By Alex Sorrells / The Jambar
The Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Services will be adding a 22-week associate program in radiologic technology beginning fall 2025. The deadline to apply is March 31.
Following the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College, Youngstown State University implemented over 50 new programs to allow students to further their education.
Lisa Galich, radiologic technology program director, said the layout is similar to what was seen at EGCC, with changes mainly to the curriculum.
“We have brought over the template of the program, but I have revamped the curriculum to kind of bring it up to standards a little bit more,” Galich said.
To apply for the program, YSU students must be in good academic standing, and high school students must have graduated with at least a 3.0 GPA. All applicants need to score at least 66% on the Assessment Technologies Institute Test of Essential Academic Skills and submit their scores by March 27.
“The hospitals are really excited for us to come on board and produce more techs that hopefully stay in X-ray,” Galich said. “You can also go on to CT, MRI, ultrasound and other modalities.”
Although there are many different medical-imaging career paths, X-ray technicians are in higher demand. Sara Michaliszyn, interim dean of BCHHS, said not only are techs needed nationwide, but especially in the Mahoning Valley.
“It’s [an] 18.1% deficit nationwide of [radiologic technicians], and that’s even grown 6% in the last three years,” Michaliszyn said. “When you look at indeed.com, at the employability here, just in Youngstown, there [were] over 50 jobs in imaging.”
When the program starts, students will participate in clinicals, allowing them to travel to medical sites to shadow and learn about the technologies first-hand.
“They come right in to start clinicals, right off the bat,” Michaliszyn said. “They get a lot of hands-on experience right from the beginning.”
Clinical sites in the area can only accept one student per X-ray faculty, whereas nursing faculty can accept larger groups. Nine students were brought over from EGCC to finish their education.
“The other challenge is getting some clinical sites, but we’re working on that, working on contracts as well,” Galich said. “Currently, I have 20 spots secured, and we’re working on 10 more, so we can accept a minimum of 30.”
The program can obtain up to two accreditations — one with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies, which allows students to become licensed, and another with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technologists, which is accepted by a wider range of employers. The program has already obtained ARRT accreditation.
“As the students move through the curriculum, and you apply for accreditation, then they’ll come and do a site visit, look at all the facilities, communicate directly with students,” Michaliszyn said. “The goal is that we get JRCERT accredited, which is the highest standard of accreditation.”
Michaliszyn said anyone interested in applying can contact Galich. The application is open to anyone enrolled at YSU. Accepted students will be required to attend a mandatory information session, which will be scheduled sometime this semester.