Work progresses on JCCC’s new Olathe Healthcare Education Center (OHEC), now under construction near Olathe Medical Center.

In December 2008, JCCC and the medical center signed a letter of intent for the development of a health education center on the OMC campus. The medical center donated to JCCC almost six acres of land on which to build such a facility. Construction began in spring 2010, and the center will open for classes in fall 2011.

When the building opens, these programs will be offered at OHEC:

• Practical nursing
• Certified nurse assistant/ CNA refresher
• Certified medication aide/CMA update
• Rehabilitation aide
• Home health aide
• IV therapy for LPN
• Dietary manager
• Medical office
• Medical coding
• Medical transcription
• Phlebotomy
• ECG technician
• Pharmacy technician

First responder, anatomy, physiology and general education courses will also be offered at the OHEC. A medical laboratory technician program may be offered after the building opens.

The first floor of the $15-million OHEC will contain a lobby/reception area and a 300-seat multipurpose conference room that can be divided into four areas for smaller meetings or classes. Also on the first floor are a medical computer lab and a general-use computer lab; one classroom for other medical offerings; three classrooms for general education, anatomy and physiology classes; a medical office technology suite with two classrooms and a record office room for medical coding and transcription; common spaces, including a coffee bar and food cart; and offices for faculty and staff, including security, counseling and student services.

The second floor is designed primarily for practical nursing, health occupations (certified nurse assistant, certified medication aide, rehabilitation aide, home health aide and IV therapy for LPNs) and dietary manager programs. Included are four health occupations classrooms with three patient care beds each; two skills labs with eight beds each (one of the two will accommodate four patient simulators), a practical nurse/health occupations student success center, two classrooms for practical nursing and other medical classes, common spaces for study and rest breaks, and offices for faculty and staff.

Students will have clinical education opportunities at Olathe Medical Center as well as the opportunity for professional relationships with OMC health care practitioners.

HMN Architects collaborated with JCCC’s academic administrators to ensure the center meets the specific needs of health care programming. The building will meet LEED silver certification in recognition of environmentally responsible building practices.

“We are grateful to Olathe Medical Center for the opportunity to build a health care teaching campus,” said Dr. Terry Calaway, JCCC president. “The medical center is a renowned medical facility, and we are proud to be partners with them.”