Program Information
The Radiologic Technology Program at Arkansas State University is administered by the Department of Health Professions in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Currently, the Associate in Applied Science degree is granted upon completion of the required 72 hours.
Students accepted into the Radiologic Technology Program will complete their professional education in two areas: the class room and the clinical setting. Class room work will occur on the ASU campus, while clinical education will occur in area hospitals and clinics. The professional portion of the curriculum is offered over 23 continuous months of full-time course and clinical work. Upon graduation, students are eligible for the national credentialing examination offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
English Proficiency Requirements
The Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences programs and professions require
a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and
clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure.
Criminal Background Checks
Arkansas State University College of Nursing and Health Professions requires background checks for students admitted to professional programs if the screening is required by an affiliate requirement. This is to ensure compliance with agreements between the College and Clinical Facilities.
Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions works with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an acceptable screening procedure. This cost of the background check is between $50 and $100. Applicants who fail to submit a background check will not be eligible to participate in the clinical experience.
Please follow the directions in the link below for submitting your application to Verified Credentials:
Verified Credentials
Upon completion, the results of the background screening will be sent to you via email that will apprise you of the findings as well as your final score of:
- Red—Convictions or Discrepancy found
- Yellow—Possible Discrepancy found
- Green—No Convictions or Discrepancies found
If any information is found that would negatively affect your eligibility for clinical placement in the Program, you will be given an opportunity to challenge the information through the Adverse Action process associated with Verified Credentials. The clinical site will receive the information concerning any reports that are yellow or red and will determine your eligibility to participate in the clinical experience base on their criteria.
CLINICAL EDUCATION
Students accepted into the Radiologic Technology Program will complete their professional education in two areas: the class room and the clinical setting. Class room work will occur on the ASU-Jonesboro campus, while clinical education will occur in area hospitals and clinics as detailed below.
Classes for new RT students begin in the first summer semester and run for twenty-three consecutive months. During the twenty-three months of the program, RT students participate in a structured rotation sequence through radiology departments in the clinical affiliates. Current clinical sites are in the Northeast Arkansas and Southeast Missouri area.
Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical affiliates. When determining educational costs consideration should be given to this additional expense.
Expenses
In addition to tuition costs, Radiologic Technology students will incur the following expenses:
- All students in the College of Nursing & Health Professions must purchase malpractice insurance prior to rotating through clinical sites. The annual cost of this insurance is approximately $40. Information regarding purchase of malpractice insurance may be obtained through the Program Director.
- Students are assessed an annual fee of $120 to cover the cost of radiation exposure monitoring devices.
- The cost of textbooks will vary each semester, with a majority of the total cost occurring in the first semester of the professional program. Textbook costs for the first semester may be as much as $700. These texts are used throughout the program.
- Students will be required to purchase uniforms through the ASU Bookstore. Approximately $250 should be estimated for uniforms in the first year of the program.
- Students are required to purchase names badges and personalized radiographic markers. This a nominal, one-time fee of $50.
- CPR certification is required. Some classes are free, while others may charge a nominal fee.
- The College of Nursing and Health Professions requires background checks for students admitted to the professional programs to ensure compliance between the college and clinical facilities. This is a one-time fee of less than $75.
- Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical affiliates. When determining educational costs consideration should be given to this additional expense.
Technical Standards
In order to ensure patient safety and welfare, the student must demonstrate "with or without accommodations" in order to successfully complete the program:
- Sufficient eyesight to observe teaching methods and patients, manipulate equipment and accessories, and evaluate radiographs for quality.
- Sufficient hearing to communicate effectively with members of the healthcare team and patients and hear various patient, equipment and background sounds.
- Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to manipulate equipment and accessories, lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds, and respond promptly to patient's needs.
- Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment in the performance of assigned responsibilities in stressful situations.
- Satisfactory verbal, written, and reading skills to effectively and promptly communicate in English.
- The ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate ethical behaviors with all members of the healthcare team.
Health Requirements
Immunization & Health Records
Once accepted into the program students must provide documented evidence of vaccination for Hepatitis-B. Vaccination consists of three separate doses of the vaccine, given at time zero, 1 month, and 6 months. Optimal protection is not conferred until after the third dose. The student must start this series immediately after acceptance to the professional program.
Students will be required to provide documentation of a physical examination once accepted into the professional program. In addition, pregnancy is of special concern because students are in a clinical radiation environment. The required form will be provided upon accepted into the program.
Annually, each student will be required to have a TB skin test. Documentation of such must be provided to program officials.
Goals & Outcomes
- Students will be clinically competent.
Learning outcomes:
- Students will provide appropriate patient care
- Students will be able to perform practice proper radiation safety
- Students will be able to produce and critique radiographs for quality
- Students will express satisfaction with educational experience
- Employers will express satisfaction with graduates
- Students will demonstrate acceptable problem solving skills.
Learning outcomes:
- Students will be able to identify a medical emergency
- Students will be able to adapt standard radiographic practices to varying clinical situations
- Students will be able to recommend corrective action for sub-optimal radiographs
- Students will communicate effectively with peers, medical staff, and patients.
Learning outcomes:
- Students will be able to explain radiologic procedures
- Students will be able to obtain accurate patient history or assessment
- Students will be able to prepare written critiques of radiographs
- Students will demonstrate professional behavior and attitudes.
Learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate professional appearance and conduct
- Students will demonstrate assumed clinical duties and assignments
- Students will be able to write a summary plan of professional continuing education
- Students will demonstrate appropriate punctuality and reliability in clinical attendance
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap/disability, or other unlawful factors in employment practices or admission and treatment of students.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Association of Educators in Radiological Sciences
Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
Radiology Business Management Association
Society for Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology
