Radiography
About the Program
The Radiography Program is a JRCERT accredited 21-month full-time associate degree program. The program will prepare you to enter the field of diagnostic medical imaging as a Radiologic Technologist. Competence is achieved through the use of lecture, laboratory activities, small group presentations, research, and clinical education experiences. Patient care, radiation protection, and technical skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Classes are conducted on the Lower Bucks Campus and clinical experiences are varied in location.
Radiography students must comply with the rules and policies presented in the Radiography Student Handbook, in addition to those listed in the catalog.
Accreditation
Bucks County Community College Radiography Program is accredited by the:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312-704-5300
mail@jrcert.org
The program's current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here: https://www.jrcert.org/programs/bucks-county-community-college/
Graduates are eligible to take the national certifying examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT)
Technical Performance Standards
The admissions policies of the Radiography Program do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, marital status, age or mental/physical handicaps. The following is an outline of performance standards relative to Radiography. In addition to the academic requirement for the Radiography Program, all applicants must be able to:
- Communicate to the patient in order to converse and instruct
- Hear a patient speak in a normal tone from a distance of 20 feet.
- Observe the patient in order to assess the patient’s condition or needs from a distance of 20 feet.
- Read the patient medical chart and/or physician orders.
- Transport, move, lift or transfer patients from a wheelchair or litter to an x-ray table or to a patient's bed;
- Move, adjust and manipulate a variety of x-ray equipment with respect to the patient and image receptor according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy ( to include mobile equipment) and;
- Physically place patients in proper positions for x-ray examinations according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy.
- Handling stressful situations related to technical, procedural or patient care situations;
- providing physical and emotional support to patients during procedures;
- Physically be able to administer emergency care including performing CPR
- Visually reviewing and evaluating radiographic images to identify shades of gray, proper patient positions, proper exposure factors and other appropriate technical qualities.
Program Mission
The mission of the Radiography Program is to provide each student with the instruction, skills, and learning experiences to become a compassionate, knowledgeable, and competent entry-level Radiologic Technologist.
Program Goals
- Function as competent, entry-level professionals that meet the medical imaging needs of the surrounding community
- Students will be able to adequately perform procedures at entry level competence.
- Students will select appropriate technical factors for quality patient exams.
- Students will demonstrate proper radiation practices.
- Demonstrate appropriate, professional communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective communication strategies during clinical experience.
- Students will practice written communication skills
- Develop and practice effective problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills.
- Students will be able to adequately perform non-routine procedures at entry level competence.
- Students will be able to adequately alter technical factors in non-routine situations.
- Conduct him/herself in a professional manner.
- Students will demonstrate professional behavior
- Students will recognize the benefits of professional development
Admissions Procedures
Admission to the Radiography program at Bucks County Community College is on a competitive basis. Minimum requirements to apply include:
- Be at least 18 years of age to participate in any of the RADI (Radiography) courses.
- Submit an application with Bucks County Community College designating Radiography as their major.
- Submit high school transcripts and college transcripts, if applicable, for evaluation by the Registrar. The student must complete any placement exams that are required by Bucks County Community College.
- Complete 27 college credits in the following general education coursework:
- MEDA120- Medical Terminology
- MATH120- College Algebra
- BIO181- Anatomy & Physiology I
- COMP110- English Composition I
- COMP111- English Composition II
- COMM110- Effective Speaking
- PSYC110- Intro to Psychology
- Humanities Elective
- COLL101- College Success Seminar
- Obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be considered for entrance in the Radiography Program.
- Any Science or Math courses must be successfully completed within 7 years prior to enrolling in radiography courses.
- Submit a Petition for Admission - Radiography to the Radiography Program. The submission period is every year from January 1- January 31.
- The Radiography Program Admissions Worksheet will be completed for each student that submits a petition by the program faculty.
Due to class limitations, the College does not guarantee continuous enrollment between non-Radiography and Radiography courses.
Curriculum
Program Requirements
Once accepted into the Radiography Program, students are required to:
- Purchase all required textbooks and manuals.
- Purchase a Radiography Program uniform from the preferred uniform vendor.
- Assume all responsibility for transportation to and from the clinical agencies assigned.
- Obtain and maintain current CPR certification.
- Have a comprehensive physical examination which includes documentation of selected vaccinations.
- Complete an FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background check, a PA Criminal Background check, Child Abuse Clearance and drug screening (until clearance is received, program acceptance is provisional and may be rescinded).
- Show proof of health insurance coverage for the student.
- Sign a disclosure form stating that you understand and are able to comply with the technical standards and the Radiography Student Handbook.
JRCERT Disclosure
Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
|
Program 5-Year Average |
58 |
of |
85 |
68% |
|
|
Year |
Results |
||||
|
Year 1 |
2019 |
14 |
of |
20 |
70% |
|
Year 2 |
2020 |
14 |
of |
17 |
82% |
|
Year 3 |
2021 |
11 |
of |
17 |
65% |
|
Year 4 |
2022 |
9 |
of |
14 |
64% |
|
Year 5 |
2023 |
10 |
of |
17 |
59% |
Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.
|
Year |
Results |
||||
|
Year 1 |
2019 |
18 |
of |
18 |
100% |
|
Year 2 |
2020 |
17 |
of |
17 |
100% |
|
Year 3 |
2021 |
14 |
of |
15 |
93% |
|
Year 4 |
2022 |
12 |
of |
12 |
100% |
|
Year 5 |
2023 |
14 |
of |
14 |
100% |
|
Program 5-Year Average |
75 |
of |
76 |
99% |
|
Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The
Annual benchmark established by the program is 75%.
|
Year |
Results |
|
Year - 2023 |
19 of 21 |
|
Annual Completion Rate |
90% |
JRCERT Recognized Clinical Sites
| Name | City | State | Zip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abington Lansdale | Lansdale | PA | 19446 |
| Abington Memorial | Abington | PA | 19001 |
| Jefferson Health - Bucks County | Langhorne | PA | 19047 |
| Jefferson Health - Frankford | Philadelphia | PA | 19124 |
| Jefferson Health - Torresdale (evenings only) | Philadelphia | PA | 19114 |
| Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia | Philadelphia | PA | 19104 |
| Doylestown Hospital | Doylestown | PA | 18901 |
| Grandview Hospital | Sellersville | PA | 18960 |
| Grandview Hospital Outpatient Center | Sellersville | PA | 18960 |
| Lower Bucks Hospital | Bristol | PA | 19007 |
| Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital | Darby | PA | 19023 |
| HUP 54th and Cedar | Philadelphia | PA | 19143 |
| Rothman Institute | Bensalem | PA | 19020 |
| Rothman Newtown | Newtown | PA | 18940 |
| St. Mary Medical Center | Langhorne | PA | 19047 |
| AFC Urgent Care | Newtown | PA | 18940 |
| AFC Urgent Care | Warminster | PA | 18974 |