Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES is expanding its Career & Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for students in Lewis County by offering a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program beginning in the 2024-25 school year.
Students enrolled in EMS will have the opportunity to learn lifesaving skills such as CPR and hemorrhage control, as well as familiarize themselves with the many career options available for EMS professionals. By their second year of study, students will be able to shadow and learn from professionals at local fire departments, ambulance services and hospitals.
With two-year successful completion, students will be qualified to earn certification through the NYS Emergency Medical Technician exam and/or the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Exam. Either certification can be used to gain employment with an ambulance service, a hospital, doctor’s office, or fire department.
The creation of the program is due in part to the generous funding of the Lewis County Legislature, which cited the need for EMT’s in many rural parts of the county. This funding avenue allows BOCES to offer the new CTE program at no startup cost to districts whose students attend the Sackett Technical Center.
“Partnering with local government to provide high-demand opportunities for students, while meeting acute workforce needs in the communities where we live, learn, and work, is what BOCES CTE is all about," says Jeff Ginger, Director of Career & Technical Education. "We are thrilled to be moving in this direction."
The new program will have an experienced instructor at the helm. Ms. Errin Thomas has worked for BOCES as the instructor of the New Vision Health program through Carthage Area Hospital. Instruction will occur at the Lewis County JCC Extension Center in Lowville and open to high school students at the Adirondack, Beaver River. Carthage, Copenhagen, Lowville, South Lewis, and Town of Webb school districts.
For more information on this exciting new CTE opportunity at BOCES, visit www.boces.com/ems.