INA, Ill. (Feb. 10, 2016) - After years in the making, Rend Lake College will soon be offering a new Associate in Applied Science degree in Biomedical Electronics. With the degree, technicians can work behind the scenes in the health care field to maintain vital medical equipment.
The 64-credit-hour program will take two years, or four semesters, to complete and includes seven new biomedical electronics courses alongside 12 health care and general education courses.
The new biomedical electronics courses were developed to provide students the skills and training to install, maintain, and repair medical equipment in hospitals, medical equipment manufacturing and service businesses, physicians’ offices, and other health care facilities. Specifically, these courses focus on electronic fundamentals, including AC, DC, and digital electronic principals, coupled with several biomedical-related courses.
The seven Biomedical Electronics courses approved are Intro to Biomedical Technology (BME1201), Biomedical Electronics Devices (BME 1202), Intro to Radiography for Biomedical Technicians (BME 1203), Biomedical Internship I and II (BME 1204 and 1206), Advanced Medical Electronics (BME 1205), and CBET Exam Prep (BME 1207).
Each course covers training in biomedical equipment fundamentals, hospital safety, regulations, medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology and biology. Students also will be required to complete two biomedical internships at medical facilities.
Kim Wilkerson, Dean of Allied Health, said the Biomedical Electronics degree is one that has been in the works for years. Thanks to funding from the Title III grant, RLC was finally able to develop curriculum and purchase equipment for the program.
“Rend Lake College has wanted to start this program for several years when a local hospital contacted us and asked for this type of training, but due to the high cost of the equipment, we were unable to move forward,†explained Wilkerson. “The Title III grant has funding to provide that equipment, and we’re elated to begin offering training to promote student success.â€
Wilkerson also added the degree is a good option for those who like helping others, but who aren’t interested in working one-on-one with patients as a nurse or physician.
“It’s a great opportunity for students looking to be in the health care field who are more interested in the background functions of the facilities and helping patients indirectly through keeping up medical equipment,†she said.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for medical equipment technicians are expected to grow at a rate of 30 percent by 2022 - adding more than 12,000 jobs to the market. Median pay for a technician in 2012 was $44,570.
For more information, contact RLC’s Allied Health Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1251.