Program Coordinator: Don Lowe, NEB 150, Ext. 2488 SVCC 276-964-7313 Length: Two Years (six semesters)**
Radiography Handbook [pdf]
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*Program offered in cooperation with Southwest Virginia Community College and Wytheville Community College. Degree awarded by Virginia Highlands Community College.
**Program with practical experience in a radiology department to complete requirements for ARRT certification.
Program Mission: To prepare and graduate selected students to qualify as contributing members of the allied health team, who will care for patients under the supervision of qualified physicians. The Program combines adequate didactic instruction with clinical experience to create a sound foundation for a professional career.
Program Effectiveness Measures: Goal 1: The Cooperative Radiography Program will monitor program effectiveness. 1.1 Students who enter program will graduate 1.2 Graduates will pass the ARRT registry examination 1.3 Graduate will gain employment as a radiographer 1.4 Graduates will indicate preparedness as an entry-level radiographer. 1.5 Employer satisfaction with graduate’s preparedness for entry-level radiographer. Goal 2: Students will demonstrate clinical competence and entry-level radiographer skills. 2.1 Students will practice positioning competency 2.2 Students will practice the appropriate use of ionizing radiation and protection skills 2.3 Students will practice the appropriate use of technical factors for exposure Goal 3: Student will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills. 3.1 Students will practice critical thinking / problem solving skills for image quality and acceptability for diagnosis 3.2 Students will practice critical thinking and problem solving skills on non-routine patient examinations Goal 4: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills and personal accountability. 4.1 Students will practice age appropriate patient communication skills 4.2 Students will practice good writing skills through preparation of a Case Study 4.3 Students will practice good oral skills through presentation of a Case Study 4.4 Students will practice personal accountability for punctuality and appearance Goal 5: Students will develop professionally and demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of life-long learning. 5.1 Students will understand the role of professional organizations in their career development 5.2 Students will practice an understanding of professional / legal ethics 5.3 Students will practice networking with colleagues / peers within the profession Accreditation:
Annual Program Statistics most recent five years
Year
Program Completion Rate
AART Certification Examination Pass %
ARRT Comparison SWCC to National Stats
2006
28 of 36
91%
91/90.1
2007
27 of 36
94%
94/90.8
2008
26 of 36
93%
93/91
2009
26 of36
100%
100/91.4
2010
31 of 41
92%
93.3/92.4
This program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Radiologic Technology Education (JRCERT) 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182.
Occupational Objectives: Employment opportunities for the well trained registered radiographer are available in hospitals, clinics, education, industry, government agencies, and private offices.
Admission Requirements: In addition to the general admission requirements to the College, applicants must be high school graduates or the equivalent and must reflect “C” average. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 must be achieved on all college work. To meet the Radiography Program admission requirements the applicant must have completed:
1. One unit of biology with lab, and one unit of chemistry with lab with a “C” or better.
2. Biology 101 and Chemistry 05 at VHCC will be considered equivalent to high school biology and chemistry.
3. Completion of Virginia Placement Test (VPT) within 2 years prior to application which includes sections in reading, writing and mathematics. Satisfactory scores in English and proficiency in MTE 1-6 required. All prescribed developmental work must be completed prior to admission to program.
4. Submit a Radiography application (including all high school and college transcripts or copy of GED) by the January 15 deadline.
5. Observation in a Radiology Department for a minimum of twelve (12) hours. This observation is to be documented by radiology personnel denoting date(s) and time(s).
The Radiography Program admission requirements listed above must be completed and on file at the college(s) by January 15.
An interview with program faculty will be required.
Students should make their advisor aware of any plans to transfer to a senior institution. Students who are planning to transfer to a senior institution may be advised to take upper-level math and science courses as prerequisites to the Radiography Program.
Students who are accepted into the Radiography Program are required to submit a health certificate signed by a physician. Since the physical examination is somewhat expensive, applicants should have the physical examination completed after receiving notification of acceptance to the program. This certificate is furnished by the college and must be on file with the program before the student may begin Radiography classes.
When enrollments must be limited for Radiography, priority shall be given to all qualified applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Who are residents of the political subdivisions supporting the College (City of Bristol, Washington County, and the western portion of Smyth County).
