PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT CAREER & TECH ED PROGRAMS REVIEWED IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2013

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1 DISTRICT 525 PROGRAM REVIEW REPORT CAREER & TECH ED PROGRAMS REVIEWED IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2013 Program Identification Information 6 digit CIP: Career Cluster: Health Science Cluster Career Pathway: Diagnostics Services Pathway Program of Study: Electrocardiography Technician, Certificate of Completion Community College Program Title Degree Type: 03=AAS, 20=>30ch or 30=<30 credit hours Electrocardiography Technician 30 Certificate of Completion NU073 Action Continued with minor improvements Significantly modified Discontinued/Eliminated Placed on inactive status Scheduled for further review Other, please specify Course Prefix, Number and Name NA 122 Basic Electrocardiography Technician NA 125 Electrocardiography Tech Practicum Mission Current: This training program is designed to prepare a student in non invasive electrocardiography procedures, interpreting dysrythmias, monitoring telemetry units, performing 12 lead electrocardiograms and applying the holter monitor as ordered by a physician. The Certificate of Completion will include training in basic keyboarding and a human relations course. This will better enable a student to function as a good co worker and increase employment marketability. Recommended changes: This program is designed for students with an employment or educational background in the healthcare field or students preparing to enter a healthcare degree program. Learning to perform non invasive electrocardiography procedures and identifying rhythms will be a valuable addition to the skill set of today s healthcare worker. Lecture topics include techniques for performing a 12 lead EKG, identifying rhythms and rhythm abnormalities, how cardiac drugs affect an EKG and telemetry unit monitoring. The practicum experience takes place in a hospital setting, where students perform 12 lead EKG s and discuss findings with a preceptor.

2 DISTRICT 525 Describe any programmatic improvements achieved since the last review period and indicate why these changes were made. Reviewed and updated syllabi to include general education outcomes and measurable student learning outcomes. Brought in an adjunct instructor as backup and support for primary instructor. Outcomes/Objectives What are the student learning outcomes/objectives of the program? Students will o Interact in a professional manner with patients. o Perform 12 lead EKGs o Discuss EKG (Interpret readings from an EKG strip) To what extent are these outcomes/objectives being achieved? Students have the opportunity to interact with patients during their clinical rotation. They practice placing the leads for the EKG and discussing the readings. Some students have the opportunity to observe the holter monitor. How satisfied are students with their preparation for employment? Two students responded to the follow up survey (conducted by the college). Based on program evaluations completed by the students after their clinical rotation, only one student reported feeling unprepared for clinicals. Since 2007, a total of 189 students have completed the two EKG courses (NA 122 and NA 125). How satisfied are employers in the preparation of graduates? Information not available How does this program contribute to programs in other fields? Some students complete this program prior to enrollment/acceptance into other healthcare programs, such as Radiology Technician, Nursing, Advanced Certified Nurse Assistant program. It provides students with a foundation in the area of electrocardiography, and adds to their skill set. How does this program contribute to achieving the college s strategic plan goals? ( INFO/INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH/Pages/strategic plan.aspx): Goal 2: Develop programs that anticipate and respond to labor market demand including the growing number of fields that require an understanding of sustainability. In 2008, this program was developed in response to labor market demand for EKG technicians. Need (See ICCB Program Review Manual FY12 16, Table 1: Table of Indicators.) How strong is the occupational demand for the program? An attempt was made to collect data from area hospitals/medical clinics, as well as nearby community colleges. Information obtained is listed below. Of the 8 community colleges surveyed, only 1 (Triton College) offers an EKG Technician program. It appears that the role of EKG Technician is being phased out by most hospitals; instead, they are training current employees (RN s and other allied health personnel) to perform EKG s. There is still an interest among students in the EKG Technician courses; being able to perform/interpret an EKG is a valuable skill to have for many allied health professionals. Following discussions with the

