Radiography (X-Ray Technology)

Important Information

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education Courses . Students are required to complete the English and Mathematics general education requirements within the first 24 credit hours of courses.

Courses Needed for This Program*

Total Credits Required for Degree: 68*

Note

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description

Radiography uses x-ray radiation to create images of the tissues, organs, bones and vessels that make up the human body. Most people are familiar with chest x-rays and also know that x-rays are the best way to diagnose broken bones. The radiographer or x-ray technologist is the person who actually produces x-ray images of human anatomy for the physician to read and make a diagnosis.

Through a combination of classroom and clinical education, students learn to operate x-ray equipment, produce x-ray images of human anatomy, position patients for x-ray procedures, practice radiation safety and deliver patient care. Radiographers are employed in hospitals, imaging centers and physician offices. The curriculum is designed to meet the accreditation standards of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Graduates of the Radiography program are eligible to apply to take the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

School of Health Professions Policies

Students in the School of Health Professions are expected to conduct themselves according to an honor code; exhibit professional behavior; communicate effectively in English; provide proof of health insurance, immunizations, American Heart Association CPR (BLS for Providers), and a tuberculosis (TB) test; and submit to a criminal background check and drug testing. Students are expected to pay the costs associated with these requirements.

Admission

The Radiography Program is a selective admission program, and enrollment in this program is competitive and limited by the availability of clinical facilities. One class is selected each year from applicants who have applied to the program by January 15 to be considered for the class that enters in the summer. Applicants should have minimum grades of C or better in high school and/or college science and math courses (ALHL 115 , MATH 135 , BIOL 109 , PHYS 101 ). Students must also have an overall GPA of 2.5. Since only a limited number of students are accepted each year, prospective students should contact the School of Health Professions (SHP) Admissions Office for the current admissions criteria. In addition to the academic standards required of all students in the college, radiography students must achieve a grade of C or better in all radiography and science/math courses to continue in and graduate from the program. Students must be at least 18 years of age before entering RADT 201  in the second year of the program.

The Radiography Program will be requiring all students seeking admission to take the ATI TEAS exam before January 1st for consideration that summer. Results should be sent to the SHP Admissions Office before January 15th. Students must achieve a minimum overall score of 58.7% for consideration.

Applicants’ records are reviewed in the SHP Admissions Office, and applicants who meet preliminary criteria are asked to schedule an interview with program faculty. After the interview, applicants are required to spend a day of observation in the radiology department at one of the program’s clinical sites to learn about the radiography profession and the demands of the radiography program. The radiography program can only be pursued on a full-time basis because of the clinical experiences required to fulfill course requirements. Students are encouraged to plan their financial resources because full-time employment is not possible while enrolled in the radiography courses.

Although the entire curriculum can be completed in 2 years, due to the intensity of the radiography courses, students are encouraged to complete as many of the non-RADT courses as possible before entering the radiography program. Radiography (RADT) courses can only be taken by students formally accepted into the radiography program and must be completed in a sequence that takes 22 months to complete.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate positioning skills and clinical competences by selecting appropriate technical factors, demonstrating knowledge of and practicing radiation safety, demonstrating effective patient care practices, and evaluating and critiquing radiographic images;
2. demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills;
3. demonstrate professional behavior and ethics;
4. complete the radiography program and the requirements for the Associate in Applied Science degree;
5. pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam on the first attempt with scoring at or above the national average on the ARRT certification exam; and
6. obtain employment in the radiologic/medical imaging field within twelve months of graduation.