Mar 19, 2024  
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
Mansfield University 2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Radiology Technology A.A.S.


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Offered by the Robert Packer Department of Health Sciences and Physical Activities
Professor Biblehimer, Seigart, Sheehe (chairperson)
Associate Professors Evans, Maisner, McGuire, Wright, K.
Assistant Professors Decker, Klesh, Materese, McEwan, Zaparzynski
Instructors Ferrito, Greer, Hanlon, Oakes, Vosburgh, Urban

The Radiographer

Diagnostic radiographers are valued members of the healthcare team involved in imaging body structures and organs using a variety of procedures and sophisticated equipment. Most people are familiar with radiographic chest examinations and know that x-ray examinations are the best way to diagnose broken bones. Diagnostic radiographers perform these procedures as well as procedures which require the use of contrast agents that make it possible to study organs and blood vessels that otherwise cannot be seen.

Accreditation
Radiologic Technology is a full time two-year degree program offered through Mansfield University Health Sciences and Physical Activities Department and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois, 60606.

Program Description
During the first semester, students attend classes at the Mansfield University campus. The remaining three semesters and two summers are spent completing clinical and classroom requirements at the Sayre, PA campus. Radiology students attend an orientation session at Robert Packer Hospital during the week immediately before the start of the regular spring semester. All professional courses are taught in modern up-to-date college and clinical affiliate classrooms and laboratories. When assigned to the Sayre campus, students complete up to 40 clinical/classroom hours per week. The average daily times of attendance are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Occasionally, attendance at a late afternoon class that extends beyond 4:00 p.m. and attendance at an evening class is required. While the majority of courses are taught using traditional in-class instruction, some are completed via distance and online learning.

Clinical education includes extensive clinical experience at the Radiology Department of Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Students are routinely assigned to diagnostic areas and gain familiarity with six specialty areas by completing a short clinical rotation within each modality. Second year students also attend a one-week clinical rotation at Troy CommunityHospital to gain experience in computed radiography. Although the majority of clinical experience is assigned during day-time hours, each second year student rotates sequentially through an evening clinical assignment that occurs from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Students must provide their own transportation to all classes and clinical assignments.

 

Certification
Program graduates are eligible to sit for the certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Certified Radiographers may use the letters RT ® R after their names. ARRT certification satisfies most state radiographer licensure laws.

Career Opportunities
Upon program completion career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, medical clinics, and mobile units. With additional education or training, radiographers can pursue employment in specialty areas including Computed Tomography (CT), Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy.

Bloomsburg Baccalaureate Degree Option
Program graduates have the option to obtain a Baccalaureate Degree from Bloomsburg University with an emphasis in management, education, or a clinical specialty i.e. Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Positron Emission Tomography, Computed Tomography, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Under the terms of an articulation agreement between Mansfield University and Bloomsburg University, graduates from the Mansfield University Radiology Technology Program are guaranteed admission, with advanced standing at the junior level, to Bloomsburg University.

 

Program Mission
The mission of the Mansfield University Radiology Technology Program is to develop competent entry-level diagnostic radiographers. Graduates will possess knowledge and skills related to positioning patients for radiographic procedures, radiation protection, exposure technique, and image evaluation. They will also demonstrate excellence in communication, patient care, critical thinking, use of medical ethics, and professionalism

Graduates will also demonstrate familiarity with specialized radiologic modalities including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Vascular Interventional Radiography, Ultrasound, CT Scanning, Mammography and Radiation Therapy.

By providing a high quality academic curriculum with associated laboratories, and a guided systematic approach to clinical experience, faculty members strive to provide an integrated educational experience. Through continual self-evaluation and measured outcomes, faculty members also strive to respond to the changing needs of the profession, so graduates become effective members of today’s health care team.


Program Goals
  • To develop students with skills in the technical aspects of producing and evaluating radiographic images.
  • To develop students with skills in communication, patient care, critical thinking and use of medical ethical concepts.
  • To promote professional development.
  • To provide the health care community with competent, entry-level diagnostic radiographers.
  • To promote graduate and employer satisfaction
Admission Requirements
  1. Completed application form with nonrefundable fee
  2. High school diploma or GED
  3. High school and/or post secondary transcripts
  4. High school math and science background
  5. Scores from Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Test (ACT)
  6. Personal interview and clinical shadowing experience
  7. Candidates must also comply with program technical standards that include:
    1. Read small print and write legible notes
    2. Speak and be understood
    3. Handle sterile and nonsterile instruments with dexterity
    4. Hear speech when the speaker wears a mask and the listener’s ears are covered with a cap
    5. Lift, move and assist patients
    6. Perform x-ray equipment manipulation
    7. Wear a protective apron when necessary
    8. Access, without assistance, all clinical areas
    9. Perform all CPR movements

Since class size is limited, applicants with a math and science background are given preference. The University Admissions Office selects candidates who meet the minimum admission requirements and forwards their applications to the program Director. A personal interview and shadowing experience are required. The decision for acceptance is based on the candidate’s academic performance in math/science and SAT/ACT scores. Each candidate is rated using a point score system. Candidates with the highest total point score are given priority for admission. All candidates are notified by the Admissions Office of their final application status.

