Radiologic Technology

  What is Radiologic Technology?

Radiography is the use of radiation to provide images of various body parts (bones, vessels, organs) and various body functions (digestion, circulation) to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of certain injuries and illnesses.

Radiologic technologists (radiographers) are health professionals who are qualified to perform radiographic examinations ordered by physicians. They are primarily responsible for the operation of X-ray and other radiologic equipment, care of the patient, and the administration of any required pharmaceutical preparations. They must also be prepared to recognize emergency patient conditions and initiate lifesaving first aid.

As a key member of the health team, the radiologic technologist works with the radiologist in operating X-ray equipment and preparing patients for diagnostic X-rays. The technologist positions patients correctly for radiographs and exposes radiographs. Radiographs are X-ray images of internal parts of the body. They are used to help diagnose disease and injury, and reveal other significant medical information.

The technologist maintains ongoing routine patient care and instructs and positions patients for radiographic examinations. He or she must evaluate patients’ clinical symptoms for proper radiographic demonstration of the anatomy and communicate with the patient to secure optimum patient cooperation. Duties include adjusting equipment to proper settings for each examination, cleaning and maintaining equipment, processing images and preparing contrast media. Patient examinations are usually completed in hospital or office settings. Technologists also operate mobile equipment at the bedside. Technologists perform exams in many areas of the hospital, including the emergency room, operating room and intensive-care unit.

Education for radiologic technologists is rigorous, entailing two full years of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The program and the profession are physically and mentally demanding. The clinical and classroom experiences during the summer and the second year require approximately 40 hours of participation per week. This experience is primarily during the day; however, some evening experience also is required. Enrollment in the program is limited.

Graduates of this associate of applied science degree program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists’ (ARRT) examination. The registry is a requirement for employment in most institutions. 

  Success Factors

Students entering the field of radiologic technology must have the following abilities in order to successfully complete the program. Students must be able to:

1. Lift and assist patients using proper body mechanics.
2. Push and maneuver large pieces of equipment such as mobile radiographic units or mobile fluoroscopic units.
3. Push and maneuver patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers.
4. See, hear and respond quickly to patients in emergency situations.
5. Communicate clearly with patients and other health care professionals in oral and written forms.
6. Understand requisitions and other records necessary for proper patient care.
7. See the patient and collimator lights to properly position for radiographs.
8. Move radiographic tubes, tables, upright buckys, cassettes, etc. as necessary for each exam.
9. Stand for an extended time period and walk for long distances, as is necessary for portable and operative radiography.

Students will be given reasonable assistance/accommodation in overcoming any difficulties with these standards. However, there is no guarantee that all applicants will be able to successfully complete the program if unable to perform these actions. Students are required to observe a registered radiographer and complete a self-evaluation prior to placement on the clinical waiting list. Students concerned about these requirements should contact the program director and the Raymond Walters College Office of Disability Services.

  Career Possibilities

Associate degree graduates are prepared for employment in hospitals, medical centers, industry, physicians’ offices and public health. There is also potential for advancement into specialized areas such as computed tomography (CT), mammography, angiography (vascular imaging) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Graduates may be qualified to assist in medical research, sell medical equipment and supplies or instruct students. The salary range for new graduates is usually $30,000 to $35,000 per year, though salaries vary by geographic area.

Reasonable effort is made to assist graduates in finding employment. Opportunities for employment are available locally and throughout the U.S.

Widespread use of new X-ray and related equipment in diagnosing and treating an expanding range of health conditions may contribute to the growth of employment opportunities in the coming decade.

Eligibility for the Registry Examination and Licensure
Graduates of this associate of applied science degree program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists' (ARRT) examination. The registry is a requirement for employment in most institutions. Applicants for the ARRT are required to comply with state and federal laws. Conviction of a crime (with the exception of speeding and parking violations) must be investigated by the ARRT in order to determine eligibility. A pre-application may be made to ARRT in order to obtain a ruling regarding eligibility for the examination.

Licensure is also required in many states. Graduates of the program qualify for a full Ohio radiographer license upon successful completion of the ARRT examination.

  Majoring in Radiologic Technology

The ultimate goals of the radiography program at UC Raymond Walters College are to educate and prepare students for a career as a diagnostic radiographer. The associate degree curriculum is designed to synthesize clinical and didactic experiences in radiography, to instill a desire for excellence in practice, and to provide a foundation for academic and career advancement.

The radiologic technology program has the specific goal of providing an education whereby the graduate of the program will demonstrate the following outcomes:

• The graduate will be prepared to practice as a competent, entry-level radiographer as described by national radiologic professional agencies.
• The student will demonstrate clinical competence and comprehension of radiographic skills.
• The student will participate in professional development and growth activities.
• The student will demonstrate problem-solving and critical-thinking skills based on professional ethical standards.
• The student will effectively communicate in a professional manner.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition I	ENGL 101	3
Anatomy & Physiology I	BIOL 201	4
Basic Elements of Radiologic Technology	RDTN 171	3
First Emergency Responder	EMS 181	3
Microcomputer Office Applications	OATN 179	3
TOTAL		16

 Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition II	ENGL 102	3
Anatomy & Physiology II	BIOL 202	4
Radiography I*	RDTN 241	4
Clinical Practicum I*	RDTN 211	2
Introduction to Clinical Practice*	RDTN 181	3
TOTAL		16

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Anatomy & Physiology III	BIOL 203	4
Radiography II*	RDTN 242	4
Clinical Practicum II*	RDTN 212	2
Radiographic Image Analysis*	RDTN 271	2
General Education Elective in Quantitave Reasoning (QR)+		3
TOTAL		15

