What is Biomedical Technology Systems?
The Biomedical Technology Systems (BTS) program at Madisonville Community College is designed for the serious adult learner who desires a rewarding, stable, and life-long career as a biomedical equipment technology service provider.
The BTS curriculum focuses on repairing, maintaining, and managing a wide variety of medical devices, equipment, and systems. The learner will gain a holistic perspective of the life-cycle duties and skills needed to assure that medical devices meet safety and performance expectations.
The program also addresses both general and specialized medical technologies along with how these technologies are interfaced with health networks. The programs included IT related content will adequately prepare the student to meet the expectations of employers.
All the classes within the BTS curriculum are offered online. Onsite labs, as required for both AIT courses and the BTS courses which have a lab component, are conveniently offered for those who live far away and/or have work or other obligations.
Three options are available regarding how students may complete the onsite lab activities which supplement the online coursework:
OPTION 1: One day each week with a morning session and an afternoon session throughout the fall and spring semesters.
OPTION 2: Two days each week with a morning lab session offered each day throughout the fall and spring semesters.
OPTION 3 (NEW): Students who reside a far distance from the campus of MCC may be given the opportunity to participate in the BTS program’s new “Ease-of-Access” option which allows the student to complete the lab work for the BTS classes at a “program-partnered” hospital location near where the student resides thus making the program easily accessible.
With fewer than 70 educational programs of this type throughout the country and the only program of its type in the state of Kentucky, the BTS program at MCC offers students a unique training opportunity.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the employment of medical equipment repairers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,300 openings for medical equipment repairers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. These repairers will be needed to repair medical equipment in healthcare settings and by other employers who hire biomedical equipment service and support technicians.
A significant factor in the greater demand for healthcare services is the aging population. As people age, they usually need more medical care. With the expected increase in the number of older adults and with people living longer, health professionals are prescribing more medical tests that use new, complex equipment. In addition, some medical facilities are increasingly purchasing refurbished medical equipment in order to save money. Medical equipment repairers will be needed to provide routine service to ensure the machines work properly.
What are my career choices?
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared for immediate employment as an entry-level healthcare technology management professional and may pursue employment with a number of employers including, but not limited to: hospitals, clinics, home health equipment companies, dialysis treatment centers, third-party medical equipment service providers, and medical equipment manufacturers.
What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?
Associate in Applied Science
Certificates
- Foundations in Biomedical Technology Networking Systems
Transfer Options
Incoming Transfers
Students seeking to earn credit towards the specified technical classes (see list below) within the Biomedical Technology Systems program in which identical or equivalent classes were completed with a grade of "C" or better will only receive credit if coursework was taken within the last three years upon being admitted into the program. For technical classes completed beyond the three-year period, the student will be required to pass a competency exam in order to receive credit that will apply towards the associated program class.
Program classes for which the above situation applies to:
- AIT 1001 - Basic Electrical Knowledge
- AIT 1101 - Electrical Power Distribution
- BTS 120 - Essentials of Biomedical Electronics I
- BTS 125 - Essentials of Biomedical Electronics II
- CIT 111 - Computer Hardware and Software
- CIT 160 - Introduction to Networking Concepts
Outgoing Transfers
Students who complete the BTS program may apply their credits awarded towards various 4-year programs at a number of in-state universities. Some of these programs utilize an entirely on-line, distance-learning instructional format. Contact the BTS / HTM program coordinator for more information.
Online Assistance
MCC s online coursework is delivered through Blackboard. Our knowledgeable Help Desk is available to answer your questions about your online class. Contact the KCTCS Online Technical Help Desk at any time 24/7.
Length of Program
Most students will complete an AAS program in two years, provided they have the appropriate assessment scores and follow the suggested sequence of classes. General education classes, with the exception of any course prerequisites, may be taken along with curriculum classes.
Attention: Program Access for US Students and International Students Who Cannot Attend Weekly, Onsite BTS Lab Sessions Due to Where They Live or Their Location
The Biomedical Technology Systems (BTS) degree program can be delivered in a way that can be accommodating to both US students and international students who live too far away to attend weekly BTS lab sessions held at the college. This will require the student to attend 2, 3-week, 90-contact hour sessions; one offered during the summer session between the first and second year of the program and one during the summer session following the second year of the program. The student will not be able to enroll in BTS 290-Clinical Experience in Biomedical Technology Systems until both lab sessions are completed. Contact Joey Jones at joey.jones@kctcs.edu for additional information.
- MS, Human Development & Leadership with emphasis in Adult Education, Murray State University
- BIS, Independent Studies, Murray State University
- AS, Vocational Technical Education, Murray State University
- AAS, Biomedical Equipment Technology (with high distinction), Madisonville Community College
- AS, Electronics Engineering Technology, Prestonsburg Community College
- Adult Education Certification, Western Kentucky University
- Madisonville Health Technology Center - Biomedical Equipment Technician Diploma
- Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) Certification
- Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) - Member
- Miami Valley Career Technology Center - Electrical Trades Program Diploma
- Over 27 Years Teaching Experience
Accreditation
Madisonville Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.
Admission Requirements
Each program applicant must fulfill the following requirements in order to be accepted into the program.
Must be cleared of any academic probation at time of admission.
Must complete an online learning tutorial or show evidence of successful completion of two or more online non-remedial type courses offered through an accredited institution in which a grade of "C" or better was awarded for each online course completed.
Must meet with the program coordinator and devise an academic plan and discuss career objectives; and must fulfill the general admission requirements for the program as set forth by Madisonville Community College.
Graduation Requirements
You will be eligible for graduation when you have completed your program with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. In addition, you must have a minimum of 24 hours taken in residence within KCTCS and 25% of the approved coursework must come from Madisonville Community College.
Job Placement Assistance
The Office of Career Services offers students, alumni, and members of the community free assistance in locating regional and local employment opportunities. We are available to assist employers by referring qualified candidates for full-time, part-time, temporary, and cooperative education positions. For more information, contact Brianna Crowley (brianna.crowley@kctcs.edu).
Tuition & Fees
Students enrolled in Madisonville Community College online courses are assessed in-state tuition & fees, regardless of their location.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
