2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Mammography, Letter of Recognition
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 Return to: Programs of Study
Purpose: Prepares students for practice as entry-level mammographers in health care facilities and specialty offices. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (www.arrt.org) certification examination in Mammography.
View the Mammography, Letter of Recognition Fee Sheet.
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, mammography safety and equipment operation, mammography positioning and procedures, imaging techniques, and pathology.
Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Letter of Recognition Program in Mammography will be able to:
- Provide appropriate patient care in the course of mammographic procedures with respect to diverse cultures, values, and beliefs.
- Competently perform mammographic procedures.
- Utilize appropriate protection and standard precautions.
- Critique images to assure highest quality.
- Communicate effectively with staff and patients.
- Be able to solve age-specific, disease-specific, and non-routine mammographic situations.
- Make critical decisions appropriate for the medical imager.
- Perform as an effective team member.
- Practice within the ethical framework of the profession.
- Meet the imaging needs of the community.
Admission Requirements: Admission to HCC does not guarantee admission to the Mammography Program. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management. This program is open to currently ARRT certified radiographers and students enrolled in the sophomore year of a JRCERT accredited program.
Program Requirements: All mammography students must:
- Maintain a minimum grade of “C” or better in all program requirement area courses. The Health Sciences Division “C” represents a grade of at least a 75%.
- Meet program competency requirements.
- Enrollment in RAD 216AC must be within one year of completion of RAD 216 .
- Clinical education coursework must be completed within two years to satisfy program requirements and ARRT certification eligibility requirements.
- Students planning to enroll in the clinical education component of the program must meet with the program coordinator no later than one month prior to the start of the academic semester.
- 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 mammography program and will receive a final grade of “F” for the course and are not eligible for readmission.
- Students who do not meet program, course, technical, health and radiation standards that result in termination from the mammography 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.
Clinical Acceptance: Acceptance into the clinical component of the program is contingent upon the following criteria. Students unable to meet these criteria will not be considered for clinical placement.
- Current state license (if applicable)
- Current American Heart Association BLS Provider certification
- Satisfactory completion of a health examination record and all required tests and immunizations
- Students must meet the Technical Standards for the medical imaging programs
Fact Sheet
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Program Requirements (5 credits)
*A minimum grade of “C” or better is required for all program requirement courses. The Health Sciences Division “C” represents a grade of at least a 75%.
Certificate Requirement (5 Credits)
Additional Program Requirements
Criminal Background Checks
All students who are offered admission to the Mammography 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 recommended for dismissal from the Mammography 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 nolo contendere to a felony or other serious crime.
Drug Screen
All students who are offered admission to the Mammography 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 Mammography program if a 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 recommended for dismissal from the Mammography program.
Clinical Site Placement
Student placement in the clinical education component of the mammography program is determined each semester. Misconduct in the clinical education site may result in loss of clinical placement and/or recommended for program dismissal.
Readmission to the Mammography Program
Students seeking readmission to the mammography program must submit their request in writing to the Program Coordinator, Mammography program by October 1, for spring and summer readmission, and by March 1, for fall readmission. Readmission to the mammography 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 Mammography 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 mammography course after readmission are not eligible to be readmitted a second time. Transfer from Other Colleges
Students who wish to transfer into the HCC mammography 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 mammography program must be enrolled as an HCC student. 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 Enrollment Management to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Science courses that are older than five years must be repeated. A decision is then made by the designated program faculty and the Coordinator, Medical Imaging Programs as to whether the student will be admitted to the mammography program. An appeal to the Coordinator’s decision must be made to the Director, Health Sciences Division. The Director’s decision is considered final.
Transfer from Other Mammography Programs
Students transferring to HCC who have been enrolled in another mammography program must be enrolled as an HCC student, a transfer evaluation will be done on all transcripts by the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Science courses that are older than five years must be repeated. Transfer to the mammography program must take place within one year of leaving the prior mammography program. In addition to the transfer evaluation, the student’s transcript will be forwarded to the designated program faculty and the Coordinator, Medical Imaging Programs for an additional evaluation. An interview with the designated program faculty and a reference check from the student’s previous mammography program is required. A decision is then made by the designated program faculty and the Coordinator as to whether the student will be admitted to the mammography program. An appeal to the Coordinator’s decision must be made to the Director, Health Sciences Division. The Director’s decision is considered final. All students must take RAD 216 , Mammography for Radiographers at HCC prior to enrolling in RAD 216AC .
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 website at www.arrt.org. 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.
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