Radiography (AAS) A45700

The Radiography curriculum prepares the graduate to be a radiographer, a skilled healthcare professional who uses radiation to produce images of the human body.

Coursework includes clinical rotations to area healthcare facilities, radiographic exposure, image processing, radiographic procedures, physics, pathology, patient care and management, radiation protection, quality assurance, anatomy and physiology, and radiobiology.

Graduates of accredited programs are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ national examination for certification and registration as medical radiographers. Graduates may be employed in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, medical laboratories, government agencies and industry.

Accreditation

This program is accredited for 8 years through 2032 by:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312-704-5300
jrcert.org

Accreditation details for Cleveland Community College can be found at www.jrcert.org/programs/cleveland-community-college/, and all JRCERT accredited programs can be found at www.jrcert.org.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of this program is to prepare graduates for employment as registered, skilled healthcare professionals who employ the proper use of radiation to produce radiographic images of the human body in varied facilities and with diverse populations.

Program Goals/Student Learning Outcomes

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competency. 

• 1.1 Students will demonstrate clinical competency by utilizing proper radiation protection.
• 1.2 Students will demonstrate clinical competency by utilizing proper positioning skills.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.

• 2.1 Students will demonstrate professional oral and written communication skills.
• 2.2 Students will communicate effectively with patients, family members, and the healthcare team to assist in providing safe and efficient care.

Goal 3: Students will develop and apply effective critical thinking skills.

• 3.1 Students will demonstrate critical thinking by adapting standard procedures to non-routine patients
• 3.2 Students will demonstrate critical thinking by evaluating images to determine diagnostic quality. 

Program Terminal Student Learning Outcomes/Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

• Student Learning Outcome 1: Students will be clinically competent.
• Student Learning Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate communication skills.
• Student Learning Outcome 3: Students will develop critical thinking skills.
• Student Learning Outcome 4: Students will model professionalism.

Further information regarding student learning outcomes is available in the Radiography Program Handbook.

Program Effectiveness Data

The following is the most current program effectiveness data as published by JRCERT.

Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Credentialing Examination Rate	Number Passed on 1st Attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 – 2020	8 of 12 – 67%
Year 2 – 2021	10 of 10 – 100%
Year 3 – 2022	13 of 13 – 100%
Year 4 – 2023	11 of 11 – 100%
Year 5 – 2024	11 of 11 – 100%
Program 5-Year Average	53 of 67 – 93%

Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rate	Number Employed divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 – 2020	12 of 12 – 100%
Year 2 – 2021	10 of 10 – 100%
Year 3 – 2023	13 of 13 – 100%
Year 4 – 2023	11 of 11 – 100%
Year 5 – 2024	11 of 11 – 100%
Program 5-Year Average	57 of 57 – 100%

Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is

Program Completion Rate	Number Graduated divided by number started the program
Year	Results
Year – 2024	11 of 16
Annual Completion Rate	64.7%

Admission and Selection Criteria

CCC has established admissions and selection procedures to ensure students are admitted and selected in a consistent and equitable manner. Completion of these requirements will not guarantee admission to the program. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Health Sciences Symposium, which are held in June and November, to learn more information about the program.

All admissions criteria must be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the program deadline of January 25.

Admission Requirements

• Application to the College and NC Registry
• Health Sciences Application to the respective program
• Official high school transcript or equivalent
• Reading/English: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
  • Completion of ENG 111 or equivalent with a minimum grade of “C”
  • Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for ENG 111 without corequisite (or currently enrolled)
  • Have a 2.8 or higher unweighted high school GPA
  • Provide satisfactory placement test scores
  • Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree

• Math: Meet one of the following to demonstrate proficiency:
  • Completion of MAT 110 or higher with a minimum grade of “C
  • Completion of prerequisites to be eligible to register for college-level math without corequisite
  • Provide satisfactory placement test score
  • Provide proof of completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree
• TEAS Score of 55 or higher

Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Testing Information

The TEAS is designed specifically to assess the preparedness of students applying to a health sciences program. TEAS scores are good for 5 years and must have a minimum of 30 days between each test. Students must register for the test through ATI at www.atitesting.com.

