Southwest Florida College has added three health care field degree programs and two new information technology degree programs, which will begin on June 27.

Southwest Florida College President Dr. Stephen Calabro said they have a large industry advisory council that consists of more than 200 employers that they pay close attention to regarding new programs and improving existing programs.

“It is important that people understand that we don’t sit in an ivory tower and create new programs, we actively seek input and then design and develop programs that meet industry needs,” he said.

The new associate degree programs include a medical lab technician, health information management, network engineering and administration, an information technology and security systems bachelor’s degree program and a medical billing and coding technology diploma program.

Calabro said they added these new programs because it was clear to them that there is a need for trained, skilled individuals in these particular areas.

“We are a college that listens to employers,” Calabro said. “We teach what the industry wants.”

He said some of the new programs they will be offering for the first day of school on June 27 are truly cutting edge with new opportunities.

The medical lab technician program is for students who want to study how to collect, examine and analyze blood, urine, body fluids, cells and tissues of the human body. The associate’s degree program will include such classes as anatomy and physiology, clinical chemistry, medical terminology, microbiology, hematology, immunohematology and phlebotomy.

Prior to graduation from the program, students must pass the MLT National Certification exam from the American Medical Technologist Association and obtain a license before seeking employment.

The health information management program is for students who want to learn about health care and its privacy, confidentiality, electronic medical records, quality management, human resources, coding and billing.

The last associate’s degree program now being offered is network engineering and administration. This program will provide students with principals and terminology of network technology.

Information technology and security systems is the only new bachelor’s degree program that will be offered later this month.

This program will give students the skills to identify computer security vulnerabilities, along with developing a level of specialization in information security. Students will also learn how to design or troubleshoot an organization’s security systems procedures, standards, protocols and policies, along with ensuring operational security is in compliance with standards, policies and laws.

The diploma program, medical billing and coding technology, is for students who want to understand various classification codes associated with medical procedures and patient diagnosis and to record those codes on various health care insurance forms and systems to insure patient billing and insurance reimbursement.

Calabro said they offer competency based programs for students because it produces a job ready graduate.

Due to the competency programs, he said their graduates have demonstrated academic and practical abilities needed to be successful.

Southwest Florida College anticipates offering up to six new bachelor programs and four associate degree programs this year.

For information visit www.swfc.edu or call 239-939-4766.

Southwest Florida College has campuses in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte and Tampa. There are currently 1,200 students enrolled at the Fort Myers campus.