3 DISTRICT 525 Department Chair and Dean, the recommendation was to require students interested in this program to have an educational background and/or work experience in the healthcare field, or be planning to attend a healthcare degree program. Since very few facilities in the area are hiring EKG Technicians, it is important that potential students understand that acquiring these skills alone will not likely lead to a position as an EKG Technician. It is important to note that students who complete the two required EKG courses, NA 122 and NA 125, are eligible to take a national certification exam to become a Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT). They do not need to take the additional two courses (OFS 101, Basic Keyboarding, and MGMT 102, Human Relations) that are required in order to earn the Certificate of Completion and complete the program (NU073). Therefore, the majority of students who take NA 122/NA 125 choose not to complete the program, which significantly alters the data. The number of program completers is much lower than the number of students who have successfully completed the two EKG courses. The recommendation is to eliminate OFS 101 and MGMT 102 as requirements for the COC. This program leads to an industry recognized credential. The data below was obtained by visiting surrounding community college s websites, or contacting the departments directly. Community Colleges that offer EKG Technician programs: College of DuPage: no Harper College: students can earn a Cardiographic Technician Certificate (28 credit hours), which is part of the AAS degree in Cardiac Technology College of Lake County: offers related ce s for RN s in Healthcare and Nursing Continuing Education Moraine Valley Community College: no; offers Medical Assistant Oakton Community College: no Triton College: yes; offered non credit in their Center for Health Professionals (part of the School of Continuing Education). Program started 2 years ago; class size approximately 8 students. No clinical experience offered. Students can take the NHA exam at the college. They just started a Patient Care Technician program; students first complete a Basic Nurse Assistant program, then continue on with EKG and Phlebotomy. Waubonsee Community College: no; offer Medical Assistant and Patient Care Technician programs Kankakee Community College: no; offer Medical Assistant program Feedback received from area hospitals/medical clinics: Provena St. Joseph Medical Center: They have a total of 6 part time EKG Technicians; 4 rotate the day shift, 2 rotate the evening shift Silver Cross Hospital: 3 RN s perform all EKG s Morris Hospital: They employ 3 EKG s Technicians, as well as utilizing RN s and Emergency Room CNA s to perform EKG s Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital: 1 full time EKG Technician on day shift; just hired a part time technician for evenings. In addition, RN s and Respiratory Therapists assist with EKG s Meridian Medical Associates, Joliet: They hire only Medical Assistants, who perform EKG s, as well as RN s and LPN s.

4 DISTRICT 525 The data below was obtained by visiting surrounding community college s websites, or contacting the departments directly. Community Colleges that offer EKG Technician programs: College of DuPage: no Harper College: students can earn a Cardiographic Technician Certificate (28 credit hours), which is part of the AAS degree in Cardiac Technology College of Lake County: offers related ce s for RN s in Healthcare and Nursing Continuing Education Moraine Valley Community College: no; offers Medical Assistant Oakton Community College: no Triton College: yes; offered non credit in their Center for Health Professionals (part of the School of Continuing Education). Program started 2 years ago; class size approximately 8 students. No clinical experience offered. Students can take the NHA exam at the college. They just started a Patient Care Technician program; students first complete a Basic Nurse Assistant program, then continue on with EKG and Phlebotomy. Waubonsee Community College: no; offer Medical Assistant and Patient Care Technician programs Kankakee Community College: no; offer Medical Assistant program Feedback received from area hospitals/medical clinics: Provena St. Joseph Medical Center: They have a total of 6 part time EKG Technicians; 4 rotate the day shift, 2 rotate the evening shift Silver Cross Hospital: 3 RN s perform all EKG s Morris Hospital: They employ 3 EKG s Technicians, as well as utilizing RN s and Emergency Room CNA s to perform EKG s Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital: 1 full time EKG Technician on day shift; just hired a part time technician for evenings. In addition, RN s and Respiratory Therapists assist with EKG s Meridian Medical Associates, Joliet: They hire only Medical Assistants, who perform EKG s, as well as RN s and LPN s. According to information posted on the Illinois Department of Employment Security website, in 2008 there were 44 Cardiovascular Technologists/Technicians in Will County. By 2018, the projection is 55. Average annual job openings are 1 (due to growth) and 1 (due to replacements). For Grundy, Kankakee, and Livingston counties, there were 41 in 2008, with a projection of 52 by Average annual job openings are the same as in Will County. A google search on careerbuilder.com (11/14/12) revealed one job opening in Illinois for an Echo Technician 2 Associate s degree and one year experience required. There were no postings for an EKG technician. How has demand changed in the past five years and what is the outlook for the next five years. It does not appear that the demand has changed in the past five years. What is the district need vs. state need? The projected growth in Illinois is approximately 21%. However, this data indicates a minimum education level of an Associate s degree. There is a difference between a technician and a technologist. Oftentimes these terms are used interchangeably, and there is confusion as to what the educational requirements are, and what they are trained to do. Program length can vary from a one semester certificate program to a two year Associate s program. Enrollment/Retention/Placement

