Program Information
Mission, Goals & Outcomes | Accreditation | Curriculum | Performance Standards
The Program
The Radiography Program is a five semester, full-time program beginning in the Fall Semester of each year. Classes and labs are held at the downtown campus and the clinical education component of the program is conducted in various hospitals and other medical facilities in the surrounding area. 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 radiology departments in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, research and medical laboratories, federal and state agencies and industry. 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. See the Program Outcomes Table for current employment trends.
Program Mission & Goals
The Program's mission is to prepare graduates to be competent radiographers.
Program Goals
Program Goal #1 The graduates of the program will demonstrate competence in skills basic to the Radiography Profession.
- Students will competently perform routine radiographic procedures.
- Students/graduates will provide proper patient care and management.
- Students/graduates will demonstrate proper radiation safety practices to patients, self and others.
Program Goal #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 procedures.
- Students/graduates will demonstrate competence in non-routine examinations.
- Students/graduates will demonstrate effective communications skills.
Program Goal #3 The graduates of the program will accept responsibility for continuing the process of professional development and growth.
- Students will demonstrate professionalism in the clinical area.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge regarding professional development.
- Graduates will exhibit interest in professional radiologic technology organizations and professional development.
Program Goal #4 The program meets the needs of the community by providing qualified radiographers.
- Students will complete the program within 2 years.
- Graduates will pass the ARRT exam.
- Graduates will seek employment in radiography or enter advanced education programs.
- Employers will indicate satisfaction with graduates' quality of work.
- Graduates of the program will indicate satisfaction with preparation for employment.
Program Outcomes
Class of: |
ARRT Credentialing |
Program Retention |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|
2007 |
100% |
89% |
100% |
2008 |
86% |
96% |
87% |
2009 |
95% |
91% |
81% |
2010 |
100% |
82% |
73% |
2011 |
100% |
96% |
58% |
5 year average |
96% |
93% |
80% |
Program Accreditation Status
The Cape Fear Community Community College Radiography Program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The College is also regionally accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-2901
(312) 704-5300
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
(404) 679-4500
Curriculum
I. General Education Courses – These courses will add to the student's total point count and are required for graduation.
Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Any |
MAT 115 or higher |
3 |
Suggested: MAT140 or 141 |
BIO 163 |
Basic Anatomy and Physiology |
5 |
May substitute BIO 168 and BIO 169 for this course |
ENG 111 |
Expository Writing |
3 |
|
COM 110 |
Intro to Communication |
3 |
Can substitute COM 231 for this course. (Eng 112, 113 or 114 also accepted if taken before summer 2013) |
PSY 150 or SOC 110 |
General Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
Either course is accepted |
Any |
Humanities Elective |
3 |
Suggested: PHI 230 Intro to Logic or HUM 115 Critical Thinking |
II. Other Courses – These courses are not part of the Radiography curriculum, but will add to the student's point count.
Any |
College Chemistry |
not part of the Radiography curriculum, but will add to the student's point count. |
Any |
College Physics |
not part of the Radiography curriculum, but will add to the student's point count. |
CIS 110/111 |
Computer Literacy |
No points given, but required for graduation. This requirement can be met by taking a computer competency exam in the CFCC Learning Lab |
III. Major Courses – You will take these once you are officially accepted into the Radiography program and your major has been changed from Pre-Radiography to Radiography. All courses below are taken in this sequence. Note: Any General Education course from above that have not been taken prior to acceptance are required for graduation.
Fall of First Year:
Course # |
Course Name |
Credits |
|---|---|---|
RAD 110 |
Intro to Patient Care and Radiography |
3 |
RAD 111 |
Radiographic Procedures I |
4 |
RAD 151 |
Radiography Clinical Ed I |
2 |
RAD 181 |
Radiography Clinical Elective |
1 |
Spring of First Year:
RAD 112 |
Radiographic Procedures II |
4 |
RAD 121 |
Radiographic Imaging I |
3 |
RAD 161 |
Radiography Clinical Ed II |
5 |
Summer of First Year:
RAD 122 |
Radiographic Imaging II |
2 |
RAD 131 |
Radiographic Physics I |
2 |
RAD 171 |
Radiography Clinical Ed III |
4 |
RAD 281 |
Radiography Clinical Elective |
1 |
Fall of Second Year:
RAD 211 |
Radiographic Procedures III |
3 |
RAD 231 |
Radiographic Physics II |
2 |
RAD 241 |
Radiobiology Protection |
2 |
RAD 251 |
Radiography Clinical Ed IV |
7 |
Spring of Second Year:
RAD 245 |
Radadiographic Quality Management |
2 |
RAD 261 |
Radiography Clinical Ed V |
7 |
RAD 271 |
Radiography Capstone |
1 |
Total Credits = 75
Physical And Cognitive Expectations Of A Student Radiographer
You'll be an excellent candidate for this field if you like to be active and enjoy working with a variety of people. Good communication, problem-solving and analytical skills are also important for radiographers. The profession is a physically demanding one. Tasks on a typical day include assisting lifting patients, transporting patients on stretchers or in wheelchairs, and moving heavy portable imaging equipment within the hospital. The environment is fast paced and stressful and you will be on your feet for several hours at a time. The radiographer must also respond to audio signals and alarms and be able to differentiate subtle shades of gray on a diagnostic image.
According to the nature of the work required in the Radiologic Sciences and the educational requirements of the Radiography Program, the applicant/student must be able to:
- reach, manipulate, and operate radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment which is above shoulder level (about six feet above the floor).
- 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.
- 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.
- safely move immobile patients from stretcher to examining table and back with assistance from departmental personnel.
- lift, manipulate, and move patients as necessary for the performance of radiologic procedures.
- 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.
- monitor equipment and background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes, and other records.
- 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.
- 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.
- demonstrate emotional stability and mental alertness in day to day interactions with patients, visitors, staff, and peers, in high stress/pressure situations that occur in the radiologic environment.
