In August 2027, Butler County Community College will establish a radiologic technology career program using contributed imaging equipment. The program will augment the hospital-like Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on the college’s main campus in Butler Township.

Butler Memorial Hospital’s donation of decommissioned devices will enable the college to create a simulated X-ray laboratory within its state-of-the-art facility that, since its opening 2½ years ago, has trained students in simulated patient and simulated intensive care unit rooms.

“Their generosity of donating the equipment speaks volumes and is reflective of a true partnership,” said Megan M. Coval, BC3 president. “There is a strong mutual trust between our organizations and we value BMH’s collaboration and insight as we prepare students for careers in health care. Investing in our students is an investment in the future of their workforce and in the well-being of our entire community.”

“It is really critical to prepare students for the real-world environment that they’ll be soon practicing in,” Matthew Schnur, president of Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals, said. “Whatever steps we can take to collaborate with our friends at BC3, including donating equipment, furthers us along that path so students are that much more prepared when it’s time for them to graduate and step into practice.”

Private donors have also contributed $100,000 toward construction of a Radiologic Technology Education Center that will house the simulated X-ray laboratory, said Mikayla Moretti, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations.

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging examinations on patients, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The need for radiologic technologists is expected to grow by 5% through 2034, a rate the bureau describes as being faster than average. The bureau projects about 15,400 openings each year over the next eight.

“The launching of this program reflects our commitment to preparing students for essential health care roles while strengthening the talent pipeline for our regional health care partners,” said Dr. Belinda Richardson, BC3’s provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists in July reported that 15.6% of available positions were unfilled.

“Rad techs,” said Julia Carney, dean of BC3’s Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, “are a huge need in the health care industry.”

Vacancy rates for radiologic technologists across all imaging formats in the United States “are at or near historic highs,” said Jeffery Mechling, director of imaging services for Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals.

“This is driven by an aging workforce, an insufficient number of new graduates to replace those leaving and an aging patient population that continues to increase the demand for diagnostic services,” Mechling said.

In addition to being a high-priority occupation in Pennsylvania, radiologic technologist or technician is among the Top 10 highest-paying jobs that require only an associate degree, according to U.S. News & World Report in July.

The median annual pay for the occupation in 2024 was $78,980, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Most of the graduates can come out starting at $60,000 a year or more,” Carney said. “You can get your degree and have your career within two years.”

Schlott worked 18 years as a computer tomography technologist and is an assistant professor in the Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health. He will serve as director of a BC3 radiologic technology program.

The 69-credit curriculum will include courses such as radiographic technology with clinical I through V, radiographic physics and imaging and clinical experiences in general radiography, fluoroscopy, trauma, surgery and other imaging procedures.

Students will undergo 1,200 hours of clinical training with Butler Memorial Hospital and other health care providers, Schlott said.

Radiologic technology will join registered nursing, practical nursing, physical therapist assistant and massage therapy as a selective-admissions career program within the Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Students will attend BC3’s program in consecutive fall and spring semesters, a summer session, and a second set of fall and spring semesters, Aaron Schlott said.

Prospective students can apply between Aug. 1 and Dec. 1 for an August 2027 start. BC3 will select about 15 students for its first class, Schlott said.

“We may even have a waiting list for when the second class opens up in 2028,” Schlott said.

The program will prepare graduates to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national certification examination in radiography to begin practice.

The simulated X-ray laboratory will be constructed for $100,000 and occupy one-third of what will be a 1,200-square-foot Radiologic Technology Education Center, said Brian Opitz, the college’s executive director of operations.

Construction is expected to begin in early March, Opitz said, adding that the college will relocate a massage therapy laboratory to accommodate the simulated X-ray laboratory.