By Emery Lewis, Staff Writer
El Camino’s Medical Assisting Pathway program, located in the S-6 classroom, welcomes their new teacher Erica Carruth. After learning about the MAP program from previous students that went through it, Carruth felt like after Doctor Angel Contreras left, taking on the teaching position for MAP was the right thing for her to do.
Carruth mentioned when she heard what Contreras had done with the program she quickly became a fan.
“I thought it was really cool what Dr. C was accomplishing here,” she said.
Carruth has been a nurse for 21 years and still continues to work per diem in the Sutter Interventional Radiology Department, which means she comes in to help when needed. Currently she is teaching her students front office skills, which consists of scheduling, telephone techniques and computer skills.
Her favorite part about being here at EC is sharing her love and passion for nursing with her students.
“It’s the students. I really enjoy getting to know them—I really love being a nurse and if they have passion for medicine, I really love kind of getting them started on that journey,” Carruth stated.
Later on in the program Carruth will get her senior students prepared to go into an office by the end of October through externships, which will help them to begin their career in the medical field. She teaches things like how to perform blood tests, electrocardiograms, take vital signs, access a vein, and give injections.
Many students in MAP are excited about where this year in the program will take them. They think that Carruth is a great teacher and are really enjoying being in the class as her students. Sara Zafari (‘24) says that she does a great job at helping students.
“She’s really helpful, she explains things and makes sure everyone understands everything and if you have any questions you can just go up to her and she helps you straight away,” Zafari said.
Carruth stated that by the end of the year these students should know the same information that a graduate of a college program for medical assisting would know.
If you’re interested in the program or want to find out more about MAP, talk to your counselor or visit the EC website.
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