Radiography Program Brochure
Radiography, Associate in Applied Science
Revision Date: April 2024
Not an official publication for Elizabethtown Community & Technical College (ECTC)
Associate Degree Radiography Program
General Information
The Associate Degree in Applied Science for the Radiography Program offers a comprehensive degree option for the radiography student. Graduates are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. Visit www.arrt.org for more information about this important national examination.
The program consists of instruction in specialized courses in radiography with concentrated study in the basic sciences and mathematics. Courses include lecture, lab, and clinical. Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” or higher in each biological/physical science, mathematics, and radiography course, with an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
Classroom instruction is closely correlated with guided clinical practice in affiliated health care agencies. The program requires five consecutive semesters of full-time day commitment with an average weekly involvement of 30 hours. This includes a summer session of clinical. Students are also required to complete an evening clinical rotation sometime during the program.
Some travel will be required to clinical sites in order to provide the student a well-rounded clinical experience. Current clinical affiliates are Baptist Health Hardin, Baptist Diagnostics at Elizabethtown, Baptist Health Diagnostics at Bardstown, Flaget Memorial Hospital, Taylor Regional Hospital, Spring View Hospital, Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center, Norton Hospital, University of Louisville Hospital, Baptist Health Louisville and Norton Children’s Hospital. Transportation to clinical affiliates is the responsibility of each student.
Regardless of the length of time a student attends a community college, a minimum of 24 credits for a degree must be completed with the Community and Technical College System. At least 25 percent of the approved curriculum credits must be completed at the community college granting the degree. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) in order to be eligible for graduation.
The Associate Degree Radiography Program takes two years to complete after a student has been admitted into the program. The completion of prerequisites and other general education courses will require the student to have had one to two semesters of classes prior to admission. Students must earn a minimum of 69 hours as outlined in the curriculum. Any course in the curriculum may be taken prior to enrollment in the program with the exception of the radiography courses.
Because there is no waiting list, a student who has applied and not been admitted to the radiography program, but wants to be considered again, must come to another preadmission conference and complete a new preadmission form (application).
Radiography classes require a large amount of study time, lab practice and flexible scheduling. Therefore, to be successful in completing these courses, it is highly recommended that students plan a reasonable commitment of time and effort to the program.
Mission
The mission of the ECTC Radiography program is to provide a high quality radiography education, through classroom development and clinically supported training. Fostering the development of a skilled and versatile radiography workforce.
Program Goals
Goal 1: Students will gain clinical competency in performing radiographic procedures.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will perform accurate positioning skills.
- Students will provide appropriate patient care.
- Students will determine appropriate imaging factor selection to aid in radiation protection and effective patient care.
Goal 2: Students will develop critical thinking skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will apply problem based learning skills to clinical situations.
- Students will critique images to determine diagnostic quality.
Goal 3: Students will demonstrate communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will use effective oral communication.
- Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
Occupational Description
The radiographer plays an important role on the medical team. A registered Radiographer is qualified to work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, imaging centers, veterans’ and military hospitals. As a skilled radiographer, you will adjust x-ray equipment to the correct setting for specific examinations, position the patient, make the required x-ray exposure, and practice Radiation protection.
As a Radiographer you will also assist the Radiologist (a physician who has specialized in the use of x-rays for diagnosis and treatment) in a variety of Radiographic procedures. In some cases the radiographer may be called upon to use mobile x-ray equipment in the emergency room, in surgery, or at a patient’s bedside. The Radiographer is also responsible for the mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in the imaging department.
For more information about the profession, please visit the following web sites:
Admission Requirement Policies
- Enrollment in the Associate Degree Radiography Program is limited due to available
resources and the large number of applicants.
- All graduates of an accredited high school or those holding a GED certificate who
are eligible to attend Elizabethtown Community and Technical College may apply to
the radiography program. Admission to the program is open to all qualified students
regardless of economic or social status, and without discrimination on the basis of
race, color, sex, marital status, beliefs, age, national origin or disability.
All students should possess:
- Sufficient visual acuity, such as needed in the accurate preparation and administration
of contrast media and for observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing
care;
- Sufficient auditory perception to receive verbal communication from patients and members
of the health team and to assess health needs of people through the use of monitoring
devices such as cardiac monitor, stethoscope, IV infusion pumps, fire alarms, etc.;
- Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to respond promptly and to implement
the skills, including the manipulation of equipment, positioning and lifting patients
required in meeting health needs related to Radiologic technology;
- Sufficient communication skills (speech, reading, writing) to interact with individuals
and to communicate their needs promptly and effectively, as may be necessary in the
individual’s interest; and
- Sufficient intellectual and emotional functions to plan and implement care for individuals.
- Sufficient visual acuity, such as needed in the accurate preparation and administration
of contrast media and for observation necessary for patient assessment and nursing
care;
- All eligible applicants who have attended a pre-admission conference and completed the application procedure by March 15th will be considered for the fall Radiography class.
- The following documents must be submitted by March 15th for the fall class:
- Completed application to ECTC
- ACT or KCTCS accepted equivalent exam placement scores.
- Official transcripts from ALL colleges, universities, and/or vocational schools attended
since high school.
- Letter of intent to the program director.
- 4-hour clinical observation at approved site. Contact Carla Allen at carlam.allen@kctcs.edu to receive scheduling arrangements and required paperwork needed to complete observation
hours.
