Radiologic Technology (RAD)

Program Offered only at the Shelby-Hoover Campus 

Christie Bolton, Program Coordinator/Advisor 
Judy Merritt Building, room 323
(205) 983-5218 • cbolton@jeffersonstate.edu

Annette W. Ferguson, Clinical Coordinator/Advisor 
Judy Merritt Building, room 324
(205) 983-5217 • awilliam@jeffersonstate.edu

The program develops the student’s knowledge of the fundamental principles and skills underlying radiologic technology. The five-semester program consists of general education and clinical experiences. Current clinical affiliations are: The Children’s Hospital of Alabama, UAB Medical West, UAB St. Vincent’s East, Brookwood Baptist Princeton, Brookwood Baptist Shelby, UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair, UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham, Kirklin Clinic, Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, UAB Highlands, Grandview, UAB Hospital, VA of Birmingham, Children’s South, Southlake Orthopedics, and Alabama Ortho Spine and Sport. All radiologic courses and clinical experiences are taught by registered radiologic technologists, R.T. (ARRT). The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) jrcert.org. Graduates of the program are eligible to complete the National Registry Exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Graduates must take this exam to become registered Radiologic Technologists.

Program Mission Statement 
The mission of the Radiologic Technology Program at Jefferson State Community College is to prepare graduates for entry-level employment as a radiologic technologist in the healthcare community. 

This program mission is consistent with the colleges Statement of Philosophy and Purpose in the Jefferson State Community College Catalog and Student Handbook. 

Program Goals: 

The program mission can be met by the achievement of the following goals:

1. Students will demonstrate didactic and clinical competence.
   • Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will apply positioning skills.
   • Student will select appropriate technical factors.
   • Students will practice radiation protection.
2. Students will effectively communicate.
   • Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will use effective communication skills.
   • Students will practice written communication skills.
3. Students will utilize critical thinking skills.
   • Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will manipulate technical factors for non-routine examinations.
   • Students will adapt positioning for trauma patients.
   • Students will use interpersonal skills to problem solve.
4. Students will evaluate the importance of professionalism.
   • Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will develop skills for preparation for employment.
   • Students will exhibit professional behaviors such as punctuality in the clinical setting.
5. Provide qualified radiographers to meet the health care needs of the community.
   • Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will pass the ARRT national certification on the first attempt within 6 months of graduation.
   • Students will complete the program according to program guidelines.
   • Students will be satisfied with their education.
   • Employers will be satisfied with the graduate’s performance.
   • Of those pursuing employment, students will be gainfully employed within twelve months post- graduation.

Admission Procedures/Requirements

A limited number of students are admitted to the program because of a specified number of clinical spaces available. Students should contact the pre-nursing and allied health-related advisor in Enrollment Services well ahead of the date they plan to apply for admission to allow time to meet admission requirements. Applications for the program are available online at www.jeffersonstate.edu/rad. 

Students are admitted based on the following criteria:

1. Unconditional admission to the college and be in good standing with Jefferson State Community College.
2. Submit a complete Radiologic Technology Program online application by the published deadline.
   1. Program application with Essential Functions
   2. All transcripts (official high school and college) or official GED scores.
   3. Official ACT scores, either national or residual. A minimum composite score of 18 and a science score of 18 are required.
3. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.(Alabama Regulations For Control of Radiation Rule 420-3-03 (6), “Occupational Radiation Dose Limits”, states that all occupational workers employing ionizing radiation must be at least 18 years of age).
4. A minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA for all college work attempted.
5. A minimum of 2.5 high school GPA for students without prior college work (GED will be used if applicable).
6. Math 110 and Math 116 are not accepted for the Rad Tech Program.

Applicants must be eligible for placement into the following courses: ENG 101, MTH 100. 

The admission requirements for the Radiologic Technology program are currently being revised. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the program website.

