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Hagerstown Community College / HCC

Academic Catalog

2015-2016 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Radiography, A.A.S.


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Special Admission Requirements: Program Application Deadline: October 1 for Summer

Career Programs Building, Room 166

This program of study is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program; therefore, some residents of Maryland enrolled in this program of study on the first day of the term may be eligible for in-county tuition rates for courses required for program completion.

Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 69 credit hours

Purpose: Prepares students for practice as entry-level radiographers in health care facilities and specialty offices. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (www.arrt.org) certification examination in radiography.

Curriculum: The curriculum is divided into areas of study consisting of lecture, laboratory, and clinical experiences. Content areas of the curriculum include anatomy and physiology, professional ethics, radiation safety and equipment operation, radiographic positioning and procedures, imaging techniques, and pathology. The radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (www.jrcert.org).

Mission Statement: The Radiography Program is designed to provide students with successful entry into the practice of radiography.

Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science degree in radiography program will be able to:

  1. Provide appropriate patient care in the course of radiographic procedures with respect to diverse cultures, values, and beliefs.
  2. Competently perform routine imaging procedures.
  3. Utilize appropriate protection and standard precautions.
  4. Critique images to assure highest quality.
  5. Communicate effectively with staff and patients.
  6. Be able to solve age-specific, disease-specific, and non-routine imaging situations.
  7. Make critical decisions appropriate for the medical imager.
  8. Perform as an effective team member.
  9. Practice within the ethical framework of the profession.
  10. Document participation in continuing education activities while enrolled in the program.
  11. Begin employment in a healthcare facility within the community.
  12. Meet the imaging needs of the community.
  13. Participate in continuing education activities to stay current in their profession.

Admission Requirements
Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to the Radiography Program. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration by the application deadline.

  • Submit a completed program application known as the Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • A minimum of 20 credits completed or in progress at the time of application to the program. The courses include ENG 101 , MAT 109  or MAT 114  or equivalent, BIO 103 , BIO 104 , General Education Course from Arts and Humanities category, and PSY 101  
  • A grade of “C” or higher is required for all general education courses
  • A minimum cumulative grade point average for all college coursework of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 for all program courses is required
  • Foreign educated students must have their college and high school transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or AACRAO International Education Services (IES)
  • Completion of all required science courses within five years prior to admission to the program

Program Requirements: Students practice selected procedures on each other in the college laboratory. All radiography students must:

  1. A grade of “C” (75%) or higher is required for all radiography courses.
  2. Meet program competency requirements for both the simulation laboratory and clinical experiences.

Students who receive a final mark of unsatisfactory in the clinical laboratory or clinical experience, despite a passing theory grade, will not be permitted to progress in the radiography program and will receive a final grade of “F” for the course.

Students who do not meet program, course, technical, health, and radiation standards that result in termination from the radiography program by the College are not eligible for readmission. This includes students who cannot meet safety standards, and students who violate the college’s Honor Code and Standards of Conduct, the radiography program’s Standards of Conduct, and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Standards of Ethics.

Fact Sheet

Program Pathway

Courses required for application to the program
Course Number Course Name Credits
Gen Ed ENG 101 - English Composition 3
Gen Ed MAT 109 - Introduction to Statistics or MAT 114 - Introduction to Applied Algebra (or higher) 3
Gen Ed BIO 103 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I (check Chemistry prerequisite) 4
Gen Ed BIO 104 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4
Gen Ed PSY 101 - General Psychology 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities Gen Ed 3
TOTAL   20

 

First Summer
Course Number Course Name Credits
RAD 101 Radiography I 3
RAD 103 Radiographic Positioning 3
TOTAL   6

 

First Year Fall   First Year Spring
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
RAD 102 Radiography II 3   RAD 105 Radiographic Positioning III 3
RAD 104 Radiographic Positioning II 3   RAD 108 Clinical Technique II 2
RAD 106 Clinical Technique I 2   PHY 106 Radiological Physics Theory 3
TOTAL   8   TOTAL   8

 

Second Summer
Course Number Course Name Credits
RAD 200 Clinical Practicum 3
BIO 202 Radiation Biology 2
RAD 110 Venipuncture for Radiographers 1
TOTAL   6

 

Second Year Fall   Second Year Spring
Course Number Course Name Credits   Course Number Course Name Credits
RAD 201 Radiographic Imaging Concepts 3   RAD 215 Pathology for Imaging Sciences 3
RAD 202 Advanced Medical Imaging Concepts 3   RAD 211 Clinical Technique IV 3
RAD 212 Cross-Sectional Anatomy 3   RAD 228 Review Seminar 3
RAD 205 Clinical Technique III 3        
TOTAL   12   TOTAL   9

 

General Education Requirements (20 Credits)


Arts/Humanities


Behavioral/Social Sciences


Selection Criteria


The initial application deadline is October 1st; students will be admitted to the radiography program in May of the following year. The radiography program is an oversubscribed program which means that there are more applicants than there are available seats in the program. Students are selected for admission based on a point system. Points are earned by the number of courses completed, cumulative grade point average for all required program courses, and residency.  Those with the greatest number of points are admitted to the program. Students who have been accepted for admission will be notified of the decision by mail. The offer of admission is for the specified year only.

Those students not admitted to the May class will be placed on a standby list until May 1. The standby list is dissolved after May 1, and students who desire admission to the radiography program in a subsequent year, must fill out another Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form and follow the admission guidelines above.

