By RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer

High school juniors and seniors in the various health programs at Scioto County Career Technical Center had the opportunity to speak with local health care employers during the Health Career Fair on Thursday.

"All of our programs associated with allied health are here, and we have professionals from the area talking about careers and the type of training they need and the education they need. It's more motivation for these students to see what they need to do to be successful," said SciotoTech Principal Don Gibson.

The school has two allied health programs that teach pharmacy-tech, nursing assistant and phlebotomy. They also have dental assisting and medical office management programs. In all, about 90 students participated, hearing presentations from Southern Ohio Medical Center, Scioto Residential Services, Patterson Dental and others.

The day began with a motivational speaker addressing everyone together. Afterward, students split up, going from one classroom to another hearing different speakers.

"I think it's very beneficial, because we hope they will obtain employment in this area. Introducing them to different facilities, what their requirements are to be hired there, and what they do there, that helps the students a lot," said Carla Munn, an instructor in the SciotoTech Allied Health Tech Prep Program.

She said her students have learned what employers are looking for, how to apply, and about tuition reimbursement.

Kim Richendollar, breast health navigator for the SOMC Cancer Center, discussed cancer awareness and career opportunities at SOMC.

"I love it. I'm having a great time talking to all of the students and teachers," Richendollar said. "We're one of the largest facilities in the tri-state area, and we do hire office personnel and nurses aides."

Renea Gregory (dental assisting tech program instructor) said there were other employers at the fair speaking about the need for dental assistant students.

"I have a dental representative here talking to them about dental sales, and then they're going to different areas, like office jobs, because they may actually be working in a dental office," Gregory said. "I think we just have a variety of health careers here, and not just one specific field."

She said the career fair helps broaden a student's horizon, to see the many career opportunities available to them.

Gibson said SciotoTech tries to host career fairs for other trades, and in the past have sent their construction trade students to fairs in Montgomery County. He said once the remodeling and construction is complete at the SciotoTech campus in Lucasville, he hopes to have even more fairs at their school.

An all inclusive career fair for all trades is already being planned for the spring, he said.