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Hanover Research | December 2017 <br /> © 2017 Hanover Research 7 <br />HEALTH TECHNOLOGY <br />Interview participants consistently mention health <br />and medical fields as an area of need and an <br />opportunity for Durham Tech to pursue <br />partnerships in Orange County. Orange County <br />Commissioner Barry Jacobs told Hanover this type <br />of training is “very important” for the local <br />workforce. In fact, health care is among the largest <br />occupational groups in the area, and UNC Health <br />Care is one of the largest employers.11 Participants <br />feel that proximity between Hillsborough Hospital <br />and campus provides an opportunity for <br />collaboration. <br /> <br />Jeff Strickler, a vice-president with UNC Health Care <br />who oversees Hillsborough Hospital told Hanover <br />that his organization hires workers with a range of <br />associate’s-level degree fields including, “surgical technology, imaging technology, <br />respiratory therapy.” Strickler suggested there is “increasing demand” for individuals in “any <br />imaging technology type roles.” To the extent hospitals prefer non-invasive diagnostic <br />technologies, these types of roles will remain in-demand. <br /> <br />Durham Tech could help meet existing demand by <br />expanding its existing surgical technology program to <br />its Orange County campus.12 Durham Tech does not <br />currently offer a stand-alone program focused on <br />imaging technology; a new program could help meet <br />existing demand in Orange County. The Bureau of <br />Labor Statistics reports that imaging technologists <br />usually have an associate’s degree or certificate; this <br />includes radiological technologists, MRI technologists, <br />cardiovascular technicians, and medical sonographers. 13 Employment for imaging <br />technologists in North Carolina is projected to grow as fast or faster than the average for all <br />occupations.14 <br /> <br /> <br />11 “2017 State of the Community Report.” Chapel Hill-Carrboro Cha mber of Commerce. p. 105-107. <br />https://www.slideshare.net/carolinachamber/2017-state-of-the-community-report <br />12 “Surgical Technology.” Durham Tech. https://www.durhamtech.edu/health/surgicaltechnology.htm <br />13 “Radiologic and MRI Technologists.” BLS Occupational Outlook H andbook. <br />https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm [2] “Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and <br />Cardiovascular Technicians.” BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. <br />https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm <br />14 “Employment Projections by Occupation.” North Carolina Departm ent of Commerce. <br />http://nccareers.org/employmentprojections/occupation_employmen t_projections.html# <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Hillsboro Hospital is one of the p <br />largest local employers. In health gpy <br />technology, the two areas of gy, <br />highest demand will be surgical gg <br />technology and imaging gy g g <br />technology. Durham Tech gy <br />currently offers surgical yg <br />technology, but no stand-alone gy, <br />imaging technology program. <br />Durham Tech could meet <br />employer needs by expanding py y p g <br />its surgical technology program g gy p g <br />to Orange County, and by gy,y <br />creating a program focused on creating a program focused on <br />medical imaging technologies. <br />Health <br />Technology in gy <br />Orange County