Unique Biomedical Careers Program Offers Opportunity for Local Students

PHILADELPHIA, July 14, 2003 - A difficult job market isn't stopping 10 community college graduates from pursuing challenging careers. The ten will receive certificates on Tuesday, July 22 for their completion of the Biomedical Technician Training Program, a collaborative effort between Community College of Philadelphia and the Wistar Institute. The program is the first of its kind, and it prepares community college students for research careers in Philadelphia-area biomedical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology institutions and companies.

The innovative two-year program offers students a structured path leading into the skilled technical support positions that laboratories in the fast-growing biomedical sector of the economy rely upon. Traditionally, biomedical technician positions have been held by bachelor's degree students. The need for these skilled technicians is growing at hospitals, pharmaeutical companies, and academic or non-profit research facilities.

The Biomedical Technician Training Program offers associate's degree students a structured path toward research technician careers through core coursework at Community College of Philadelphia and supervised, hands-on laboratory experience. The Wistar Institute, Cephalon, Inc., and the Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology at Temple University serve as training sites for the students.

Program graduate Benjamin Legum is currently involved in an internship with Cephalon, Inc. Legum, an adult student who began college after a career in the Navy, has been accepted into Drexel University's biomedical engineering program and plans to continue part-time work with Cephalon.

Julia Conicello juggled her family, a part-time job as a nursing assistant, and schoolwork to complete the program. Her love of biology kept her going. She wants to eventually pursue her doctorate and continue in the field of medical research.

In the Philadelphia region, starting salaries for biomedical technicians range from $24 - 34,000 per year. "Now I can work as a technician while I pursue my bachelor degree, and gain experience in the research field," Conicello said.

The Biomedical Technician Training program is supported by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Cephalon Inc., the Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation, The Hassel Foundation, the National Cancer Institute CURE program, the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation, and the William Penn Foundation.