COTC awarded $288,000 grant for medical training technology
NEWARK – Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) was recently awarded a $288,023 grant from the Ohio Department of Education. The award is part of a Regionally Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS) initiative. The grant will enable the college to purchase state-of-the-art medical training equipment to help improve Ohio’s workforce development capacity to train future Ohio workers in growing healthcare fields.
“This grant directly aligns with COTC’s mission to meet the workforce training needs of local employers,” said COTC President Bonnie L. Coe, Ph.D. “Through dedicated teamwork and an enduring commitment to that mission, COTC seeks to continually define new opportunities to support workforce development.”
“The advanced technology COTC will bring into the classroom through this grant will have a direct impact on COTC’s teaching and learning,” said Vicki Maple, M.Ed., COTC vice president for workforce development, community affairs and extended campuses. “Our students will gain access to advanced simulated training that will allow them to perfect their clinical skills in ways never before possible.”
Through the grant, COTC will purchase two Anatomage tables, a highly technically advanced virtual dissection system that has revolutionized anatomy education. Anatomage tables offer a fully segmented real human 3D anatomy system, enabling students to visualize anatomy exactly as they would on a cadaver. The technology employs accurate 3D, giving students an unparalleled level of accurate anatomy, dissectible in 3D. Virtual dissection will allow for exploration and learning of human anatomy beyond what cadavers can offer. A growing body of evidence shows improved test scores as well as more efficient lab and class sessions when Anatomage tables are in use.
Additionally, the grant will fund the purchase of a number of patient simulators and accompanying technology. Simulators, which will range from infant to adult, allow all aspects of training, from routine care to critical emergencies, with realistic anatomy and clinical functionality.
Employment of healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At COTC, students receive hands-on training with acknowledged content experts.
COTC offers associate degree programs in the following healthcare careers: diagnostic medical sonography technology (general and cardiovascular), health services technology (medical coding and pharmacy technician), nursing technology (associate degree nursing and licensed practical nurse to associate degree technology), radiologic science technology and surgical technology. Certificates are offered in practical nursing (one-year certificate), State Tested Nurse Aide and surgical technology (one-year certificate).
COTC was ranked number one in Ohio and number 19 in the nation by PayScale in its 2016-17 College Salary Report ranking the best community and career colleges by salary potential. COTC is a fully accredited, public college dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible programs of technical education in response to current and emerging employment needs. COTC is the only technical college in Ohio operating four full-service campus locations: Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala.
Category: Education
