X

Potsdam Man benefits from BOCES adult ed program

Posted 8/11/20

Jarrid Gardner is a Dual Specialty Cardiac Technician at Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam. He is also an adult education instructor at St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES for phlebotomy. He attended two …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Potsdam Man benefits from BOCES adult ed program

Posted

Jarrid Gardner is a Dual Specialty Cardiac Technician at Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam. He is also an adult education instructor at St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES for phlebotomy.

He attended two courses at SLL BOCES Adult Education and Workforce Development in the fall of 2017. Click here for adult education courses being offered this fall.

These courses were phlebotomy and EKG technician. They helped him to receive certifications and secure a job with Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

After receiving these certifications because of his hard work, determination, and career success, we asked him to share his talents and love of his work by coming back to teach for BOCES as a teaching assistant with Gayle Hammers.

Recently we had a chance to sit down with hom to reflect on his experiences.

To start off can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I am 22 years of age and from Massena, NY. I am one who tends to go above and beyond for what I believe in. I see myself as hard working and very driven to expand my horizons. I strive to experience opportunities when they come my way.

What is your favorite part about BOCES?

I enjoy the people I get to work with and meet while at BOCES.

Can you tell me what made you decide to take this class/program?

I took two courses, Phlebotomy and EKG Technician, at the same time. I knew I wanted to be a part of the healthcare field due to my love of working with people.

What was your favorite part of the class/program?

I’d say my favorite part was the hands-on portion of both classes. Being able to apply what I learned is very fulfilling.

How did taking a class at BOCES help/ support you in your career journey?

Taking both courses allowed me to further my career in healthcare without having a good knowledge background. I would not have been able to do both of the occupations as well as I am or have.

How has your career grown?

I started off as a phlebotomy technician where I got to learn all aspects and was able to do home draws by the end of my career in the laboratory. I then was offered a position in cardiology to further what I have learned from BOCES.

In cardiology, I was also able to learn about stress testing and neurological testing like the electroenchephalogragh due to CPH not having a neurology department in house.

What is your favorite part of your job at CPH?

I love to be able to be a part of a team that is working diligently for a patient’s care.

Why do you feel BOCES programs like this one are important for the community?

Courses like these are able to aid people like myself in furthering their education and able to help one’s career down the road. Vocational degrees can be more time flexible than a standard college experience.

What made you decide to come back to BOCES and participate in teaching?

When the opportunity came knocking, I had to think about if I even was able to teach what I learned throughout my career as a phlebotomist. I decided to take this chance for myself to grow more as a person who could communicate better and help shape minds.

What is your favorite part of working with students in the phlebotomy program?

I enjoy being able to share my knowledge and experience.

I find it very rewarding to teach others on my skills to aid in furthering their education.

What would you say to someone else that is considering taking a class at BOCES?

I would say that you gotta start somewhere, even if this is just a stepping stone at least it is a foot in the door to learn and have experiences that can help shape your career.

How did you feel when you completed the courses you took at BOCES?

I felt that my knowledge that I learned can be applied in more of my learning down the road if I choose to do so.