Education & Workforce Development

Medical Imaging Loan Forgiveness Program


Purpose

The Partners Radiology Medical Imaging Loan Forgiveness Program is designed to encourage entry into medical imaging programs, provide support to students while they complete their education and training and fulfill the current and anticipated demand for medical imaging professionals in the Partners HealthCare System. Participating Partners HealthCare System facilities are Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Faulkner Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Network and Union Hospital.

Scope

This loan forgiveness program is intended to cover tuition, fees, books, and similar expenses for students currently enrolled in qualified educational programs. The current amount to be awarded to each Loan Forgiveness recipient is up to $4000 over the duration of the accredited program. Loan Forgiveness recipients may also receive mentoring, academic and clinical support and career counseling to support completion of their coursework and entry into the field. 

Eligibility

The Partners Radiology Medical Imaging Loan Forgiveness Program is open to all students accepted or enrolled in an accredited medical imaging program who meet Program selection criteria. Priority may be given to employees of Partners HealthCare System (PHS) and its affiliates and students who are assigned to a PHS facility for their clinical practicum; however, other students are also eligible. In addition to those enrolled in accredited degree programs in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine or Ultrasound, other students matriculated into certification programs such as MRI, CT and Mammography are also eligible. This funding will be awarded without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation. Participants must be US citizens or permanent residents of the United States Students who become employed by PHS upon completion of their training may also be eligible for sign on bonuses or other programs offered to new technologists at the PHS facility that hires them.

Employee Preference

Preference will be given to Partners HealthCare System employees who are in good standing and meet acceptance criteria.

While preference will be given to PHS employees accepted or currently enrolled in accredited medical imaging programs, applications from students who are otherwise eligible will be prioritized on the following basis:

  1. Students entering their second year training program that apply and are approved by the Loan Forgiveness Program Committee.
  2. Eligible students currently assigned an imaging clinical internship at a PHS facility.
  3. Students who ahve been acceptede into the full time or part-time evening Medical Radiography option of Accredited Imaging Programs affiliated with PHS including, but not limited to; Bunker Hill Community College, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Massasoit Community College, Middlesex Community College, Northshore Community College and Salem State College.
  4. Students who have been accepted into other accredited medical imaging programs affiliated woth PHS who are also assigned their clinical internships at a PHS facility.
  5. Students accepted or enrolled in other accredited imaging programs in New England.


Application Requirements

  1. Complete Partners Medical Imaging Loan Forgiveness Program Application
  2. 3 Letters of Recommendation from supervisor/instructor/guidance counselors.
  3. Agreement to accept a full-time or authorized benefited position as offered by participating or designated PHS facility on an at-will basis for six months for each semester of funding received (based on full time status) following academic program completion or to reimburse the Loan Forgiveness Program fund.
  4. Letter of acceptance into a Medical Radiography, Sonography or Nuclear Medicine degree program or MR/CT/Mammography certificate program accredited by the Joint Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology that maintains an affiliation with PHS.
  5. An interview with the Selection Committee Representatives.


Selection Criteria

The following criteria will be considered in selecting Loan Forgiveness Program recipients:
  1.  Partners employee status and standing;
  2. Academic performance and assessment;
  3. Clinical performance and aptitude;
  4. Professional demeanor and interpersonal skills;
  5. Quality of recommendations from supervisors and instructors;
  6. Financial need;
  7. Projected participating PHS facility staffing needs; and
  8. Any additional factors deemed appropriate by the loan forgiveness committee.

 Students must be in good standing with their academic program and their PHS clinical site each semester to continue to receive funding.


Loan Forgiveness Program Contact

You may direct any questions to:

·         Lisa Ewing – Partners Radiology: (617) 726-9141, lewing@partners.org


Loan Forgiveness Program Committee

A Loan Forgiveness Program Committee consisting of imaging personnel such as technologists, imaging administrators and educators, radiologists and human resources representatives from throughout the Partners HealthCare System will award the funding. Loan Forgiveness Program applications for the academic year must be received by June 1.


Other Terms

The funding may be used by successful candidates to help defray the costs of tuition, fees, books and similar expenses at any college or university that offers an accredited program in radiologic sciences. Accredited programs must comply with the guidelines and regulations promulgated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all of the following that apply: 
·         Joint Review Commission on Education in Radiologic Technology
·         Joint Review Commission on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology
·         Joint Review Commission on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
·         Massachusetts and the American Societies of Radiologic Technologists.
 
Successful candidates may attend school on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Continuation in the Loan Forgiveness program is dependent upon maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory clinical performance. Loan Forgiveness disbursements will be made at the beginning of each semester.
 
The Loan Forgiveness Program is an advanced loan, all or some of which may be forgiven provided that the awardee successfully completes the academic program, and is employed on a full-time equivalent basis at a participating Partners HealthCare System facility. For a full loan to be completely forgiven, the awardee must be employed at a participating Partners HealthCare System facility for a minimum of 2 years. Partial loans will require less work commitment. Commitment is prorated based on funding acquired. Please note that, if requested, awardees must be prepared to provide substantiation of payments of tuition, fees, books and similar expenses.
 

Loan Forgiveness Program recipients will be considered priority placements for employment based on their grades, attendance, interpersonal relations, student evaluations and clinical preparation but there is no guarantee of employment as a Radiologic Technologist in a PHS Radiology department upon completion of a qualified program.

Please be advised that, under the Internal Revenue Code, Loan Forgiveness Program awards may be considered taxable income to you. The amount of taxable income may vary depending upon individual circumstances.

 If you are interested in our loan forgiveness program, please contact Lisa Ewing at lewing@partners.org

 

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