- Vermont has one university accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)(1).
- The University of Vermont (UVM) offers a four-month Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy.
- Other schools worth considering that are currently not accredited by the JRCERT include the Southern Vermont College and College of Saint Joseph.
- To become a radiologic technologist or radiology technician in Vermont, one must hold a license by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.
- The state license requires radiology techs to complete a JRCERT-accredited program and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam.
- As of 2019, there are approximately 470 rad techs employed in Vermont(2). However, radiology tech jobs could experience a 9.8% job increase by 2026(3).
Best Radiology Schools in Vermont
There is only one bachelor’s program in Vermont accredited by the JRCERT. No school currently offers a certificate program, associate’s degree, or master’s degree.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology is responsible for accrediting various medical imaging, radiography, sonography, and radiation therapy programs.
JRCERT-accredited programs are determined using the program effectiveness data, including completion rate, credential exam pass rate, and job placement rate.
Here is the best radiology school in Vermont for aspiring radiologic technologists and radiology technicians.
Name of College | Program Type | Degree Level | Program Duration | Program Effectiveness(4)* | ||
Completion Rate | Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate | ||||
University of Vermont (Burlington) | Radiation Therapy | Bachelor of Science | 48 months | 78% | 87.2% | 100% |
*Data retrieved on September 24, 2020. Changes may occur when new information comes in.
University of Vermont (UVM – Burlington)
The University of Vermont’s Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy.
This four-year program provides students with skills in radiation safety, patient care, cancer management, and treatment using a Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Trainer (VERT).
Coursework includes clinical radiation oncology, cross-sectional imaging, radiation therapy techniques, and essentials of patient care.
Students also work with radiation therapists and oncology professionals in the UVM Medical Center on-campus or a hospital affiliate site in their final semester. The assignment of affiliate sites is done through a lottery system.
Students who already have an Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy may apply for transfer into the baccalaureate program. Admission is based on space availability.
Additional required courses may be based on prior courses completed in an associate’s degree program.
Other Schools to Consider
Champlain College (Burlington)
Champlain College offers a full-time Associate of Applied Science in Radiography degree that takes two years to complete.
This program provides students with an in-depth understanding of radiologic technology through on-campus coursework, labs, and clinical rotations at local hospitals and medical facilities.
Aside from general college requirements, the curriculum includes anatomy and physiology, radiographic science, advanced imaging modalities, and radiographic pathology.
However, Champlain College is no longer taking applications for the radiography program as of January 2017(5). It is only available to radiography students who are currently enrolled in the program.
As an alternative, Champlain College invites applicants to contact its partner institution, the Vermont Technical College (VTC). VTC offers a two-year radiologic science program on campus.
Southern Vermont College (Bennington)
Southern Vermont College offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, which requires 135 credits to complete.
Courses include radiographic positioning, radiation protection and biology, radiographic exposure, and digital imaging and processing.
Students also complete four clinical rotations at local hospitals and affiliated medical facilities in and near Bennington.
Program graduates are eligible to sit for the ARRT exam and become certified radiologic technologists or radiology technicians.
College of Saint Joseph (Rutland)
The College of Saint Joseph is a private Catholic institution that offers two programs in radiography.
An aspiring radiographer may pursue either a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science degree or a Bachelor of Science in Radiography Management.
Radiography Program vs. Radiology Program
Radiography programs typically require completion of one to four years. Prospective students must be a high school graduate to pursue degree programs in radiography.
Aspiring radiologic technologists or radiology technicians may choose from a one-year certificate program, one to two-year associate’s degree, or a four-year bachelor’s degree.
The program courses include anatomy, pathology, patient care, medical ethics, radiation physics, and radiation protection.
Students may also pursue specializations, such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), mammography, or sonography (ultrasound).
Meanwhile, radiology programs focus on advanced modalities and procedures, including fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, contrast medium injection, interventional cardiac radiography, or vascular radiography.
Program graduates may pursue a master’s or doctoral degree. These advanced degrees prepare an individual to become a radiologist.
How to Become a Radiologic Technologist in Vermont
Radiologic technologists and radiology technicians must hold a license from the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation to work in the state(6).
To be eligible for the state license, rad techs must complete a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program and pass an exam by the ARRT or the Vermont Board of Radiologic Technology.
Nuclear medicine practitioners must also pass the exam by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
Certified radiologic technologists and radiology technicians must renew their ARRT licenses every two years by filling out an application, paying a fee, and completing 24 continuing education credits.
Meanwhile, Vermont licenses also require renewal every two years. Radiology techs must fill out an application and pay applicable fees.
The primary professional organization for rad techs is the Vermont Society of Radiologic Technologists (VSRT), the state affiliate of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
However, the VSRT currently does not have a website(7). Radiology professionals may go directly to ASRT’s website for information, career support, and networking opportunities.
Career and Salary
Radiologic technology graduates may become radiologic technologists, radiology technicians, radiation therapists, or nuclear medicine technologists.
Employment opportunities are available in Vermont’s top medical facilities and hospitals, including Fletcher Allen Health Care, Northwestern Medical Center, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and Springfield Medical Care Systems.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 470 radiologic technologists and radiology technicians employed in the state of Vermont(8). They make $29.98 an hour and earn an average salary of $62,370 annually(9).
There is a growing demand for radiology tech professionals as job opportunities are expected to increase by 9.8% between 2016 and 2026(10).
Conclusion
The University of Vermont offers a JRCERT-accredited Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy. However, UVM does not offer a certificate program or an associate’s degree for radiography students.
Students may consider other schools that are currently not JRCERT-accredited. Colleges such as the Southern Vermont College and College of Saint Joseph offer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in radiography.
The state requires a license to find entry-level employment. Radiologic technologists and radiology technicians must complete a JRCERT-accredited program and pass the exam by the ARRT or Vermont Board of Radiologic Technology.
Meanwhile, those who specialize in radiation therapy or nuclear medicine need to pass the licensure exam by NMTCB.
Certified radiology techs are required to renew their ARRT certification and Vermont license every two years.
The BLS reports about 470 radiologic technologists and radiology technicians in Vermont. Their average annual salary is $62,370.
Despite the relatively low number of rad tech professionals in Vermont, projections showed a 9.8% job growth between 2016 and 2026.
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. (Accessed 2020). Program Effectiveness Data. Retrieved from: https://www.jrcert.org/resources/program-effectiveness-data/
- US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). (May 2019). Vermont May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimate. Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_vt.htm
- Projections Central. (Accessed 2020). Long Term Occupational Projections. Retrieved from: https://projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. (Accessed 2020). Accredited Program Details. Retrieved from: https://portal.jrcertaccreditation.org/accredited-educational-programs/details/539b0c20-951f-469a-82f3-90f8ab245b26
- Champlain College. (Accessed 2020). Notice: Radiography Program is No Longer Being Offered. Retrieved from: https://www.champlain.edu/academics/undergraduate-academics/majors-and-concentrations/radiography
- Vermont Secretary of State Office of Professional Regulation. (Accessed 2020). Radiologic Technology Statutes, Rules & Resources. Retrieved from: https://sos.vermont.gov/radiologic-technology/statutes-rules-resources/
- RadiologyED.org. (Accessed 2020). Vermont – Education Options for Tomorrow’s Radiologic Technicians. Retrieved from: https://radiologyed.org/schools/vermont/
- US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). op. cit.
- Ibid.
- Projections Central. op. cit.