Clemson Univ/Arthrex Train Future Med Device Employees

Arthrex, Inc. has created a new solution for the increasing demand for specialized employees in the medical technology field. Arthrex and Clemson University have come together to offer both a Sales Innovation Certificate Program and an Orthopedic Medical Device Product Specialist certificate program.

The programs are designed to introduce students to professional medical device technology consulting. Arthrex worked with the External Affairs’ Office of Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives (OCPSI) to create the programs.

OCPSI aims to engage corporate sponsors in creating programs that are customized to benefit college students, researchers and the business industry. “Through the strategic partnership with Arthrex, we have worked together to develop one-of-a-kind workforce development programs to support an integral partner need,” Clemson vice president of External Affairs Angie Leidinger said. “The success of the pilot programs has showcased the talent of our faculty and students, and we’re excited about the opportunity to continue engaging with Arthrex in mutually beneficial ways that will strengthen educational outcomes while providing them with top-tier talent.”

The partnership between Clemson and Arthrex is not new. Back in 2017, Arthrex announced a new $69 million Sandy Springs, South Carolina, facility along with 1,000 new job opportunities and approached the university to create a partnership. In 2019, a pilot program along with a series of $5,000 scholarships was announced.

The resulting co-creation was an educational pilot program designed to meet both the career needs of students and the workforce needs of the rapidly-growing medical device industry. Additionally, Arthrex works with Clemson on research programs like NanoScope^TM Surgical Imaging System Reprocessing Assessment, assisted by Bioengineering Associate Professor Melinda Harman. Students are supported in procuring internship opportunities in the med tech field.

A spokesperson from Clemson University told OTW about some of the real-life challenges that its students participate in, “We create role plays to simulate interactions with various stakeholders in a healthcare marketplace. For example, students first spend time understanding the competitive strengths of an actual medical device currently offered in the marketplace (e.g., ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] reconstruction or repair device). They are then tasked with planning and executing a meeting(s) with a role-play to a surgeon/physician assistant/administrator to understand how their device could provide value to each party. These challenging exercises allow students to experience the importance of professionalism, product expertise, building trust, conversation planning and adaptability as they participate in these role plays.”

Students, like TJ Biondolillo, a senior majoring in biological sciences, are giving positive feedback. Biondolillo said, “I wouldn’t be in the position that I am in without Arthrex’s involvement in the Sales Innovation Program and the Orthopedic Medical Device Product Specialist Certificate Program. Being able to talk about my experiences in both SIP and the orthopedic device program gave me a huge leg up during the job interview process. I owe so much and am so grateful to Arthrex and Clemson for putting me in the best position to begin my career in the medical device industry.”

In Spring 2021, 83 students completed the Sales Innovation Certificate Program (SIP) and 11 students completed the Orthopedic Medical Device Product Specialist Program. In the past two years, over 10 students in the Sales Innovation Program have become Arthrex employees.