Students in Allied Health Programs Benefit from Online Labs
Texas Border Business
Austin, TX – Southern Careers Institute (SCI) recently added simulation training to its allied health programs to ensure students continue to develop critical patient care skills despite in-person training restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The modules produced by SIMTICS, a leader in simulation-based learning, add an online lab component to SCI’s strong hybrid and online training model implemented as a result of the pandemic.
“At a time when healthcare professionals are more essential than ever, we needed to ensure that our allied health students continued to have access to quality hands-on clinical training and developed the skills required to obtain a certification in their field,” said Nikki England, President of SCI. “The simulation modules are allowing SCI students to learn procedures and enabling us to comply with social distancing and public health guidelines to keep our community safe.”
The health simulation modules work like this: Students watch a video online, demonstrating how to perform a procedure. Then, they are presented with a simulation exercise, where they have to read the chart, and reproduce the steps.
“Because they’ve seen and tried multiple patient care scenarios, students become more comfortable approaching procedures in person,” said England. “By contrast, it’s difficult to have someone read about a procedure in a book, and then expect them to come to the lab and do it confidently in person, with no practice.”
The SIMTICS modules come with built-in assessments, tracking and reporting to provide analytics on user performance and track individual progress.
“As an instructor, I can use the certificates of completion for student portfolios in preparation for externships, and to provide Career Services with additional insight on student performance,” added Guadalupe Hernandez, allied health lead instructor for SCI’s Corpus Christi campus. “The simulation modules are the next best thing to hands-on learning.”
The medical training simulation modules were first introduced at SCI in late March and have run for two full terms. The program has been so successful and well-received by students and professors alike that it will continue through the term beginning in July and through such a time when the programs return to campus full-time.
“Simulation-based trainings bring a high level of visualization and interactivity to the students’ learning at home as well as in the classroom,” said Fred Cantu, allied health lead instructor for SCI’s San Antonio North campus. “It’s been a great source of student engagement and learning, and allows instructors to provide safe, interactive, and quality education online.”
For press inquiries, please contact Ana Pereira at (617) 501.8287 or Ana@uriascommunications.com. For photos of the medical training simulation modules, click here.
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