2. Virginia residents not having access to a Radiography program at their local community college, provided such students apply for admission to the program prior to registration or by a deadline established by the College.
3. Residents of localities with which the College has clinical-site or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission.
To be considered in-region, an applicant must be domiciled within the service region for 12 months prior to the program application deadline.
To be considered as a Virginia resident, an applicant must be domiciled within Virginia for 12 months prior to January 15.
Applicants moving out-of-state between January 15 and the first day of classes will lose their preferred status and any offer of admission to the program will be withdrawn.
Criminal Background Check/Drug Screening: Background checks for criminal history and sex offender crimes against minors are required for entrance into some clinical agencies (see BARRIER Crimes, Code of Virginia 63.2-1726, July 1, hope-tfc.org/FP/Barrier%20Crimes.pdf.. Students with convictions may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Clinical agencies may require drug testing prior to placement of students for clinical rotations. Students with positive drug test results may be prohibited from clinical practice and may not complete the program. Cost of criminal background checks and drug testing will be the responsibility of the student.
Technical Standards: Physical Demands:
1. Duties frequently require squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, and stair climbing. Also includes occasional crawling and climbing.
2. Duties include lifting/positioning of patients and equipment required to provide care: frequent lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; frequent pushing and pulling up to 200 pounds with assistance; occasional lifting up to 200 pounds with assistance; occasional carrying up to 51-74 pounds.
3. Duties require constant use of acute sense of sight, hearing, and touch: ability to read orders, test results, instructions, labels, differentiate color consistency; must be able to hear heart sounds, etc.; must be able to palpate and distinguish heat/cold.
Environmental Conditions: Environmental conditions include procedures that involve exposure to ionizing radiation, and the handling blood and body fluids. Program Requirements: Upon admission and during the course of the program, the radiologic faculty will carefully observe and evaluate the student’s suitability for the profession. If, in the opinion of the radiologic faculty, a student does not exhibit professional behavior, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program.
Once enrolled, students who receive a final grade lower than “C” in any of the courses in radiography or related areas must obtain permission from the program director to continue the major in radiography.
Selected learning experiences will be provided at the cooperating hospitals within the geographic areas served by the college. The student is expected to provide transportation to such facilities. Travel, time, and expense must be anticipated because of program design and location.
Radiography classes begin in the summer session each year
The purchase of items such as personal monitoring device, uniforms, and accessories is the financial responsibility of the individual student.
Radiography is a cooperative program with Southwest Virginia Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College, and Wytheville Community College.
Radiography
Summer Session
Course Number
Course Title
Lec. Hrs.
Lab Hrs.
Crs.
RAD 105
Introduction to Radiology Protection & Patient Care
3
0
1
MTH 126
Mathematics for Allied Health
2
RAD 195
Ethics, Teamwork & Professional Development
HLT 143
Medical Terminology
Total
12
First Semester (Fall)
ENG 111
1*College Composition I
BIO 141
Human Anatomy & Physiology I
4
RAD 110
Imaging Equipment and Protection
RAD 121
Radiographic Procedures I
PSY 230
2*Developmental Psychology
15
6
17
Second Semester (Spring)
EEE
3*Humanities/Fine Arts Elective
BIO 142
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
RAD 112
Radiologic Science II
RAD 221
Radiographic Procedures II
9
RAD 190
Coordinated Internship (Term II)
40
RAD 205
Radiation Protection & Radiobiology (Term I)
Third Semester (Fall)
RAD 290
Coordinated Internship
32
RAD 255
Radiographic Equipment
Fourth Semester (Spring)
RAD 240
Radiographic Pathology
Coordinated Internship (Term I)
RAD 215
Correlated Radiographic Theory
Total Minimum Credits for the AAS Degree.........................................72
Special Note: Graduates of an approved radiography program may wish to review the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Career Studies Certificate. This cooperative program is designed to train radiographers as magnetic imaging technologists. See your advisor for details.
Notes on Electives: Unless otherwise indicated, electives must be chosen from disciplines outside the student’s area of specialization.
Footnotes*