Radiography

Radiography is a selective admissions program. Admission to the program is by application.  Admission to Richland Community College does not guarantee acceptance to the program. 

Career and Technical Education Option

• Associate in Applied Science in Radiography (72 hours)
• Request an advisement plan for Radiography - required if you want to apply to the program

About Radiography

Radiography is the art and science of producing radiographic images of internal structures of humans. Many radiographers, known by the credentials R.T.(R), work along side radiologists who are MDs who specialize in radiology. Radiographers produce images that are interpreted by radiologists. For more advanced procedures such as arthrograms and myelograms, the radiographer’s role is to assist the radiologist who performs those types of exams.

The profession has come a long way since the first radiograph over 110 years ago. It’s moved from recording images on glass plates to film and more recently to digital images. The x –ray generators and tubes have advanced too. It is a fast-paced constantly-changing profession.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) tests and certifies radiographers across the United States. In order to take the certification examination, a person must complete an approved educational program including completing over fifty clinical exam competencies. Richland’s Radiography Program students rotate through three clinical sites, Decatur Memorial Hospital, St. Mary’s in Decatur, and Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Before students can produce radiographic images on patients in the clinical setting they must first practice and demonstrate proficiency in the radiography lab. Students practice positioning each other and can take actual radiographs of our phantom named Pixy. 

Today’s radiographers make creating a radiographic image look simple. There’s nothing easy about producing a quality radiograph. Radiographers simultaneously use their knowledge of anatomy, physics, radiographic procedures, communication, and radiation protection as well as patient care skills.

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Richland Community College Radiography Program is to provide students with classroom, lab, and clinical experiences that enable them to achieve entry-level knowledge, skills, and professional values needed to produce quality radiographs.

Program Goals

• To recruit and enroll qualified students capable of program completion using non-discriminatory practices.
• To provide students with didactic, lab, and clinical experiences that provide them with opportunities to achieve entry-level competency in radiography.
• To work closely with the local communities of interest to insure that the program is meeting or exceeding their needs.
• To provide students with an educational environment that promotes professional growth and development after graduation.

Learning Outcomes

Throughout the Radiography Program, students are evaluated on the following seven learning outcomes:

• Produce & recognize quality radiographs
• Provide age & culturally- appropriate patient care respecting the patients’ rights
• Apply the principles of radiation protection to self, patients, & others
• Demonstrate professional manner consistent with ethical standards
• Demonstrate problem solving & critical thinking skills
• Demonstrate computer skills
• Demonstrate effective oral & written communication

ARRT Examination Pass Rates

All students who have graduated from our Radiography Program since the first class in 2004 have passed the ARRT Registry examination. First-time pass rate for 2005, 2006, & 2007 is 100%.

Employment Opportunities or Careers

Hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, doctors’ offices, and chiropractors are a few of the employers of radiographers.

Radiographers can specialize in mammography(M), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), cardiac-interventional (CI), vascular-interventional (VI), quality management (QM), or bone densitometry (BD). With an additional year of education, radiographers can move into careers in sonography (S), nuclear medicine (N), or radiation therapy (T).

Pictures of recent student work

Rule of Thumb, an RCC student entry, won first place in the ISSRT 2006 annual Scientific Display competition.

RCC entries from 2007 included Osteo What? and The Pathology of Pagets:

Actual radiograph taken by RCC Radiography student. 

Links to professional organizations

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

The ARRT is the credentialing organization for radiographers in the United States. The site is full of useful information including the education, ethical, and clinical requirements for certification and post-primary examinations they offer. http://www.arrt.org

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

The ASRT is the professional organization for imaging professionals. Their site has a tremendous amount of information regarding the many opportunities for radiologic technologists. http://www.asrt.org/content/abouttheprofession/_AboutTheProfession.aspx  or http://www.asrt.org

Illinois State Society of Radiologic Technologists

The ISSRT is an affiliate organization of the ASRT. Richland Radiography students are voting members of this organization and participate in its annual conference. http://www.issrt.org