PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CAN
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH CARE
Radiological Sciences and
Biomedical Engineering Technology Open House
9:00 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, Conference Center
Adult Open House
6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, Conference Center
Registration: 724-334-LION or 888-968-PAWS
Prospective students can explore opportunities in the field of radiology and biomedical technology at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, during Penn State New Kensington's open house in the campus Conference Center.
Sponsored by the campus' Radiological Sciences and Biomedical Engineering Technology departments, the joint open house is geared to high school seniors and juniors and adult learners, as well as parents and spouses. Participants can review information about the programs, meet with faculty and staff, learn about financial aid, and find out what the New Kensington campus has to offer. Faculty and staff will provide information on various aspects of the two health disciplines.
"The open house offers prospective students a valuable tool for making an intelligent career choice," said Debra Majetic, program coordinator at the campus. "The students have the opportunity to speak with program faculty and current students, followed by a tour of the departments."
As a part of the health-care team, radiographers provide patient care using safe radiation practices, operate sophisticated technical equipment and make independent judgments and decisions daily. Radiological services are offered in a variety of settings such as hospitals, health-care facilities, physicians' offices, research centers and equipment sales offices. Careers in radiography offer flexible work schedules that accommodate various lifestyles and employment needs.
The radiological sciences program at Penn State New Kensington offers students an associate degree, and graduates are eligible for examination with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The 72-credit, academic- and clinical-based curriculum begins in the fall of each year and requires 24 consecutive months of study, including summer sessions.
Biomedical personnel are responsible for servicing medical equipment in health care facilities. Under the direction of Myron Hartman, program coordinator, the BET program is known for producing well-qualified and knowledgeable technicians. Healthcare providers, including hospitals and clinics, rely on biomedical engineering technicians to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair medical equipment. Technicians' tasks include inspections and calibration. New Kensington's associate degree program is one of only three in the nation to be accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The program's facilities include a fully-equipped student Intensive Care Unit (ICU) laboratory that is one of only two in the country. Hartman was recently named one of the top sixty biomedical professionals in the country.
Scholarships are available to students in both programs. Blue and White scholarships are available to all first-year students. The program offers $2,000 scholarships to incoming freshmen who score a combined total 1500 on all three portions of the SAT (critical reading, math, and writing). Other scholarships are available to upperclassmen.
Penn State New Kensington offers additional $2,000 in scholarship funds to Pittsburgh Promise scholarship recipients. Through the "Promise" program, Pittsburgh public school's 2012 graduates qualify for scholarships up to $5,000 a year for four years at any college or university in Pennsylvania. Those choosing to attend the New Kensington campus will receive a total of $7,000 in scholarships.
In addition, scholarships are available to minority students in the Radiological Sciences program. The Mittie B. Hightower Memorial Scholarship was created in 2001 by Hightower Scholars Inc. to support minority students majoring in nursing or science. Headquartered in Lower Burrell, the family-run nonprofit organization assists students with their preparation for a postsecondary education at a four-year college or university. Sophomore Lydia Johnson is one of the current recipients of the Hightower scholarship.
Second-year biomedical students are eligible for the TechNation Scholarship that was established this year by Hartman and MD publishing, an online source for dealers and manufacturers of medical and surgical equipment. Sophomores Douglas Skrabiski and Garry Weber earned the awards this year.
Following the joint open house is a special admissions event catering to adult learners. The semiannual "Adult Open House" is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in the Conference Center. The program will provide prospective adult students with information on campus admissions, certificate, associate, and baccalaureate degrees, and tips on how to finance your education.
To register for any of the open house events, call 724-334-LION or 888-968-PAWS or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Admissions/default.htm online.
To request more admissions information, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Admissions/reqinfo.htm online.
For more information about the radiology sciences program at Penn State New Kensington, contact Majetic at 724-334-6738 or dak25@psu.edu via e-mail or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/Degrees/radsci.htm?cn21 online.
For more information about the biomedical engineering technology program at the campus, contact Hartman at 724-334-6712 or mdh15@psu.edu via e-mail or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/Degrees/bet.html online.