TEAS testing information:

• Paper and pencil will be provided
• No smartwatches or any other programmable devices are allowed
• Cell phones must be turned off
• No food or drink allowed, unless medically necessary
• Photo ID required
• ATI login information

Post-Provisional Acceptance Requirements

An email notification of provisional acceptance will be sent by February 20. The following must be completed to satisfy acceptance requirements:

• Attend program specific orientation
• Complete CCC Health Sciences Medical Form
• Criminal background check and 12-panel drug screen obtained through a secure compliance tracking database
• The following immunizations are required (more information will be provided during orientation):
  
  • Complete 2-Step TB Test or IGRA
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza (required between 9/1 – 10/31) or of current Influenza Season
  • Varicella
  • Td or TDaP
  • MMR
• CPR Certification will be offered the first week of class (first fall semester only) and must remain current throughout the program.
• Comply with the Technical Standards outlined for the program
• Highly recommended for all students to have health insurance

Clinical facilities may require criminal background check, drug screenings, and/or proof of US citizenship prior to or during participation in the clinical portion of program. A student who is unable to complete the clinical portion of a program will not be able to graduate. Criminal background checks, drug screenings, credit checks, and/or proof of US citizenship may also be required after graduation by examination boards, state licensing boards, and employing agencies.

Essential Functions and Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

The following standards reflect reasonable expectations of students. In adopting these standards, the program is mindful of the patient’s right to safe and high-quality healthcare by students. The student must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations while providing high-quality patient care. These standards reflect what may be required for employment of the entry-level professional.

It is important students admitted possess cognitive and critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, behavioral skills, physical skills, and communication skills necessary to practice in the field. Reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis, but each student must be able to independently perform all performance standards demanded by the clinical site and the College. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with Disabilities Services at Cleveland Community College. The following abilities/skills are required, with or without accommodations. Students must meet the following technical standards and maintain satisfactory demonstration of these standards for progression throughout the program. Students unable to meet these technical standards will not be able to complete the program. The examples used are not all-inclusive.

Capability	Standard	Examples of Technical Standard Found in the Program and Related to Industry
Cognitive Ability/Critical Thinking Skills	Demonstrate ability in reading and comprehension and use them together to demonstrate critical thinking skills and clinical reasoning.	Read and document data. Operate various healthcare equipment, including blood pressure monitoring, digital and standard scales, and mechanical lifts.
	Demonstrate a professional manner and insight in the communication process.	Identify and immediately report changes in patient health status conditions that endanger patients, and evaluate patient complaints.
	Be able to exercise critical thinking skills, organize responsibilities, make appropriate decisions, and accurate mathematical calculations.	Incorporate knowledge from lecture, laboratory and clinical experience to prioritize safe and efficient care for each patient. Perform measurement and calculations.
Physical	Tactile Skills: Sense of touch sufficient to perform physical assessment and functions.	Seize, hold, grasp, and turn with hands. Perform palpation, tactile assessment, and manipulation of the body as required to produce diagnostic images. Manipulate locks on equipment. Don gloves. Fill syringes. Align patient, image receptors, and x-ray tube.
	Mobility/Motor Skills: Possess skills sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.	Be able to lift and carry or push up to 50 pounds. Demonstrate adequate coordination. Be able to endure long periods of standing, sitting, walking, bending, lifting, reaching, stooping, squatting, and moving in complex health environments. Position and transfer patients safely from wheelchair or stretcher to x-ray table and back. Push mobile x-ray machine to various locations, including patient rooms. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Reach overhead to manipulate equipment hanging from the ceiling.
	Auditory Skills: Hearing ability (with corrective devices as needed) to monitor and respond to the patient and the healthcare team.	Hear instructions. Perform percussion and auscultation in a physical examination. Hear call for help. Hear low noise level bells and/or buzzers. Function when healthcare team is required to wear surgical masks.
	Visual Skills: Visual ability (with corrective devices as needed) to monitor and assess patient care needs, performance of patient care procedures, and maintenance and compliance with environmental safety.	Observe demonstrations and participate in physical examination sessions, clinical skills workshops, and observe the difference between normal versus pathological states. Read monitor data. Read and document diagnostic records. Possess visual acuity and intensity discrimination in order to evaluate radiographs or scans for technical quality. Possess peripheral vision. Possess depth perception.
Behavioral Skills	Possess the emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly, without warning, and or/in unpredictable ways.	Accept responsibility for learning, exercising good judgment, and promptly completing all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients. Contribute to collaborative, constructive learning environments; accept constructive feedback from others; take personal responsibility for making appropriate positive changes. Demonstrate flexibility, compassion, integrity, and motivation. Present a professional appearance.
Interpersonal Skills	Ability to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.	Demonstrate respect for the patient, his or her privacy, and for family members. Develop and maintain effective, mature and sensitive professional relationships with other members of the heathcare team. Establish rapport with patients, families and colleagues.
Communication Skills	Ability to communicate effectively in the classroom, laboratory, and all clinical settings with patients, families and members of the healthcare team. Students must be able to speak and converse with all persons across the lifespan.	Read, comprehend, and write legibly in the English language. Demonstrate evidence of effective written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate technological literacy. Be able to collect and document data. Provide clear and audible directions to patients face-to-face and from the radiography control area, away from the patient.
Occupational Exposure	Healthcare is often delivered in high-stress areas, requiring management of multiple roles and duties simultaneously. The imaging student must possess the ability to protect self and others by implementing appropriate precautions due to possible exposure to radiation, communicable disease and/or body fluids, toxic substances, or other hazards.	Exposure to blood and body fluids and communicable and infectious diseases, requiring the wearing of personal protective equipment, i.e., masks, goggles, and gloves. Working with sharps and chemicals. Exposure to radiation, requiring lead apron weighing up to 10 pounds and monitoring devices for dose to exposed body parts. Exposure to latex and nitrile products if allergic. Exposure to assault and battery Environmental hazards – slippery floors, various levels of lighting, various room temperatures, etc. Legal / ethical dilemmas Liability issues

