• Home |
• Faculty and Staff Directory |
• Campus Maps |
• Contact CFCC |
• Help

Cape Fear Community College

• Future Students |
• Students |
• Continuing Ed |
• Business/Industry |
• Academics |
• Admissions |
• Community |
• Services

Radiography

Radiography Program Handbook

APPLICATION PERIOD:
January 13, 2009 through March 13, 2009

CAPE FEAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
411 NORTH FRONT STREET
WILMINGTON, NC 28401
TELEPHONE: 910-362-7558

Radiography Program Selective Admissions

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE EACH ACADEMIC YEAR.

Radiographers use radiation to produce images of tissues, organs, bones, and vessels that comprise the human body. They work in radiology departments in hospitals, clinics, physicians. offices, research and medical laboratories, federal and state agencies and industry. The curriculum includes instruction in patient care and management, radiation protection, imaging procedures, quality assurance, recording media processing, equipment maintenance, interpersonal communication, and professional responsibility through an integration of classroom, laboratory, and clinical education. The radiographer is a skilled healthcare professional qualified to provide patient services using imaging modalities as directed by qualified physicians.

Program graduates are eligible to apply to take the national examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists for certification and registration as medical radiographers.

Employment
Program graduates work in doctor's offices and medical clinics or in the hospital setting. The hospital offers a wide variety of subspecialties including orthopedics, mammography, operating room and trauma areas. Average starting hourly wage will range from $18.00 - $24.00 per hour.

Radiography Program Mission and Goals

The mission of the Radiography Program at Cape Fear Community College is to prepare graduates to be competent radiographers.

Goals:

1. The graduates of the program will demonstrate competence in skills basic to the Radiography Profession.
2. The graduates of the program will be able to effectively utilize problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills in the performance of medical imaging.
3. The graduates of the program will accept responsibility for continuing the process of professional development and growth.
4. The program meets the needs of the community by providing a sufficient number of qualified radiographers.

Application Process

It is important that all applicants for the Radiography Program understand the selective admissions process. Applicants who wish to submit an application must first meet minimum requirements. Please review carefully the information regarding minimum requirements and other pertinent information listed below.

The following steps must be completed by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 13, 2009.

Students must:

1. Complete the CFCC General Admissions Application.
2. Request official high school transcript or GED scores be mailed to the Admissions and Records Office. Official transcripts should be mailed from the institution(s) attended or be hand delivered in an envelope sealed by a representative of the school(s) attended.
3. Request official transcripts from all colleges or schools attended since high school be mailed to the Admissions and Records Office. These will be reviewed for possible transfer credit.
4. Have and maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher in all post-secondary courses taken in the last 3 years at Cape Fear Community College.
5. Complete appropriate Placement Test, if required by the Admissions Office and meet minimum cut-off scores on Placement Test. (see #1 below)
6. High School courses in biology, algebra and chemistry with a .C. or better or one college semester of each with a grade of "C" or better. (see #2, 3, 4 below)
7. Submit "Radiography intent to apply" application with a counselor between January 13 and March 13 , 2009. (see #5 Timeframe below)
8. Take Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) exam. Information about the PSB examination will be discussed later in this page.
   
   A $20.00 fee will be charged to take the Health Occupations PSB exam. Applicants must appear in person at Cape Fear Community College. The PSB exam fee must be paid by check, cash or credit card at the time the PSB exam is scheduled. If there are circumstances beyond the applicants control and he/she misses the scheduled test date and provides documentation of the extenuating circumstance, the Director of Counseling MAY choose to issue a "Stand By Pass" for testing. A "Stand By Pass" does not guarantee admission to the test; Admission to the test may be determined by seat availability.

1. PLACEMENT TEST SCORES

All students who wish to apply for the Radiography Program must have taken a Placement Test and met minimum cut-off scores within the previous five years.

* Completion of English 111 or its equivalent and Math 115 or higher with a grade of "C" or higher may eliminate taking a Placement Test.

If an applicant scores less than the minimum cut-off scores on an appropriate Placement Test, he/she will be required to complete the essential sequence of developmental courses. If the student completes all of the required developmental courses with a grade of "C" or higher prior to the application deadline date and meets the other minimum requirements, he/she may be considered for admission to the Program.

The Placement Test or any combination of Placement Tests may be taken twice in twelve (12) consecutive months. Applicants who violate the testing policy will not be disqualified. However, when an applicant has tested more than twice in twelve consecutive months, only the first two attempts will be considered in the application process. Placement tests which violate the testing policy will be disregarded.

Students who have taken the Placement Test at another community college in the past five (5) years are responsible for ensuring that the scores are transferred to Cape Fear Community College by the application deadline.

Students who need to make accommodations for testing due to special needs should contact the Disabilities Coordinator in A-215A or call (910) 362 - 7012.

