Programs - General Description

National Avg. Salary: (Hourly)
- Starting:
  $41600
- Experienced:
  $52000
Local Avg. Salary: (Hourly)
- Starting:
  $37440
- Experienced:
  $45760
Completion Time
(in months)
- 21
Waiting List:
- No

Yancy Wells

Program Director

Current Program/Catalog Information

To view current program information, select a program (or "ALL" for all programs) from the drop-down menu.

Radiologic Technology Degree

Health and Sciences Division

General Description | Semester Layout | Course Requirements | Printable Checklist

Mission

To educate and prepare students for a career in Radiologic Technology.

Description

Radiographers use radiation equipment to produce images of the tissue, organs, bones, and vessels of the body, as prescribed by physicians, to assist in the diagnosis of disease or injury. Radiographers use problem-solving and critical thinking skills to perform medical imaging procedures. They must be able to communicate effectively with patients, other health professionals and the public. The radiographer must display competence and compassion in meeting the special needs of the patient. Additional duties may include evaluating radiologic equipment, providing patient education, and managing a medical imaging department.

Radiographers are employed in health care facilities including specialized imaging centers, urgent care clinics, and private physician offices. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual income for radiologic technologists is approximately $42,300. The projected growth in job opportunities for radiologic technologists will be in the 28% range over the next decade.

Accreditations, Approvals, and Certifications

This program has been accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT) (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiological Technology (JRCERT) 20 North Wacker Drive Suite 2850 Chicago, IL 60606 312.704.5300 ) .

Program Entrance Requirements

Course Level	Required Courses
High School	Algebra I, Biology or Chemistry
College	None
NOTE: A grade of "C" or better is required for each prerequisite course.

Other	Required
Diploma or GED	Yes
Approval/Permission Needed -- Application Process Departmental Approval	Yes
Prior Experience/Observation	No
Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0	Yes
Current CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross	Yes
First Aid Certification	No
Hepatitis B Immunization or Signed Informed Refusal or Titer	Yes
MMR Immunization or Titer	Yes
Chicken Pox Vaccination or Titer	Yes
Two-step PPD / Chest X-Ray	Yes
Medical Examination Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.	Yes
Dental Examination Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete. Dental health must meet departmental standards.	No
Technical Standards Forms are provided by the college and should be current (within one year) and complete.	Yes
Negative Drug Screen	Yes
Satisfactory Background Check	Yes
Other Diplomas, Licensures, etc.	No
Recent Photograph Photograph will not be returned.	No

Academic Standards

Standard Criteria	Required
Courses requiring a grade of "C" or better Any course with one of the following prefixes: ALL	Yes
Courses that may not be attempted more than twice Any course with one of the following prefixes: BIO, MAT, RAD	Yes
Complete or Maintain CPR Certification by American Heart Association or American Red Cross	No
Curriculum Completion Requirement	No
Drug Calculation Competency Students must demonstrate drug calculation competency each semester in order to progress in curriculum courses.	No
Dismissal Policy A student who fails three or more required courses will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to re-enter the program. A student may be dismissed at any time during a semester if he/she is unsafe and/or unethical in the clinical area.	Yes
Re-entry Policy Any student who has been dismissed from the Radiologic Technology program for academic or clinical failure may reenter the program the following year in the semester from which they failed. This will be allowed only if the student�s GPA is a 2.0 or better, they have not failed three (3) or more courses, and there is space available in the curriculum. A student who has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 and/or violates the Radiologic Technology Academic Progression Policy cannot apply for re-admission into the Radiologic Technology curriculum until after a waiting period of at least one (1) year. The student will be allowed to reenter the Radiologic Technology curriculum one (1) time only.	Yes

Agency Requirements

Students in health majors must meet the published clinical agency requirements when participating in assigned labs. Requirements include immunizations, background checks, and drug testing. To be in compliance with Article, 23, Section 44-7-2920 of the S.C. Code of Law, all students enrolled in AHS 141, DAT 154, DHG 154, HIM 102, MED 102, MLT 110, NUR 160, NUR 201, PNR 110, RAD 101, RES 101, and SUR 101 must complete the requirements listed above prior to being assigned to any direct care entity. Results of the background check/drug screening could affect the student's ability to complete required clinical rotations and/or become credentialed. For example, a felony conviction could make a student ineligible to take the licensing exam(s) required by the profession or prevent the student from participating in the clinical training component.

Graduation Requirements

Complete all required courses specified in the curriculum.
Fulfill all financial obligations to the College.
Achieve a cumulative final GPA of 2.0.
Earn at least 25 percent of the total credit hours of his/her curriculum at FDTC. Exceptions can be made only by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Program Specific Notes

Radiologic technology courses (RAD) and AHS 110 are offered only once each year. A student must pass clinical competencies in each radiologic technology course in order to pass the course.