Radiologic Technology San Angelo

The Radiologic Technology Program is a two-year program leading to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in the ever-changing healthcare environment. This five-semester program provides students with the academic and technical skills necessary to completely perform a wide variety of radiologic procedures.  Graduates will be able to produce diagnostic quality radiographic images of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems.  Upon successful completion of the program, students may apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to take a certification exam.  Students who wish to work in Texas must also apply for a General Medical Radiologic Technologist license through the Texas Medical Board (TMB)

ACCREDITATION

Accreditation Status:  Accredited

The program’s current length of accreditation is 8 years.  The next scheduled review is 3-1-2025.

The AAS in Radiologic Technology program is accredited by:

• The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
  Chicago, IL 60606-3182
  Phone: (312) 704-5300
  Fax: (312) 704-5304
  email at: mail@jrcert.org
  https://www.jrcert.org/

The JRCERT promotes excellence in education and enhances quality and safety of patient care through the accreditation of educational programs.  The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance and medical dosimetry.

Programs accredited by the JRCERT must demonstrate that they are in substantial compliance with the relevant JRCERT accreditation standards.

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Radiologic Technology Program at Howard College, an integral part of the Health Professions Division, is to provide for the education of students in radiologic technology and provide learning opportunities that are innovative and educationally sound. We serve a 13-county area ranging from Lamesa to Junction. The program and the college are committed to personal development of each student in the field of radiologic technology so that he or she will be able to serve the community as a competent staff radiologic technologist.

Program Goals

• Graduates will be employable and meet the needs of the community.
  
  • Student Learning Outcomes: 
    
    • Graduates will pass the ARRT registry examination on the first attempt within 6 months of graduation.
    • Students will complete the program.
    • Graduates seeking employment will be able to find employment within twelve months of graduation.
    • Graduates will be satisfied with the Howard College radiologic technology program.
    • Employers will be satisfied with the quality of graduates’ work.
      
• Students will demonstrate effective communication. 
  
  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    
    • Students will be able to communicate with patients of all ages.
    • Students will be able to communicate in written and oral form.
      
• Students will be competent when performing radiographic procedures. 
  
  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    
    • Students will be able to demonstrate good radiation protection.
    • Students will appropriately position patients for exams.
      
• The students will demonstrate “Problem Solving” and “Critical Thinking” Skills. 
  
  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    
    • The student will be able to use alternative positions for difficult or trauma patients.
    • Students will be able to ask vital questions in order to arrive at well-reasoned conclusions.
• Students will show professional development and growth. 
  
  • Student Learning Outcomes:
    
    • Students will act in a professional manner in the clinical environment.
    • Students will demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics.

All admission requirements including prerequisite classes must be completed by June 1. A new class begins every Fall semester.

Pre-application Requirements (Before June 1):

1. Passing test scores from an approved college assessment exam are required to gain entrance into academic courses. If needed, HC administers the TSI exam. The Testing Schedule is posted on the campus website or may be obtained by contacting the Testing Center on each campus.
2. Attend a Howard College Health Professions Orientation. Orientation information will also be posted on the Howard College San Angelo Health Professions homepage. Attendance for the orientation is important to learn details about the program and admission requirements
3. Prior to actual admission to the Radiologic Technology Program, the applicant must successfully complete the required prerequisite courses with a final grade of “C” or above.
   •    BIOL 2101/2301 – Anatomy & Physiology I (Lecture & Lab)
   •    BIOL 2102/2302 – Anatomy & Physiology II (Lecture & Lab)
   •    MATH 1314 – College Algebra OR MATH 1332 – Contemporary Mathematics OR MATH 1342 – Elementary Statistical Methods
4. Students seeking admission to the Radiologic Technology program must take the Test of Essential Skills for Allied Health (TEAS AH). The student will be responsible for registering and paying for the exam through the ATI website (www.atitesting.com). The Testing schedule is on the Howard College website. Please contact the Testing Coordinator at (325) 481-8300 ext. 3405 for more information. The TEAS AH test can be taken once every 30 days with a maximum number of three (3) times per admission cycle (September 1 – May 31).
5. Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Application Requirements June 1.

