By Richard Curtis, Media Coordinator
& Elliott Ruther, Chief of Advancement
Photos provided
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College on November 22 dedicated its new 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Health Simulation Lab at the college’s Clifton Campus.
The new lab is part of the college’s efforts to help meet the urgent regional need for more well-trained graduates not only in nursing, but also in the allied health fields, which have vacancy rates ranging from 10%-35%, according to the most recent data from the Health Collaborative
At Cincinnati State, allied health fields included diagnostic medical sonography, respiratory care, occupational therapy assistant, surgical technology, medical laboratory technology, EMT/paramedic, phlebotomy, medical assistant, and health information management.
This fall the college has more than 900 students in these programs who may be using the new SIM Lab as part of their education. This is addition to hundreds of additional students in the college and in high schools who may use experiences in the SIM Lab to help them determine what health career would be best for them.
The new Sim Lab is also an essential tool in the college’s expanded emphasis on “interdisciplinary training” for health professionals, which has been shown to increase positive patient outcomes.
Also, on November 22 on the Clifton Campus, Cincinnati State conducted its first-ever “Interdisciplinary Disaster Drill.”
More than 40 students from multiple health programs participated in the drill, which is designed to develop interdisciplinary skills in an emergency situation.
It will begin with a simulated serious automobile accident in a parking lot at the college. Three local doctors (MDs) and a Certified Nurse Midwife have volunteered to help lead the simulation. In addition, two special effects makeup artists will use their skills to create a realistic presentation for the car accident victims.
Funding of $3 million for the new SIM Lab came from the state of Ohio and from an anonymous foundation for equipment.
“We are only beginning to see the possibilities the new SIM Lab will provide for educating the next generation of health professionals and meeting the needs of the health workforce in our region,” said Dr. Monica Posey, president of Cincinnati State. “With the support of the state and private donors, we look forward to developing similar advancements for other industries as well.”