Radiologic Science

_{Merritt College Radiologic Science Program Alumni at work!}

Program Objectives and Requirements

Click here for Radiologic Science Program Frequently Asked Questions.

Mission: The purpose of the Merritt College Radiologic Science Program is to prepare qualified practitioners to practice the art and science of medical imaging. Radiologic Technologists manipulate sophisticated technical equipment and computers to obtain detailed images of the human body. These images assist physicians in the diagnosis of injury and disease in the clinical environment. Radiologic Technologists work in hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and physician's offices. A successful and competent Radiologic Technologist is one who works well as a team member, thinks critically, solves problems creatively, possesses strong technical skills, and cares for patients with sensitivity and compassion. The technologist must be flexible and able to work with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds with various needs, abilities, injuries, and disease processes. The program's student learning outcomes focus on developing these important characteristics in program graduates.

Program Goals:

The goals of the program are to:

1. Prepare students to be proficient in the essential aspects of medical imaging while meeting the needs of the health care workforce.
2. Develop skills in team building, critical thinking and effective communication.
3. Encourage appropriate attitudes and foster affective growth in providing care and responding to patients' needs during imaging procedures.
4. Promote professional growth and life-long learning.

Upon completion of the program (i.e. outcomes) graduates will be able to:

1. Produce diagnostic quality medical images in a competent, safe, and compassionate manner for all basic radiography examinations in a hospital work environment.
2. Communicate effectively with patients by taking appropriate histories, giving clear instructions, and providing information as needed.
3. Exercise critical thinking and problem solving skills by adapting radiologic procedures to individual patient needs and conditions
4. Establish and maintain satisfactory professional relationships with other members of the health care team.
5. Function as an effective health care team member by providing services in a manner that complements those performed by other team members.

The Associate of Science (AS) degree and the Certificate in Radiologic Science will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisite requirements, the general education requirements, and the major course requirements. The certificate-only option is available only to those who have already earned an Associate degree or higher.

 The curriculum includes a clinical practicum at various East Bay hospitals. This is a continuous program of 24 months duration. Students applying to the program must be prepared to make a full-time commitment (approximately 36 hours per week during daytime hours) for two full years, including summers. Upon successful completion of the required courses in Radiologic Science and the Merritt College Associate Degree requirements (or equivalent), the student is eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination (AART) required for licensure and practice in the state of California. Upon successful completion of the program and obtaining the California certificate, graduates will qualify for employment as Radiologic Technologists performing a wide variety of patient radiographic procedures in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices and imaging centers.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Credentialing Examination

Grading System for all program courses:  In order to pass the AART credentialing examination, applicants must score at least 75%.  Therefore, all program courses must be passed with a 75% or higher.  The grading system is as follows:  100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-75=C; and 74-0=F.

Articulation Agreements with 4-Year Institutions:  The program maintains articulation agreements with Loma Linda Universiity and California State University at Northridge (CSUN).

Click here to view Summer 2012 Radiologic Science courses.  

Click here to view Fall 2012 Radiologic Science courses.

Enrollment

Enrollment in the program is every year in the Fall semester, by special application directly to the Radiologic Science program. The application period is EVERY OTHER YEAR (even years) between January 15 and April 15. All courses used for consideration for enrollment must be completed before the application deadline date. All supporting documents must be received no later than April 15 of the application year. Please be advised that due to the number of applications received by the program, qualified students generally remain on a wait list for 2-3 years before entry into the program.

A. Eligibility Requirements:

1. Completion of high school or GED test or equivalent (must provide proof).
2. Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to application with a "C" grade or better for each course and an overall GPA of 2.5 or better (for prerequisite courses only).
3. Prerequisite courses must be current within 7 years.
4. Currency for old Math courses may be established by taking the Math Assessment test (available through the Merritt College Counseling department). A copy of the assessment test scores must be submitted with the application packet if pertinent.
5. Completion of all general education requirements for the Associate Degree. Students with prior Associate Degrees or higher meet this requirement. Due to the high volume of program applicants, students who have not met this requirement will not be enrolled in the program nor placed on the wait list.
6. Students must obtain medical clearance (at their own expense) and show proof of immunity to hepatitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubeola, rubella, mumps, and chicken pox before enrolling in the program. A negative Tuberculosis screen (PPD skin test or Chest X-ray) is also required.
7. Students must obtain a drug screen and background check (at their own expense) prior to enrolling in the program. Students with a history of illegal substance abuse and/or felony convictions including abuse or fraud may be excluded from participating in clinical education and from taking the ARRT licensing examination. Other types of offenses may also result in exclusion from clinical education (at the discretion of the clinical affiliate) and/or the licensing examination. Students with such histories are required to complete a pre-application review with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (www.arrt.org, (651) 687-0048 ext. 580). Students who are unable to obtain a provisional clearance with the ARRT will not be permitted to enter the program.
8. American Heart Association CPR course for healthcare providers must be successfully completed prior to entering the program.

B. Application Procedures: (Between January 15 and April 15 every other year-even years)

After completion of the prerequisite courses and General Education courses applicants shall:

1. Request three official sets and one unofficial set of transcripts from all colleges attended outside of the Peralta Community College District (two sets of unofficial transcripts from colleges within the Peralta Community College District are OK). One set should be sent directly to the Peralta Community College District Admissions office (333 East 8th St., Oakland, CA 94606). Order two official sets and one unofficial set to be sent directly to you. Two official sets from each college must remain sealed to be submitted to the Radiologic Science Department along with the application packet. The unofficial set is for review by the enrollment evaluator and the counseling department at Merritt College and may be opened and reviewed by the student. Transcripts sent directly to the Merritt College Radiologic Science Department without accompanying application materials will not be retained.
2. Request one set of high school transcripts or provide proof of high school completion (a copy of the diploma or GED certificate, or equivalent). This document must be submitted with the application packet, no exceptions are made.
3. Schedule an appointment during the application period (between January 15th and April 15th) with the Radiologic Science enrollment evaluator (see the Allied Health secretary in D102 or call (510) 436-2422) for verification of the prerequisite courses and a record of General Education courses completed. Upon verification, the evaluator will complete a "Permit to Apply" form and give you an application. The completed "Permit to Apply" and General Education verification will be forwarded directly to the Radiologic Science Department by the evaluator. Applicants are responsible for submitting the application, proof of high school completion or GED, and transcripts from all colleges attended. Application materials will not be considered for students who have unfinished prerequisite courses and/or have not completed ALL General Education requirements by the deadline date.
4. Submit the complete application packet directly to the Radiologic Science Department. A complete application packet consists of: the Permit to Apply, a record of General Education coursework completed (verified and delivered by the evaluator), the completed application, assessment test scores to validate Math classes more than 7 years old, proof of high school graduation (or equivalent), and two official (unopened) sets of transcripts from each college attended (including colleges in the Peralta Community College District). The application packet may be hand-delivered to the Allied Health office in D 102 on the Merritt Campus, or mailed to the Merritt College Radiologic Science Department, 12500 Campus Drive, Oakland, CA 94619. Incomplete application packets will be returned to the student.

 C. Prerequisite Requirements:

Students must have completed the four prerequisite courses, with a grade of "C" or better on each course, before applying to the program. Additionally, the average GPA for the four prerequisites courses must be at least 2.5. All prerequisite courses must be current within 7 years. Old Math grades may be validated for currency by taking the Math Assessment test available by appointment through the counseling department.

The prerequisites include:

A. Survey of Radiologic Science, RADSC 1A (this course may not be waived for any reason. It must be taken at Merritt College to qualify).

B. Intermediate Algebra, Math 203 or higher (equivalent may be taken at other colleges). This course is required effective Fall 2009 unless student has catalog rights to an earlier requirement. See section on "catalog rights" in the college catalog or a counselor for more information).

C. Anatomy and Physiology (must be a two-semester course with a minimum of 8 total units and include a lab. Equivalent may be taken at other colleges). At Merritt there are two options that qualify:

Bio 20A AND 20B (5 units each, 10 units total) OR

Bio 2 AND Bio 4 (5 units each, 10 units total)

Highly Recommended Preparation

Computer Proficiency Expectations: Students entering the program are expected to demonstrate proficiency using Microsoft Word, e-mail, PowerPoint presentation software, and navigating the internet. Students who are not proficient should see #1 below.

