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Radiography, Associate in Applied Science

Overview

2024-25 Applicant's Guide to the Radiography Program at NCC (PDF)
2024-25 Radiography Handbook (PDF)
Career Assessment Form (Deadline 2-1-25) (PDF)
Radiography Program Effectiveness Data (PDF)
2024-26 Required Textbooks (PDF)

 


Narrative

Medical imaging is a dynamic, fascinating field. It's also a critical element of diagnostic medicine. Radiologists rely on their radiographers to produce optimum images for accurate interpretation. Our Radiography program is innovative, educationally sound, and vital in providing medical imaging services for the community-at-large.

Features

The Radiography Program at NCC is a 21-month consecutive program encompassing both traditional and non-traditional academic calendars. Clinical education at the affiliated hospitals is scheduled during the regular semesters, the first winter session, as well as during both summer sessions at the end of the first year. In addition, the main campus has two fully energized digital radiographic rooms in the Wogenrich Lab on the Main Campus. The students have the resources to practice their skills both on-campus and in clinical education

When students have completed their program requirements, they have the option to voluntarily complete 232-240 hours (6 weeks) in an Advanced Skills Internship in one of the following specialties: Bone Densitometry (BD), Computed Tomography (CT), Interventional Radiology (IR), Magnetic Resonance (MR) Mammography (M), or Operating Room (OR). The Advanced Skills Internship is offered through the College's Center for Business & Industry non-credit course offerings and is available to current year May graduates on a space available basis.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide student radiographers with an innovative and educationally sound program that will enable them to deliver quality patient-centered care, use radiation judiciously and display professionalism throughout their career

Joint Mission Statement between NCC and the Clinical Education Settings

Through mutual respect, in a learner-centered environment, we will collectively educate students to embrace the following components of the profession:

  • Effective communication
  • Problem solving
  • Professionalism
  • Radiation safety
  • Technical competency and proficiency 

Accreditation

The Radiography Program at NCC is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Joint Review Committee on Education in
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312.704.5300
312.704.5304 (Fax)
E-mail: mail@jrcert.org
Web site: www.jrcert.org

The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.

Our Radiography program is innovative, educationally sound, and vital in providing medical imaging services for the community. Graduates have the option to remain general diagnostic radiographers or cross-train in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography (M), Bone Densitometry (BD), and Interventional Radiography (IR).  

Transfer Potential

Bloomsburg University, Cedar Crest College, Misericordia University, Thomas Jefferson University

Career Potential

Radiographer (R), Administrator, Bone Densitometrist (BD), Interventional Technologist (IR), Computed Tomography Technologist (CT), Health Physicist, Instructor, Mammographer (M), Magnetic Resonance Technologist (MR), Nuclear Medicine Technologist (N), Radiation Therapist (T), Sales Representative

Program Goals and Outcomes

NCC Radiography program strives to graduate students who:

 

  1. (G) Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform radiographic procedures safely and effectively while prioritizing patient well-being.
    • (O) Safe and Effective Image Production: Correctly employ radiographic positioning, technical factors, and individual patient needs for various procedures, ensuring optimal image quality with minimal radiation exposure.
    • (O) Patient-Centered Care: Engage the patient (and family as appropriate) in preparation for and throughout the examination to enhance image quality and understanding.

       

  2. (G) Analyze clinical situations, solve radiographic problems, and adapt procedures to ensure high-quality images and patient care.
    • (O) Image Quality and Analysis: Demonstrate critical thinking and identify technical errors, artifacts, and potential anatomical abnormalities.
    • (O) Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to adapt radiographic procedures for non-routine cases, considering individual patient factors, equipment limitations, and safety concerns.

       

  3. (G) Professionally and effectively communicate, via oral and written means, with patients and their families, healthcare team members, and the community to support quality patient care and the work of the healthcare team.
    • (O) Patient Education and Interaction: Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients before, during, and after the radiographic examination; display cultural competence and ensure patient and family understanding and informed consent.
    • (O) Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration: Effectively communicate with healthcare team members and actively support the team's work while serving as a patient advocate.

       

  4. (G) Graduates will demonstrate professional behavior and ethics that align with professional standards of practice and clinical expectations, including accountability, responsibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
  • (O) Commitment to Professionalism: Demonstrate professional behavior by adhering to ethical principles and legal standards of practice.
  • (O) Professional Performance: Recognize and adhere to workplace policies, including personal accountability and professional responsibility.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Radiography program at Northampton is on a competitive basis. Minimum admission requirements include:

  • Completion of high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • Submission of official transcript(s)-high school and each college (attended/enrolled)
  • One-year of high school biology with a lab and a grade of C or better; Or BIOS115 with a grade of C or better *
  • Two-units of algebra with a grade of C or better; Or MATH022 and MATH026, or MATH028 with a grade of C or better  *
  • Overall GPA of 2.5 or better
  • Information session and interview for competitive applicants by the program's admission committee

*High school courses must be college preparatory level. Equivalents from other colleges may satisfy requirements.

