Surging demand prompts school to resurrect long-dormant radiologic technologist program
A Texas community college is restarting its radiologic technologist program after 13 years of inactivity. Classes are set to begin Monday.
Midland Health system and Midland College touted the school’s start date in an Aug. 21 announcement. Thirteen years ago, the West Texas institution decided to consolidate its rad tech offerings with the nearby Odessa College, about 20 miles west, amid declining enrollment and increasing costs to run the program.
However, Midland Health, which oversees the local county hospital, has seen growing demand for imaging services and the professionals needed to administer them. The organization currently has 20 full- and part-time positions open for rad techs, “highlighting the immediate demand.”
“The program’s revival underscores our commitment to bridging the gap between educational institutions and the ever-evolving needs of the medical field,” Kelly Wright, director of radiology at Midland Health, said in an announcement. “This initiative aligns with our mission of leading healthcare for greater Midland,” she added.
The first class of 2023 has 11 students, participating in classroom and lab sessions at the F. Marie Hall Outpatient Center in Midland, Texas (formerly the hospital’s West Campus). They’ll also fulfill clinical requirements at locations including the Midland Memorial Hospital, Diagnostic Imaging Associates and West Texas Orthopedics.
Midland College previously touted the relaunch of the program in June when it was still accepting applications. At the time, Wright said Midland Health has been forced to use contracted rad techs to staff several areas in the hospital.
She estimated earlier this year that starting full-time pay for the position was $26.72 per hour, with Midland Memorial Hospital also offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus and $500 stipend to pay for supplies.
Marty Stempniak has covered healthcare since 2012, with his byline appearing in the American Hospital Association's member magazine, Modern Healthcare and McKnight's. Prior to that, he wrote about village government and local business for his hometown newspaper in Oak Park, Illinois. He won a Peter Lisagor and Gold EXCEL awards in 2017 for his coverage of the opioid epidemic.