Rad Tech News: Funding the Future
By Josh Hildebrand
Radiology Today
Vol. 25 No. 7 P. 6
UNC at Chapel Hill offers a one-of-a-kind, tuition-free radiologic technologist program.
An excellent education establishes a solid foundation upon which a career in radiology can be built. With the job market being as competitive as it is and the demand for radiologic technologists peaking, such sentiment is as accurate as ever. The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill understands this and offers its School of Molecular Imaging program tuition-free compared with 68 related programs in the United States.
“The program is completely funded by the UNC Hospitals’ imaging services department,” says Wes Kaczmarek, BA, RT(R)(N)(CT), the assistant program director of the School of Molecular Imaging at UNC Chapel Hill. “There are several other nontuition costs that the students must bear, such as uniforms, books, medical insurance, and their own housing, but we [do not] financially burden our students with tuition.”
Kaczmarek is heavily involved with the teaching aspects of the program, evaluating, instructing, and counseling the students and staff. He says that without the need to charge students tuition, the program runs smoothly, avoiding administrative costs such as financial aid and housing, which influence the cost of many private and public four-year colleges and universities.
A Foot in the Door
Applicants must meet several requirements to be considered for the program. For starters, they must have a degree, whether that be an associate’s, which must be in a health care-related field such as imaging sciences or physical therapy, or a bachelor’s, which must be in a natural or physical science. If in the United States, the institution from which applicants receive their degree must also be accredited by “one of the major accrediting bodies approved by the US Department of Education,” which is stated on the UNC Medical Center website.
Several academic prerequisites must also be met. Applicants need to have taken the following college classes and received at least a “C” grade to be considered:
• chemistry with laboratory;
• human anatomy and physiology with laboratory (1 and 2);
• college algebra;
• general physics;
• medical terminology; and
• written communication.
The School of Molecular Imaging program is only accredited for seven students per year. Much like standard colleges and universities, there is an application deadline. For classes beginning in the fall, the deadline is March 1st. Applicants who meet all requirements are brought in for an in-person interview. The interview, their prior academic experience, and the recommendation of three personal references are key consideration factors.
“Because we are only accredited for seven students per year, acceptance into the program can be competitive,” Kaczmarek says. “Therefore, when we have a large number of applicants for a specific year, we can only take the best seven.”
Maintaining these requirements ensures that students accepted into the program are fully prepared to tackle its curriculum.
Curriculum Overview
The School of Molecular Imaging is a 35-hours-per-week, oneyear program combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, creating well-rounded and versatile nuclear medicine technologists. During that time, students cover numerous topics. Courses include the following:
• radiation physics and instrumentation;
• radiopharmacy and radiopharmaceuticals;
• nuclear medicine imaging procedures;
• anatomy and physiology;
• patient care and management;
• radiation safety and protection;
• quality control and assurance; and
• ethics and legal issues.
Most courses have a hands-on component, whether that be working with the radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine imaging, following imaging procedures and using imaging equipment, or running quality control tests. Kaczmarek, who is responsible for the day-to-day clinical operations of students, says that the emphasis on clinical training provides students with a realistic look into the field before they enter it.
“Students gain practical experience working with patients under the supervision of experienced technologists and health care professionals,” he says. “With the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience, students can perform nuclear medicine procedures and contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions safely and effectively.”
Post Graduation
Upon completion of the program, graduates have several certification options available to them. Considering that the School of Molecular Imaging is a nuclear medicine program, graduates can take the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) exam or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification exam. While certification requirements vary from state to state, many require technologists be certified in order to practice, according to Kaczmarek.
These aren’t the only options available. Specializations within the program exist, along with the option to take their accompanying certification exams. Graduates can receive additional certifications in PET/CT and nuclear cardiology once they have completed their initial NMTCB exam. Further, UNC Chapel Hill currently offers graduates the opportunity to complete internships in CT and/or MRI, providing further certifications upon completion.
Certified graduates have a plethora of options when it comes to choosing a career path. Kaczmarek says many go on to be physician assistants, health care information application specialists, and nuclear medicine technologists. The program has graduated over 200 technologists in its 50-plus years of running and has opened many doors for graduates entering the health care field.
“Many graduates go on to have successful careers in nuclear medicine,” he says. “These positions exist in many settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and research facilities. Some of our alumni have moved on to very high leadership positions in hospitals and academic hospitals across the country, including UNC, Duke, and Cedars Sinai.”
Because UNC is only accredited for seven students each year, Kaczmarek encourages students to explore any accredited program they feel might be right for them but emphasizes UNC’s reputation and commitment to excellence, the clinical experience opportunities provided to students, as well as affordability and graduate outcomes.
“Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we may serve,” Kaczmarek says. “We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research, and enhance the diagnosis and treatment of our patients.”
*Kaczmarek would like to acknowledge the commitment of the imaging services director, Todd Smiley, to the program. “Todd has provided insightful leadership for many years to the program and the imaging sciences,” he says.
— Josh Hildebrand is the assistant editor of Radiology Today.
