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Radiologic Technology

Welcome

The Radiology Program was established in 1978 to meet the increasing need in the health community for qualified medical radiographers. A continuation of the original St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Radiologic Technology, Southeast Community College developed cooperative agreements between the local hospitals and clinics to lay the basic foundation for a college-based continuation of the program. In 2000, the program expanded to include areas outside the immediate vicinity through distance learning, providing local, online education in both rural Nebraska and in other states in the U.S.

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Overview

The Radiologic Technology program teaches the safe use of radiation to produce images of the human body for diagnostic purposes. Students will learn the knowledge and skills required for critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication in the Radiologic Technology field. Students will also be prepared to practice within the ethical, professional, and legal boundaries required of this profession.

Earn an Associate’s Degree
Program graduates can earn an associate of applied science degree after eight quarters of full time study and become eligible to take the National Examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and apply for state licensure. Individuals who have been convicted of, or plead guilty to, a felony or misdemeanor may be ineligible to sit for the ARRT exam and work as a Medical Radiographer. Please refer to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for further information.

Graduates attain employment in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, doctor’s offices, and private/governmental institutions. Graduates are eligible to work in any state in the nation once they have earned their board certification and attained necessary state licensure. See the College Annual Placement Report for a current range of graduate wages.

The Radiology Program is a two-year program with an intake of students every six months (summer and winter quarters) depending on the clinical site. It involves both clinical and didactic components. The didactic portion may be composed of classes on the Lincoln SCC campus OR online courses. The clinical component will involve on-site education at pre-approved hospitals and clinics in the student’s vicinity. Students are responsible for transportation to the clinical sites, tuition, books, and other related costs.

Transfer Options
Graduates may continue their education toward a baccalaureate degree in Radiologic Technology at any college which grants transfer credit. These institutions may provide additional training in specialties, such as nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, sonography, and other imaging modalities. Check with the four-year college of choice for information on transfer requirements and courses.

Program Accreditation
The Radiology Program is accredited by the Join Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Driver, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606, 312-704-5300, www.jrcert.org.

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Mission 

The mission of the Southeast Community College Radiologic Technology Program is to prepare competent Radiologic Technologists.

STUDENT LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES:

GOAL #1: The Program will graduate students to enter the workforce as entry-level practitioners able to competently perform radiographic procedures.

1. Students will apply knowledge of anatomy, positioning, and radiographic techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on an image receptor.
2. Students will apply principles of patient safety as well as personal radiation protection to the patient, self, and others.
3. Students will accurately evaluate radiographic images for appropriate positioning and diagnostic image quality.
4. Students will correctly and safely use equipment and supplies and demonstrate effective office, clerical, and darkroom skills in the clinical education setting.

GOAL #2: The Program will graduate students who demonstrate ethical and professional standards, effective communication, and quality patient care.

1. Students will effectively communicate with patients, their families, healthcare team members, and the general public.
2. Students will demonstrate tolerance and respect for diverse clients in the clinical educating setting. 
3. Students will provide quality patient care through compassion, empathy, and concern for patient dignity.
4. Students will accept responsibility for personal growth and life-long learning.

GOAL #3: The Program will graduate students who are able to effectively utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills.

1. Student will apply critical thinking skills during non-routine radiographic examinations.
2. Students will adapt technical factors as needed for different pathological conditions.
3. Students will adjust radiographic positioning and technical factors as needed for the age-specific patient. 
4. Students will use critical thinking skills to make correct positioning and/or technical factor adjustments as needed for diagnostic image quality.

GOAL #4:  The Program will monitor program effectiveness.

1. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, Credentialing Exam pass rate on the first attempt.
2. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, Credentialing Exam final average.
3. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, Program Completion Rate.
4. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, Placement Rate within six months of graduation.
5. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, overall Graduate Satisfaction.
6. The Program will document a 5-year, 85% minimum, overall Employer Satisfaction.

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Requirements

PROGRAM PREREQUISITES

All required Program Prerequisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C+ (75%) PRIOR to entry into the Program. All Radiography Program courses must also be completed with a minimum grade of C+ (75%). If a student receives less than a C+ in any Radiography Program course, the student is dismissed and may recycle into the program within one year, if there is an opening in the program that term.

Students must complete an application to SCC when beginning prerequisite courses. Students are eligible to start the prerequisite courses at the beginning of any term. Prerequisites may be taken at any college as long as they meet the approval of Southeast Community College transfer requirements as set forth by the college and program curriculum. All Math and Science prerequisites must be completed within the last 5 years to transfer.

Students must track their progress of prerequisite completion through the use of the Radiology Program’s Self Advising Sheet (see Lincoln Self Advising Sheet or Distance Self Advising Sheet – NOTE: if you’re a Lincoln student interested in taking courses online, select the Lincoln Self Advising Sheet). Once a student enters into the last term of their prerequisite courses, they must submit the following:

1. New application for the Radiography Program.  After creating a profile, click on the link sent to you via email. On the application select "Lincoln"  if you live in or near Lincoln and will do the entire program in Lincoln, either online or classroom.  Select "online" if you will be completing the program outside of Lincoln.
2. Completed Health Statement.
3. Completion of shadowing & web site verification.
4. Transcripts as needed (check with Admissions).
5. Completed self-advising sheet (Lincoln students submit to SCC Admissions, Distance students to Bev Harvey, SCC Radiography program).

When the Self Advising Sheet is received, the student will be placed on the appropriate waiting list and contacted with an anticipated start date.

Students wishing to take advanced level or alternate courses to meet the college’s General Education requirements should contact the Registrar’s Office to ensure that the course/s meet the program requirements.

Shadowing & Website Verification

Students are required to "shadow" a minimum of 10 hours in a hospital setting.  The 10 hours must be completed in shifts of at least 4 hours in length over a minimum of 2 days. 

To learn about the shadowing requirements, students must also visit the Radiology website at http:\\webct.southeast.edu.  Click on "Login"; WebCT ID is "Radguest"; Password is 0000. At the next screen click on RADT Information and follow the steps on the site's homepage.  Upon completion, print and sign the certificate and submit to Admissions.

Documentation of the shadowing experience, exams seen, dates, clinical hours must be on the shadowing verificiation form found on the website. this form must be signed by the supervising technologist, and submitted to Admissions.  To make an appointment to shadow, contact any hospital's Human Resource Department.

SPECIAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

1. CPR for Health Care Providers (or Professional Rescuer) certification is required prior to entrance into the program.
   
2. Health statement with required immunizations prior to entrance into the Program:
   a. Tetanus
   b. MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
   c. Heptavax (Hepatitis B) Series of 3 (can be waived-see advisor)
   d. Negative Tuberculosis Skin test (in the event a student has a positive TB skin test a negative TB chest x-ray is required).
   
3. Successful completion of a criminal background check, including the Nebraska adult & child abuse registries.
   
4. Completion of shadowing & web site verification.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Advanced Placement students may be one of the following:

• Possess a provisional or limited radiographer’s license (or the equivalent of a license for states without licensure law) AND\OR have worked as a limited radiographer for the past year.
  
• Have completed a Radiography Program in another country.
  
• Have completed a Radiography Program and have been unable to pass the ARRT exam.
  

*An application form can be requested by calling Admissions at 1-800-642-4075, Ext. 2600 or by submitting an application online by selecting “Apply Now.”

How to enroll in the Radiologic Technology Program

1. Complete an application for admission.
   See same steps under #1 "Requirements".
2. Submit official high school transcripts, GED scores and/or other college transcripts.
3. Check with an Admissions to determine whether the COMPASS assessment test is needed. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has sufficiently high and recent ACT scores or has successfully completed necessary college level prerequisite courses elsewhere.
4. If applicants have deficiencies or lack of high school diploma or GED, check with a counselor to determine a preparatory plan.
5. Complete a Health Statement and submit to Admissions.
6. Once the application is complete, the Admissions Office will contact you regarding acceptance to Southeast Community College. For Lincoln Students, an advisor from the Academic Transfer Program will be assigned to each student. (The Academic Transfer Program will do all Lincoln pre-radiology advising until the student is placed on the Wait List.) For Distance Students, they should work with the local community college to register for classes and/or contact Bev Harvey to register for SCC online courses.
7. Complete a program orientation when invited by the Program Officials. Students must meet all of the requirements of the orientation to be officially accepted into the program.

For further questions, contact Admissions at 402-437-2600 or 800-642-4075, ext. 2600.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please understand that there may be many students applied to a particular clinical site. It is POSSIBLE to complete all of the requirements for Program acceptance and NOT be allowed to begin the program in the term you are ready for due to the lack of available student positions at that clinical site. If this occurs, you will REMAIN on the list in consideration for the next year. SCC will maintain communication with you during this time to assess your continued interest in the program and to update you on any revisions. There are additional courses that may be completed for advanced training while awaiting Program acceptance (Please contact a program official for more information).

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Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to take an active role in their education in the Radiography Program at SCC. Students must demonstrate maturity, professionalism and responsibility throughout the Program. As students learn the program material, professional standards of conduct, and American Society of Radiologic Technologists Code of Ethics for the Radiography Program, they are RESPONSIBLE for having the knowledge necessary to perform radiographic exams and to know where and how to access information. As students advance through the program, they are responsible for performing and conducting themselves both professionally and educationally in a progressive manner.

Following is an additional list of student expectations:

• Maintain a minimal grade of 75% (C+) in all didactic and clinical education courses.
  
  
• Maintain a current CPR certification and TB inoculation.
  
  
• Maintain attendance standards according to course and program policy.
  
  
• Follow the Program Rules and Regulations as put forth in the program “Clinical Notebook”.
  
  
• Wear the approved uniform, name tag, and radiation badge during clinical education.
  
  
• Demonstrate professionalism, communication skills, and effective interpersonal relations in both the clinical and didactic settings.
  
  
• Produce quality diagnostic radiographs, practice radiation protection, and safely use equipment in clinical and lab settings under required supervision levels.
  
  
• Provide patient care in the practice of radiography and display compassion, understanding of diversity, respect, empathy, and concern for patient dignity.

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Clinical Education

CLINICAL SITES   

During the two-year program, there are a total of 1,725 clock hours in the clinical portion performing and gaining competency in radiographic procedures, with approximately 21-28 hours/week scheduled at pre-approved clinical sites. Students begin their clinical education experience within 10 days of the start of the program in order to directly apply what they are learning in the didactic courses.

Clinical site rotations may include hospitals, rural rotations, various types of clinics, and rehabilitation institutions. Clinical will involve interaction with patients and other hospital personnel. Patient contact will range from ambulatory outpatients, to the critically ill, to trauma patients. Students are required to spend a majority of their time in the radiology department, surgery department, and emergency department. Clinical requirements include vital signs, venipuncture, and radiographic exams. Clinical hours depend on the clinical rotation. Although the majority of the student clinical hours will be day shifts, Monday through Friday, students are also required to do evening and weekend rotations on occassion. Students are responsible for transportation to clinical sites. For a facility to be considered a clinical site for the Program, it must meet the expectations of the program for program affiliation.

Background Checks

All students are required to complete a criminal background check. Clinical sites have the right to refuse any student that does not meet site criteria.

Didactic Courses

Students are required to take didactic courses along with clinical hours. There are two didactic classes per quarter or term the first year; one didactic class per quarter the second year (with additional student projects). Didactic classes may be taken in a classroom on the Lincoln campus or online.

Classroom Didactic Courses

Students scheduled for a Lincoln summer intake (July) will be taking all didactic courses on the Lincoln Campus. Students will be given information through the use of power point presentations, handouts, and in-class lecture. Students are required to do group activities, assignments, and in-class discussions.

Online Didactic Courses

Distance students (students doing clinical hours outside the Lincoln area) and students scheduled for a Lincoln winter intake (January) will take all radiology didactic courses online. Students are provided with a CD containing the same power point presentation and a pre-recorded audio lecture as used in the classroom. CDs also contain video clips and animations to help students learn the material. Students will review the CD, take notes, do activities and assignments, and have discussions via the online format with other students and the instructor. The instructor of the class can be contacted by email, instant messenger (during online office hours), or phone. Student testing is achieved by an online testing site that monitors the student and provides instant feedback.  All students completing the online component are required to attend two, 3-day workshops on campus in Lincoln, Nebraska, one in each year of the program.