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08.13.09 :: New and Emerging Occupational Training in
Simulation
Begins at Orlando Tech
As an active partner in both the Digital Media Banner Center and Partners for a Healthy Community, with input from our business/industry advisors, Orlando Tech began to visualize the possibilities of “marrying” the skill sets needed in healthcare simulation and digital media simulation.
As we explored the possibilities of training and employment for students, it became apparent that there was a need for two new occupations: motion capture simulation technician and patient care simulation technician. The motion capture simulation technician utilizes motion capture technology to assist medical professionals in the assessment of an individual’s range of motion during physical activities to determine a treatment plan for physical and occupational therapy.
The patient care simulation technician works with health educators and medical staff to program, operate and repair patient care simulation equipment used in training medical personnel. Training for these two new occupations will begin during the 2009-10 school year. Funding for the curriculum development and training has been made available through a $100,000 grant awarded to Orlando Tech by Workforce Central Florida.
By September 1, 2009, a new patient care simulation lab will be operational. This new lab will contain two Laerdal SimMan simulators and six VitaSim simulators, along with state of the art computer hardware and software. Classrooms on the health occupations floor have been remodeled to accommodate this lab and all classrooms in the school have received state of the art technology used to deliver instruction. In addition to the healthcare patient simulation lab on the fifth floor, Orlando Tech has also developed a Digital Media Arts department on the entire first floor.
A lab housing our Vicon Motion Capture system is located in the Digital Media Arts department. The Vicon Motion Capture Lab will be used to conduct clinical motion capture analysis training. Accreditation for this new lab will be sought through the Commission for Motion Capture Laboratory Accreditation, Inc. http://www.cmlainc.org. This accreditation will enable students, along with business partners, to perform live work as part of their clinical internship.
The Digital Media Arts Department has evolved over the past four years from one program (TV Production) to an entire Digital Media Arts Department with 3D Animation and Simulation, Digital Video, Digital Audio and most recently, Game, Simulation, and Animation programs.
The Metro Orlando area houses a critical mass of businesses in simulation and related technologies. Our region is also becoming a major hub for the medical community. There are currently 26 medical simulation labs operating in healthcare institutions and educational institutions in our region. New simulation labs are opening on a regular basis as schools and hospitals expand their use of simulation to train new students and incumbent workers.
For more information about these new programs, please contact Lynne Voltaggio at 407-246-7060.
05.03.09 :: American Dental Association Foundation Scholarship
Dental Assisting student Erica Goodman received a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the American Dental Association Foundation. Pictured are Denise Murphy, Dental Assisting instructor; Erica Goodman; and Cindy Bradley, Dental Assisting instructor.
04.08.09 :: Career Connections
Orlando Tech’s Career Connections program was created to support, educate and motivate incoming GED students at Orlando Tech. The three day class provides an overview of skills necessary for success in the classroom and on the job. In addition to providing instruction in work ethics and positive attitudes and behaviors, students are also given information about postsecondary career and technical education options. These postsecondary options assist GED students in the development of their own personal career plan.
Students returning to school to complete their education may do so with feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. In some cases, the Career Connection program was able to alleviate these feelings and jump start a sense of positive self-esteem. The instructors facilitated a high level of class involvement in discussions and demonstrations of appropriate workplace behaviors. Students were repeatedly encouraged to believe in themselves and recognize their personal power to achieve goals.
In addition to working with Orlando Tech instructors, students interacted with guest speakers form Workforce Central Florida in the local business community. Students completing the program received a personalized Career Scope summary outlining their own interests, aptitudes and recommendations for career exploration.
The Career Connections program supports the OCPS goals of Intense Focus on Student Achievement and Sustained Community Engagement. Recent data on the program reflects that between October 2008 and May 2009 162 students participated in the program. Upon completion, students receive a certificate of completion and a personalized portfolio.
02.20.09 :: Child Care Apprenticeship Program Expansion
Orlando Tech’s Child Care Apprenticeship Program expanded in the spring of 2009 by creating a new instructional service center site at the Lake Buena Vista YMCA. This new site provides related child care apprenticeship instruction to individuals living in south Orange County and Osceola County residents. The site has been approved by the Council on Occupational Education as an official Orlando Tech service center to deliver early childhood education instruction.
Orlando Tech is the approved training site for Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Apprenticeship training offers individuals an opportunity to “earn as they learn”. The Child Care Apprenticeship Program is sponsored by industry and supported by labor and education. It combines on-the-job training with theoretical instruction. Upon completion of the program the students will receive a “Child Care Development Specialist” certificate which meets the requirement in obtaining a “Staff Credential” with the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. The program is approved and registered by the Florida Department of Education, Office of Workforce Education.
Our program also meets the requirements of the National CDA. Orlando Tech is an approved training agency with the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. Students who complete our program may choose to apply to the Council for Professional Recognition to obtain the National CDA.
The apprenticeship program is tuition exempt, with classes offered at Orlando Tech and at the Lake Buena Vista YMCA. For more information about our program, please contact Ms. Gloria Delgado at 407-246-7060, ext. 4831.
