Program: AAS-A5570

Program Mission: 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 every student with the knowledge, skills, and professional attributes necessary to succeed as radiographers.

Program Goals

1. The student will graduate clinically competent.
2. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills in the classroom and clinic.
3. The student 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 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 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, including both day and evening hours.

Accreditation

PSC 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 PSC 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. Physical examination and essential functions.
2. Immunization and communicable disease screening.
3. Current CPR certification.
4. Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) background checks.
5. Drug screening.
6. Signed affidavit attesting to the non-committance of specific criminal acts.

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

Admission Process

The Radiography Program will admit students under a selective admissions procedure. Students seeking admission to the program must receive a program application from the Registrar’s Office on the Lakeland Campus. 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 will meet for evaluation of applications during September, and notices of acceptance will be mailed to candidates before the end of September.

The selection committee will evaluate 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.

PSC reserves the right to make changes in the admission criteria as circumstances require. Every reasonable effort will be 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

Radiographers may work a part-time or full-time (40 hours) work week. Entry-level radiographers can expect an annual salary of approximately $36,000-$40,000 with additional pay for shift differential.

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 will be 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.

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 would be pertinent to careers in radiography. While these courses are not required, they will serve to prepare students to enter the allied health workforce.