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New Medical Radiography Program at BCIT

May 30, 2008

BURNABY – Medical radiography professionals can now take advantage of a new associate certificate program increasing the number of certified medical radiographers in the province and addressing shortages in this important health field, Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell announced today.

“By 2010, the Province will have funded more than 30,000 additional seats in the public post-secondary system, and we continue to focus our efforts to address shortages in the area of health care, including medical radiography,” said Coell. “This new certificate program will make it easier for medical radiographers to qualify for certification and upgrade their skills.”

The Ministry of Advanced Education is providing $180,000 this year to train internationally educated professionals or professionals who are returning to the workforce. This refresher program will enable qualified medical radiographers to upgrade their skills and knowledge and to qualify to write the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists certification exam. BCIT developed the new medical radiography program with $76,000 from the Ministry of Health through the Health Canada Internationally Educated Health Professionals Program and $34,000 in funding from the Ministry of Economic Development.

“This new medical radiography program will assist students in preparing for the certification exam and ensure quality practice and health-care standards for B.C. patients,” said BCIT president Don Wright. “Medical radiography is an essential component in medical diagnosis and treatment.”

Medical radiographers play a key role in diagnosing a range of conditions from broken bones to potentially life-threatening brain abnormalities and are an integral part of health-care teams across the province.

“BCIT’s new associate certificate program will provide another opportunity for health professionals to re-enter the workforce or upgrade their skills, and that is great news for B.C.’s health care system,” said Health Minister George Abbott.

The program will be offered on a part-time basis and will provide theoretical, practical and clinical-based training opportunities. The program will have 25 spaces and evening courses will start in September. Students will be required to have program approval before registering.

BCIT is the only institution in the province to offer programs in medical radiography. The medical radiography diploma program enrols 80 students. Over the past three years, 100 per cent of BCIT’s graduates have found jobs in hospitals and private medical labs.
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
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