LUMBERTON — Greg Bounds, Robeson County’s medical services director, likes the the high-tech, human simulators Robeson Community College now has to prepare health science students for their profession.
“When I started 27 years ago, we didn’t have these real-life simulators to train us,” he said. “We learned in the field by imagination and a lot of trial and error.”
Bounds spoke briefly to those Monday touring RCC’s new medical simulation center, which is the result of a $25 million U.S. Department of Labor BOOST grant. The grant, which stands for Better Occupational Outcomes with Simulation Training, is shared by RCC and five other colleges in South Carolina and Alabama. It assists students in the beginning of their health care training.
During the tour, participants got a close-up look at how the life-like dummies are programmed to have life-sustaining functions like blood pressure, heart beat and breathing. They can even talk and relate their feelings to students through moans and groans, just like a live person.
“I don’t feel well,” one simulator said, startling one of those on the tour who was standing nearby.
This is the second U.S. Department of Labor BOOST grant that RCC has received. The program uses high-tech simulators and virtual reality to train students with no previous health care experience. Using technology and online coursework, students are able to earn one of a variety of health care related certificates within two semesters.
According to college officials, students through the program can get an entry level certificate and immediately get a job that will allow them to make a living. If they choose, students can pursue additional certificates.
Monday’s ribbon cutting and tour of the center was held just before the regular monthly meeting of the college’s board of trustees. About 50 people attended the event.
According to Lashona Miller, a BOOST recruiter, there are now more than 100 students enrolled in RCC’s program. About 50 more students are expected to be enrolled in the fall semester, she said.
Michael Anderson, a medical simulation specialist at RCC, said using simulators to educate students is the “wave of the future” in the medical fields.
“Simulators start getting students trained in realistic situations early in their careers,” he said.
The RCC trustees met briefly in public before going into a closed session to finish their annual performance evaluation of Pamela Hilbert, the college’s president.
Members approved an interim budget for the college to operate until the state legislature completes its work on the state budget. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
According to Hilbert, the interim budget is $2 million less than the trustees originally approved for the current year budget last fall.
“We did this because we anticipate we will be operating this coming year with a lower budget,” she said.
The trustees also voted to change the time of their regular monthly meetings. Beginning in July, the board will meet the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. instead of 7 p.m.
