HELENA — Pictured above are your frontline workers, your heroes in Helena. We may recognize them as medical professionals but your heroes are younger than you may think.
“I’m 20 years old. I came to Helena to go to Carroll College to study nursing. What I do as a Medical Scribe is follow around Physicians and [Physician Assistants] in the emergency department and I listen to patient stories and I keep track of their exams and x-rays and everything that is happening during that visit," says Rylee Jacobson, a junior Carroll College Nursing Student.
“I’m a senior at Capital High school this year. I'm only 17 years old. I am a Patient Service Technician. I help patients order their food correctly and deliver their food to them," says Haley Moseman.
Although these ladies may not be involved in the direct care, they still work in the rooms and in the hallways of COVID-19 patients. They say being there for others in need motivates them to remain working in the front lines.
"Well, these people need someone to take care of them and, obviously, I'm not a nurse and I'm not treating their real medical needs, but they still need someone to talk to," says Moseman. "I love to just be able to talk to them for a little bit and, you know, make them smile for a little bit."
"There's always something to learn and there's always somebody who needs help. So, [there's] always a reason to go," says Jacobson.
St. Peter’s Health has over two dozen employees ages 21 or younger. They work mainly as a COVID-19 Table Screeners, as an Emergency Department Medical Scribe, or work in the Nutrition Services department.
The two ladies were also one of the youngest to receive the first round of the COVID-19 Vaccine.
St. Peter’s Health provided a statement about their young workers on the front lines:
“St. Peter’s Health appreciates all our team members including our young team members like Haley and Rylee who are on the frontlines, delivering care to patients in our community including those with COVID-19. We are excited to see our young team members willing to be part of the solution and we appreciate their willingness to embrace COVID-19 prevention measures that contribute to the health and well being of everyone in our community.”
