By Bryona Colyar / The Jambar
Youngstown State University welcomed another program to its degree offerings as a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for its new radiologic technology program.
The unveiling of the program Aug. 19 at the Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte College of Health and Human Service included a tour of its new state-of-the-art lab for those in attendance.
Starting this fall, students accepted into the program will dedicate 22 months to lab studies in preparation to take the national certification exam provided by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
The exam is required in the U.S. to practice as a radiologic technologist. With this certification, students will also earn an Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology from YSU.
In the state of Ohio, there are currently 29 institutions that offer radiology programs.
Dean of Bitonte College Sara Michaliszyn said the benefits of the training are impactful to students’ future jobs.
“[Radiology] is a really great paying job. It provides a lot of job satisfaction, in terms of the hours, in terms of the patients and relationships — as evidenced by how many individuals are interested in trying to get in it — 150 [entrants] for 20 spots,” Michaliszyn said.
Lisa Galich, program director, said students will learn what it takes to serve the community through clinical intensive studies.
“In the area, there’s a shortage of X-ray techs. There’s a lot of job openings, so we’d like to fulfill that. I want to produce technologists that I would be happy to work beside and who I want to take care of myself or my family,” Galich said.
The course will teach students to screen, prevent and treat diagnoses better serving the community.
“We teach pathology within this course and all the positioning that they need for their clinical sites. They go out hands-on in the clinical sites, so they have to know ahead of time how to position the patient for what we’re working on,” Galich said.
Michaliszyn and Galich both hope that after the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College and its radiology program, the program will maintain and produce a greater healthcare presence in the community.
