Radiologic Technology A.A.S.
Questions / More Information
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Deadline Dates
Upcoming Info. Session
Thursday, August 22, 2019 - 11:00am
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Additional Forms
The radiologic technology program prepares students to sit for the national licensure examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The qualified, licensed radiologic technologist is an essential member of the health care team, utilizing radiation in the safest manner to produce high-quality, diagnostic images for all patient populations. Program graduates may further their education in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy here at Chattanooga State.
Programmatic information sessions are mandatory each application year even if you have attended in a previous year. Sessions will be held August 2019 - April 2020 for the fall 2020 cohort. Late arrivals will not be allowed to attend the session.
Accreditation
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300 FAX (312) 704-5304
www.jrcert.org
Mission
Consistent with the mission of Chattanooga State Community College, the Radiologic Technology Program mission is to prepare competent and professional radiographers to meet the current and emerging needs of the workplace.
Goals
- Prepare graduates who demonstrate clinical competence in terms of knowledge, technical skills, and affect of a radiographer.
- Prepare graduates who demonstrate critical thinking skills in terms of functionality as a radiographer within the regional medical community.
- Prepare graduates who demonstrate professionalism in terms of standards of the radiographer adopted by the ARRT, ASRT, JRCERT, and other governing bodies.
- Prepare graduates who demonstrate effective communication skills in terms of radiographer interaction with patients and clinical staff.
The Radiologic Technology Program will ensure student success by maintaining JRCERT accreditation, ASRT curriculum guidelines, state/federal regulations, appropriate resources, qualified faculty, and continuing professional development opportunities.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, the graduate will:
- Demonstrate clinical competence by:
- Applying knowledge of anatomy, positioning, and radiologic techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on an image.
- Selecting exposure factors to achieve optimal radiographic techniques with minimum radiation exposure to the patient.
- Applying the principles of radiation protection to the patient, self and others.
- Provide appropriate patient care and comfort.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills by:
- Evaluating radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
- Recognizing emergent patient conditions with acknowledgement and/or initiation of basic first aid and life support procedures.
- Detecting equipment malfunction, reporting to the proper authority, and knowing the safe limits of equipment operation.
- Exercising independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures.
- Anticipating patient needs and modifying an exam based on physical/social/psychological assessment.
- Applying quality assurance principles for appropriate patient care and proper operation of imaging equipment.
- Demonstrate professionalism by:
- Complying with the Code of Ethics and scope of practice as defined by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
- Demonstrating proper work ethics in the professional and/or clinical environment.
- Protecting the rights of the patient as delineated in the American Hospital Association Patient’s Bill of Rights.
- Performing basic investigative tasks related to review of professional literature and technical writing.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills by:
- Using acceptable verbal, nonverbal and written communication in patient and professional relationships.
- Displaying clinical behavior which promotes positive experiences for patients, peers and self.
- Providing patient/public education related to radiologic procedures and radiation protection.
Success Rates
Five-year average national credentialing examination (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiography exam) pass rate on first attempt within six months of graduation.
| Year | 1st attempt passing | Number of students |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 100% | 26 of 26 students passed on 1st attempt; 1 student did not take |
| 2014 | 100% | 23 of 23 students passed on 1st attempt |
| 2015 | 100% | 28 of 28 students passed on 1st attempt |
| 2016 | 100% | 24 of 24 students passed on 1st attempt |
| 2017 | 100% | 30 of 30 students passed on 1st attempt |
| 5 year average | 100% | 131 of 131 students passed on 1st attempt |
Five-year average job placement rate within one year of graduation.
