Scholarship Program for Needed Healthcare Professionals

Job Recruiting corporation HEALTHeCAREERS has announced a continuation of its scholarship program for students engaged in healthcare education programs. Each year they award a number of $1,500 scholarships to students who are enrolled in school and need assistance to make it to the finish line. The next round of scholarships will be awarded early next year.

HEALTHeCAREERS Network pledged the same amount last year to provide funds for students pursuing a degree in an X-ray technician school or are pursuing additional certification in medical imaging or radiation therapy. Students in this field are also finding a new specialization field in medical dosimetry, a relatively new field for oncology workers.

Dosimetry students combine their knowledge of physics and radiation therapy to calculate the administration of radiation therapy for various cancer treatments. It requires working knowledge of both physics and mathematics along with familiarity with the medical goals or radiotherapy. Because it is so new, there are not many education programs for it and among them are options for a master’s degree, a bachelor’s or certification. It’s a fascinating continuing education opportunity for people holding a radiation technologist degree.

It’s a good field to be in, not matter what your specialty. Results from a nationwide survey conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists show that respondents estimate 7.6% of all FTEs (full-time equivalent positions) budgeted for radiation therapists are currently vacant and recruiting, 8.2% of dosimetrist positions, 12.1% of medical physicist positions, 9.2% of radiation oncologist positions, 7.1% of nursing positions. For these facilities, the shortage of radiologic professionals is as great as for nurses. An overall greater difficulty was reported in recruiting radiation therapists since last year.

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