Offered by the Department of Health Sciences
Professor Sheehe (chairperson), Wright, K.
Associate Professors Evans, Maisner, McGuire
Assistant Professors Decker, Feeney, Hicks, Klesh, Materese, Oakes, Zaparzynski
Instructors Carapella, Ferrito, Greer, Hanlon, Kotchka, Lanzara, Runyan, Vosburgh
Mission
The mission of 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 Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine, Vascular Interventional Radiography, Ultrasound, CT Scanning 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.
Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Goal #1: To provide the health care community with competent, entry-level diagnostic radiographers.
- Students will position patients accurately.
- Student will select optimal exposure factors.
- Student will apply radiation protection principles.
Goal # 2: Students will demonstrate appropriate patient communication and education skills.
- Students will identify themselves and the patient, verify the body part to be imaged, and obtain an accurate history.
- Students will explain the procedure and process for obtaining the diagnostic report.
Goal #3: Students will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking when performing medical imaging procedures.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking while performing radiographic procedures.
- Students will evaluate radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
Goal #4: Students will demonstrate professionalism.
- Students will demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
Goal #5: The program will continuously monitor its effectiveness.
- Students will complete the program within three years of initial acceptance.
- Graduates will pass the ARRT Certification Exam on the first attempt.
- Graduates pursuing employment will be employed within six months after program completion.
Goal #6: The program will promote graduate and employer satisfaction.
- Graduates will express satisfactiion with the training received during the program.
- Employers will experss satisfaction with the training received during the program.
The Mansfield University Radiology Technology Program trains students to become diagnostic radiologic technologists. Diagnostic radiologic technologists 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 technologists 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.
Why choose the Mansfield University Radiology Technology Program?
- The program is accredited, so standards of excellence are met and students are assured of a quality education.
- The program offers an intensive clinical experience in a small town atmosphere.
- Students gain experience using state-of-the-art digital radiographic equipment and the student/teacher ratio is low.
- The program has an outstanding pass rate on the certification examination.
- Clinical rotations through seven specialty areas associated with radiology are provided.
- Second-year students may work as tech aides in the radiology department outside of program hours earning a salary and increasing competency.
- Bloomsburg University Baccalaureate Degree option which includes specialty area training is available after graduation.
Program Description
The Radiology Technology Program is a full-time, two-year AAS degree program. It is one of several programs in the Mansfield University Department of Health Sciences. Students are on the Mansfield, PA, campus the first semester. The remaining three semesters and two summer sessions require clinical and classroom experience at the Robert Packer Hospital, in Sayre, PA.
Radiology students attend an orientation session at Robert Packer Hospital during the start of the regular 1st spring semester.
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 specialty areas by completing a short clinical rotation within each modality. During the second year, each student rotates through an evening clinical assignment that occurs from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Students are subject to the rules and Regulations of both the university and medical center affiliate.
The program is 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, 60606-3182. Accreditation standards can be seen at the JRCERT website, www.jrcert.com.
Career Opportunities
Upon program completion, career opportunities are available in hospitals, imaging centers, medical clinics and mobile units. Although there is no formal job placement service, job opportunities exist throughout the U.S. With additional education or training, radiographers can pursue employment in specialty areas including Mammography, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine and Vascular Interventional Radiography. Graduates who pursue a Baccalaureate Degree may be considered for positions in education or administration.
Policies and Procedures
Admission
The radiology technology program accepts a maximum of ten majors annually. Admission is granted only for the fall semester and requires:
1. A high school diploma or GED
2. A completed application form with the non refundable fee.
3. Math and science background in high school and/or college
4. Submission of high school and/or college-level transcripts
5. A diagnostic radiology department shadowing experience
6. A personal interview
Applicants must also comply with program technical standards:
1. Read small print and write legible notes
2. Speak clearly and be understood
3. Handle sterile and non-sterile 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
Obtaining Program Information and Application
Information and an application form can be obtained by calling the Mansfield University Admissions Office at (570) 662-4243 or by contacting Jo Ann Hanlon, Program Director, at (570) 887-4007. The same information and an online application may also be obtained by visiting www.mansfield.edu .
Application Deadline
To receive proper consideration, applications should be received by the University no later than January 15. Applications submitted after January 15 will be accepted on a space-available basis.
Admission Process
Applicants must submit a completed application with the non-refundable fee to the Mansfield University Admissions Office along with high school/college transcripts and SAT and/or ACT scores. The Admissions Office selects candidates who meet the minimum University admission requirements and forwards their applications and transcripts to the Program Director of the Radiology Technology Program and the Admissions Committee for review.
Since class size is limited, only applicants with a solid high school and/or college math and science background are granted a personal interview at the Sayre Campus. Applicants who are granted an interview are notified by mail. During the interview, applicants will receive information about the program and will participate in a shadowing experience within the Robert Packer Hospital Radiology Department
The decision for acceptance is made by the program’s Admission Committee and is based primarily on the candidate’s academic performance in completed high school or college level math and science courses. Each candidate’s math and science grades are rated using a point score system.
