Published: 4/23/2020 1:28:23 PM
MONTAGUE — Construction of a new nursing simulation lab that Franklin County Technical School had planned to open this fall has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the school still expects to have the lab available at some point during the next school year.
The high-tech nursing lab will expand on Franklin Tech’s existing health technology program, and will provide students in all four grades a means to pursue a certified medical assistant degree.
“Certified medical assistant is one of the most in-demand jobs in the medical field and in Franklin County,” noted Franklin Tech Superintendent Richard Martin.
Franklin Tech also expects to eventually use the lab for evening classes for students to earn a practical nursing certification through Greenfield Community College, Martin said. The discussions are in early phases, and the two schools do not yet have a date for starting the program.
The lab will be modeled closely after a real doctor’s examination room, Martin said. It will feature computerized mannequins, which an instructor can program from behind a one-way mirror for students to diagnose.
“I’m really excited about the hands-on learning component of that,” Martin said.
The new lab is paid for with a $250,000 competitive grant from the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant Program, which aims to meet the state’s hiring needs by supporting education for technical skills. Martin said Franklin Tech is one of 21 Massachusetts schools that received money this year.
Similarly, Franklin Tech received a $275,000 grant through the same program last year, which it used to launch a veterinary science program last fall.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.