2013-2014 Catalog

Nov 23, 2024

2013-2014 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computed Tomography Imaging, Certificate

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Career Programs Building Room 166 - Contact Information: jlbeirdneau@hagerstowncc.edu

Award: Certificate

Total Credit Hours: 14 credit hours

Purpose: Prepares students for practice as entry-level computed tomography (CT) imagers 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 Computed Tomography.

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, CT safety and equipment operation, CT positioning and procedures, imaging techniques, and pathology.

Program Outcomes: Graduates of the Certificate Program in computed tomography will be able to:

Provide appropriate patient care in the course of CT with respect to diverse cultures, values, and beliefs.
Competently perform routine imaging 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 imaging 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 Computed Tomography Program. The requirements below must be completed and submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration. This program is open to currently ARRT certified radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, radiation therapy technologists, and students enrolled in the sophomore year of any of these accredited programs.

Hagerstown Community College application
Computed Tomography program application
Official college transcript(s)
Current ARRT certification
Current resume or curriculum vitae, including current and previous position(s) as a radiographer/technologist
Students who have been out of the patient care environment for more than two years may be considered for admission upon successful completion of RAD 213 - Patient Care for Advanced Medical Imagers , with a minimum grade of 75% or higher

Program Requirements: All computed tomography students must:

Receive a minimum grade of 75% (C grade) in each computed tomography course.
Meet program competency requirements.
Complete clinical education coursework 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 course instructor no later than one month prior to start of the academic semester to ensure admission into the program.
Enrollment in RAD 220 must be within 12 months of completing RAD 218 or successful completion (minimum of 75%) on the RAD 218 course final exam.

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 computed tomography 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 computed tomography 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 Healthcare 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

Program Requirements (14 Credits)

RAD 212 - Cross-Sectional Anatomy (3 Credits)
RAD 215 - Pathology for Imaging Sciences (3 Credits)
RAD 218 - Principles of CT Imaging (4 Credits)
RAD 220 - CT Imaging Practicum I (2 Credits)
RAD 220A - CT Imaging Practicum II (2 Credits)

Certificate Requirement (14 Credits)

Criminal Background Checks

All students who are offered admission to the CT 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 CT 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.

Drug Screen

All students who are offered admission to the CT 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 CT 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 dismissed from the CT program.

Clinical Site Placement

Student placement in the clinical education component of the computed tomography 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 Computed Tomography Program

Students seeking readmission to the computed tomography program must submit their request in writing to the Program Coordinator, Computed Tomography by October 1, for spring and summer readmission, and by March 1, for fall readmission. Readmission to the computed tomography 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 Computed Tomography 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 computed tomography course after readmission are not eligible to be readmitted a second time.

Transfer from Other Colleges

Students who wish to transfer into the HCC computed tomography 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 computed tomography 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 Registration to determine which courses a student may transfer to HCC for credit. Science courses that are older than seven 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 computed tomography 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 Computed Tomography Programs

Students transferring to HCC who have been enrolled in another computed tomography program must be enrolled as an HCC student 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 seven years must be repeated. Transfer to the computed tomography program must take place within one year of leaving the prior computed tomography 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 computed tomography 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 computed tomography 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 218 - Principles of CT Imaging at HCC prior to enrolling in RAD 220 .

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.

Additional information pertaining to professional and program requirements can be obtained by emailing jlbeirdneau@hagerstowncc.edu.

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