Applicants who meet the math/science standard, meet the technical program standards, and have completed a shadowing experience receive an acceptance letter from the Mansfield University Admissions Office within approximately two weeks following the interview. Other applicants will be accepted on a space-available basis and may be granted alternate status.
Applicants who receive a rejection letter may reapply to the program after completing math and science college level courses. Courses completed must include BSC 1121 Anatomy and Physiology I and MA 1128 College Algebra at Mansfield University. A minimum grade of grade of “C-” must be attained in each course to be reconsidered for acceptance. Applicants who are requesting re-consideration will be admitted on a space-available basis and their scores will be considered with other applicant scores at the time of re-consideration.
Alternate Status
In addition to the ten majors, the program accepts three alternate students annually. Alternate status enables the applicant to begin his/her studies at Mansfield University in the fall semester under the Academic Exploration Program and take all the required courses within the Radiology program’s fall curriculum.
If an opening occurs during the fall semester, alternate students will be considered for full acceptance into the program. Alternate students who are accepted must attain at least a grade of “C” in each course, and those with the highest numerical average of grades in BSC 1121 Human Anatomy & Physiology I, XRT 1101 X-ray Technology I, and MA 1128 College Algebra will be accepted first.
If alternate students are not accepted into the program during the fall semester, they may continue taking general education courses required within the Radiology Technology Program at Mansfield University. They are guaranteed acceptance into the Radiology Technology Program for the following spring provided they have attained a minimum grade of “C” in XRT 1101 X-Ray Technology I, and a minimum grade of C- in BSC 1121 Human Anatomy and Physiology I and MA 1128 College Algebra. They must also attain a passing grade in all attempted general education courses within the radiology program’s curriculum.
Change of Major
Any Mansfield University student who would like to be considered for acceptance into the Radiology Technology Program must notify the Program Director by phone: (570) 882-4007 or by e-mail: hanlon_joann@guthrie.org or jhanlon@mansfield.edu.
Students with Disabilities
The Mansfield University Radiology 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.
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 health requirement documentation.
Background Checks
Prior to the 1st spring clinical courses at the Sayre Campus in January, students must complete and submit documentation for a Criminal Background Check and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance. The documentation must be submitted at least two weeks prior to starting the spring semester. Please not that the documentation is an annual requirement thereafter.
Medical and Professional Liability Insurance
All students must have health and professional liability insurance to participate in clinical experiences at all Guthrie Health facilities.
Transportation to Clinical Sites
Students must provide their own transportation to and from the program’s clinical sites, Robert Packer Hospital and Troy Community Hospital.
Program Grade Standards
Radiology students are subject to all Mansfield University policies plus the following Radiology Technology Program standards:
1. A minimum grade of C- in BSC 1121 Human Anatomy & Physiology and MA 1128 College Algebra is required for enrollment in the radiology courses in Sayre.
2. A minimum grade of C must be achieved in all professional courses (those with an XRT prefix) and modules. Any module grade below C will result in failure of the entire course. 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.
3. 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.
4. All degree work must be completed within three years.
Graduation Requirements
- Earn at least a “C” grade for each course attempted in the major (XRT courses).
- Earn at least a “C-“grade for Human Anatomy and Physiology I and College Algebra.
- Achieve at least the minimum G.P.A of 2.0.
- Complete the course requirements for general education and the major.
- Achieve all of the Radiology Technology Program’s terminal competencies.
- Satisfy all financial obligations to Mansfield University and Guthrie Health.
- Submit an Application for Graduation online via WebAdvisor at least one year prior to graduation.
- Complete the ARRT clinical competency requirements.
Certification Examination
Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the certification examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Candidates must meet all ARRT requirements including ethical standards. Conviction of a crime (felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor) and drug/alcohol related violations can affect eligibility to sit for the examination. ARRT investigates all potential violations in order to determine eligibility.
Certified radiographers may use the letters R.T. (R) after their names and ARRT certification satisfies most state radiographer licensure laws. More information can be obtained at the website, www.arrt.org.
The program boasts an outstanding pass rate on the certification examination.
Job Placement
Although the radiology program does not provide job placement, graduates maintain an excellent record of job procurement.
Bloomsburg University Baccalaureate Degree Option
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. Following successful completion of The BU program, graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Mansfield University (MU) and Bloomsburg University (BU) officially confirm the following terms of this agreement:
1. After admission to MU, an interested student signs a letter of intent to transfer to BU at the time the Associate in Applied Science Degree is completed.
2. The Office of Admissions at BU reserves a place for the student as a junior year transfer student upon receipt of the studentís letter of intent.
3. One year prior to matriculation at BU, the student confirms the intent to enroll by completing the transfer admissions application.
4. BU accepts all 68 credits from MU (pending ARRT certification).
5. A minimum of 52 additional semester hours of credit must be completed to be awarded the BU Bachelor of Science Degree. BU residency requirements must be observed (30 credits from BU).
More Information please contact:
Jo Ann Hanlon, M.S. Ed., R.T. (R) (M)
Program Director Radiology Technology Program
Mansfield University
Phone: (570) 887-4007
E-mail: hanlon_joann@guthrie.org
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