Highlights

Radiologic Technology - Highlights

Best Radiologic Technologist Training Program

WINNER: EINSTEIN HEALTHCARE NETWORK, PHILADELPHIA, PA

This year's winner of the Best Radiologic Technologist Training Program, Einstein Healthcare Network, was faced with a difficult decision when the economy went south back in 2008. The job market for radiologic technologists in the Philadelphia area had contracted dramatically, but RT training programs continued to pump out graduates, making it extremely difficult for newly minted technologists to find jobs. So Albert Einstein, which had been training RTs for more than 60 years, put its program on hiatus rather than continue to send graduates into the workforce without good job prospects, according to Linda DeRenzis, director of the radiologic technology program. It was a particularly tough decision for DeRenzis, who herself had gone through the program in 2000 before becoming director in 2009. "It was emotionally hard for me," DeRenzis said. "It was a home for me, and to see things potentially come to a close was very upsetting." Fast forward two years: The technologist job market in Philadelphia began rebounding, so Albert Einstein reopened the program in 2013. In May, the program graduated its first class since restarting, and DeRenzis reports that so far its graduates have a 100% job placement rate. She believes that the decision to put things on hiatus probably was a major factor in helping the Philadelphia market for technologists return to equilibrium. "Instead of worrying about making money for the program, we were worried about what would happen for our graduates," DeRenzis said. Albert Einstein graduated 16 technologists in its most recent class. Thanks to a partnership with Philadelphia University, graduates have an Associate of Sciences degree when they complete the program. DeRenzis advises technologists entering the workforce to be flexible, given the still-turbulent job market. Full-time positions can still be hard to find, but there are a number of part-time and per diem positions that can evolve into permanent jobs, especially as members of the baby boom generation retire. And always remember to be assertive. "Be an advocate for yourself," she advises. Runner-up: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Click here to view the Minnies Award article

The percentage of graduates successful in the American Registry of Radiologic Technology was:

PROGRAM'S SUCCESSFUL PREPARATION FOR ARRT EXAMINATION 

Class of 2015 - 100%
Class of 2016 - 100%
Class of 2017 - 100%
Class of 2018 - 100%
Class of 2019 - 100%
5 Yr. average -  100%

PROGRAM’S AFFILIATION WITH JEFFERSON Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University 

Albert Einstein Medical Center’s School of Radiologic Technology has developed an affiliation agreement with Jefferson Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University to offer academic courses that will enable students to pursue an Associate of Science Degree in Health and Human Sciences: Radiologic Technology.

PhilaSRT Student Day Competition

Congratulations to senior students LeighAnn Sulzbach and Sarah Sliwinski for winning Third Place in the annual Philadelphia Society of Radiologic Technologists’ 2012 Student Day TechnoBowl competition. LeighAnn and Sarah competed in three rounds of radiography related questions and competed against other local programs to win this accomplishment.

Einstein Represented at the 2017 ASRT Educational Symposium and Annual Governance and House of Delegates Meeting

Congratulations to the Program’s senior student, Carlee Wilson on being selected, as one of six Radiology students nationwide, to serve as a Student Intern for the 2017 ASRT Educational Symposium and Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting in Orlando, FL in June 2017.

Carlee had the opportunity to take part in all events and learn more about the governance structure within the ASRT association. This was a great learning experience for her as well as an opportunity for Carlee to represent AEMC's School of Radiologic Technology. Carlee was selected based on recommendations, her dedication and academic excellence.