WPHS Seniors Learn About Healthcare Job Opportunities

WHEELING -- Wheeling Park High School's seniors learned about the health career and educational opportunities available in the city and beyond during a special presentation on Wednesday.

WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital's department heads took the time to answer questions posed during a panel discussion at the school's performing arts center.

Participating were Mike Blair, director of facilities and project management; Jennifer Bond, radiology director; Maggie Pyles, lab operations director; Lynn Swider, respiratory therapy director; Joe Moses, dietary director; Jill Spangler, clinical dietetics director; and Kareen Simon, chief operating officer.

WPHS Principal Meredith Dailer said the presentation was part of the school's three "Es" program for seniors that focuses on options following graduation: enlistment, education and employment.

The panel talked about their education and background and how they came into their positions.

Many received their education locally or started working in a hospital in a different job and worked their way up. Some starting positions only need a high school education, while others require a two-year or four-year degree. Phlebotomists, who do blood draws, receive training that lasts about six weeks.

The big pieces of advice offered included being passionate about what one chooses as a career. The students were also told that it is OK to change their minds about their educational or career path if they did not like what they were experiencing.

"It's OK to stop and say this is not for me," Pyles said. "Pick something you enjoy doing."

The students were told a good way to discover if a job might be right for them is to shadow a professional for a day to see what the position is like.

Senior Kyler Cox asked the panel if they ever regretted a career or job choice.

The directors noted that every job has good and bad days, but it is important that the good days outweigh the number of bad ones.

If there are too many bad days then perhaps it is not the right career for them.

Depending on the position there are also a variety of salaries that one could receive, they said. Spangler said salary ranges for a nutrition director can range from $72,000 to $90,000 per year.

Moses said dietary positions in the hospital's kitchen and cafeteria start at about $13.50 per hour. Swider said respiratory therapists can start at $62,000.

Pyles lab workers salaries can range from $50,000 to $80,000 annually. A phlebotomist can receive $14.75 per hour.

Bond said radiology technicians can make between $24.50 to $40 per hour. Blair said maintenance workers can make between $20 and $35 per hour.

The panel also touched on some of the perks of working for WVU Medicine including health insurance, 401K matches, vacation time and tuition reimbursement for one's children.