Admission to the Radiologic Technology Program is competitive, and the number of students is limited by the number of faculty and clinical facilities available. Students should contact the pre-program advisors to review application materials and review the point system prior to applying to the program. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

Radiologic Technology is considered to be a strenuous profession. A student must be able to stand and walk for 80% of the clinical time. A student must be able to assist, lift, and position patients for at least 20% of the clinical time. In order to perform as a radiologic technologist, the student must have:

1. Mobility
   1. Have physical stamina to stand and walk for 8 hours or more in a clinical setting.
   2. Can stand on both legs, move from room to room, and maneuver in small spaces. Physical disabilities must not pose a threat to the safety of the student, faculty, patients, or other health care workers.
2. Flexibility
   1. Can bend the body downward and forward by bending at the spine and waist. This factor requires full use of lower extremities and back muscles.
   2. Can flex and extend all joints freely.
3. Strength
   1. Can raise objects from a lower to a higher position or move objects horizontally from position to position. This factor requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
   2. Possess mobility, coordination and strength to push, pull or transfer heavy objects (Strength to lift 25 lbs. frequently and 50 lbs. or more occasionally).
4. Fine Motor Skills and Hand/Eye Coordination
   1. Possess manual dexterity, mobility, and stamina to perform CPR.
   2. Can seize, hold, grasp, turn and otherwise work with both hands.
   3. Can pick, pinch, or otherwise work with the fingers.
5. Auditory Ability
   1. Possess sufficient hearing to assess patient’s needs, follow instructions, communicate with other health care workers, as well as respond to audible sounds of radiographic equipment.
6. Visual Acuity
   1. Possess the visual acuity to read, write and assess the patient and the environment.
7. Communication
   1. Possess verbal/nonverbal and written communication skills adequate to exchange ideas, detailed information and instructions accurately.
   2. Able to read, comprehend, and write legibly in the English language.
8. Interpersonal Skills
   1. to function safely and effectively during high stress periods.

The above statement is not intended as a complete listing of behaviors required for radiologic technology but is a sampling of the types of abilities needed by the radiologic technology student to meet program objectives and requirements. The Program in Radiologic Technology or its affiliated agencies may identify additional critical behaviors or abilities needed by students to meet program or agency requirements. The Program of Radiologic Technology reserves the right to amend this listing based on the identification of additional standards or criteria for radiologic technology. 

Transfer Students

Students wishing to transfer should call or write the program coordinator for information on program admission requirements. To be a transfer student, the student must be admitted to the program. Students must complete at least 25% of the required RAD courses at Jefferson State to earn an associate degree. 

Progression 

Uninterrupted progression through the program is required. Students should refer to the information published in the Radiologic Technology Program Student Handbook, which may be obtained from the program’s web page. Any student whose progression is interrupted must reapply to have his eligibility for readmission evaluated. Any changes in the curriculum or procedures will be applicable upon the student’s readmission. 

Students who fail a RAD course (make less than a grade of “C”) may repeat the course once only. Students who fail a RAD course the second time or who fail two RAD courses will no longer be eligible to continue in the program. All required general education courses must be completed with a “C” or better.

Letter grades for all RAD courses are assigned according to the following system:

A: Excellent (90-100)
B: Good (80-89)
C: Average (75-79)
F: Failure (74 and below)
W: Withdrawal
WP: Withdrawal Passing 
I: Incomplete

Jefferson State’s Radiologic Technology Program faculty and clinical staff reserve the right to drop from the program any student who does not perform satisfactorily in clinical education settings. 

All students must have CPR certification at the Health Care Provider level, provide proof of hospitalization and malpractice insurance, and submit to drug screening and background check before entering clinical rotations. Failure to pass drug screens and background check could result in the inability to participate in the clinical aspect of the radiologic technology program. Applicants who have been ranked for admission must pass a background check prior to the mandatory admission orientation session to guarantee program admission. According to the requirements for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, candidates eligible for examination must be of good and moral character. The conviction of a felony or any offense, misdemeanor or felony indicates a lack of good character for registry purpose. If you have questions or concerns you may contact the Radiography Program Coordinator at (205) 983-5218 or American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) at (651) 687-0048. Applicants who have been ranked for admission must attend the mandatory admission orientation session on the date scheduled by the program. Failure to attend a mandatory admission orientation session may result in forfeiting admittance into the RAD program.
 

The Radiologic Technology Program curriculum course content is delivered online in some courses. Students must have access to a computer and have a basic understanding of computer technology to participate in course work.