How to apply:

  • Submit the online application
  • Submit a completed a "Career Assessment Form" (CAF)

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Radiography Program.

Primary consideration during the selection process will be given to those who have:

  • Successfully completed (on the first attempt) College Algebra /Introductory Statistics, Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II or equivalent courses at other colleges
  • Completed other college credit courses that apply to the program

If available spaces in the program are not filled by students who meet these standards, the College reserves the right to accept students who have, in the judgment of the College, the potential to complete the program.

Deadline:

Radiography is a fall-start program. Students may apply to the clinical program starting October 1. Applications must be completed by February 1. Students will not be able to apply to the clinical program after February 1.

After February 1, students who wish to take general education courses toward the Radiography degree may apply to the Health Sciences program of study.

Contact the Admissions Office at 610.861.5500 for further information.

After You Have Been Accepted

Radiography program students must do the following:

  • Obtain necessary immunizations and/or titers.
  • Complete a physical examination and submit a completed health form for review by the Health Center at NCC.
  • Have or obtain health insurance (which needs to be maintained for the duration of the program).
  • Sign a disclosure form stating that you understand the essential functions/technical standards and are able to comply or request reasonable accommodations.
  • Have or obtain CPR certification for BLS Provider (Healthcare Provider).
  • Sign a verification of understanding sheet for the Radiography Program's Student Handbook.
  • Sign a verification of understanding sheet for the HIPAA requirements for the didactic and clinical setting.
  • Obtain criminal background checks and drug screening (until clearance is received, program acceptance is provisional and may be rescinded).

Note:

According to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), a criminal record, violations of academic honor codes, suspension or program dismissal may prevent a graduate from taking the ARRT certification examination. For more information please refer to the ethics informational pages at arrt.org.

Progression

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all RADT courses.

Academic Dismissal from Health Sciences Selective Admission Programs

Any student who does not successfully complete* one (1) course that carries the prefix of the student's Health Sciences major will be dismissed from the program. This policy applies to courses in these programs: Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMSG), Radiography (RADT), Nursing (NURS) and Funeral Services (FUNS).

Any student who does not successfully complete* two (2) courses (either two different courses or the same course twice), that carry the prefix of the student's Health Sciences major will be dismissed from the program. This policy applies to courses in these programs: Dental Hygiene (DENH), Medical Assistant (MDAS), Veterinary Technician (VETC), and Respiratory Care (RESP).

Students may apply again for possible readmission, which includes testing of previous core course material. Readmission is on a space available basis, and priority is given to students entering the program for the first time and to those students who have successfully completed the core courses and have maintained continuous enrollment.

If the student is readmitted and again does not successfully complete one (1) course that carries the prefix of the student's Health Sciences program, they will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to reapply.

*Unsuccessful course completion is defined as a final course grade of F or W.

Courses

First Semester

COLS101College Success

1 credits

BIOS204Human Anatomy & Physiology I

4 credits

RADT102Fundamentals of Radiologic Sciences

3 credits

RADT107Clinical Practice I

2 credits

RADT111Radiographic Procedures I

4 credits

RADT114Introduction to Radiographic Imaging

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Winter Session

RADT108Clinical Practice IB

1 credit

Total Credit Hours:1

Second Semester

BIOS254Human Anatomy & Physiology II

4 credits

ENGL101English I

3 credits

RADT125Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imagers

1 credits

RADT117Clinical Practice II

2 credits

RADT208Imaging Equipment & Radiation Production

3 credits

RADT210Level II Radiographic Procedures

4 credits

Total Credit Hours:17

Summer Session

RADT147Clinical Practice III

4 credits

Total Credit Hours:4

Third Semester

COMM101Introduction to Communication

3 credits

 

MATH140College Algebra

3 credits

OR

MATH150Introductory Statistics

3 credits

 

RADT205Pathology for Radiographers

2 credits

RADT207Clinical Practice IV

3 credits

RADT230Radiation Biology/Protection

3 credits

RADT242Digital Imaging and Analysis

2 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Fourth Semester

ENGL151LEnglish II

3 credits

PSYC103Introduction to Psychology

3 credits

RADT201Advanced Imaging

2 credits

RADT217Clinical Practice V

3 credits

RADT250Senior Review

2 credits

Elective

3 credits

Total Credit Hours:16

Total Credit Hours: 71

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I is substituted for one of the Human Knowledge Courses.
  • The Social Science (SIT) requirement has been included in program courses.
  • The Diversity and Global Awareness (D) requirement is satisfied by the completion of ENGL151L.
  • Writing Intensive (WI) work and computer competencies are included in various courses in this program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) and computing requirements for this program.