Radiologic Technology Program

The University of Holy Cross Radiologic Technology Program is an intense and comprehensive program combining academic preparation with didactic and clinical study. The Professional Training Component is a full-time program entailing 40 hours per week. Students may choose two options in applying for entry to the professional training component.

The Associate degree track provides students with the baseline academic prerequisites necessary for applying to the program. Students who elect this track must complete all academic prerequisites at the Associate degree level before beginning the professional training component. The Baccalaureate degree track provides students with a broader academic background, in addition to all of the baseline prerequisites necessary for application to the professional training component. The Baccalaureate degree facilitates career advancement and is the preferred track for students seeking greater opportunities for professional growth.

Mission

The University of Holy Cross Program in Radiologic Technology facilitates a multifaceted approach to excellence in education by providing students with an optimal learning experience through small class sizes, one-on-one instruction, and competency-based instruction to ensure graduates competently perform imaging procedures. This will provide the health care community with competent, employable, entry-level radiographers, compassionate caregivers, and dynamic members of the total health care team who will value and integrate learning as a lifelong process.

Radiologic Technology Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

1. Students will graduate clinically competent.

   SLO 1: Students will successfully execute diagnostic imaging procedures.

   SLO 2: Students will demonstrate knowledge of proper radiation safety practices.

2. Students will graduate displaying effective communication skills.

   SLO 1: Students will demonstrate effective oral communication.

   SLO 2: Students will acquire pertinent patient information.

3. Students will graduate exhibiting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

   SLO 1: Students will demonstrate the knowledge of critical thinking and problem- solving as it relates to patient care.

   SLO2: Students will adapt standard procedures to accommodate patient variables.

4. Students will graduate functioning effectively as a professional member of the healthcare team.

   SLO 1: Students will display ethical behavior and sound professional judgment in clinical practice.

   SLO 2: Students will demonstrate the performance of a qualified entry-level radiographer.

Admission Requirements for Professional Training Component

1. Completion of all academic requirements as specified in the degree program (Students may elect to pursue either the Baccalaureate or Associate degree.);
2. Minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, with a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses; and
3. Official college transcripts.

Application Process

Students apply to the professional clinical program during the spring semester by completing the application packet available in the Office of Academic Affairs. The deadline for submitting all completed materials is given in the application packet and is published on the University website.

Selection Process

Applications are reviewed by the Program’s Selection Committee, and the most qualified applicants are invited for a personal interview. Factors considered in the selection process are academic success, preparation for and understanding of the demands of the profession and program, communication skills, and the ability to deal with stressful situations. Successful students are those who are highly motivated, have strong time-management skills, can adapt to and enjoy rapidly changing technology and environments, and can tolerate the stress brought on by educational constraints and patient care. The student must have a strong desire to become a registered radiologic technologist and a professional in the health care environment.

1. All completed applications are reviewed.
2. The most qualified applicants are invited for a personal interview by the Program’s Selection Committee.
3. Final selection is made from among the interviewed applicants.
4. All prerequisite education must be completed before starting the program.
5. Those candidates accepting appointment are required to undergo an incoming physical examination, which includes blood, drug, and TB testing; a background check; and CPR Certification (American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers). Incoming students are responsible for all fees associated with CPR Certification and background checks. Detailed information is provided to incoming students. The physical examination, CPR certification, and background check must be completed before students begin the program. Candidates must also have health insurance and provide proof of health insurance at the start of the Professional Training Component and prior to the start of each semester they are enrolled in the Professional Training Component.

Important Facts

• Graduates of the Radiologic Technology Program are eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) National Certification Examination. The student must comply with the “Rules of Ethics” set forth in the ARRT’s “Standards of Ethics”: https://www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/initial-requirements/ethics/ethics-requirements                                Any previous felony convictions, plea of guilty, or plea of Nolo Contendere (No Contest) to a felony or misdemeanor, will be investigated by the ARRT before determining the student’s eligibility to sit for the National Certification Examination.

• Students enrolled in the Professional Training Component adhere to a prescribed dress code for clinical education, as well as follow policies and procedures set forth by the program and clinical sites.

• Attendance requirements for the Professional Training Component are much more stringent than the normal college student’s schedule. A copy of the program policy and procedure manual is available upon request.
• Reliable transportation is important. The Professional Training Component schedule requires students to be punctual and accountable. The Professional Training Component also includes rotations through Ochsner Health System locations.