Additional Recommendations

The following specific coursework and experiences are recommended as preparation for the program. While not required for enrollment, completing these courses prior to entering may increase the likelihood of successful program completion.

Coursework

1. Introduction to Computer Information Systems (CIS 1 at Merritt) or an equivalent course(s). Course or a combination of courses should result in proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint presentation software, navigating the Internet, and e-mail.

2. Higher Mathematics (such as College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus)

3. Physics such as Introduction to Physics, General Physics or Physics of Radiation and/or Electromagnetism.

4. Medical Terminology

5. Professional or Business Communications

Recommended coursework may satisfy some of the General Education requirements. Students should meet with a Merritt College counselor to plan accordingly.

Experiences

1. Work experience (as an employee or volunteer) in a health care environment, preferably involving direct patient care.

2. Customer service experience (as an employee or volunteer) involving face-to-face contact and communication with the public.

Student Selection Process

In the likely event that the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available program slots, a lottery will be used as a means of student selection. Qualified applicants on the wait list from the previous year are given priority for the current year's selection process. Detailed information regarding the status of the student selection process for a particular application period may be obtained from the Radiologic Science Department and will be presented in the prerequisite course, Survey of Radiologic Science. Depending on the number of clinical placements available at affiliate sites, the program accepts approximately 29 students per year. All applicants will be notified of acceptance status.

Degree Major / Certificate Requirements

FIRST YEAR UNITS

First Semester:

RADSC 1B Introduction to Radiologic Science (Lecture) 2

(Fall) RADSC 1C Introduction to Rad. Science (Clinical Education) 2.5

RADSC 2A Radiographic Physics I 2

RADSC 3A Positioning I 4

RADSC 5A Patient Care I 3

Second Semester:

RADSC 2B Radiographic Physics II 4

(Spring) RADSC 3B Positioning II 4

RADSC 9A Clinical Experience I (16 hours per week) 4

Third Semester:

RADSC 4A Radiation Protection 2

(Summer) RADSC 4B Radiobiology 2

RADSC 10A Seminars in Radiologic Science I 1.5

RADSC 9B Clinical Experience II (24 hours per week) 4

SECOND YEAR

Fourth Semester:

RADSC 2C Computer/Digital Applications for Medical 4

(Fall) Imaging

RADSC 5B Patient Care II 3

RADSC 9C Clinical Experience III (24 hours per week) 6

Fifth Semester:

RADSC 6 Quality Management/Fluoroscopy 2.5

(Spring) RADSC 7 Advanced Imaging Procedures 3

RADSC 8 Sectional Anatomy & Radiographic Pathology 4

RADSC 9D Clinical Experience IV (24 hours per week) 6

Sixth Semester:

RADSC 10B Seminars in Radiologic Science II 1.5

(Summer) RADSC 9E Clinical Experience V (36 hours per week) 6

TOTAL UNITS 71

For more information, contact the department at (510) 436-2509

Merritt College Radiologic Science Department
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619

Helpful Links:

Merritt College Radiologic Science Handbook- Revised Fall 2012: The Radiologic Science Student Handbook contains program policies and other helpful information.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists: Lots of info on the profession, accredited schools, news, continuing education opportunities, and more. www.asrt.org

California Society of Radiologic Technologists: Info on the profession, jobs, continuing education, press releases, legislative actions, and more. www.csrt.org

American Registry of Radiologic Technology: The credentialing agency for the profession. Info on the credentialing process, testing information, exam content specifications and more. www.arrt.org

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology: The accreditation agency for educational programs in imaging science. Info on accreditation standards, accreditation process, and accredited schools. You may also view Merritt College Radiologic Science Program statistics including job placement rate, program completion rate, and ARRT exam pass rate by visiting this website: www.jrcert.org

California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch: Regulatory Agency for radiation safety, licensing and certification of physicians and technologists in California, and accreditation of x-ray schools in California. Info about legislation relating to radiation safety, info pertaining to x-ray schools, directories of schools, licensed physicians, and certificated radiologic technologists. www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/RadiologicHealthBranch.aspx

For links to Merritt College's Radiologic Science Program Clinical Affiliates, click HERE.