Final Acceptance


Final acceptance into the program is contingent upon the following criteria. Students unable to meet these criteria will be withdrawn from the program and the seat filled by a student from the standby list.

  1. Successful completion of program requirements at the time of application.
  2. Students must successfully complete, with a grade of “C” or better, the credit medical terminology course, MAP 102  or equivalency.
  3. Students must demonstrate computer literacy by passing the IC3 examination or the CLEP examination or complete IST 102 - Introduction to Information Technology  with a grade of “C” or higher.
  4. Students must successfully pass a drug screen and criminal background check. Prior criminal records may prohibit students from clinical program placement and employment opportunities.
  5. Students must be able to meet the program’s Technical Standards.
  6. Satisfactory completion of a health examination record and all required tests and immunizations.
  7. Current American Heart Association “Healthcare Provider” CPR certification.

Criminal Background Checks


All students who are offered admission to the radiography program will be required to submit to fingerprinting and a complete criminal background check. A separate criminal background check may also be required by a clinical site prior to beginning a clinical experience. Criminal background check results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of the background check, and as a result, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be dismissed from the radiography program.

Individuals applying to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) certification exam may need to complete a Pre-Application Review to determine ethics eligibility. Hagerstown Community College has no influence or control over the ARRT’s judgment in these matters. State agencies governing the practice of radiographers may deny an individual licensure, even if the individual has completed all course work and graduated from the program, if the individual has a criminal history, has been convicted, or pleads guilty, or nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime.

Drug Screen


All students who are offered admission to the radiography program will be required to submit to a drug screen. Drug screen results are disclosed to clinical facilities as required. A random drug screen may also be requested at any time during the radiography program if a radiography faculty member or a clinical facility representative has reasonable cause to suspect that a student is impaired and poses a safety concern to patients or others. If a student is denied access by a clinical site because of drug screen results, and as such, cannot meet program requirements, the student will be dismissed from the radiography program.

Clinical Site Placement


Student placement in the clinical education component of the radiography program is determined each semester. Misconduct in the clinical education site may result in loss of clinical placement and/or program dismissal.

Readmission to the Radiography Program


Students seeking readmission to the radiography program must submit their request in writing to the Program Coordinator, Medical Imaging Programs, by October 1, for spring and summer readmission, and by March 1, for fall readmission. Readmission to the radiography program must take place within one year of leaving the program. Readmission cannot be assured and is based on the criteria described in the readmission requirements available in the Radiography Program Student Handbook. The curriculum under which a student seeks readmission may be different from the one under which the student left. Students who are accepted for readmission must complete the degree requirements in place at the time of readmission. Students who fail or withdraw from a radiography course after readmission are not eligible to be readmitted a second time. Readmission to the radiography program is based on highest grade-point average and available seats in the class.

Transfer from Other Colleges


Students who wish to transfer into the HCC radiography program may do so during the fall, spring, and summer semester providing there are unfilled seats in the class and meet all admission requirements.

Students transferring to HCC from other colleges who seek admission as a first time student into the radiography program must be enrolled as an HCC student and complete the Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form by the established deadline dates. In order to be considered for admission, students must meet the same requirements as other first time students and will be selected according to the same criteria. Official transcripts from other colleges attended must be received by the application deadline. A transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Registration to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Science courses that are older than five years must be repeated.  Online science labs are not accepted in transfer. 

Transfer from Other Radiography Programs


Students transferring to HCC who have been enrolled in another radiography program must be enrolled as an HCC student, complete the Supplemental Application for Selective Admissions Programs form, and submit transcripts from other colleges attended by the established deadline dates. A transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Registration to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Science courses that are older than five years must be repeated. In addition to the transfer evaluation, the student’s transcript will be forwarded to the Coordinator, Medical Imaging Programs for an additional evaluation. An interview with the Coordinator and a reference check from the student’s previous radiography program is required. A decision is then made by the Coordinator as to whether the student will be admitted to the radiography program. An appeal to the Coordinator’s decision must be made to the Director, Health Sciences Division. The Director’s decision is considered final.

Ionizing Radiation and Pregnancy


Reporting of pregnancy to program officials is voluntary on the part of the student. Regulatory Guide 8.13, Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure, (www.nrc.gov) published by the United States Regulatory Commission provides information and guidelines.

ARRT–CQ/2011 Continued Requirements


American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certifications awarded January 1, 2011, and thereafter will be time-limited to 10 years. Prior to the end of the 10-year period, the individual will be required to demonstrate qualifications to continue to hold the certification. For additional information, visit the ARRT Web site at www.arrt.org.

Clinical Education


Students enrolled in the radiography program will be assigned to healthcare facilities within the tri-state region. Students are expected to provide their own transportation to the facilities and abide by the policies and protocols of each facility. Clinical education assignments are completed on a semester basis and will include day, evening, and weekend schedules.

Technical Standards


There are technical standards and skill requirements which students are expected to possess and demonstrate in order to be successful in this program. More information on these standards can be found on the Web page for this program.

Program Hours of Operation


Classroom, laboratory, and clinical education assignments are completed on a semester basis and may include day, evening and weekend schedules between the hours of 6:00AM - 9:00PM.

Additional information pertaining to professional and program requirements can be obtained by contacting 240-500-2549.

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