2. BIOLOGY

All students who wish to apply for the Radiography Program must have completed a Biology course in high school or college and achieved a grade of "C" or higher within the last seven (7) years of start date of the Radiography Program. Applicants who have taken the GED within seven (7) yearsmay also meet this requirement if they achieved a standard score of 45 or 450 on the GED Natural Science Test. If an applicant received his/her GED more than seven years ago, he/she will be required to complete Biology. Interested applicants who need to meet the biology requirement must complete either BIO 106, 110, 111, 163, or 168.

3. ALGEBRA

All students who wish to apply for the Radiography Program must have completed an Algebra course in high school or college and achieved a grade of a "C" or higher within seven (7) years of start date of the Radiography Program. Interested applicants who need to meet the Algebra requirement must complete either MAT 070, MAT 080, MAT 115, or higher.

4. CHEMISTRY

All students who wish to apply for the Radiography Program must have completed a Chemistry course in high school or college and achieved a grade of a "C" or higher within seven (7) years of start date of the Radiography Program.  Interested applicants who need to meet the Chemistry requirement must complete either CHM 090, CHM 131 & CHM 131A, CHM151 or CHM 152.

5. TIME FRAME

Applications for the Radiography Program will be available beginning January 13 , 2009 in the Counseling Office (A-220 Downtown or NA-100 North Campus). All requirements must be met by the deadline, which is 5:00 pm on March 13, 2009.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all requirements are met by the established deadline. Student Development deadlines, guidelines, and policies for the Radiography program apply equally to all students; thus, there can be no exceptions.

The Point System was implemented as an objective means for evaluating Radiography Program applicants. Radiography applicants will be ranked based upon points earned, and the students with the highest number of points will be selected. If two or more students have the same total point count, the date that the Radiography "Intent to Apply" application was received in the Counseling Office will be used. See Radiography "Point Count Worksheet" for point values.

SECTION A:

• Points for Grade Point Average - 10 points will be awarded for students with a Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher (minimum of 12 credits, excluding Developmental Classes) at CFCC.
• Points for Information session - 10 points will be awarded for attending at least one Radiography Program Information session. Dates are as follows:
  Monday, September 15th 2008 2:00 - 3:00 pm Room L-326
  Thursday, January 15th 2009 2:00 - 3:00 pm Room L-325
  Friday, March 6th 2009 2:00 - 3:00 pm Room L-326

SECTION B: 5 points for high school physics course. If the applicant is currently a high school senior with a 3.5 or higher GPA, he/she is eligible for 40 points, assuming the high school student has not completed college course work that contributes to the point count for this program.

SECTION C: Points for college courses. Radiography applicants may earn points for the completion of various related courses in CFCC's Radiography program. In order to earn points for high school or college courses, applicants must have achieved grades of "C" or higher. See "Point Count Worksheet" for point values.

SPECIAL NOTES:

• BIO 168 and BIO 169 must have been taken in the last (7) seven years. First attempt with a letter grade of "C" or better will be considered for the point count.
• Humanities/Fine Arts Elective: Humanities and Fine Arts electives are listed on pages 67-68 in the 2008-2009 Catalog. If choosing a foreign language, the elective must be a third level course; i.e. FRE 211, GER 211 or SPA 211.

SECTION D: Points for Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) Admissions Exam

Students who meet the minimum requirements will be scheduled an appointment to take the PSB Admissions exam. Radiography applicants may take the PSB one time per application period. More information about the PSB will be provided when the applicant is scheduled for the PSB. There are several resources that can be used to help prepare for this exam such as a dictionary, 8th grade arithmetic textbooks, high school science textbooks, GED Study Guide, SAT Study Guide, and the ARCO Nursing School & Allied Health Entrance Exams by Marion F. Gooding, R.N., Ph.D. The CFCC Learning Lab (910) 362-7137 offers tutoring for the PSB exam.

A study guide for the PSB Exam can be accessed at: http://cfcc.edu/testingservices/.

Percentiles in all 5 areas of the PSB Exam -- I) Academic Aptitude (to include Verbal, Arithmetic, Non-Verbal), II) Spelling, III) Reading Comprehension, IV) Natural Sciences, and V) Vocational Adjustment Index are used in calculating the points earned in this section. These 5 percentiles are averaged and this value is used toward the applicant's total points.

NOTE: Applicant's point count is confidential; thus, please do not call to inquire about your point count. To protect your privacy, point count totals will not be discussed on the telephone.

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Twenty-five (25) students will be admitted to the Radiography Program for the Fall of 2009.

Radiography applicants who are selected based upon their point count will be conditionally accepted into the program pending the submission and review of medical history form, drug screening, criminal background check and CPR certification.

The admitted students will be notified when to complete the following information:

1. Medical Reports

   All accepted students will be sent the North Carolina Community College System Medical Forms. These completed health/medical reports must be received by the specified date noted in acceptance letter. The vision, hearing, and urinalysis sections on page 7 are not required.

2. Drug Screen

   Nine-(9) panel urine drug screen is mandatory. Methadone will be included in the urine drug screening.

3. CPR

   Also, you must submit documentation of the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support BLS or BCLS (adult, child and infant). This is good for two years. Classes available through South Eastern Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) http://www.coastalahec.org or call 910 343-0161. (Red Cross no longer accepted.).

