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Yuba Adds 25 Students to Clinic Centered Program in Radiologic Tech |
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Yuba College has had an RT program for over 35 years and has accepted 25 students each fall into the existing two-year program. However, this has not been enough to meet the growing need. After many meetings, the decision was made to increase the number of entry students at Yuba to 50 students every fall semester. This decision was based on many reasons, but the foremost was to expedite the graduation of students. For a new program to open, it was estimated that it would be 4-5 years before the first class would graduate. The decision to expand the Yuba College program would serve to meet the growing demand, and at the same time, provide the most expedient way to graduate qualified technologists as soon as possible. While the shortage of nurses has been well documented, the shortage of licensed radiologic technologist is not often discussed. Sacramento has three large medical organizations: Sutter Medical System, Mercy Medical System and UCD Medical Center. It became apparent to the managers of these organizations that in order to keep up with the demand for qualified technologists, an increase in new graduates was necessary. The president/superintendents from the Los Rios, Sierra and Yuba College districts were approached for a solution.
In order to add an additional class, but at the same time maintain JCERT accreditation status, the program looked to a creative method of utilizing distance education to deliver the material. Each of the three above-mentioned medical groups have combined to provide Yuba with a classroom in the Sacramento area, the necessary point-to-point video equipment, a new full-time instructor and additional clinical sites for the increased number of students. The first group of 12 students will graduate in May 2004. For the last 4 years the Yuba RT program has had a 100% pass rate on the American Association of Radiologic Technologist Board Exams and the average score has been above the national average. With this in mind, the program was concerned about the problems that might occur with the new delivery mode. A concerted effort has been made to ensure consistent curriculum delivery and to provide for individual student help necessary to maintain the integrity of the program.
For more information contact: Angela Willson, Program Director, Yuba Community College District. Phone: 530-741-6960; email: awillson@yccd.edu or: www.ms.yuba.cc.ca.us
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