Per JRCERT Standard Five - Objective 5.2, the definition of "not actively seeking employment" is as follows:
- Graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts
- Graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation
- Graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours
- Graduate is on active military duty
- Graduate is continuing education
| Year | Percent job placement | Number of students |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 100% | 26 out of 26; 1 student not actively seeking employment |
| 2014 | 100% | 22 out of 22 |
| 2015 | 100% | 22 out of 22, 6 students not actively seeking employment |
| 2016 | 100% | 21 out of 21; 3 students not actively seeking employment |
| 2017 | 96.7% | 29 out of 30 |
| 5 year average | 99.2% | 120 out of 121 |
Program completion rate is defined as the number of students who complete the clinical phase of the program within 150% of the stated program length. The program is 24 months and program completion rate is defined as those students graduating within 36 months of beginning the radiologic technology program.
| Year | % completion | Number of students |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 84.4% | 32 began, 27 graduated (1 in 2014) |
| 2014 | 68.8% | 32 began, 22 graduated |
| 2015 | 87.5% | 32 began, 28 graduated |
| 2016 | 75% | 32 began, 24 graduated |
| 2017 | 93.8% | 32 began, 30 graduated |
| 5 year average | 81.9% | 131 out of 160 graduated within 150% of program length |
Career Opportunities
Salaries for the entry-level radiographer are competitive with other health professionals with similar educational background. In the Chattanooga area, entry-level radiologic technologists earn $35,000-$40,000 per year. Opportunities for jobs and career advancement are excellent. Employment can be found anywhere a student wants to live.
Opportunities are many and varied. Graduates are needed to fill the demands of many hospitals and clinics providing patient services around the clock. Various shift assignments may be available.
The career of a radiographer can advance in various directions:
- Advanced Technology
- Supervision/Management
- Education/Research
Modalities of Radiologic Technology
- Bone Densitometry
- Mammography
- Cardiovascular / Interventional Radiography
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Computed Tomography
- Radiation Therapy Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Positron Emission Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Program Cost
| First Semester (17 hours) (fall) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2297.50 | 8956.50 |
| Truescreen: myRecord Tracker Fee: | 17.50 | 17.50 |
| Upload documentation for: | ||
| Physical examination and required test | 300.00 | 300.00 |
| Hepatitis B (estimate) | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| 20.00 | 20.00 | |
| CPR | 25.00 | 25.00 |
| Right, left and upright markers (estimate) | 70.00 | 70.00 |
| Liability insurance | 11.05 | 11.05 |
| Radiation monitoring (estimate) | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Truescreen Criminal Background Checks | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Truescreen Drug Screen (10 panel) | 31.00 | 31.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 1,050.00 | 1,050.00 |
| Subtotal | 4047.05 | 10706.05 |
| Second Semester (14 hours) (spring) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2195.50 | 8545.50 |
| Uniforms, lab coats, etc. | 350.00 | 350.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 150.00 | 150.00 |
| Parking-Hospitals | 5.00 | 5.00 |
| Subtotal | 2700.50 | 9050.50 |
| Third Semester (4 hours) (summer) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 733.60 | 2781.60 |
| Subtotal | 733.60 | 2781.60 |
| Fourth Semester (17 hours) (fall) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2297.50 | 8956.50 |
| Truescreen: myRecord Tracker Fee: | 7.50 | 7.50 |
| Upload documentation for: | ||
| Fit Test | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| TB Skin Test | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Liability insurance | 11.05 | 11.05 |
| Radiation monitoring (estimate) | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Uniforms, lab coats, etc. | 350.00 | 350.00 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 556.00 | 556.00 |
| Subtotal | 3282.05 | 9941.05 |
| Fifth Semester (17 hours) (spring) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 2297.50 | 8956.50 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | 350.00 | 350.00 |
| Subtotal | 2647.50 | 9306.50 |
| Sixth Semester (6 hours) (summer) | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance Fee | 1091.00 | 4163.00 |
| Subtotal | 1091.00 | 4163.00 |
| Total | 14501.70 | 45948.70 |
Costs Disclaimer
These are estimated program costs. Actual costs may vary due to changes in tuition and/or fee increases as determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents. This cost will also be reduced for students since some of the required course work is completed prior to acceptance into the program. These general and support courses taken before the program is to lessen course load in a given semester.
Note: College fees are included in the maintenance cost. To view current calculation table, go to Bursar’s Office on Chattanooga State website. This website will also give you information on refund policies, fee payments and the refund calendar.