Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) Emergency Medical Technician students commemorated the donation of a UVA Health ambulance to its program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The dedication was held on Wednesday, March 9 at 1:40 pm in the CATEC parking lot. CATEC EMT students were joined at the ceremony by University of Virginia Medical Center CEO Wendy Horton.
The ambulance will be used by CATEC’s High School and Adult Education EMT programs to simulate hands-on learning experiences. Students will be able to replicate emergency medicine ride alongs, practicing raising and lowering patients into the ambulance, working in tight spaces, and spatially locating equipment. High School and Adult Education EMT Instructor Cat Gardner says, “Along with required clinical experiences and the purchase of a new immersive emergency manakin, ambulance training will better prepare students to take their EMT National Registry Exam in the spring.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off an exciting collaboration between CATEC and UVA Health. Like healthcare facilities across the nation, UVA Health needs additional skilled medical workers. CATEC’s Adult Education program is providing Certified Nurse Assistant training directly to UVA Health employees. Their “Earn While You Learn” model provides full-time employment to participants completing CATEC healthcare training. “I believe in expanding opportunities for local residents who are interested in a fulfilling healthcare career at UVA Health,” Horton said. “We are excited to partner with CATEC to help people build careers with room for growth while helping UVA Health meet our growing need for talented team members.”
CATEC is a regional technical education center that helps high school students and adults obtain the jobs they seek. Students have opportunities to practice hands-on and work-based learning activities alongside academically driven curricula. CATEC prides itself on its built-in value, equity-based programs, and contribution to students' learning journeys.