Change of Major

A Mansfield University student who would like to be considered for acceptance into the Radiology Technology Program must notify the Program Director, obtain a Change of Major form from the Registrar’s Office, and request that the following documents be faxed to the Program Director at (570) 882-6509:

  • copy of student’s original application to Mansfield University
  • copy of all post-secondary transcripts including Mansfield University transcript
  • copy of high school transcript
The Admissions Committee will consider the request using the same acceptance criteria used for external applicants. All candidates are notified by the Program Director of their final application status. If accepted to the program, the student must submit a completed Change of Major form to the Program Director.

Health Requirements
To be allowed to treat patients at Robert Packer Hospital, and other affiliated hospitals, each radiology student must comply with the immunization and health requirements established by the hospital and/or state health department. Prior to enrollment in the first radiology courses at Robert Packer Hospital in January, each radiology student must provide the Program Director with documentation of the following:

  1. Two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations, or rubeola titers confirming immunity (for students born before January 1, 1957, a rubeola titer is not needed)
  2. Positive history of chicken pox (varicella) or varicella titer confirming immunity
  3. Hepatitis B immunization
  4. Tuberculosis skin tests (PPD): If an individual has written documentation of one PPD skin test within the preceding twelve months, one additional PPD skin test is needed prior to beginning the first clinical course in Sayre. If the individual has not had a PPD in the past 12 months, he/she must complete the two-step PPD process prior to beginning their rotations in the hospital. There must be a minimum of seven days between the two PPD tests, however the two-step PPD must be completed within a three-week period of time. Documentation must include the date (s) when the test was administered and the date (s) when the test site was checked. 
  5. Tetanus within the last ten years
  6. A negative 7-panel urine drug screen completed within six months of beginning courses on the Guthrie/Robert Packer Hospital campus.
  7. A completed Respirator Fit Test. If the test has not been completed, radiology students must sign a waiver indicating that they will not participate in the care of patients with tuberculosis.


Medical and Professional Liability Insurance
All students must have health and professional liability insurance to participate in clinical experiences at all Guthrie Health facilities. Documentation of coverage must be submitted to the Program Director prior to enrollment in the first radiology courses at Robert Packer Hospital in January.

Students who do not have health insurance can purchase a policy through Mansfield University by contacting Kathleen McNett by telephone at (570) 662-4933 or by e-mailing her at kmcnett@mansfield.edu. To purchase professional liability (malpractice) insurance, students may contact March Affinity Group Services by phone at (800) 503-9230 or by e - mail at www.seaburychicago.com. A policy with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000.00 per incident and a $3,000,000.00 aggregate must be purchased.


Expenses incurred meeting health and insurance requirements are the responsibility of the student. All documentation may be mailed to the Program Director of the Radiology Technology Program, Robert Packer Hospital, Patterson Education Building, Room 216, One Guthrie Square, Sayre, PA 1 8840

Students who fail to complete the health requirements and/or submit documentation will be denied access to clinical and laboratory courses.

The Mansfield University Radiologic Technology program complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and with University policies regarding students with disabilities. Every effort is made to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities who are able to perform the essential functions of our academic program. A list of “essential functions” is available from the Program Director upon request. Students who are accepted into the program and later discovered to be unable to perform these essential functions may not be able to complete the program. The program faculty will work with students to identify the reasonable accommodations necessary to aid them in becoming successful. The program will also cooperate with the University’s Office of Services for Students with Disabilities to insure students’ needs are complied with as outlined by the American’s with Disabilities Act and Mansfield University’s policy of insuring equal opportunity for all students.

Program Standards
Radiologic technology students are subject to all Mansfield University policies plus the following radiologic technology program standards:

  1. Satisfactory completion of all required courses.
  2. A minimum grade of “C-” must be achieved in BSC 1121, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, and MA 1128, College Algebra for enrollment in the radiology courses in Sayre.
  3. All professional courses (courses with an “XRT” prefix) are not included in the university pass/fail policy.
  4. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in all professional courses (those with an XRT prefix) and modules of the courses. Any student receiving a “C-“ or lower grade cannot continue in the program until the course is repeated and a “C” or higher grade is attained.
  5. Professional courses can be repeated only once. Students will be readmitted on a “space available” basis. Any student who fails to earn at least a grade of “C” upon completion of the repeated course will be dismissed from the program
  6. All degree work must be completed within three years.

 

Graduation Requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of all required courses.
  2. Completion of all professional courses with a grade no lower than “C” in each course.
  3. Completion of BSC 1121 with a minimum grade of “C-“
  4. Final Q.P.A. of at least 2.00.
  5. Payment of all required tuition, fees, and debts.

 

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