Introduction to Health Sciences at St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud State University provides a unique opportunity to earn bachelor of science degrees in clinical laboratory science, radiologic technology and nuclear medicine technology.
Radiologic Technology
The radiologic technology program emphasizes digital rather than analogue film-based systems and provides a direct connection with the newer imaging technologies of nuclear magnetic resonance, computer-aided tomography, ultrasonography, as well as digital radiography and fluoroscopy. The medical informatics component provides an introduction to teleradiography, picture archiving and communicating systems (PACs) and electronic charting.
Radiologic technology’s two-year internship is currently available at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN, which was among the nation’s first 100 totally digital radiographic centers; and Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, MN, which supports a well-developed rural outreach program.
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Nuclear medicine technology is the medical specialty that utilizes unsealed radioactive materials in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This practice includes the administration, imaging and/or counting of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals to demonstrate organ and molecular function, as well as the delivery of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to treat a number of pathologies.
Nuclear medicine technology’s one-year internship is available at three large and prestigious medical centers: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital and Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, both in Milwaukee, WI.
Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical laboratory scientists perform diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories in hospitals and other medical clinics. To be eligible for employment as clinical laboratory scientist, a person must complete a bachelor’s level degree and pass a national certification exam. Graduates of this program have also been successfully employed in other biological laboratories and have gained entrance into graduate and professional programs.
Current clinical associates are at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN; St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA; and the University of Minnesota, Division of Medical Technology, also in Minneapolis, MN. Upon completion of the clinical coursework, students are eligible to take national certification exams offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