Graduation Requirements

The following are the minimum requirements expected of all students to successfully complete the UHC Professional Training Component in Radiologic Technology. These requirements must also be met to be eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam:

• A grade of “C” (77%) must be maintained at the end of each didactic and each comprehensive examination. Any failed course or comprehensive exam must be retaken and passed.

• All clinical courses, written tests, simulations, and competencies must be passed with a minimum grade of an 80%.

• All unapproved absence occurrences exceeding the allotted hours of time off per year must be made up prior to official graduation.

• All borrowed books from the program, department, and/or library must be returned in good order or fines paid.

• Minimum grade of 77% on the 21-month Exit Comprehensive Examination.

• Completion of all didactic and clinical requirements as specified in the degree program (Associate or Baccalaureate degree requirements.)

Radiologic Technology Credit Hour Policy

Definition of a Credit Hour:

The credit hour is the most commonly used unit for reporting credit earned in a course. The University of Holy Cross conforms to the Federal definition of a credit hour (Section 600.2 and 600.24[f] of the Higher Education Opportunity Act), that a unit of credit is

1. Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined in item 1 above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

The number of credit hours awarded per class is based upon the traditional Carnegie Unit of one credit hour for approximately one hour of direct faculty instruction. For this policy, an “hour” of instruction is interpreted as not less than 50 minutes of contact time per week (or its equivalent) over a 15-week period. Consequently, students earn 1 credit hour per 45 hours of instruction over a 15-week semester that includes one additional week for the purpose of final examinations.

The UHC Radiologic Technology Professional Training Component awards block credit for completed semester coursework. Each course consists of a block of didactic and clinical courses within a specific semester, with credit being awarded based on the documentation of work the student completes within the specified amount of time designated for each block.

Didactic Coursework:

Didactic Coursework is defined as traditional in-seat courses, having one hour of faculty contact per week per credit hour and two hours of out-of-class work. Didactic course work in the Radiologic Technology Professional Training Component is assigned credit in accordance with UHC’s Definition of Credit Hour:

UHC’s Credit Hour Definition

UHC defines a credit hour as a reasonable approximation of the student learning outcome equivalency of, at a minimum, a Carnegie Unit. Course developers ensure that the quantity of student learning required per credit is the equivalent of approximately 45 hours of course work for the semester (not less than 50 minutes of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for 15 weeks for one semester of credit) through activities that

1. address and demonstrate student competency in the defined learning outcomes;
2. draw upon recommended instructional practices identified by the University.¹ In summary, as shown in Table 1, students earn 1 credit hour per 45 hours of Didactic Coursework.

Table 1

Didactic Credit Hour Definition

Radiologic Technology Definition of Didactic Credit Hour

Clinical Coursework:

According to The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the purpose of the clinical competency requirements is to verify that individuals certified and registered by the ARRT have demonstrated competency performing the clinical activities fundamental to a discipline.² A clinic-based/experiential course on average requires 60 hours of work per semester over 15 weeks to earn one (1) credit hour. (See Table 2.)

¹ https://www.uhcno.edu/academics/calendars-catalogs-and-schedules.html

² https://www.arrt.org/docs/default-source/discipline-documents/radiography/rad-competency- requirements.pdf?sfvrsn=20

Table 2

Clinical Credit Hour Definition

Credits awarded for clinical experiences are based on the documentation of the amount of work the student is expected to complete within a specified amount of time, based on the learning calibrated to the amount of engaged time. Clinical activities vary from course to course depending upon the nature of the activity, extent of student engagement, and expected learning/training outcomes, such as

• clinical rounds,
• labs, simulations,
• imaging procedure practice,
• competency testing,
• imaging under supervision of a clinical instructor or registered technologist, and
• enhancing student knowledge (team-based learning activities, imaging procedure reviews, etc.)

The syllabus for a course provides information on the investment of time by the average student necessary to achieve the learning outcomes of the course and details all applicable items related to class contact, laboratories, examinations, assignments, and preparation of out-of-class study.

Courses offered during an abbreviated timeframe require the same number of contact hours as those delivered during a standard term that are of comparable credit hours and means of delivery.

Implementation of the Credit Hour Policy

Primary monitoring responsibility for the Credit Hour Policy originates in the faculty department and its Chair. The College Dean, the Academic Council (undergraduate credit hours) or the Graduate Council (graduate credit hours), and the Provost provide additional layers of oversight.

The policy is subject to review every three years and may be updated sooner if necessary to mirror changes in the curriculum or to comply with the best practices of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

• Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology