Professor Brian Bell Discusses the new Biomedical Engineering Technology program at St. Petersburg College

The A.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology is a new program currently offered at St. Petersburg College (SPC) in St. Petersburg, FL. Historically focused on electronics and troubleshooting, the program has evolved to include training in medical device networking, medical device security and medical device manufacturing. FLATE reached out Brian Bell, lead faculty for the A.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology at SPC to learn about the program and how it is targeted to help meet workforce demands for biomedical engineering technicians. For more information about the program visit https://bit.ly/2PVOJVm, or contact Professor Brian Bell.

 

INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR BRIAN BELL

WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM? Students learn to repair, maintain, and manage medical technology.

HOW MANY CREDITS? 60 credits for the A.S. degree.

WHAT KIND OF SKILLS CAN STUDENTS DEVELOP AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM?

Students will learn electronics troubleshooting, computer repair, how to properly use and test medical technology – infusion pump performance testing, x-ray calibration, patient monitor alarm testing.

IS THERE A HANDS-ON COMPONENT TO THE PROGRAM?

Students work with infusion pumps, patient monitors, x-rays units, anesthesia units, oxygen concentrators, vital signs simulators, computer hardware and electronic testing equipment.


WHAT ACADEMIC PATHWAY DO STUDENTS PURSUE AFTER COMPLETING THE PROGRAM?

Students can work for healthcare organizations, original equipment manufactures, and third-party service providers. Students can work at a hospital or do field service and work all over the country specializing in specific devices.

IS THE PROGRAM TIED TO ANY INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION(S)?

The program is tied to the CBET – certified biomedical equipment technician program.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM SERVE LOCAL INDUSTRY NEEDS?

The program provides a sustainable pipeline of talent for employers.

WHAT IS THE JOB OUTLOOK FOR GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM?

The outlook for graduates looks great. We have a lot of opportunities in the area as medical technology continues to grow. Also, Pinellas County is home to several global and national medical device manufacturing companies and growing healthcare systems.

DO YOU PARTNER WITH ANY COMPANIES THAT DIRECTLY HIRE GRADUATES?

We certainly partner with local companies that contact me prior to opening their general hiring. Some of the companies hire graduates and host work experience, while others visit our programs and give presentations (including technical training prior to COVID). We have toured facilities such as Baycare, Mercury Medical. Other examples of companies that we currently partner with and/or serve on our current advisory board include: BayCare Health System, Mercury Medical, Concise Engineering, United Biomedical Services, Intertape polymer group, EyeKon, and Designs for the World. Additionally, Carlos Villafane one of our instructors is president of the Bay Area Association of Medical Instrumentation (BAAMI) and our students are invited to participate in chapter meetings and trainings. 

ARE THERE PROGRAMS IN THE STATE/COUNTY THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU ARE OFFERING AT ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE?

There are a few, but in general there are very few academic programs in this field. The following either offer similar programs and/or at least a certificate. These include:

• Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
• Sante Fe College, Gainesville, FL
• Miami Dade College, Miami, FL
• Fort Myers Technical College, Fort Myers, FL

SPC also has articulation agreements that transfer into a fully online 4-year degree in Healthcare Technology Management at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis. We are glad to give students that opportunity through an articulation agreement.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE STUDENTS GAIN FROM THE PROGRAM?

As the field is constantly changing, I hope students have the confidence to work with and learn about medical technology. I also hope they develop the ability to learn how to manage, test and repair new technology.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT TEACHING THIS PROGRAM?

I get to use engineering skills in a way that directly affects patient care. Also, there are always new devices being developed and consequently new things to learn.

HOW DO YOU EMPHASIZE/TEACH EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS?

During the program, students are engaged in multiple activities that include working on projects with other students, getting evaluated by industry supervisors during work experience, performing formal technical presentations in front of an audience, setting up mock interviews prior to graduation and creating digital portfolios to showcase what they have done. Students are also encouraged to use social media to market their learned skills and achievements.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION:

St. Petersburg College BMET Program Links

Engineering Technology for Healthcare Youtube Channel

Gain access to free biomedical engineering technology educational content

Gain access to free medical device networking and cybersecurity content

Summer Manufacturing Camp Programs Have Lasting Impact

HCC 2021 Summer Camp

A new Nuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs (NBT) impact study of their summer manufacturing camp programs shows immediate and lasting benefits.

The study analyzed six years of camp survey data from hosts and participants, along with quantitative and qualitative data from manufacturers and industry supporters. Click here to read the full NBT Program Impact Study.

Key Findings of the Study:

1) NBT camps expose middle and early high school youth to manufacturing careers and increase their awareness of educational pathways and manufacturing jobs in their community.

• 92% of camp participants reported that they were aware of career options in manufacturing by the end of the camp, a 20% increase from pre-camp to post-camp responses. 
• 95% of camp participants reported that they increased their understanding of how STEM and CTE (Career and Technical Education) courses are used in careers in manufacturing by attending the camp. 
• 68% of camp participants reported that they knew the types of manufacturing jobs available in their local community by the end of camp, an 82% increase from pre to post responses. 
• 79% of camp participants reported that they understood the training needed for a future manufacturing career by the end of camp, a 43% increase from pre to post responses

2) NBT camps provide a fun, engaging atmosphere for camp participants to learn new skills using manufacturing equipment and learn about courses and programs to continue building on those skills.

• 78% of camp participants reported that they understood how to construct a product from start to finish using manufacturing equipment and tools by the end of camp, a 53% increase from pre to post responses. 
• 100% of camp hosts informed camp participants of STEM-related courses and CTE programs offered at local high schools and community/ trade colleges. 
• 62% of camp hosts reported stories of individuals who continued to pursue what they learned at the camp and/or were inspired to pursue a career in manufacturing.

3) NBT camps provide meaningful benefits to the schools and organizations that host camps and to the local manufacturers that sponsor and support the camps.

• 90% of camp hosts reported that they made new connections and/or strengthened relationships with local manufacturing companies. 
• 100% of camp hosts reported that hosting a manufacturing camp helped their school or organization to increase their visibility and promote a positive image in the community. 
• 70% of manufacturers saw their support of manufacturing camps as a means to collaborate with local middle and high schools and/or colleges, thereby reaching a younger population in the community. 
• 100% of manufacturers reported that a major benefit of sponsoring camps was the opportunity to grow the future workforce for their company and in their communities

NBT awarded grants for K-12 manufacturing-related camps to several Florida colleges: Hillsborough Community College (HCC), the College of Central Florida (CF) and State College of Florida (SCF).  The HCC camps began in June with an on-site Engineering & Tech Camp for High School and Virtual Robotics Camps (Intro & Intermediate) for Middle School.

The July All-Girls Intro to Robotics Camp for girls ages 12-17 was changed to in-person and was held at the HCC campus in Brandon.  This Girls-Only camp was free to all campers and included a JIMU Astrobot by UBTECH to keep. Additional camps held from July 12-23 included two in-person robotics camps for Middle School.

Robotics-focused summer camps often have a big impact on individual campers and, it can happen for any age  student.  HCC's Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Program has identified a number of their program students that had previously attended a summer robotics camp in middle school or high school. The opportunity to mix technology, robotics and design with FUN in a non-threatening environment supports a strong, impactful learning environment. Want to increase your college enrollment or your workforce in industry?  Then get involved with your local summer robotics and /or technology camps or start your own! (It's not too early to start planning for summer 2022.)

Did you have a camp this summer? Tell us about it so FLATE can feature your camp in a future news article. Send details to marilyn.barger@flate.org.

FACTE Annual Conference & Trade Show

After 16 months of virtual meetings, Florida educators and administrators were eager to take part in the 55th Annual FACTE Conference & Trade Show, held July 19-21, 2021, at the SeaWorld Renaissance in Orlando, Florida.

The Florida Association of Career and Technical Education (FACTE) and the Florida Association of Industrial Technical Education (FAITE), once again, partnered up with the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center (FLATE), to help provide top-quality professional development and share best practices to career and technical (CTE) educators in Florida.

 
With proper physical distancing and safety protocols, this year’s Conference and Trade Show was a success, hosting approximately 500 participants and 28 vendors representing all areas of CTE education. The conference included more than 70 face-to-face meeting opportunities which included pre-conference workshops, division meetings and conference’s multi sessions. Topics included new and innovative curriculum and strategies for impactful instruction, building pipelines, Florida Department of Education (DOE) frameworks review, CAPE certifications and the importance of industry partnerships. The trade show and sessions, once again, were filled with opportunities for networking, share best practices, and build relationships among CTE educators and administrators around the state.

FLATE-FAITE Sessions
FAITE Membership Meeting and DOE Cluster Updates
During this session participants learned about all the benefits of joining the Florida Association for Industrial and Technical Educators (FAITE), a non-profit professional organization that works collectively toward the advancement and enhancement of technical and industrial education throughout Florida. In addition, DOE provided cluster updates including but not limited to engineering and technology education; manufacturing; transportation, distribution, and logistics.

