Baptist Health Hardin donation supports real-world experience for ECTC radiography students

Published on Oct 30, 2024

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College radiography instructors are simulating new real-world experiences for students thanks to a recent donation from Baptist Health Hardin.

Baptist recently donated a portable X-ray machine and a C-arm machine to ECTC’s radiography program for use in the classroom, which allows students to better prepare for clinical rotations and future employment, said Radiography Program Coordinator and Instructor April Thompson.

“It is extremely rare for a radiography student to have access to this equipment before they begin clinical rotations and interact with patients in a healthcare setting,” Thompson said. “This gives our students a meaningful advantage, and we are thankful to our longtime partner Baptist Health Hardin.”

The equipment will be used to train students to think critically and quickly as they practice radiography skills. For example, students will learn to maneuver and operate the C-arm machine, which is used to take live X-rays during surgery, without compromising the sterile environment. They’ll also gain hands-on experience using the equipment to help patients who are immobilized.
Typically, students are not exposed to such techniques until they complete a two-week operating room clinical, Thompson said. Now, ECTC students will have an unprecedented two years of experience with the equipment upon graduation.

“The students are very excited about using the equipment, and they are excited to see a regional employer invest in their college,” Thompson said, noting that Baptist hired seven of 10 radiography graduates last May.

Baptist Radiology Director Bert Jones frequently visits radiology classes, advises faculty and led the effort to donate the equipment. While the equipment no longer meets the hospital’s needs, it meets instructors’ objectives.

“ECTC is critical to developing the workforce we need to provide the best possible care to our patients, and we want to invest in the allied health programs and students,” Jones said. “When we contribute to a better experience for ECTC students, we can count on hiring strong new employees down the road.”

The ECTC radiography program begins a new class every fall. The next application deadline is March 15. It is a selective admissions program, meaning students apply to the program after being admitted to ECTC. Applicants must meet selective admissions requirements including prerequisite courses and a preadmissions conference.

For more information about the radiography program and admission requirements, visit ectc.us/radiography.