Summer Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum III*	RDTN 213	3
Human Sectional Anatomy	BIOL 270	4
TOTAL		7

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum IV*	RDTN 214	3
Radiologic Science & Imaging I*	RDTN 251	5
Radiography III*	RDTN 243	3
Radiographic Pathology*	RDTN 296	3
Effective Public Speaking		3
TOTAL		17

Winter Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum V*	RDTN 215	3
Radiologic Science & Imaging II*	RDTN 252	5
Advanced Imaging & Patient Care*	RDTN 298	3
General Education Elective in Social Science (SS)		3
General Education Elective in Diversity & Culture (DC)		3
TOTAL		17

Spring Quarter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum VI*	RDTN 216	3
Radiologic Science & Imaging III*	RDTN 253	5
Issues in Radiologic Technology*	RDTN 286	3
Radiography Review*	RDTN 297	3
Intermediate Composition ++	ENGL 289	3
TOTAL		17

+College Algebra I (MATH 173) or higher, or Statistics for Health Sciences (MATH 146)
++Must be taken during sophomore year

*All courses designated by an asterisk (*) are considered clinical courses and can only be taken upon acceptance to the clinical portion of the program. See the description of these procedures in this program information sheet for additional information.

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

The radiologic technology program participates in programmatic accreditation. This process assures high quality offerings and requires a detailed peer-review process to assure ongoing improvement and assessment of the program. Graduates of the program have a very high first-attempt pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification exam. 

  Special Programs

This program is offered in cooperation with the radiology departments of Bethesda North Hospital, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, The Christ Hospital, Deaconess Hospital, Mercy Hospital Mount Airy, The University Hospital, University Pointe Surgical Hospital, and VA Medical Center. Additional clinical sites may also be utilized. The use of multiple clinical sites allows students to work with many types of radiographic equipment and to participate in a wide variety of radiologic procedures.

  Admission Requirements

Admission to the Program
Entering radiologic technology students must enroll under the "pending radiologic technology" major pending official acceptance into the radiologic technology program.

Clinical Waiting List
The clinical portion of the program includes all radiologic technology courses beginning winter quarter of the freshman year and throughout the remainder of the program. Students must be accepted in order to take these radiologic technology courses. The only exception is Basic Elements of Radiologic Technology. A clinical waiting list is used in order to facilitate the acceptance of students into the available clinical spaces (approximately 24 per year) in the program. (Please see list of the specific requirements for the clinical waiting list below.)

Student records will be reviewed by the program director at the end of each quarter. Students who meet the requirements listed at the end of the same quarter will be ranked according to their grades in the required courses and cumulative grade point average for placement on the waiting list. Number of credit hours completed at Raymond Walters College may also be taken into account if necessary. All students placed on the waiting list will be guaranteed acceptance to the clinical portion of the program. However, it may be necessary for students to wait for an extended period for their entrance date.

Program Clinical Acceptance
During fall quarter, students will be accepted into the clinical portion of the program according to their ranking on the waiting list. Accepted students will be required to provide a written response confirming their acceptance within one week of notification. Students also will be required to document current immunizations and health insurance prior to the start of their clinical experience winter quarter.

Three accepted spaces will be allotted for new high school graduates who meet all the requirements for the waiting list and who have maintained a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average during their first quarter of radiologic technology course work.

Please note: students must complete all required prerequisites and all courses listed for fall quarter of the freshman year prior to the start of winter quarter in order to be eligible for acceptance to the clinical portion of the program.

Students accepted to the clinical portion of the program may notify the program director regarding pregnancy so that proper radiation protection requirements can be applied. Radiation protection policies and program extension policies that affect pregnant students are available from the program director upon request. The decision to disclose/declare pregnancy to take advantage of lower radiation dose limits is the responsibility of the student.

Some clinical education settings may require students to undergo drug testing and/or background checks at the students’ expense. Failure to meet the clinical education setting requirements may prohibit students from completing clinical competencies necessary for successful completion of the program. Any student found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while in the classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting will be subject to disciplinary action and/or dismissal from the clinical portion of the program.

Required Prerequisites

• High school biology and chemistry with a grade of “C” or better or college equivalent within the last six years
• Placement into College Algebra or higher on the Raymond Walters College placement test or a grade of “C” or better in Intermediate Algebra (Math 134) within the last two years
• See an academic advisor early to determine equivalent college courses that also meet these prerequisites

 Requirements for the Clinical Waiting List and Clinical Acceptance

• Completion of all required prerequisites
• Completion of English Composition I and Microcomputer Office Applications
• Completion of Anatomy & Physiology I, Basic Elements of Radiologic Technology, and First Emergency Responder with grades of “C” or better within the past six years
• Transcripts of course work taken at other institutions must be submitted to RWC Enrollment Services for transfer credit evaluation
• Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better
• Participation in a one-day (6 hrs.) observation in radiology verified by a registered technologist and submission of a completed self-evaluation form (see program adviser for required paperwork)

  Graduation Requirements

Requirements for Maintaining Acceptance and Graduation

• Grades of “C” or better in all Radiologic Technology, Anatomy & Physiology I, II, III, and Human Sectional Anatomy courses
• Due to the correlation of course work, upon acceptance into the clinical portion of the program, all clinical and didactic courses must be taken concurrently as listed
• Adherence to policies and procedures as described in the radiologic technology program Student Policies and Procedures Manual
• Completion of all college requirements for graduation

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the Ohio Department of Health.