The New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) has launched a new Gastrointestinal/Endoscopy Technician or "GET" Training Course. GET is the latest workforce development solution created by the Center for Technology and Industry (CTI) at NEIT.

The first cohort begins February 2020 and aims to meet employer demand in the state of Rhode Island and southeastern New England for skilled Gastrointestinal/Endoscopy Technicians by creating a pipeline of knowledgeable and capable candidates. It also provides a training outlet to upskill current staff.

The accelerated 3-month, 300-hour Gastrointestinal/Endoscopy Technician curriculum consists of classroom lecture hours at NEIT's East Greenwich campus and clinical hours conducted on-site at designated clinical locations throughout Rhode Island. CTI at NEIT's new GET training course ensures trainees have both the technical knowledge and hands-on skills to become competent, quality-conscious employees.

With rising concerns of contamination in the endoscopy field, CTI at NEIT's new GET training course offers a solution to address quality concerns through workforce development and skills training opportunities.

"We're excited to launch the GET training course because it provides classroom education, while also working directly with local hospitals and clinics to provide clinical training," said Steve Kitchin.

"This hands-on learning style fosters relationships between doctors and technicians, building trust in quality work output. The mentor/mentee relationship allows participants to complete work off-site and gain knowledge from hospitals/clinics at which they will be working."

The objective of the training course is to educate participants in the specialty of endoscopy and promote knowledge-based critical thinking in the safe practice of flexible and rigid endoscopy. The endoscopy technician will become familiar with a wide variety of endoscopes and assist the endoscopy team with procedures some of which may include performing a gastroscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, duodenoscopy, and as well as other types of procedures. The endoscopy technician is also responsible for handling specimens, cleaning, decontaminating, disinfecting, sterilizing and maintenance of equipment.

Students will work with physicians and registered nurses who specialize in endoscopy in order to provide the best patient care possible.

GET easily lends itself to the schedules of full-time workers by offering both day and evening classes and a variety of designated endoscopy facilities and surgery centers where participants can complete clinical hours conveniently.

GET was designed for clinics/medical facilities looking to elevate the skills of current employees and individuals in entry-level positions looking to broaden their qualifications and secure their future. There is an opportunity for employers to sponsor a student to join the training course at a discounted rate.

For more information on the GET training program please contact Steven Kitchin at 739-5000 ext. 3433, by email at skitchin@neit.edu or visit cti.neit.edu/get.