December 4, 2008

First Health Care Career Day for School District No. 23

KELOWNA, BC: Popular television medical shows such as ER and Grey’s Anatomy create an impression that being a doctor, nurse, or laboratory technician is an exciting, dramatic and even romantic occupation.  On Friday, Dec. 5, as many as 55 School District No. 23 students will have an opportunity to pull back the curtain and see what these professions actually entail.  The first Health Career Career Day Conference takes place at Kelowna General Hospital and is coordinated jointly by the Career-Life Department at School District No. 23 and Interior Health.

During the 5- hour conference, students will hear presentations from people working in the fields of pharmacology, biomedical engineering, residential care, nursing, and physiotherapy, and explore the work done in various departments (e.g., intensive care unit, emergency, laboratory, health records, etc.).  Students will tour much of the hospital and have opportunities to speak candidly with staff. 

“This is an excellent opportunity for students to investigate careers in the area of health and technology within a hospital setting,” says Kelly McRae Career Programs Consultant.  “This Health Care Career Day is open to students in Grades 10, 11 or 12 who are enrolled in sciences and have an interest in pursuing a career in medicine.”

“Today’s students are tomorrow’s health care professionals and this career day conference is a valuable tool for them,” says Norm Bradley, Director of Instruction.  “The interactive activities, tours and the question and answer period will ideally help them decide if this is a field of interest and perhaps, even reveal a specialty appeals to them.”

The Health Care Career Day begins at 9:45 a.m. in the second floor conference room at the Kelowna General Hospital.  Below are details of the agenda: 

Approved by the Superintendent on December 4, 2008

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For comments, please contact:

Kelly McRae, Career Programs Consultant, (250) 860-9729 ext 2

Dan McAfee, External Recruitment Central Okanagan, Interior Health (Phone (250) 862-4476

Norm Bradley, Director of Instruction, (250) 860-8888

Mike Roberts, Superintendent of Schools (250) 860-8888

For background information: please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.