4. Criminal Background Check

   Clinical sites require a drug screening and/or a criminal background check prior to allowing students into the clinical setting (Any associated fees will be the responsibility of the student). Testing positive on the drug screening, or evidence of tampering with a specimen, will disqualify a student from participation from the clinical assignment. In addition, certain criminal activity, as evident by a criminal background check may also disqualify a student from clinical participation. Please be aware that failure to participate in a clinical assignment based on either the drug screening or criminal background check will result in dismissal from the Radiography Program. Cape Fear Community College will not accept the background checks. It is your responsibility to hold this report for the clinical site if needed. For further information, students should see the "Drug and Alcohol Policy" in the CFCC Student Handbook (pgs. 45-47). Students must use this company to access a criminal background check at www.certifiedbackground.com or by calling 1-888-723-4263..

5. Transportation

   Students must procide their own transportation to clinical sites. Applicants should be aware that travel in areas outside of New Hanover and Pender Counties will be required for clinical placement. The out of town clinical sites (30-60 miles) include Columbus County Regional Healthcare System in Whiteville, Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport, Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw, and Bladen County Hospital in Elizabethtown.

A. PROGRESSION POLICY

Students admitted to the Radiography Program must achieve or have achieved a "C" in each course in the curriculum in the sequence described in the curriculum schedule in order to progress semester by semester.

Grading Policy

A semester credit hour is equivalent to 16 hours of classroom instruction or 48 hours of laboratory or clinical instruction.

B. PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE EXPECTATIONS OF A STUDENT RADIOGRAPHER

Radiography is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. For purposes of program compliance with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, a qualified individual with a disability is one who with or without reasonable accommodation or modification, meets the essential eligibility requirements for participation in the Radiography program.

If students believe program requirements cannot be met without accommodations or modification, college officials will determine on an individual basis, whether accommodations can be reasonably made.

C. TECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR RADIOGRAPHY

TO THE APPLICANT: Because of the requirements inherent in performing radiologic procedures in clinical environments, the following technical standards have been defined for Radiography applicants.

You are advised to read the standards carefully and to seek clarification if necessary.

1. Reach, manipulate, and operate radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, which is above shoulder level (about six feet off the floor).
2. Lift and carry at least thirty (30) pounds of weight in order to safely transport and use ancillary aids (cassettes, sandbags, portable equipment, etc.) when performing radiologic procedures.
3. Safely move standard wheel chairs and stretchers with patients from the emergency or waiting areas to radiologic examining rooms and safely assist mobile patients from the stretcher or wheel chair to the examining table and back without assistance.
4. Safely move immobile patients from stretcher to examining table and back with assistance from departmental personnel.
5. Lift, manipulate, and move patients as necessary for the performance of radiologic procedures.
6. Correctly read technique charts, read and select correct exposure factors at control consoles, and read and set correct distances and other equipment settings at the radiographic and fluoroscopic towers.
7. Monitor equipment and background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person.
8. Visually monitor patient for retention of correct position, correct breathing, motion or evidence of physical or emotional distress during the performance of radiologic procedures, including in dimly lighted environments.
9. Monitor and evaluate the vital signs of a patient including the taking of temperatures and reading standard thermometers, taking blood pressure, monitoring respiration, and pulse rate.
10. Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the patient, patient's family, clinical personnel, and others in order to obtain or disseminate information relevant to patient care and work duties.
11. Read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes and other records.
12. Understand and correctly carry out oral instructions given by instructors and clinical personnel including in the special procedures suite or operating room setting where all personnel are wearing surgical masks.
13. Evaluate radiographs for technical quality including visual perception of density levels, contrast levels, evidence of distortion, and evaluation of minute structural details for evidence of blur.
14. Demonstrate emotional stability and mental alertness in day-to-day interactions with patients, visitors, staff and peers in high stress/pressure situations that cover in the radiologic environment.

D. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Admission to the Radiography Program does not guarantee eligibility for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Examination (ARRT). Other eligibility requirements of the ARRT must be met. Individuals with misdemeanor/felony convictions should apply to ARRT for an evaluation of examination eligibility prior to admission to this program. To request a pre-application review form, phone ARRT at 651-687-0048, ext. 544: write to them at 1255 Northland Drive, St. Paul, MN 55120-1155 or go online at http://www.arrt.org/.

COUNSELING

If you have questions or concerns regarding the selective admissions process, please contact Counseling located in A-220 or at the North Campus in room NA-100B.

ACCREDITATION OF PROGRAM

The Radiography Program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606, Tel. (312) 704-5300. http://www.jrcert.org.

Cape Fear Community College
Estimated Expenses
Radiography Program

Upon successful completion of this program students may apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Fees associated with this registry are currently $150.00.

Tuition & Fees

Payment can be made by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, financial aid, or a third-party sponsorship. All forms of payment must be received by the Business Office to be officially registered.

Tuition and Fees Chart

LIABILITY: $15.00 PER SCHOOL YEAR

Tuition is established by the North Carolina State Legislature and is subject to change without prior notification.

Curriculum Schedule