Estimated Total Cost for Program

Fee Description	Year 1	Year 2
Tuition (Rad Courses Only)	$2190.00	$1810.00
Program Fee	$685.00	$0
Background, Drug Screen, & Immunization Tracker	$144.00	$88.00
Clinical Tracker	$40.00	$40.00
Health Sciences Fee (Uniform Fee Included)	$200.00	$0
Malpractice Insurance	$16.00	$16.00
CPR Card	$10.00	$0
Textbooks	$200.00	$200.00
Pinning Fee	$0	$50.00
Laptop (Recommended)	$500.00	$0
Estimated Total	$3985.00	$2204.00
Estimated Grand Total (2 Years)		$6189.00

Understanding the Ranking Process

When all admissions requirements have been met, qualified applicants are ranked using a point system. Enrollment in related courses is not required for acceptance; however, extra points will be awarded for each related course, completed by the deadline, based on the grade earned in the course. If the course is repeated, the highest grade earned will be used in the ranking.

• A = 4 points
• B = 3 points
• C = 2 points (no points are awarded for grades lower than C)

AP credit is based on the individual scores:

• 5 = 4 points
• 4 = 3 points
• 3 = 2 points (no points are awarded for scores lower than 3)

Related course points will be added to the total TEAS score for the ranking. Applicants with the highest ranked scores will be accepted. In the event of a tie, the applicant with the highest science score on the TEAS will be ranked higher. An alternate list will be maintained in ranking order. Alternates will only be accepted if a space becomes available. Applicants not admitted to the program must reapply. The below charts can be used to track related course points.

Related courses:

Course	Grade	Points Earned
BIO 168
BIO 169
CNA (with clinical experience)
ENG 111
PSY 150 or SOC 210

Reentry Process

For students seeking reentry to the radiography program:

1. All requests for reentry must be approved by the Admissions Office and the Radiography Program Director prior to implementation.
2. Only one reentry will be considered.

Applied and Not Accepted to Program

Students not selected to the program may reapply for the next year by completing a new health sciences application. All applications for admission must be updated annually.

Grading Policy

All RAD Courses must receive a grade of B (80) or higher, and all other course in the program must receive a grade of C or higher.