The Biomedical Device Technology Certificate of Achievement was approved by the Ventura County Community College District on November 12.
Moorpark College’s Interim President Dr. Bernard Luskin, along with Executive Vice President Lori Bennett and Dean of Student Learning Kim Hoffmans, reviewed and recommended this degree for students looking into the biomedical field.
“Biomedicine is one of the growing specialty areas for science,” said Luskin. “It’s a broader area and it has a lot of pathways for new employment opportunities.”
The degree provides courses that offer the skills and knowledge essential to the manufacturing of medical devices. It puts an emphasis on applied skills and government regulations and will serve as a preparation for students who seek employment in the medical device field, according to district officials.
In order to receive this Certificate of Achievement, students must take a number of required courses such as Environmental Control and Process Support, Manufacturing, Quality Control and Validation Quality, and Business Practices and Governmental Regulation, all of which are currently available at Moorpark College.
Luskin emphasizes that this degree is foundational for students interested in biomedicine. This means that although it can encompass a wide range of the many specialties within the biomedical field, it will focus more on the technological specialties that are more concerned with the mastery of medical machinery.
“This is a 21st century career field,” said Luskin. “The breakthroughs are coming fast [in biomedicine].”
According to Luskin, these include breakthroughs in genetic research and the analysis of the human genome.
This program was created from a combination between two different sections offered in the district: biotech from Moorpark College and machining from Ventura College, according to Academic Senate President Mary Rees.
“We thought we should work together on this,” said Rees. “It’s a very exciting opportunity to bring to our students.”
According to Rees, this program was designed when the district received input from local industries regarding biotechnology. She explained that people were wanted that could machine titanium implants under sterile conditions and treat the parts with stem cells to facilitate their integration in the new host.
Subhash Karkare, the biotechnology professor at Moorpark College, explained that many small companies in the area manufacture medical devices. These range from replacement knees to insulin pump implants.
The company that manufactures the titanium knee implants is called Kinamed, according to Karkare. However, this company is currently not doing stem cell work with those impants since they are still looking for a license to such technology.
“In order to manufacture medical devices, the technician needs to have training in some kind of manufacturing technology,” said Karkare.
The manufacturing of this technology covers the machining aspect that comes from Ventura College, according to Karkare. Students also need to be trained in clean room behavior and knowledge of FDA regulations.
Students interested in obtaining this new degree should speak with a counselor to create an education plan. The Counseling Department is located in the Administration Building. In addition, those who would like more information on this program should contact Karkare at (805)378-1400 or [email protected].
