A Digital Education

Northwestern College’s RT program uses all-digital equipment

Northwestern College, with three campus locations in the Chicago area, recently unveiled a new $1.25 million radiography lab to support its new Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. The college is the only private, two-year school in Illinois to employ the use of all-digital equipment in its lab.

State-of-the-Art Radiography Lab

Creating an all-digital lab allows the students access to the most cutting-edge technology that exists in the field today. The college’s radiologic equipment includes floor- and ceiling-mounted tubes, a mobile imaging unit, and an archiving system. Radiographic images produced in their energized lab are sent directly to their PACS for retrieval in the classroom.

In the lab, students practice imaging using phantom body parts that simulate human tissue. The lab includes a full-body phantom, as well as commonly X-rayed body parts, such as a skull, knee, and foot. The college intends to procure a full-body trauma phantom so that students can simulate trauma radiography.

The college’s investment in the lab is also an investment in its students.They’ll now be able to walk into any clinical setting and feel confident about their ability to succeed in the workplace.

The transition of classroom and laboratory learning to clinical application must be timely and well coordinated. Northwestern College radiography students begin clinical rotations during the program’s first quarter only after they have completed an intensive preparation for and orientation to the clinical setting.

Along with clinical rotations, both faculty and students rank patient positioning as one of their favorite classes. “When they’re actually learning how to perform tasks that will be within the scope of their future career, it’s most exciting for them,” says Gary Gruenewald, MS, RT(R), associate professor-clinical coordinator.

“It’s great to see the ‘lightbulbs’ turn on when a student realizes how the human body actually works,” he adds.

Outside of perfecting the technical aspects, all three instructors believe that compassion for patients is one of the most important parts of a radiographer’s job. The ability to calm fears or work with difficult individuals requires an individual who may need to make personal sacrifices in order to deliver excellent patient care.

Iwona Wilczek, a 21-year-old radiography student, had long desired a career in the medical field. She chose Northwestern College due to a friend’s recommendation. She’s impressed by the faculty’s thoroughness. “They make sure we understand the material and are fully prepared for our clinicals,” she says.

Upon graduating from Northwestern College, Wilczek intends to take an additional year of coursework in order to become a radiation therapist. Her advice to prospective students is simple: “Find a program you like, commit yourself to it, and work hard to get good grades.”

Positive Job Outlook

Like other college students, today’s radiography students are concerned with their future jobs prospects. Their first job interview begins on the day of their clinical practicum and continues for the duration of the program. This is good news, because often diagnostic imaging departments will gladly extend an offer to students they deem clinically competent, professional, responsible, and compassionate.

Upon graduation, students are educationally qualified to sit for the national certification exam in radiography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, a requirement for those who intend to work in Illinois.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 states that job growth for radiographers is expected to be “faster than average” through 2016. While hospitals will continue to be the main source of employment, those entering the field should expect to find an increase in available positions through outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, and diagnostic imaging centers. According to the most recently reported data from May 2006, the median salary for radiographers is $48,170.

– Philis George, MS, RT(R)(M), is the director of radiography at Northwestern College in Chicago. Direct questions or comments to editorial@rt-image.com.