Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas & Arlington ISD Team Up to Help Prepare Local Students for Future Medical Careers

February 1st, 2022
ophthalmology-high-school-practicum

DFW medical ophthalmic practice offers externship program to Arlington ISD high school seniors studying health sciences

Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas and Arlington ISD have teamed up to help prepare local high school students for future medical careers through the Health Science/Biomedical Health Science Practicum Program. The program provides students with real-world experience and hands-on training alongside Kleiman Evangelista’s experienced team of ophthalmologists, optometrists and eye care professionals. Upon completion of the practicum program, students will have the opportunity to take the NHA medical assistant certification.

All Arlington ISD high school seniors enrolled in Arlington ISD Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center’s Health Science Theory & Lab course are eligible to apply for the Health Science Practicum Program. Students who are accepted are then evaluated to be placed at a clinical site. Kleiman Evangelista will host the students that qualify for the Arlington facility. Students will be placed at their site for a three- to four-month period. They will experience practical applications that align with their areas of study. In addition to medical training, students gain valuable workforce readiness skills, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

“Arlington ISD is incredibly grateful to Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas for investing in our students’ medical training and education,” said the instructor, Jackie Robinius. “This program helps students gain valuable real-world experience, determine their career interests, and earn a medical assistant certification while in high school.”

The program is geared towards students that have taken the Health Science and Biomedical pathway and have an interest in pursuing a healthcare profession. Three students are selected for each semester and rotate through observational training as scribes, technicians and office administration. Students have many pre-requisites that must be met to participate in the program.

“We have hundreds of applicants and the caliber of students selected for the program is extremely impressive,” added Robinius. “Students undergo a rigorous application process that includes a resume submission, three references from teachers, transcript review, a digital interview and a face-to-face interview”.

“We are proud to partner with Arlington ISD to help train the next generation of eye care professionals,” said Nadia Virani, O.D., Vice President of Operations for Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers of Texas. “Arlington is our home, and we are delighted to support our local high school students and train our future teammates. Our goal through this externship program is to provide hands-on training, professional development and mentoring, and the skills needed to succeed in this industry. We are excited to help these talented students launch their careers.”

Applications for the practicum program opened on November 1, 2021 and closed on January 28. Students selected for the practicum program will begin their externships the following fall semester. Students interested in applying for the program next winter can learn more at: https://sites.google.com/aisd.net/aisd-practicums/apply.