Program: AS-25575

Mission Statement

The Radiography Program fosters and supports creative and positive learning experiences within an atmosphere of academic excellence and continuous improvement. The Polk State Radiography Program seeks to provide opportunities that ensure every student acquires the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to succeed as a radiographer.

Radiography Program Goals:

1. The program seeks to graduate students who are clinically competent.    

a. Students demonstrate proper positioning skills.
b. Students demonstrate appropriate technical factor selection.
c. Students demonstrate proper radiation protection for patient and personal safety.

2. The program enables students to incorporate and apply effective communication skills in the classroom and clinic.

a. Students apply effective oral communication skills.
b. Students apply effective written communication skills.

3. Program students demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom and clinic.    

a. Students adapt procedures for non-routine exams.
b. Students adapt positioning and patient-care techniques to meet the needs of the patient.

4. Students demonstrate professionalism through program requirements and activities.        

a. Students complete a specialty rotation.
b. Students exhibit professional behavior in the clinical setting.

The Radiography Program provides an organized curriculum that includes courses in General Education and radiologic technology, preparing the student for a career as a member of a 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 diagnoses of disease and injury. Radiographers work in hospitals, private practices, clinics, traveling agencies, and other qualified facilities. The program curriculum allows a student to become clinically competent through the demonstration of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom and clinic. The student develops effective communication and professional skills and prepares for the role of an entry-level technologist.

The Radiography Program is offered at the Polk State College Airside Center–West in Lakeland. Classes are scheduled Monday through Friday. The class schedule varies between semesters, with some classes offered in the evening.

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; website: www.jrcert.org.

A graduate of the Radiography Program is eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination for certification. 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. The prospective student must gain acceptance to Polk State College as a credit-seeking student with all required admission documents received by the Registrar’s Office.
2. The student must complete any required Developmental Education courses.
3. The student must have an overall GPA of 2.00 (or higher) at the time of application and admission to the program.
4. The student must complete the following prerequisite courses with a C or better prior to submission of the program application:
   • BSC 2085C - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  
   • BSC 2086C - Human Anatomy and Physiology II  
   • HSC 1531 - Medical Terminology  
   • MAC 1105 - College Algebra   
   • ENC 1101 - College Composition I  

Note: Prerequisites and courses that can be taken prior to a program can change; a student who is not yet admitted may be required to take additional or alternate prerequisites prior to admission to the program. 

Additional Program Requirements

Additional requirements to be 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 required Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background checks.
5. Completion of a drug screening.
6. Submission of a signed affidavit attesting that the individual has not committed specific criminal acts.

The Program Director provides information regarding additional program requirements during the mandatory orientation. 

Admission Process

The Radiography Program uses a selective admissions procedure and an online application (www.polk.edu/radiography). The application period is August 1 to August 31, each year, with a January admission date. A selection committee meets for the evaluation of applications at the end of September, and a notice of acceptance is mailed to each selected candidate at the end of October.

The selection committee evaluates applications utilizing the following criteria as a guide: overall college GPA, prerequisite course GPA, number of college credits completed that apply to the AS in Radiography degree, related experience, and established residency in Polk County.

Note: Polk State College reserves the right to make changes to 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 $12,000. This estimate includes tuition, course fees, books, uniforms, physical exam, and medical costs, as well as national certification and licensure applications.

Potential Earnings

For potential salary and wage information, an individual may visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (www.bls.gov/ooh) or www.salary.com. Salary may vary depending on geographical location, the type of facility served, and years of experience.   

Certification Examination

Following the completion of all requirements for graduation from the Radiography Program, the graduate is eligible to take the national registry examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). 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 any person practicing radiography to hold a state license. A graduate who successfully completes the ARRT examination may apply for and receive a state license. The student 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 professionals in Florida.

Note: During the application process for national certification and state licensure, both the Florida Department of Health and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) make the final determination of an applicant’s eligibility. The student should contact the Radiography Program Director to request additional information, if needed, before applying to the program.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to:
PLO 1: Demonstrate all program-related clinical competencies. 
PLO 2: Apply effective written and verbal communication while working with peers, patients, and other members of the healthcare team.
PLO 3: Integrate critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
PLO 4: Apply proper radiation-protection practices for patient and personal safety
PLO 5: Apply proper patient positioning, and adapt positioning and care techniques to meet the needs of the patient.