INA, Ill. (May 31, 2016) - Rend Lake College is enrolling students now into a new associate degree program for the Fall 2016 semester. The Biomedical Electronics program is a growing option for those who are interested in the health care industry, but want a behind-the-scenes occupation.
The Associate in Applied Science degree was approved this spring by the Illinois Community College Board to give students the knowledge and skills to maintain vital medical equipment. Specifically, graduates will be trained to install, maintain, and repair medical equipment in hospitals, medical equipment manufacturing and service businesses, physicians’ offices, and other health care facilities.
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. Each new course covers training in biomedical equipment fundamentals, hospital safety, regulations, medical terminology, human anatomy, physiology, and biology.
Students will also complete two biomedical internships at local facilities to get hands-on experience in the field before graduation.
Kim Wilkerson, Dean of Allied Health, said the new degree stemmed from local need for trained technicians and is a new option for those students who are interested in health care but not in working one-on-one with patients.
“Biomedical Electronics has been in the works for years after a hospital contacted us and asked for this type of training. Because of the high cost of the equipment, we were unable to move forward until we received a Title III grant,†said Wilkerson. “Rend Lake College is thrilled to be offering this degree, both for the local communities who need technicians and for the students who want to help patients indirectly through keeping up their medical equipment. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.â€
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, opportunities for medical equipment technicians are expected to expand by 2,900 jobs by 2024. With a median pay for a technician in 2015 at $46,340, these technicians work in any number of health care facilities. Opportunities are expected to continue growing with the demand for health care services and medical equipment.
For more information, contact Mollie Bremer at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1769 or bremerm@rlc.edu. To enroll for the Fall 2016 semester, contact the RLC Academic Advisement Center at Ext. 1266 or advising@rlc.edu.