SAN ANTONIO – Two years ago, Southside High School implemented several free medical certification programs into its curriculum, saving students thousands of dollars in trade school programs.
The students now are way ahead in their start into the medical field, having been trained and certified in so many different fields before they graduate.
Ruby Salazar, a senior at Southside High School, is already certified in four medical tech certifications. She plans to go medical school to become a pediatrician. She says she'll use the money being a medical tech to hopefully put her through school.
"Working as a tech will help put me through college," Salazar said. "I'm hoping for scholarships as well and stuff, but money is money and it's a really good job to have."
She can start using her phlebotomy or CKG technician certification as soon as she turns 18, where she can make anywhere from $15-$18 an hour. The program through Southside High School is all free, paid by the school district.
"Most trade schools or colleges cost thousands, up to 20,000 to get certified in EKG or phlebotomy and they are getting those services here at Southside ISD for free," Lynn Hernandez, the director of STEM with Southside ISD said.
By the time students graduate, they can have up to nine certifications training for weeks before each certification, most of the time practicing on one another. Hernandez says that the program is meant to launch the students into the medical field with confidence and wanting to further their career.