Montgomery County Community College

Radiography AAS

Purpose

The Radiography Program provides a comprehensive curriculum and educational experiences for students who wish to become integral members of the health care team. The program affords each student with educational opportunities to develop competence in critical thinking, technical skills and interpersonal communication necessary for the practice of diagnostic radiography. Competence is achieved through the integrated use of lecture, laboratory activities, small group presentations, research, and clinical education experiences. Students gain proficiency in the safe application of the principles of ionizing radiation in both diagnostic and fluoroscopic procedures.

Accreditation of the program is by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182, telephone 312-704-5300, the national accrediting commission for Radiography programs. Graduates are eligible to take the national certifying examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Technical Performance Standards

The admissions policies of the Radiography Program do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, marital status, age or mental/physical handicaps. The following is an outline of performance standards relative to Radiography.

Applicants must possess sufficient strength, coordination and manual dexterity to:

• transport, move, lift or transfer patients from a wheelchair or litter to an x-ray table or to a patient's bed;
• move, adjust and manipulate a variety of x-ray equipment with respect to the patient and image receptor according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy ( to include mobile equipment) and;
• physically place patients in proper positions for x-ray examinations according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy.

Applicants must be capable of:

• handing stressful situations related to technical, procedural or patient care situations;
• communicating effectively in order to explain and direct patients as it pertains to their radiographic procedure;
• providing physical and emotional support to patients during procedures;
• physically responding to situations requiring first aid or emergency care of patients until more qualified help can arrive and;
• visually reviewing and evaluating radiographic images to identify shades of gray, proper patient positions, proper exposure factors and other appropriate technical qualities.

Program Mission

The Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography has a mission consistent with the mission of Montgomery County Community College. The program recognizes that students differ in their needs, interests, and aspirations. As a result, the program is organized to assist and prepare students for the level of technical competence required to become highly qualified and successful radiographers. The program will provide students with meaningful educational experiences.

Program Goals

The goals of this program are to produce:

1. Graduates who are clinically competent.
   • Students will apply positioning skills.
   • Students will select appropriate technical factors.
   • Students will practice radiation protection.
2. Graduates who can communicate effectively.
   • Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
   • Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
3. Graduates who demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.
   • Students will manipulate technical factors for non-routine examinations.
   • Students will adapt positioning for trauma patients.
   • Students will critique images to determine diagnostic quality.
4. Graduates who value life-long learning as a means of achieving professional growth and development.
   • Students will understand the value of life-long learning.
   • Students will summarize the importance of attendance at professional meetings.

Admissions Guidelines and Procedures

Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Radiography Program must present credentials in accordance with the following requirements.

1. Be at least 18 years of age to participate in any of the RAD courses. Students under the age of 18 may complete any prerequisite or co-requisite courses at the College level in accordance with College policy.
2. Submit a completed College application earmarking Radiography (RT.GS) as the major.
3. Submit high school transcript or GED scores. Applicants must have completed at least one year of biology, chemistry and mathematics or equivalent.
4. Submit official college transcript(s), if applicable.
5. Submit one of the following:
   1. ACT score composite of 18 or above, or
   2. SAT score of a minimum of 800, or
   3. SAT I or SAT Reasoning combined math and verbal/critical reading score of a minimum of 920 total, or
   4. College transcript including 14 semester hours consisting of two 4 credit laboratory science courses and two 3 credit courses from the general education component of the Radiography curriculum. Grades for the four courses must each be a "C" or better and result in a GPA of at least 2.5. The 14 credits will be used for evaluation purposes.
6. All science courses must be successfully completed within 5 years prior to enrolling in Radiography courses.
7. All applicants must take the College placement tests in English, Mathematics, and Reading and must place above the developmental level prior to enrolling in Radiography courses.
8. Due to class limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-Radiography and Radiography courses.
9. Submit a Petition for Admission to the Radiography Program in January of the year you wish to be considered.

Program Requirements

Once accepted into the Radiography Program, students are required to:

1. Purchase all required textbooks and manuals.
2. Purchase a Radiography Program uniform kit to include name pin, scrubs, lab coat and positioning markers.
3. Purchase student liability insurance annually.
4. Assume all responsibility for transportation to and from the clinical agencies assigned.
5. Obtain and maintain current CPR certification by passing the American Heart Association's Health Care Provider OR the American Red Cross' Professional Rescuer course.
6. Have a comprehensive physical examination which includes documentation of selected vaccinations including an annual influenza vaccine and a urine drug screen, within six months of program matriculation and annually thereafter.
7. All students must complete the Radiography Program within four academic years of the date of the initial enrollment in the program.
8. Demonstrate proof of computer literacy prior to enrolling in Radiography courses. Successful completion of one of the following will fulfill this requirement: demonstrate computer proficiency obtained through life experiences; demonstrate computer skills obtained at another academic institution including high school or acquired through on the job training, or complete a computer science course such as CIS 100.

Curriculum

First Semester—Summer

Second Semester—Fall

Third Semester—Spring

Fourth Semester—Summer

Fifth Semester—Fall

Sixth Semester—Spring

PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM TOTAL: 70 CREDITS