Due to health issues, injuries, health check-ups, and of course when I was born, I have been taken care of by hospitals.
Many people work in hospitals.
When thinking of hospitals, one immediately thinks of doctors and nurses, but what other professions are there, and what kind of work do they do?
An event was held where junior high and high school students could directly ask medical professionals working in the medical field questions and experience their jobs.
This is a project called "Our Town Health Project." which is a collaboration of 23 medical institutions in Kurashiki City and Okayama City.
The "Our Town Health Project." has held lectures and health seminars aimed at adults for the past ten years, but this is the first time they have held an event aimed at junior high and high school students.
I was also curious, so I went out with great interest.
What is the Junior High and High School × Medical × Job Experience Lab?
The "Come! See! Touch! Career Discovery Junior High and High School × Medical × Job Experience Lab" was held on January 25, 2025 (Saturday) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Central Court on the 1st floor of Aeon Mall Kurashiki. Reservations were accepted, but walk-ins on the day were also welcome.
There were 11 types of professions working in the medical field setting up booths, allowing participants to freely visit the booths and directly ask medical professionals about their work and experiences.
Which medical profession should I experience?
I arrived at the venue around 10:30 AM. Despite only being 30 minutes since the start, the place was packed with people, and there were long lines at the popular booths. To manage the waiting times, numbered tickets were distributed.
Only junior high and high school students could participate in the experience, so I asked a participating junior high school student for permission to listen in on the conversation.
At the reception, I received a booklet titled 'Medical Profession Job Encyclopedia' and a stamp rally card.
Those who made reservations also received a pouch with original goods.
The stamp rally allows participants to collect three stamps by visiting booths, which enables them to enter a lottery.
The 'Medical Profession Job Encyclopedia' contains detailed information about the 11 professions setting up booths, including "What kind of profession is it?", "What is a typical day's schedule?", and "What do you need to become one?".
Nurse Job Experience
At the nurse booth, we had the experience of wrapping a bandage around an injured arm and providing first aid using items readily available during sudden disasters.
First, we did injury makeup. The makeup tools used are expensive items that are used for role-playing patients during large-scale disaster training, making the injuries and blood look realistic.
Next, we challenged ourselves to wrap the bandage. The nurse demonstrated how to wrap it on a participant's arm. "Now, let's try doing it yourself," she encouraged, and the participant wrapped it around the nurse's arm.
To immobilize the arm, they used a magazine! This is first aid using items that are readily available.
For the triangular bandage, they cut a plastic bag with scissors.
Then, they put their arm through it and hung it around their neck, and it was done!
While experiencing work, the conversation with the nurse flows smoothly. That girl said she has always wanted to become a nurse and participated in this event.
The nurse called out, "I'll be waiting for you. Let's work together."
Pharmacist Work Experience
Next, I visited the pharmacist booth.
Here, we experienced making hand cream!
First, we choose our favorite scent from six types of essential oils.
Next, while looking at the size of the container we will use, we take the ointment with a spatula from a large container onto a board.
The board and spatula used for kneading the ointment are said to be the same ones used in hospitals.
We drop the chosen scented oil onto the ointment we took and mix it with a spatula.
Then, we pack it into the container. We cut off the excess on the top with a spatula, wipe the edges of the container clean, and it's done!
It was placed in a medicine bag, making it look like a real medicine.
Exciting Mechanisms Abound
Various innovations were made to capture the interest of middle and high school students.
The public health nurse booth featured a tobacco poison set, which made me exclaim, "Wow! There are so many harmful substances!"
Thirty small bottles. The public health nurse smiled and said, "It's not just nicotine. These thirty are harmful substances found in tobacco, but they are just a small part."
Just looking at the thirty lined up makes you realize how harmful they are, and it gives you a jolt.
She mentioned, "The work of a public health nurse is hard to understand, so I use things like this to spark interest and start conversations."
The clinical engineer booth introduced different jobs in the morning and afternoon.
In the morning, it was about ventilators, and in the afternoon, it was about AEDs, where participants could touch the actual equipment and listen to explanations on how to operate them.
The radiological technologist booth allowed participants to experience wearing radiation protection clothing.
When the technician said, "You wear this to enter the radiation imaging room," participants were surprised and exclaimed, "It's so heavy!"
After many experiences, fun awaits.
When you collect three stamps from the stamp rally, you can draw lots at the garapon corner.
If you win, a handbell rings vigorously. The prize is a Starbucks gift card!
Submitting a questionnaire also gave a gift of an original pouch.
In Conclusion
The term essential worker was often heard during the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare and hospitals are essential for our peace of mind in life. However, there are few opportunities to learn about the professions and job contents. There are also cases where workplace visits are difficult due to infection risks.
This time, the venue was a shopping mall, making it easy to participate.
In the booklet received at the venue, titled 'Medical Profession Work Encyclopedia' (Publisher: Our Town Health Project), it stated:
"There are many national qualifications related to medical professions, and many of them represent significant crossroads in career paths (universities or vocational schools) after high school graduation. We hope that middle and high school students, who will bear the future, will learn that 'various professions work together in medical institutions' and develop an interest in considering them as options for their future career paths."
I see!
It seems that the direction of life is determined at the time of high school graduation.
It would be great if opportunities to become familiar with medical work increased from elementary school or even earlier.
This was the first attempt by the 'Our Town Health Project.'
I'm looking forward to future events.
Come! See! Touch! Career Discovery Junior High and High School Students × Medical × Work Experience Lab Data
| Name | Come! See! Touch! Career Discovery Junior High and High School Students × Medical × Work Experience Lab |
|---|---|
| Date | January 25, 2025 (Saturday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | 1 Mizue, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Homepage | Waga Machi Health Project. |
