Radiologic Technology, A.A.A.S.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Academic Program Code: 305

The mission of the Grand Rapids Community College Radiologic Technology program is to demonstrate radiographic skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, radiation safety, patient care, professional attitudes, and lifelong learning characteristics that will prepare students for entry into the workforce of diagnostic medical imaging as a registry-eligible radiographer. Graduates of this program, upon successfully completing the registry examination of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), are prepared for entry level positions in hospitals, clinics, private offices, and traveling technologist employment. The Radiologic Technology program at GRCC is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

The employment outlook continues to be favorable for Radiologic Technologists. Clinical practicums associated with GRCC’s program have been established within a 50-mile radius of Grand Rapids Community College (sites subject to change). These practical experiences seek to heighten students’ awareness of patient communication practices and to acquaint them with all phases of radiologic technology practice, which often varies from hospital to hospital. The personal contacts developed during clinical experiences often help students in securing jobs after graduation. The Radiologic Technology program is a two-year program and requires attendance for six semesters including two summer sessions.

Program Admissions Requirements

In order to be eligible for admission into the Radiologic Technology program, students must:

Be a high school graduate or have passed the high school equivalency GED (General Educational Development) Test.
Have a high school GPA of at least 2.0.
Must demonstrate math competency with a SAT Math subsection score of 25 or Higher within the last five years, ACT Math score of 18 or Higher within the last five years, ALEKS score of 30 or Higher, or completion of MA 098 or Higher with a C or better.
Must demonstrate reading and writing competency with completion of EN 101 with a grade C or better, a score of 18 on ACT within the last five years, 25 on SAT within the last five years, or Accuplacer score of 70 on the reading portion and six on the written portion.
Complete BI 121 and BI 122 with a C or Higher within two attempts.
Complete and pass a 7-panel drug screen.
Complete criminal background check process. Students will not be allowed to enter the program until cleared by GRCC police.

For additional information, refer to the Health Programs general information page. In addition to tuition, fees and books, there are additional costs. Estimates of these costs may be obtained from the Radiologic Technology office.

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work from the General Education Course list. Course work must be selected as directed from the areas below.

English Composition and Communications

EN 101 - English Composition I Credit Hours: 3
Select an EN or COM course from the list below (based on your transfer intent, if applicable).
EN 102 - English Composition II Credit Hours: 3
OR
COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
OR
COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hours: 3

Humanities

Select one (1) Humanities General Education Elective.

Humanities General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Social Sciences

PY 201 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
OR
Social Sciences General Education - Elective Credit Hours: varies by course

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

BI 121 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Credit Hours: 4

General Education Total Credit Hours

15 (minimum)

Program Courses

BI 122 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Credit Hours: 4
GH 110 - Medical Terminology I Credit Hours: 2
RT 100 - Orientation to Health Care Credit Hours: 2
RT 110 - Radiographic Positioning I Credit Hours: 4
RT 111 - Radiographic Exposure I Credit Hours: 4
RT 112 - Radiographic Positioning II Credit Hours: 4
RT 113 - Radiographic Exposure II Credit Hours: 4
RT 130 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology I Credit Hours: 3
RT 131 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology II Credit Hours: 4
RT 207 - Radiation Protection Credit Hours: 2
RT 210 - Radiographic Positioning III Credit Hours: 4
RT 211 - Survey of Medical-Surgical Diseases Credit Hours: 3
RT 212 - Radiographic Positioning IV Credit Hours: 4
RT 213 - Radiologic Technology Capstone Credit Hours: 2
RT 215 - Physics of X-ray Credit Hours: 4
RT 230 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology III Credit Hours: 4
RT 231 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology IV Credit Hours: 4
RT 232 - Clinical Practicum in Radiologic Technology V Credit Hours: 4
RT 240 - Sectional Anatomy Credit Hours: 2

Total Credit Hours

Program Notes

In order to be eligible for graduation, Radiologic Technology students must earn a minimum of “C-” in each Radiologic Technology course.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Students will be required to perform certain physical functions in order to successfully complete the program. You will perform them throughout your course work and/or clinical experience and later in your employment. These functions are not conditions for admission to the program; they are listed for the purpose of alerting you to what physical functions will be expected of you.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH

You will assist in transferring patients from the wheelchairs and beds to x-ray table and vice versa. These patients may be comatose, paralyzed or suffer from some degree of incapacity. You may have to move heavy equipment such as portable x-ray machine to different locations.

MOBILITY

In the course of performing your duties in radiography you will be expected to stand and reach overhead to position the x-ray tube hanging from the ceiling; you must move quickly in an emergency; you must perform your work standing over a long period of time.

HEARING

You must have the ability to hear sound from a distance of 15 feet–approximately the distance between the control panel and exposure switches and the x-ray table where the patient is being placed. You must also be able to hear faint sound signals emitted by a dysfunctional machine.

VISUAL DISCRIMINATION

You must have vision to enable you to differentiate changing colors of the x-ray films, to read marking on dials, digital monitors etc.

COORDINATION

Good motor skills, eye-hand coordination skills, and at least sensory function in at least one upper limb are needed to align body parts of a patient with the film. Many other functions also require dexterity, including filling syringes, putting on surgical gloves, and manipulating locks on equipment.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Motor skills such as standing, walking, and writing are all required to perform your duties. In addition, you must have fine motor skills, such as, the ability to make insertion of IV lines, calibrate equipment, draw blood, and so on.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

You must be able to communicate in English orally and in writing. Example: You must be able to read and give directions and instructions and to record health data from patients.