Bridging Communication and Compassion in Healthcare

In 2021 Caroline Albert graduated from Washington College fully prepared to enter the healthcare field. With a major in psychology and concentration in clinical/counseling, and minors in public health and Hispanic studies, Albert was armed with a diverse skillset, plus a personal passion and a commitment to making a difference. After working with children on the Autism spectrum for over three years, Albert made a career switch. Now in her roles as a clinical tech in an Inova Health System emergency room in Ashburn, Virginia, and since spring 2024, an Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department EMT, Albert is dedicated to serving her community in a new way.

 

“I’ve always wanted to be in a role where I can help people in crisis,” said Albert, who attributes her resilience in jumping into a new job working in the ER to her time at Washington College. “The communication skills I learned from the relationships with professors at Washington College helped me with my communication now and my work as a George's General helped with being able to connect and relate to people I’ve just met. That's been a skill I use every single day.” 

Spending her senior year taking classes remotely when COVID-19 lockdowns sent everyone home instilled a sense of urgency in Albert to follow her interests and seize opportunities when they arise. 

“There’s no better time than right now,” said Albert. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. I'm still young, I'm healthy. I don't want to keep waiting. Becoming an EMT was a natural step for me. So joined the fire department and they put me through EMT school. I’ve been loving it.”

So much of what Albert learned at Washington College has come to serve her in her chosen career. As an ER tech and EMT, Albert uses her psychology education and counseling experience to help anxious patients and her Spanish language skills are an asset with Hispanic patients. But academics are only on part of the full picture. 

“Ever since I was a little kid I wanted to be a firefighter, run on the ambulance,” said Albert. “And when I said previously about the communication skills I learned [at Washington College] and advocating for myself, I realized this is something I want to do. I gotta go out and make it happen.”

— Melanie Warner Spencer