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IU Kokomo anticipates first Associate of Science in Radiography graduates
January 24, 2005 | |||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—In May, 11 students anticipate receiving the first Associate of Science in Radiography degrees conferred through Indiana University Kokomo. During two years of classes, labs, and real-life clinical experiences, the students have learned and practiced the skills of a radiographer, a certified medical imaging technologist, who uses X rays to create images that physicians interpret to diagnose disease and pathologies. IU Kokomo's Director of Radiologic Sciences John Hughey, MSM, RT, (R), said about half of the soon-to-be graduates have been offered jobs in medical imaging, pending graduation and passing the national certification exam of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. A 20-plus-year veteran of educating medical imaging professionals in north central Indiana, Hughey acknowledged that it's not always easy for students to "translate and apply" textbook and classroom instructions in order to meet a patient's immediate needs. "But, our students approaching graduation have worked very diligently at being competent professionals," he added. "They have demonstrated remarkable progress in learning about the field of radiology and diagnostic radiography, in particular." Second-year students of the associate degree program gain clinical experience in all imaging modalities, including MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography), nuclear medicine, and interventional studies such as heart catheterizations (coronary angiography). With the recent addition of Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester, IU Kokomo's radiography program has eight clinical sites—five hospitals and three out patient imaging facilities—where students get supervised hands-on instruction working with actual patients. "From these experiences, students learn to handle a diverse sampling of patients, examinations and equipment," Hughey said. Cindy Hutchison instructs clinicals for first-year IU Kokomo radiography students at American Health Network, Kokomo Family Care. Along with pointing out the job requirements and duties of a radiologic technologist, Hutchison likes to emphasize "the most important part of radiology—giving excellent care to your patient." Students' first experiences in dealing with patients and coworkers in a foreign setting "can be a little unsettling at first," she said. "They're learning how to converse with and question patients appropriately about their medical history. They're learning to be an ethical and efficient team player in a fast-paced health care environment. Our job is to ease them into this area and make them comfortable and excited about the field of radiography." The field of radiology has grown and changed dramatically in the past 10 years, Hutchison said. "We are in great need for well-trained, intelligent men and women in this field. I believe that IU Kokomo is giving its students an excellent all-around education with a good emphasis on the academic side of their training. This region is extremely fortunate to have this new program." As an ever-expanding science, medical imaging "requires a solid educational foundation, as well as continued education after graduation to maintain excellence in the field," said Katrina Moore, clinical instructor at Tipton Memorial Hospital. "I am a very strong advocate for the importance of classroom education in preparing students for future success in this field. On-the-job clinical experience is an important tool to support and reinforce concepts and classroom lessons." Moore said she has been pleased with the hard work and overall knowledge demonstrated by IU Kokomo radiography students. "And, I think that employers will be pleased with the quality of these future technologists." Hughey praised the clinical sites for their support of IU Kokomo's program and its students. "We thank all of them for allowing our students to gain clinical competencies at their facilities," he said. "Students have told me that working with patients and professionals in clinical situations gives them a greater appreciation of why the field can offer so many opportunities for careers and providing quality care to people. "It's stimulated them to think about a career path that IU Kokomo's future Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology degree program could help them achieve," he added. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education gave the go-ahead for the bachelor's degree program in September. Classes are expected to start in fall 2005, pending funding approval.
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