisions about their futures.
The Allied Health program provides teens with invaluable experiences that go beyond the classroom. By combining hands-on job shadowing with foundational knowledge about healthcare, students gain a clear understanding of what different medical careers involve. This helps them make more informed decisions about their future paths, whether that’s pursuing nursing, physical therapy, radiology, or becoming a doctor. The program also builds essential skills like communication, professionalism, and problem-solving, which are crucial in any healthcare role. Overall, Allied Health not only prepares high schoolers for their next steps in education but also inspires confidence in their ability to succeed in the medical field.
