The Bakersfield College Radiologic Technology Program has proven to be popular with many students. With filled classes every year and an extensive waiting list, this program has something that attracts several to it: productivity.
On average, 85 percent to 90 percent of people who graduate from the BC radiology program begin working immediately, and 85 percent of all Radiology Technicians in Bakersfield are graduates of the BC Radiology program.
“The community is excellent in providing training and hiring for BC students,” said program director Nancy Perkins, who explained that BC students train at eight local health agencies, including Kern Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Mercy Southwest, San Joaquin Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and Kern Radiology Medical Group and other agencies. The program also offers training for students in Delano.
Perkins said her program is “excellent” and said that the 2006 students had a 100 percent pass rate.
In comparison to other radiology programs at various California community colleges, BC proves to be above the standard, consistently scoring above the state and national means. The program provides the Kern County community with highly skilled technicians who are knowledgeable and skilled in the radiology profession. But before they can perform their work, they have to first get accepted into the program, an acceptance that can take a minimum of two years and a great deal of prerequisites, which can prolong acceptance even longer.
“The program is also fairly small,” said Perkins, who explained why the waiting list takes a lengthy time. Program acceptance is limited to 20-25 people per year and involves the completion of two consecutive years to graduate.
In addition to submitting an application complete with transcripts, an applicant has to also have the prerequisites completed before the start of the program in June, which include various courses ranging from biology, math, medical science, and English.
In order to graduate from the program, these courses must be completed in addition to BC’s general education requirements. After all of the courses have been completed and a student passes the program, they earn their Associate in Science Degree in radiologic technology.