Submitted photo The Health Careers Academy and Training Center at the LoGuidice Educational Center is currently accepting Accuplacer Test applications for its March 20 and March 25 exams. Pictured are Cassadaga Job Corps LPN graduates at a recent ceremony.

Special to the OBSERVER

Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES is expanding its educational footprint in the region.

The E2CCB Educational Foundation Inc., in partnership with the E2CCB Workforce Development Division and health care industry leaders, has secured a $504,887 Empire State Development grant. The award will fund the development of a Health Careers Academy and Training Center.

“The creation of a state-of-the-art Academy such as this represents economic development for our region,” said David O’Rourke, Ph. D., E2CCB District Superintendent. “By strengthening our curriculum and learning opportunities for students we can provide an industry, in this case, the health care sector, with a knowledgeable and skilled workforce that is in high demand.”

The Academy will enhance current Health Careers programming at the LoGuidice Educational Center for juniors and seniors while creating new opportunities for Adult Education students. Students already benefitting from the current College Connections partnership between E2CCB and Jamestown Community College will receive expanded college credit opportunities and practical hands-on experience through the use of Human Patient Simulators purchased through the grant.

Human Patient Simulators (HPS) are interactive mannequins capable of realistic physiologic responses, including respiration, pulses, heart beats, urinary output and pupil reaction. Students can pose questions to the HPS and receive answers in real time during simulation exercises.

“One of the advantages of using the HPS for instruction is having the ability to provide opportunities for interactive experiences without risk to an actual patient. Mistakes can be made without fear of harming a real-life patient,” said Lori Poniatowski, RN, Health Careers instructor. “It really is a student-centered approach to education which builds on previous knowledge and experiences while accessing self-study opportunities and group interaction.”

The E2CCB Workforce Development division currently oversees three LPN programs at New Hope in Buffalo, Cassadaga Job Corps and Hewes Educational Center in Ashville. The creation of the Academy will expand opportunities for adult education students by offering classes in the following areas: Certified Nursing Assistant, Personal Care Aide, Home Health Aide, Licensed Practical Nursing, Phlebotomy Technician, Bilingual Medical Transcriptionist and partner trainings in First Aid, CPR and AEDs.

“The goal of the Health Careers Academy and Training Center is to become a pillar for the regional health care industry by serving as a catalyst in the development of a highly-skilled and much-needed workforce,” said Janeil Rey, Ph. D., Director of Workforce Development. “One of our many jobs as an educational institution is to create opportunities for students to benefit them now and for years to come. The health care job sector is witnessing major growth and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The enhancement of current programming and addition of Adult Education programs offered through our Academy put students on the path toward sustainable career options.”

Students at all levels will benefit from new technologies provided through the program, including Human Patient Simulators for realistic patient care, modern and realistic nursing equipment to replicate patient environment and tools for diversified and specialized instruction for multiple cohorts including virtual reality learning stations, laboratory dissections and ECG certification preparation equipment.

More than 225 students are expected to enroll annually in Academy-related programming. To increase reach and diversify the student population, E2CCB is partnering with Chautauqua Works, Chautauqua Health Network and the Chautauqua County Education Coalition.

“There is an untapped resource of caring, passionate workers that would thrive in a health care setting,” said Susan Sosinski, Health Care Services Specialist. “Many in this underserved population, however, face challenges when it comes to committing time to class, tuition costs, childcare and reliable transportation. Our program specialists will assist potential students by leveraging support services and funding options to remove these barriers.”

Accuplacer Tests for enrollment in the new evening LPN program at the LoGuidice Educational Center will take place at 5 p.m. on March 20 and March 25 in Room 608 at the LoGuidice Educational Center. Applicants can register by contacting Dawn Brink or Megan Grice Rohlin at 664-4866.

For more information, please contact Susan Sosinski, RN, BSN, Health Care Services Specialist at 805-3162.