1. Submit the Health Professions Application for the desired program to the Health Professions Division along with an official transcript from each college /university attended including Howard College.   This must be turned in to the Program Director between May 1st and June 1st.
2. Provide proof of immunizations – provide copies, you keep the originals for your records. Immunizations required: Hepatitis B (2-dose Heplisav-B series OR 3 doses OR a positive titer; must have received the first 2 doses of the series by June 1 deadline), MMR (2 doses OR a positive titer), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis – one dose within the last 10 years), Varicella (2 doses OR a positive titer), and PPD (TB Screen) done within the last year (if getting a new screen, it is recommended to do in May prior to the application deadline to maximize the time it is good for since it must be repeated annually if selected.)

Radiologic Technology Program Selection Process:

1. Successfully complete all Pre-Application and Application Requirements
2. The top  candidates with the highest score for A&P I & II, MATH Course and TEAS AH Score are scheduled for a “Shadowing” Day and an interview.
3. The scores from the interview and Shadowing Day are totaled and added to the scores from #1 and the top twelve students plus two alternates are selected for the Fall Semester class.

Prior to the start of Fall the Semester, selected students must do the following when instructed to do so by the program chair:

1. Successfully take and pass the approved Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers class.
2. Pass a ten-panel drug test (30 days prior to beginning clinical rotations).
3. Show proof of health insurance
4. Pass a physical exam.
5. Provide documentation of having taken the flu vaccine.

Travel for Clinical Practicum

During the course of the program, students will have lecture / clinical assignments requiring travel from San Angelo to Big Spring or from Big Spring to San Angelo.

Evening, Weekend, and Staggered Hours for Clinical Practicum

During the course the program, students will have a clinical schedule that requires the student to be in the clinical setting during the daytime, evening, and/or weekend hours.  At a minimum, each student is required to do 12 days of evening and/or weekend hours.  A shift ending past 7:00 PM is considered evening hours. Daytime clinical hours can be scheduled between the hours of 5:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

Transfer of Credit

Transfer of RADR credit from other programs will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Online Radiography Courses

During the course of the program, one radiography course (RADR 2217) is delivered online; all others are delivered face-to-face.

Grading System:

The grading scale for the Radiologic Technology Program is as follows.  Students must pass all RADR courses with a 75 or higher.  Courses with a prefix other than RADR may have a different grading scale.  Students should refer to the syllabus for that course.

90 -100              =       A
80 – 89              =       B
75 – 79              =       C
70 – 74              =       D
69 and below    =       F

Radiological Technology Expenses in Addition to Tuition and Fees

These expenses in addition to tuition and fees are approximate only and are subject to change.

Tuition and Fees for each semester can be found in the Howard College Catalog.

Fees Associated with Admission:

• Immunizations – Variable
• Background Check – Variable

In addition to tuition/fees assessed by the college, the following approximate additional fees are the responsibility of the student and are subject to change:

• Basic Life Support Class for Health Care Providers (CPR) – $56
• Physical Exam – Variable depending on health insurance
• 10-Panel Drug Test through Castle Branch – Variable
• Health Insurance – Variable
• TB Test (PPD) – Variable depending on health insurance
• Flu Shot – Variable
• Clinical Travel Expenses – Variable

Uniforms:

• Scrubs – red top / black pants – $60 each set (each student will need at least 2 sets of scrubs) (variable)
• Lab coats are optional – $40 (variable)
• Program Patch – $6

Textbooks: (prices are variable)

• Fall Semester I – $700
• Spring Semester I – $80
• Summer Semester I – No Additional
• Fall Semester II – $220
• Spring Semester II – $350

Licensing Expenses during Final Semester:

• Texas Medical Board Application and Certification Fee – $80
• Fingerprinting – $40
• Texas Medical Board Jurisprudence Exam – $34
• ARRT Application Fee – $225

For questions or additional information regarding this program, please contact the Program Chair:

          Julie Book, MSRS, R.T. (R), (M), ARRT 
          Program Chair – Radiology Technology
          (325) 481-8371, ext. 3433
          jbook@howardcollege.edu

Or the Health Professions Assistant:
Debbie Sartain
(325) 481-8371, ext. 3435
dsartain@howardcollege.edu