2023-2024 College Catalog 
    
    Sep 08, 2024  
2023-2024 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Imaging - Radiography, A.S.


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Department Chairperson: Dr. Felicia Holliday
Clinical Coordinator: Ms. Haley Lacovitch 


The Radiologic Sciences program offers an Associate of Science Degree that is inclusive of all eligibility requirements for the entry-level American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification exam in Radiography. The student-focused curriculum includes professional courses in the radiologic sciences and a structured competency-based clinical education with an emphasis on liberal arts studies.

The mission of the Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences Program at Mount Aloysius College is to prepare students to develop values, attitudes, and competencies necessary to become entry-level radiologic technologists. Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Medical Imaging: Radiography, the graduate will meet the below Program Goals and Learning Outcomes:
 

  1. Goal 1: Professionalism

    • Students/graduates will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform as entry-level radiographers.

    • Outcomes:

      • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of professional ethics for radiologic technologists.

      • Students will be able to model professionalism.

  2. Goal 2: Critical Thinking

    • Students/graduates will demonstrate critical thinking skills to solve problems effectively.

    • Outcomes:

      • Students will be able to apply special non-routine projections to challenging cases.

      • Students will be able to critically assess images.

  3. Goal 3: Clinical Performance and Competence

    • Students/graduates will understand and promote professionalism.

    • Outcomes:

      • Students will be able to demonstrate high-quality patient care.

      • Students will be able to adequately demonstrate image acquisition and exposure techniques.

      • Students will be able to demonstrate proper radiation protection practices.

      • Students will be able to apply proper patient positioning skills.

  4. Goal 4: Communication

    • Students/graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills.

    • Outcomes:

      • Students will be able to demonstrate effective written communication skills.

      • Students will be able to demonstrate proper oral communication skills.


Departmental Program Requirements

General Requirements Regardless of Specific Program of Study

  1. For applicants applying directly into any associate degree program: 

    • Complete work equal to standard high school courses with satisfactory achievement (grade of “C” or better) in Algebra and Chemistry within the previous five years. If an incoming student does not have the algebra within the previous five years, the student will be required to complete MAT 001: Basic Math Concepts through NursingABC.com;

    • All applicants must have a minimum of 2.7 GPA;

    • A student who is admitted as a pre-medical imaging student or coded as pre-medical imaging during a break in enrollment in the program directly must earn a grade of “C” or better in all core courses and courses outside the major. Once the student is matriculated fully into the program, grades of “D” or better are acceptable in all non-major courses and science courses.

  2. It is important that students take the required science coursework, as prescribed by their academic advisor. Failure to do so may delay graduation.

  3. Students that are attending a clinical have multiple requirements that need to be completed and submitted electronically. A clinical experience will not be permitted without a physical exam, titers to ensure immunity to Mumps, Rubella, Rubeola, and Varicella, immunization information for Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis, and Influenza, and a two- step Tuberculosis test. The Health Service Department assists students in creating an account and using a Certified Profile system to upload documentation for approval and tracking.

  4. Students are required to have a current clear urine drug screen, submit to a criminal record check, an FBI fingerprint record check and have a child abuse history clearance.

  5. Students in a Health Studies Division curriculum are assessed a one-time fee to cover incidental expenses connected with your program’s clinical education. One American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED), one urine drug screening, one criminal record check, one FBI fingerprint record check, and one child abuse clearance (if required) are included in the fee. If additional criminal record checks, child abuse clearances or urine drug screens are required, the student will be responsible for any additional costs associated with updating their requirements.

  6. Students are required to have and maintain a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification (Adult, Child, Infant and AED) for the duration of their clinical experience.

  7. The associate and bachelor degree programs in Medical Imaging, Ultrasonography, and Nuclear Medicine programs may require part-time or full-time summer clinical work.

  8. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites and are responsible for their own room and board during the course, if necessary. Students may be required to relocate due to clinical sites being at a distance.

  9. Students in the 2+2 Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences program, who are transferring credits which apply towards the associate degree requirements, may take courses needed for the bachelor degree during their time in the associate degree program with approval of their academic advisor.

  10. Please note: Program requirements may be changed as changes in the national standards occur.

 

For acceptance at the Advanced Level:

Current Registered Technologist with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists OR Completion of an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography must provide documentation of certification through the American of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).


