Posts tagged Technician

London South Bank University’s (LSBU) Faculty of Engineering, Science and The Built Environment is launching a new Foundation Degree in Clinical Technology this September.

The validated two-year course has been developed to support technical and support staffs who are already employed within the rehabilitation sector, including prosthetics, orthotics, and special seating. An Open Day, which will include talks from the Course Director, LSBU’s Dr Geoff Goss, and a number of top industry names, will be held on LSBU’s Southwark campus on Monday 20 June.

The course was developed when LSBU was approached by colleagues from the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, and the programme of study was subsequently designed in close partnership with the NHS, industry and the Associated Parliamentary Limb Loss Group. It has been developed in response to a recognised skills gap. This skills gap has resulted from the shortage of apprenticeships during the 1980s and 1990s, which created an aging workforce. The course will also help to meet the growing need for special seating, orthotics and prosthetic devices in the UK due to the increase in diabetes, neurological conditions, an aging population and casualties from conflict zones. Students will be able to broaden and extend the experience they have already gained in the work place through four main core subject areas – mechanics, materials, manufacturing and design, and clinical rehabilitation. They will also be taught how to utilise the latest innovative technologies.

Dr Geoff Goss, of LSBU’s Faculty of Engineering, Science and The Built Environment says: “We are really excited about the launch of the new Clinical Technology course at LSBU. There is a clearly established need for this course with the industry skills gap set against a growing demand for these devices due to the dramatic rise in diabetes and an increasingly aging population. Technicians will be able to bring back skills to their workplace, including making the most of the latest technologies, which will not only further their own professional development but also benefit their employers too.”
Jose Spring, Research and Development Coordinator at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, says: “The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability appreciates LSBU’s enthusiasm in providing training on special seating, which is not provided anywhere else in the UK. It will be an extremely well-rounded course, for the first time, spanning both the faculties of Health & Social Care and Engineering.”

Michael O’Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of the Ability Technology Group, says: “This is a much needed development for the training and education of technicians. It creates the opportunity for progression for technicians who wish to commit to this initiative. I believe it will be well supported by employers.”

Steve McNeice of the Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group says: “This innovative and inspirational course will provide many new skilled caring healthcare professionals hopefully for some years yet to come, improving the quality and range of services provided to patients and individual patient outcomes and quality of life.”

Students can only be accepted onto the course if they are able to undergo work-based learning.

To find out more about the Open Day or to order a course information booklet, call 020 7815 7625