- Completed application to ECTC
- Attendance at one of the scheduled preadmission conferences is mandatory. A preadmission
form (application) which indicates intent to enroll in the radiography program will
be completed at the conference. Preadmission conference dates are listed on the back
page of this brochure. These dates are also available on the Radiography link at the
ECTC website.
- Students may apply to the program while taking prerequisite courses.
- Once officially admitted to the radiography program CPR certification must be obtained
prior to enrolling in IMG courses. Certification must be kept current throughout the
program.
- Preference will be given to students without repeats in math & science courses.
- If a student is not admitted to the radiography program and desires to be considered again, attendance at another preadmission conference, a new preadmission form (application), letter of intent to the program director, and the 4-hour observation at approved site must be completed.
- Students must complete the following by March 15th:
- Letter of intent to program director.
- 4-hour clinical observation at approved site. Contact Carla Allen at carlam.allen@kctcs.edu to receive scheduling arrangements and required paperwork needed to complete observation
hours.
- Preference may be given to applicants who have an ACT composite score of 21 or above,
or KCTCS accepted equivalent exam placement scores.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better of college credit applicable to the Radiography
program;
- Completion of BIO 137 and 139, MAT 150, and PHY 171 or PHY 152 with a grade of “C”
or higher.
- If there are more students that meet all the criteria than there are openings in the
program then students will be ranked according to the following:
- ACT composite/KCTCS accepted equivalent exam placement scores
- Radiography curriculum GPA
- Pre-requisites to be completed
- Letter of intent to program director.
- When determining placement, the GPA will be calculated only from course work required
in the Radiography curriculum.
- Grades must be earned by the March 15th deadline for application to the fall (August
– December) semester.
- No remedial or developmental course work will be considered when calculating the GPA.
- In the calculation of GPA, a student’s GPA is not rounded up. For example, if a student
has a GPA of 2.46 it will NOT be rounded up to 2.5.
- Enrollment in Radiography classes is contingent upon successful completion of the
prerequisites for first semester Radiography courses and good academic standing at
the college.
- Letters are sent in May to all individuals who have completed applications notifying them of the selections by the Admissions Committee for the fall entering class.
Curriculum
Associate in Applied Science - Radiography
The Radiography curriculum is organized around a clearly defined conceptual framework which combines general education and radiography education.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) follows the curriculum approved for the community colleges in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Course descriptions may be found in the KCTCS catalog available in the Admissions Office, or online at https://catalog.kctcs.edu/programs-of-study/aas/. View the checklist for the Radiography - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) - Pathway 2 - Degree at ECTC. Students wishing to transfer into the program should make an appointment to see the coordinator of the program for transfer options. Students taking KCTCS classes with the intention of transferring should seek advice at the destination institution.
Transportation to community agencies is the responsibility of each student.
Certification Eligibility Requirements
Graduates of this program meet eligibility requirements to take the national certification examination in radiography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Upon passing the competency examination students are certified as Registered Radiologic Technologists, R.T.(R) with all rights and privileges.
It should be noted that eligibility for the ARRT examination requires that the candidate be of good moral character. Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony may indicate a lack of a good moral character for ARRT purposes.
Pre-application review procedures allow individuals who are not yet enrolled in an educational program to determine if a conviction would interfere with exam eligibility. For more information go to www.arrt.org and visit the section under ETHICS to find further definitions and explanations.
Please note that following notification of conditional acceptance, you will be required to submit evidence of a physical examination, a criminal background check, and a drug screening. These are requirements of our clinical affiliates.
SENSITIVITY TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
(example: Latex)
Students will be responsible for notifying the ADA coordinator of any sensitivity to medical supplies or equipment, especially if symptoms of latex sensitivity develop. Students need to be aware that the college lab and all clinical facilities contain supplies/equipment made of latex that may pose a hazard to individuals with latex allergies. This also applies to students who have or develop sensitivity to other chemicals used in the manufacture of medical supplies and equipment.
Signs of latex allergy include, but are not limited to, the following:
- rash
- dry, itchy skin
- swelling of hands
- cracking, chapping, scaling, or weeping of the skin
- hives
- swollen lips or mucous membranes
- difficulty breathing
- runny nose
- scratchy throat
- coughing or wheezing
- shock
Increased exposure increases risk for developing latex sensitivity.
MRI Safety:
Students will rotate through MRI. Students need to notify program officials regarding any body metal or prior work with metal that may have resulted in metal shavings entering the body.
Examples of devices that may be affected by MRI:
- pacemaker
- implanted insulin pumps
- aneurysm clips
- vascular coils and filters
- heart valves
- ear implants
- surgical staples and wires
- shrapnel
- bone or joint replacements
- metal plates, rods, pins or screws
- contraceptive diaphragms or coils
- penile implants
- permanent dentures
ACCREDITATION
The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Radiography Program is accredited by:
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 Chicago, IL. 60606-3182 312-704-5300 www.jrcert.org mail@jrcert.orgElizabethtown Community and Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone #404-679-4501) to award Associate Degrees.
Elizabethtown Community & Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sex or disability in employment, educational programs, or activities as set forth in Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504, and ADA.
Resources
Contact Information
For more information regarding the ASSOCIATE DEGREE RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM, please contact:
Carla Allen Administrative Assistant carlam.allen@kctcs.edu (270) 706-8464 or Toll Free: 1-877-246-2322, ext. 6-8464. April Thompson, MS, R.T.(R)(MR) Radiography Program Director (270) 706-8515 athompson0180@kctcs.eduRebecca Garner, BS, R.T.(R) Radiography Clinical Coordinator (270) 706-8630 rgarner0026@kctcs.edu
