On-the-job training has taken on new meaning for 187 health-care science technology students at Evans, Greenbrier and Lakeside high schools.

The students are part of a program at Doctors Hospital that allows them to learn firsthand about medical fields.

"They actually get to practice hands-on patient care," said Bart Grey, the hospital's manager of volunteer services.

The students' duties range from assisting patients with bed baths to making beds. Mr. Grey said the students also shadow health-care professionals, which has allowed them to witness events such as the birth of a baby and the procedure to follow when a patient "codes."

Brianna Rectenwald, 17, was one of about 30 Evans High students at the hospital Tuesday.

"I've always been interested in going into the medical field, and I want to be a neurologist," she said.

Six health occupations classes go to the hospital each school day. Mr. Grey said students begin the year in classrooms and start coming to the hospital in November.

Every three weeks, the students rotate to a different department.

"Health care is not always patient care," Mr. Grey said.

For example, he said, students also visit departments such as medical records and accounting.

Evans junior Tommy Yendell, 17, said he likes the exposure to different health-care areas.

"I know I want to do something in the medical field, but I'm not sure what," he said.

Students can take part in the program by signing up for the class at their high school. Many of them are members of the Health Occupations Students of America, a national organization that promotes career opportunities in health care.

They take classes such as anatomy and physiology at school during their freshman and sophomore years before they start helping at the hospital.

"When they get here, hopefully they know how to do a lot of things already," said Beth Stewart, a health occupations teacher at Evans.

Before they can help with patient care, however, students must pass Georgia Medical Care Foundation boards to become certified nursing assistants.

"It's up to the students to become certified," Ms. Stewart said.

Mr. Grey said the students are eager to learn and to take on responsibility.

"I believe in what they can do, and that's all they want is for somebody to believe in them," he said. "Just give them something to do, and they'll do it."