Meridian Community College.
(MCC) IN MERIDIAN, Mississippi, has built a tradition of quality academic and career programs and has in turn received support from its community that includes the funding of the Tuition Guarantee by local businesses. Another indication that the school is an important part of the community is that the record 4,299 students who registered last year included many second- and third-generation students.The radiologic technology program at MCC was established in 1977, and its current program coordinator, Shazowee Edgerton, is a graduate of the program. Edgerton went on to obtain her bachelor's degree and spent 20 years working in the field before returning to MCC to teach, which had been a long-time dream of hers.
Edgerton describes the MCC radiologic technology program as "a very challenging program." It includes general education and clinical training designed to prepare students for entry-level radiography careers.
Consisting of six consecutive semesters of training, the program is nationally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates are awarded an associate of applied science degree in radiologic technology and are eligible to apply for admission to the certifying exam of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
The MCC radiologic technology program includes courses such as anatomy and physiology, intermediate algebra, English composition, fundamentals of radiography, principles of radiation protection, radiographic procedures, physics of imaging equipment and patient care in radiography.
In addition to their classroom work, the students receive invaluable experience by rotating through nine different clinical sites, because the two-year program includes 1,400 clinic hours on top of the academic preparation. Not only are the students exposed to different modalities such as computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear medicine, but, by working in different sites, they are exposed to different ways of doing things.
"They learn that there is more than one way a department is run and more than one way to do things," says Edgerton. "Even though we teach by the book, real life is not always by the book."
While this can be challenging for the students, Edgerton believes it will make them well rounded and more versatile employees.
"We're not easy on them," she says, "but if they can make it through this program, they will be very prepared and very employable 2
Successful completion of the MCC radiologic technology program virtually ensures employment for students. According to Edgerton, approximately 95 percent of the graduates go directly to work in the field. The rest of the students go on to four-year institutions and, after completing their studies, often go into fields such as nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.
"Most of our students get jobs at local hospitals while they are still in school," notes Edgerton, "so they are pretty much guaranteed a job when they get out of school."
Edgerton believes strongly in the benefits offered by the field and by the program she teaches. Not only does the community get the skilled employees it needs, but for her students, she says, "The potential is unlimited."
As MCC tells prospective students in the community, the school offers them the opportunity to, "Stay close and go far."
For more information about Meridian Community College, visit www. meridiancc.edu.
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| Publication: | Techniques |
|---|---|
| Geographic Code: | 1U6MS |
| Date: | Sep 1, 2006 |
| Words: | 532 |
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