High unemployment rates have sparked increased interest in biomed educational programs, at the same time schools are coping with budget cutbacks from cash-strapped states, according to educators from across the country. The challenge has forced many educators to think creatively on how to offer quality programs while meeting budget.

At Caldwell Community College in North Carolina, the program has attracted more than 100 applicants this fall — a record number — but only 20 students can be accepted, says John Noblitt, CBET, biomedical equipment technician program director.

At Madisonville Community College in Kentucky, enrollment has doubled; and enrollment has increased dramatically in the two-year Associates’ Degree program at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Enrollment at four-year institutions has also grown, but not as sharply.

Biomed educators attribute the increased enrollment figures to several factors, including the poor economy. “ A lot of people are looking to revamp their skill set into the healthcare environment because of the stability it offers as opposed to the manufacturing sector,” Noblitt says. “We are getting a lot of manufacturing closures around here.”

Government funding to help educate displaced workers — non-traditional students — has also contributed to higher enrollments, says Myron Hartman, MS, CCE, CBET, CRES, program coordinator for biomedical engineering technology at Penn State University in New Kensington. “These programs help displaced workers by providing tuition assistance for approved two-year programs where the individual can train for a new career,” Hartman notes.

More students are attracted to the program because of increased opportunities in healthcare, educators say. “The jobs are there,” says Daniel Friedman, chair of science and technology and a professor at Howard Community College in Maryland. “They are with the hospitals, private companies, and research biotech areas.”

Selective Admissions

The higher enrollment could improve the quality of the students participating in biomed programs, notes Joey Jones, CBET, an associate professor and program coordinator for the Medical Equipment and Instrumentation Program at Madisonville. “If enrollment continues to go up as is anticipated, the biomed program may consider implementing a selective admissions policy and pick the top students,” he says. “The college’s nursing and respiratory care programs are two examples of where a selective admissions policy is exercised.”

“Over the past several years, we have seen many students with higher degrees coming back for more focused training,” adds Noblitt. “However, the community college system takes students on a first-come, first-served basis. I have asked administration to look into making the biomedical equipment technician (BMET) program more of a competitive entrance type program so I can get a better prepared student.”

Some educators are looking to expand their services to accommodate the new arrivals. “We are growing so much,” Noblitt says. “I am encouraging our administration to open an imaging program for students who have finished their Associate’s Degree in BMET so after the biomed program/electronics program a student can come in and learn the basics of x-ray repair.”

Be Creative

At a time of increased student demand, many community colleges and public universities are adapting to funding cuts from state governments. “We are really strapped for cash. North Carolina is about six billion in the hole,” Noblitt says. “We are getting hit on several fronts by the poor economy, but we are asked to teach more students or add another section to a class. If we cap classes at 20, administrators want to bump the cap up to 25 or 30. Part-time employment dollars to hire instructors are virtually non-existent.”

To cope with the cuts, educators are trying creative ways to obtain the technology needs for training students. “Having a lot of partnerships is a key component in dealing with this budget crisis,” Jones says. “Instead of buying a piece of equipment, particularly test equipment, I may borrow it. I have a close working relationship with our local hospital, and they allow me to borrow some of the smaller equipment. If I can’t bring something to the college, I can bring my students over there and the biomeds will demonstrate that equipment.”

Noblitt’s institution has taken an unusual step to fill some open instructor slots. “Administration asked some of the faculty and staff to teach classes they are qualified for,” Noblitt says. “Our vice president of finance, for example, has a masters of business administration and might be teaching a business course this fall. We are pulling a lot of our resources together like that to get through these tough times.”

AAMI News: September 2009, Vol. 44, No. 8