Program Description

A radiographer, also known as a Radiologic Technologist, is responsible for producing radiographs as prescribed by a physician. In order to successfully produce a radiograph, the radiographer must position the patient between the image receptor and the x-ray tube, select the proper amount of radiation, and then energize the x-ray tube. Radiographic processing and evaluation, radiation protection, and basic patient assessment are within the scope of practice of a radiographer.

Radiographers are employed in hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers, private physician offices, and mobile x-ray companies. In addition, employment is available in the industrial aspect of radiography, specifically by producing radiographs of metal parts to determine cracks or potentially weak areas in the part.

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Radiography Program at Miami Dade College is to prepare competent practitioners in the profession of radiography.

Goals

1.  Program graduates will be competent radiographers.

2.  Program graduates will apply problem solving skills and critical thinking skills in their radiography practice.

3.  Program graduates will apply effective communication skills in their radiography practice.

4.  Program graduates will continue to pursue professional growth and development through lifelong

     learning.

5.  Program will provide the community with employable radiographers.

Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Radiography Program at the Medical Center Campus, you must meet these criteria:

• You hold at the time of enrollment in the Radiography Program, a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).

  In accordance with the school’s policy of dual admissions, you have applied to and been fully accepted by Miami Dade College. (For application information, see the Miami Dade College Catalog, available from admissions and registration offices on any campus.)

  You have passing scores on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), or if you have taken the test but have not passed, then you have satisfactorily completed the developmental courses prescribed by MDC. The CPT can be scheduled through Testing Services at any MDC campus. For exceptions to this requirement, see the MDC Catalog. CPT scores must be current at the time of selections.

  You have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 for all non-radiography curriculum courses.

  You can demonstrate comprehension and proficiency in the English language at the college level. If your native language is other then English, you must have completed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which can be taken at any MDC campus.

  You have completed the vocational credit HSC 0003 Introduction to Health Care.

  You have satisfied the college Computer Competency requirement.

• All transcripts from other colleges/universities have been received and evaluated.

Students begin the Radiography Program in June of each year. A total of 77 credits must be completed for this degree. The required general education courses are an important part of the program. Since admissions are highly competitive, it is strongly recommended that you take the core courses, particularly the natural science courses, before you are admitted to the program. Your success at the courses you take before applying to the program will improve your chances of being admitted, although taking these courses in advance does not guarantee admission.

Course content is sequential, and students must plan to enroll in all Radiography courses in the order and during the terms indicated in the following curriculum outline.

HSC 0003, Introduction to Health Care, is required of all students entering this program. To be considered for an exemption, program applicants must provide one of the following:

• Current state license or certification in a health care field that involves direct patient care. Effective January 2003, you will be required to submit a written statement from your employer on official letterhead indicating that you have been actively employed in your field within the past 2 years.

  Transcripts from Miami-Dade County Public Schools showing completion of HSC 1 and HSC 2 within 2 years of anticipated entry to a Medical Center Campus Program.

• Completion of an equivalent course at another accredited institution. Both an official transcript and a course description are required.

Once accepted students must provide a current CPR card for Health Professionals and HIV/OSHA certificate.

A criminal background check must be processed thorugh the college once admitted to the program.

ADA Standards


In order to fulfill the requirements of the Radiography Program, you must be able to:

• Reach up to six feet off the floor.

  Communicate in a clear and concise manner to people in various departments.

  Read and apply appropriate instructions in patients’ charts, notes, and records.

  Lift 30 pounds of weight floor to waist.

  Move immobile patients from a stretcher to the radiographic table with the assistance of departmental personnel.

  Push standard wheel chair from waiting room to imaging area.

  Understand and apply clinical instructions given from departmental personnel.

  Utilize a keyboard to input clinical data into an imaging console and computers.

  Visually monitor patients in dimmed light, visually monitor patients via video monitors during radiographic examinations, and monitor patients via audio monitors during radiographic exams.

  Hear various equipment and background sounds during equipment operation.

  Use good body mechanics to bend, stretch, reach, stoop, kneel, and twist in performance of job duties.

  Maneuver heavy mobile equipment weighing up to 100 pounds.

• Perform duties that require standing and/or walking for continuous periods of time (four hours or more).

Curriculum

Approximate Costs

As of August 2006, the cost of tuition was $68.94 per credit for in-state students and $228.76 per credit for out-of-state students. Here are estimates for total tuition, based on 77 credits at these per-credit rates. In-state students $5,309.00; Out-of-state students $17,615.00. Costs for books are $60-$300 per year, and lab fees may total $25-$75 annually. Each year, students are required to purchase malpractice insurance for $15.50 and medical accident insurance for $10.50. Over the course of the program, students should expect to pay approximately $250-$300 for uniforms and footwear. In order to practice as radiographers, graduates of the program will need to take the ARRT Registry Exam ($150) and pay $115 when they apply for HRS License. All costs are subject to change.

Effective January 2003, all students submitting an application to the Radiography program must pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 application fee. In addition to the program application fee, students who are accepted into the program must pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $100.00 to retain their seat. At the time of registration for the summer semester, the deposit will be applied towards tuition, provided the student enters the Radiography program.

Accreditation

The Miami Dade College Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 20 N. Wacker Drive Suite 2850 CHicago, IL  60606-3182 (312-704-5300). The most recent site visit took place in February 2006. The next site visit is scheduled for January 2014.

Licensure

Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT), The National Certification Examination in Radiologic Technology. Graduates must also apply to the State of Florida for a General Radiographers license required for employment in the state of florida.

Important Phone Numbers

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.