Specific Ultrasonography Program Requirements (2+2 Program)

  1. For entrance into the ultrasonography courses in the 2+2 Medical Imaging/Ultrasonography program, students must first complete the first two years of coursework in radiologic technology. Those students will be exempt from PHYS 103: Applied Physics and MATH 112: College Algebra. Radiographic Physics is completed during RAD 103, RAD 110,  RAD 204, and RAD 211.

  2. For Radiographers with a hospital diploma in Radiography and graduates of an Associate Degree in Radiography they must possess an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography or provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

  3. Students must maintain a 2.7 GPA throughout the program.

  4. The associate degree program in the Ultrasonography program requires summer clinical course work. In the bachelor degree program, students will complete full-time clinical course work during the summer between the second and third years in the Ultrasonography program.

  5. If all program prerequisites for the Bachelor of Science Ultrasonography program are not completed prior to the start of the fall semester ultrasonography coursework, the student will be placed into the ULTSP Track.

  6. Students must attempt the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam during Summer I, the semester before the first clinical rotation.

  7. It is recommended that graduating Ultrasound students in the Medical Imaging and Sciences department should sit for the American Registry of Radiologic (ARRT) for Ultrasound or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) no later than four weeks after their May graduation date.

  8. Students accepted into the Ultrasonography program are contingent upon the number of available clinical sites. This number can fluctuate from year to year due to the dynamic nature of the healthcare field. In the event that the volume of students exceeds the number of clinical sites, students will be based upon career GPA.

  9. Students must provide their own transportation to clinical sites and are responsible for their own room and board during the course, if necessary. Students may be required to relocate due to clinical sites being at a distance.


Specifics: Nuclear Medicine Therapy Concentration (3 + 1 or Bachelor of Science Degree)

  1. For acceptance at the Advanced Level, the students must: 

    • be a current Registered Radiologic Technologist and provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or have completed an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography.

    • Students, depending on the number of transfer credits, may be accepted as a Junior.

  2. Because this is an articulation program with Findlay University, students should: 

    • Apply to Findlay University not later than one year before matriculation.

    • Apply for graduation at the end of their junior year. Students in the articulation program will participate in Commencement at the College at the end of their senior year. However, students do not officially have their degrees conferred until the completion of their clinical rotation in the summer of their senior year.

    • Send their official transcript from Findlay University directly to the Registrar’s Office at the end of their fall, spring, and summer semesters at Findlay University.


Specifics: Radiation Therapy Concentration (3+1 or Bachelor of Science Degree)

For acceptance at the Advanced Level, the students must:

  • Be a current Registered Radiologic Technologist and provide documentation of certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and have completed an Associate of Science Degree in Radiography.

  • Admission into the Radiation Therapy program at Washburn University is not guaranteed, is contingent on a GPA of 3.0, and all applicants from Mount Aloysius College will be included in the total number of candidates the University receives.

 

Students, depending on the number of transfer credits, ARRT certification in radiography, and associate degree completed, may be accepted as a Junior.

 

Because this is an articulation program with Washburn University, students should:

  • mail completed application, postmarked no later than February 1, to Washburn University in your junior year.

  • apply for graduation from Mount Aloysius College at the end of their junior year. Students in the articulation program will participate in Commencement at the College at the end of their senior year. However, students do not officially have their degrees conferred until the completion of all coursework in the summer of their senior year.

  • send their official transcript from Washburn University directly to the Registrar’s Office at the end of their fall, spring, and summer semesters at Washburn University.


Medical Imaging and Radiation Science licensure and certification laws/regulations vary from state to state.  It is highly recommended that students planning to pursue a professional credential in states other than Pennsylvania contact the appropriate state licensing agency to seek guidance and verify requirements prior to starting a program. 

 

Visit https://www.caahep.org/Students/Program-Info.aspx and  https://www.asrt.org/main/standards-and-regulations/legislation-regulations-and-advocacy/individual-state-licensure for more information.  


 

Associate Degree CORE Requirements: 18 Credits


College Foundation: Complete 1 Credit


Communication/Information Literacy: Complete 3 Credits


Integrated Thinking: Complete 2 Credits


Introduction to Systems: Complete 3 Credits


Quantitative Literacy: Complete 3 Credits


Major Course Requirements: 41 Credits


Other Required Coursework: 6 Credits


Total Credits for Degree: 65 Credits


^ Denotes Technology-Enhanced Courses

*** Requires C or better

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