It was prevention and protection time for key Linn County employees on Thursday, Oct. 29, and some Kirkwood Community College Medical Assisting students helped out with the effort.
Seven Kirkwood Medical Assisting students assisted with the seasonal flu vaccination clinic, giving about 200 injections to the designated county personnel. The students’ experiences were part of the “externship” phase of the Medical Assisting program, providing useful field time for students before they complete their Kirkwood studies. Medical Assisting Professor Bev Philpott was pleased with the students and their performance at the vaccination clinic.
“These young women did a great job, both in their technical skills and in communicating with the people receiving the treatments. This is valuable experience for them and we are glad we can help the wider community at the same time,” she said.
Philpott also observed that the Linn County employee clinic turned out to be a surprise reunion of sorts. “The woman in charge of setting up this clinic was one of our Kirkwood grads about a decade ago. It really is true that our graduates are everywhere!” Philpott added.
Kirkwood officials expect that students in their Health Science programs will get more opportunities to assist with both seasonal and H1N1 vaccination efforts in the area as vaccine supplies again become more widely available.