Radiologic technicians and technologists received a boost this week with a new lab opening its doors for Howard Community College students.
There?s projected to be about 2,035 jobs openings through 2014 in radiologic technology, which includes those who are radiologic technicians, radiographers, sonographers and nuclear medicine technicians, according to the state Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation.
The lab received funds and equipment from local government, with federal funds secured through Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-District 7. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Howard County General Hospital and Kernan Hospital made contributions to the lab, HCC officials said.
“Imaging is becoming a more and more important part of the diagnostic process in that physicians rely more on imaging because the quality is getting better,” said John Dunn, administrator for diagnostic imaging at Howard County General Hospital?s radiology department.
The general aging of thepopulation boosted the need for those in the field, he said.
Radiologic technology is a medical specialty that uses radiation to produce images of human tissues, organs, bones, and vessels, allowing physicians to examine almost any part of the body.
In the last four years, the hospital?s radiology department has seen a 27 percent increase in patient volume.
“Our role was to advise the college about our needs,” he said.
The hospital will now serve as a clinical education site for the students, a place for them to gain hands-on practical experience to accompany their classroom training at HCC, Dunn said.
Four HCC students will start off their training here, he said.
HCC?s Radiologic Technology associate of applied science degree program began this summer.
The college was in need of a new lab since students studying the radiologic technology program needed to transfer to Anne Arundel Community College to finishing training.
To aid in the process, the hospital provided the college some minor supplies and equipment like X-ray film cassettes used to digitize the pictures to store on computers, Dunn said.