FLATE 2021 Best Practice Award Winners Panel
After the FLATE Manufacturing Education Awards Recognition Ceremony, FLATE award winners shared their experiences, best practices, and significant contributions, career awareness in support of STEM, engineering technology, and industrial/manufacturing education in Florida.
Award Winners Panel:

• Selena Lewis- Distinguished Manufacturing Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award.
•  Mike D. Cannon- Distinguished Manufacturing Post-Secondary Educator-of-the-Year Award.
• Thomas A. Mudano- Distinguished Manufacturing Organizational Partner Service Award. 
• Peter Cirak- Distinguished Manufacturing Partner Service Award.

SolidWorks new 3DX platform and CAPE certifications
During this session, participants learned about SolidWorks new 3DX Platform, a cloud solution/single collaborative platform, student success with the SolidWorks CSWA, CSWP CAPE Certifications Tools.
Presenters: Mike Leary, Harvey Schilleci

Accessible, Portable Training for Engineering and Manufacturing
This session provided resources and curriculum for portable training for topics including electronics, pneumatics and automation, CNC machining, motors, machines, and process control.
Presenters: Liam Walton, Scott Weller

Online with Swivl Classroom Camera and Canvas
Presentation included an online resource for teacher to record lessons and make them available online for students.
Presenters: Kin Burt, Morgan Kelly

Online Curriculum for Every CTE class: iCEV
This session provided online curriculum resources for all CTE subject areas. Online tools include automatic testing, grading, lesson plans with interactive activities.
Presenters: Scott Weller, Kay Carmichael

Industry 4:0 Skill Needs for the Future
As part of the Florida Careers Network (FCPN) strand, FLATE shared the findings of two statewide surveys (educators and industry) and the follow up analysis that will impact the manufacturing related CTE programs in Florida at the secondary and post-secondary levels based on industry sectors needs for entry level technicians.
Presenters: Dr. Marilyn Barger

Professional development opportunities are posted on our FLATE wiki site.  You can always check there for additional updates by clicking on the Professional Development icon as well as explore any previous workshops and PD events offered by FLATE and its partners. 

Thank you so much to the FACTE team that has worked to bring us back to an in-person conference with all the obstacles that it has entailed this year. FLATE will continue to partner with FACTE and FAITE to represent CTE at the local and state level, to provide professional development and to support CTE education for Florida students, teachers and business partners.

Save the Date - July 18-20, 2022
The 56th FACTE Annual Conference and Trade Show will be held at the Sawgrass Marriot, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Registration forms, presenter proposal forms, and award nominations will be posted online in January 2022.

SPC’S BMET PROGRAM THROUGH THE LENS OF A RECENT GRADUATE

The A.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology (BMET) currently offered at St. Petersburg College (SPC) in St. Petersburg, FL, is a new program focused on electronics and troubleshooting. FLATE, the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center, a part of the FloridadMakes network, recently reached out to a graduate from the BMET program to get his perspective on the program and how it prepared him for his educational and career pathway in biomedical engineering.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

My name is Brian Feske and I am a graduate from the A.S. degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology at St. Petersburg College (SPC).

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR CURRENT MAJOR?

As a child I was fascinated with taking things apart and figuring how things worked. When I was younger my mother had some heart issues and I often tagged along to her doctor’s visits. I was amazed by the imaging technology and how detailed some of the images were. That was my earliest impressions of how “cool” this technology was. Following the market crash in 2008, I realized how the medical field offered solid career pathway as well as job security, and that is when I finally decided to go back to school and pursue a medical-related educational pathway.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE COURSES AND HOW HAS THE PROGRAM HELPED IN ACHIEVING YOUR CAREER GOALS?

I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The classes/courses I took at SPC gave me the core competency to be successful. I enjoyed the hands-on component of the program along with daily challenges of keeping the hospital’s medical equipment up and running. My experience at SPC certainly prepared me to be successful. In less than three years, I entered a new career field at an entry level and have progressed to becoming a site lead.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CLASSES AND PROGRAM?

The things that I liked most were the hands-on labs experiments and projects. I found the professors at SPC to be very engaging with their students. I still maintain close relations with all my professors.


IF THERE IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE TO FUTURE STUDENTS WHAT WOULD IT BE?

My advice is stay hungry for knowledge and while working onsite ask probing questions to the nurses who can help troubleshoot any issues.

CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE AND/OR INTERNSHIPS?

I was fortunate enough to be hired at Lakeland Regional Medical Center prior to my internship. My full-time job fulfilled the internship requirements. I quickly progressed from pump duty to handling all offsite clinic locations and surgery departments.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

After graduating from SPC I received my CBET (certified biomedical equipment technician) certification and I am currently studying for my HTM (Healthcare Technology Management) certification.