5 DISTRICT 525 What are the trends in student enrollment, retention and placement? Students who have earned a Certificate of Completion in the Electrocardiography Technician program are as follows: 2008: : : : : 8 5 year average: 3 Forecast: 1 year: 10 5 years: 18 Is there an increase/decline in the last five years? The program began five years ago What are the barriers to retention? Students are eligible to work, and take a national certification exam, after completing the two EKG classes (NA 122 and NA 125). The other two classes (keyboarding and human relations) are not required for employment. Many students decide not to take these additional classes and complete the certificate. Therefore, many complete the two EKG courses but not the entire program, so the number of program completers is very low. What are placement rates with local employers? Information not available; only two students responded to the Office of Institutional Research survey. Cost effectiveness (See ICCB Program Review Manual FY12 16, Table 1: Table of Indicators.) Is the operational cost of the program average compared to other similar programs in the state? Information not available. Compared to other CTE programs at the college? This is difficult to assess, since the EKG Technician program is included with the other NA courses in Healthcare. Why are the costs higher or lower? The costs are lower because the main expense is the instructor salary. It is difficult to compare, however, since data from other programs is included. What steps can be taken to offer the program more cost effectively? The two EKG courses are very cost effective, since the main expense is the instructor salary. Are there needs for additional resources? None identified This program has been cost effective; main cost has been instructor salary (adjunct instructor), as well as time devoted to overseeing the program by the Manager of Healthcare Continuing Education and assistance provided by the program clerk. The only equipment/supply cost has been the purchase of a refurbished EKG machine in 2012 for $2,600. In terms of quality of program, students and clinical site preceptors have been satisfied with the EKG courses. Quality (See ICCB Program Review Manual FY12 16, Table 1: Table of Indicators.) What are the programs strengths and weaknesses? Strengths: Students have very positive reviews of both the EKG class and clinical experience. They acquire valuable skills which make them more marketable in the healthcare field when combined with other skills and experience (such as CNA, office skills). Weaknesses: The number of students who complete the program is low; the additional required classes for the Certificate of Completion are not required to work as

6 DISTRICT 525 an EKG technician, so most students do not take them. It appears that most healthcare facilities have phased out the role of the EKG technician; they are cross training current employees to perform EKG s (nurses, nurse assistants, etc). Many students enroll in the EKG classes with the hope of obtaining employment as a technician upon course completion. What makes the program unique and attractive to students and employers? Students feel these courses will lead to a job as an EKG technician. Employers view this as a valuable skill, but are also looking for employees with multiple skills. What are the performance rates on related credentialing exams? Data not available How does the college plan to improve the curriculum before the next review? After discussions with the Department Chair and Dean, the recommendation was made to eliminate the Keyboarding and Human Relations courses previously required for the Certificate of Completion. Students would earn the COC after successfully completing NA 122 and NA 125. List faculty, their qualifications and recent professional development. Instructor: Paulette Listner, BS. Diploma in Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography/Echocardiography. Has numerous specialty certifications (Holter Technician, Arrhythmia Monitoring Technician, Certified Cardiographic Technician, Registered Cardiovascular Technologist Non Invasive Technology). Has been employed at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet as a Non Invasive Cardiographic Technologist since Describe any programmatic improvements planned before the next review. (Create an Action Plan.) Students enrolled in the two EKG courses must have an educational background and/or work experience in healthcare, or are planning to attend a healthcare degree program. Emphasis will be placed on adding these newly acquired skills to an existing skill set. This program meets the minimum requirements of a Program of Study according to Perkins IV because the program leads to an industry recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level, an Associate s degree or Baccalaureate degree.