Radiography

What is Radiography?

Do you like taking pictures of the inside? Radiography is x-ray imaging of the human body. Radiography Program Mission, Program Goals, and Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

Mission: The mission of the Radiography Program is to prepare students for a career as a diagnostic radiographer by providing a continually-improving educational program that allows graduates to meet the needs of a diverse patient population in an ethical and compassionate manner.

Goal 1: The program will produce graduates who exhibit a high potential of success in the field of radiography through excellence in teaching and learning. Students will:

SLO 1 - Apply positioning skills
SLO 2 - Utilize radiation protection.
SLO 3 - Select technical factors

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate communication skills, cultivate diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion. Students will:

SLO 1 - Demonstrate written communication skills.
SLO 2 - Demonstrate oral communication skills.
SLO 3 - Demonstrate understanding of how personal, societal, and cultural values influence patient care.
SLO 4 - Participate in campus extracurricular activities as well as community volunteerism.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills. Students will:

SLO 1 - Adapt standard procedures for non-routine patients.
SLO 2 - Critique images to determine diagnostic quality.
SLO 3 - Recognize and respond accordingly in a medical emergency in the simulation lab activities.

Goal 4: Students will model professionalism, and the program will enhance economic development of the community and the commonwealth by producing a sufficient number of graduates with the ability to function as entry-level professionals in radiography. Students will:

SLO 1 - Demonstrate work ethics.
SLO 2 - Summarize the value of life-long learning.
SLO 3 - Employers will be satisfied with the graduates as entry-level radiographers.
SLO 4 - Students will complete the program.

Goal 5: The program will increase student access and success. Students will:

SLO 1 - Be provided access to campus services as tutoring, disability services, counseling services, and course advising while in the program.
SLO 2 - Be provided transfer information and guidance to plan for an advanced certification or degree.

Goal 6: Students will exhibit a high degree of satisfaction with their educational experience in the program. Students will:

SLO 1 - Pass the national certification exam, American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) on the first attempt.
SLO 2 - Actively seek and attain employment within 6 months of graduation.
SLO 3 - Students will complete the program.
SLO 4 - Students will be satisfied with their education.

Goal 7: Employers will exhibit a high degree of satisfaction with graduates of the program. Students will:

SLO 1 - Demonstrate on-going proficiency in performance of radiographic skills.
SLO 2 - Employers will be satisfied with the graduates performance.

What are my career options?

Many radiographers specialize in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Mammography and Cardiovascular Imaging. Some radiographers will continue their education tospecialize in Medical Diagnostic Sonography, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine.

A few examples of workplaces in your local area:

Hospitals
Imaging centers
Physician offices

What are my degree, diploma, or certificate options?

Associate Degree in Applied Science

Associate Degree Radiography Pathway 2 | Download the academic plan

Associate Degree Radiography Pathway 3 | Download the academic plan
(Pathway 3 curriculum begins for the class beginning August 2018)

An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.

Certificate(s)

Advanced Imaging in Radiography | Download the Academic Plan | G.E.D.I.
Students must be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the NMTCB. Consent of instructor is required to be enrolled in Advanced Imaging in Radiography.

A certificate is earned by a student after taking a series of courses in a particular subject. Students often earn certificates to get a step ahead in the professional field of their interest, and certificates may be offered in similar programs leading to degrees.

Length of Program

It will take a minimum of 5 semesters to get an associate degree in Radiography.

The curriculum includes attendance of on-campus courses and clinical experience in area hospitals. In addition, clinical experience requires travel to a hospital outside of Paducah, KY. Clinical locations in Kentucky include: Paducah, Mayfield, Murray, Benton, Princeton, and Marion, KY. Clinical locations outside of Kentucky are: Martin, TN and Metropolis, IL.

For length of time to get a diploma or certificate AND for a complete list of required courses:
click on "What credentials are available?" to access specific academic plans.

Additional Information

Pre-Admission Conference

A pre-admission conference must be attended to apply to the program. All conferences are at 4:00 p.m. in the Allied Health Building, room E105. Pre-admission dates for the class selection for fall 2019 are:

Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Additional Resources / Training

Accreditation / Program Success

The Radiography Program at West Kentucky Community and Technical College is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE)for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. http://www.jrcert.org/resources/us-department-of-education-recognition/

To learn more, contact the JRCERT at:
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Tel: 312-704-5300
Fax: 312-704-5304
mail@jrcert.org
website: www.jrcert.org

Licensure, Job-Placement, and Completion Rates

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.