Program: AAS-A5570

The Radiography Program fosters and supports creative and positive learning experiences within an atmosphere of academic excellence and continuous improvement. The goal of the Radiography Program is to provide students with the information, skills, and professional attributes necessary to succeed as radiographers.

Program Goals:
1. Students will graduate clinically competent.
2. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills in the classroom and clinic.
3. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills in the classroom and clinic.
4. Students and graduates will demonstrate professional growth and development.
5. The program will graduate entry-level technologists.

The program curriculum allows students to become clinically competent through the demonstration of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom and clinic. Students develop through the use of effective communication and professional skills, and prepare for the role of an entry-level technologist.

The Radiography Program provides its students with an organized curriculum that includes courses in General Education and radiological education, while preparing students for careers as members of the healthcare team. The radiographer is a licensed professional who is primarily responsible for applying ionizing radiation to demonstrate portions of the human body on a radiograph, fluoroscopic screen, or other imaging modality to assist the physician in the diagnosis of disease and injury. Radiographers work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, traveling agencies, and other qualified facilities.

Students are required to provide documented proof that they are free of contagious diseases prior to placement in healthcare facilities for professional clinical practice. In addition, federal, state, and local requirements regarding substance abuse apply.

The Radiography Program is offered at the Polk State College Airside Center in Lakeland. Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday, during both day and evening hours.

Accreditation

Polk State College has achieved accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; telephone: 312-704-5300. Graduates of the Radiography Program are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination for certification as radiographers. This examination confers national certification and allows the student to apply for state licensure.

Admission Criteria

The following are the minimum requirements for admission to the Radiography Program:

1. Prospective students must gain acceptance to Polk State College as credit-seeking students with all required admission documents received by the Registrar’s Office.
2. Students must complete any required college preparatory courses.
3. At the time of application, students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher.
4. At the time of admission, students must have a grade of C or higher in all prerequisite courses.
5. Students must complete the following prerequisite courses with a C or better prior to admission:
   • BSC 1084C - Basic Anatomy and Physiology
     (BSC 2085C and BSC 2086C may replace BSC 1084C)
   • HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology
   • MAT 1033 - Intermediate Algebra (or  higher)
   • ENC 1101 - College Composition I

Additional Program Requirements

Admission requirements that are completed after admission to the program include:

1. Submission of a physical examination and essential functions examination.
2. Completion of immunizations and communicable disease screenings.
3. Certification in CPR (current).
4. Completion of Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background checks.
5. Completion of a drug screening.
6. Submission of a signed affidavit attesting to the non-committance of specific criminal acts.

The Program Director provides information regarding the specific steps for the completion of these additional admission requirements with the acceptance letter. 

Note: Anticipated Change for January 2013 Class 

Starting with the class that begins January 2013 (application deadline August 31, 2012), it is anticipated that the required prerequisite courses for the Radiography Program will be adjusted to reflect a change in the program from an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography to an Associate in Science degree in Radiography. Under the new degree listing, the prerequisites for the program will be:

ENC 1101 - College Composition I
HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology
MAC 1105 - College Algebra
BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I
BSC 2086C - Human Anatomy and Physiology II
 

Therefore, the January 2012 class (application deadline August 31, 2011) will be the last class to be admitted under the current prerequisites. Students should meet with an academic advisor at any Polk State College location if they have questions. 

Admission Process

The Radiography Program admits students using a selective admissions procedure. Students seeking admission to the program may receive a program application from Student Services at any college location or online at www.polk.edu/radiography. The application must be submitted, along with an official transcript, to the Registrar’s Office on the Lakeland Campus prior to August 31 of each year for a January admission date. A selection committee meets for the evaluation of applications during September, and notices of acceptance are mailed to candidates before the end of September.

The selection committee evaluates applications utilizing the following criteria: college grade point average, number of college credits completed that apply to the AAS degree in Radiologic Sciences, prior employment in a pertinent medical field, and established residency in Polk County.

Polk State College reserves the right to make changes in the admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort is made to communicate changes in the program to interested students.

Program Cost

The approximate cost of the program is $9,500. This cost estimate includes course fees, books, and uniforms.

Potential Earnings

The median annual wage of radiologic technologists was $52,210 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,710 and $63,010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,970. (Department of Labor)

Certification Examination

Following the completion of all requirements for graduation from the Radiography Program, graduates are eligible to take the national registry examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The cost for first-time examinees is $150. After successful completion of this exam, the graduate becomes a Registered Technologist in Radiography and may use the designation R.T. (R)(ARRT).

Florida Licensure

The State of Florida requires all persons practicing radiography to hold a state license. All graduates who have successfully completed the ARRT examination may apply for and receive the state license. The cost is $200, and this is payable to the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control. Prospective students should be aware that a Social Security Number (SSN) is required to be issued a certificate or license by the Florida Department of Health, which is the licensing authority for healthcare licenses in Florida.

Electives

Students are encouraged to add appropriate electives to their program courses as their schedule permits. Electives in areas such as sociology, psychology, human relations, humanities, government, and computer technology, among others, are pertinent to careers in radiography. While these courses are not required, they serve to prepare students to enter the allied health workforce.