Radiologic Technology

Mission Statement: Trident Technical College’s Radiologic Technology program empowers students with high quality medical imaging education and clinical skills to inspire future professionals and accelerate economic growth.

Philosophy: As an integral part of Trident Technical College, the Radiologic Technology program derives its overall purposes and functions from the mission statement of Trident Technical College. It subscribes to the college’s mission to prepare individuals for marketable job skills and to promote the economic development and improvement of the quality of life in the communities it serves.

The Radiologic Technology program has established goals and student learning outcomes in accordance with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Student learning outcomes are assessed using benchmarks utilizing a variety of tools including student assignments, clinical evaluations, procedural competencies, laboratory assessments, employer follow-up surveys, graduate follow-up surveys, etc.

Goal: Students will demonstrate academic and clinical competence as an entry-level radiographer who meets the needs of the community.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will effectively operate radiographic equipment to produce quality images.
• Students will practice appropriate patient care skills.
• Students will effectively apply positioning skills.
• Students will effectively practice radiation protection skills.

Goal: Students will demonstrate effective written and communication skills in the academic and clinical settings.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will effectively display written communication skills.
• Students will effectively display oral communication skills.

Goal: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and problem solving skills in the academic and clinical settings.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will effectively demonstrate the ability to make decisions and use sound judgment.
• Students will demonstrate appropriate positioning and patient care skills in diverse situations.

Goal: Students will demonstrate professional development and growth.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will exhibit professional and ethical behavior as a radiographer.
• Students will participate in professional development activities on and off campus.

Program performance is reflected through program effectiveness data defined by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) (20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-2182, (312) 704-5300, [email protected], https://www.jrcert.org/). Program effectiveness data includes program completion rate, credentialing examination pass rate and job placement rate. The link below provides the most current data reported to JRCERT. This information can also be found at https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/. Questions regarding program effectiveness data should be directed to the Program Director.

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. The information can be found directly on the JRCERT webpage.

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%.

Credentialing Examination Rates

Program year	Year	Number passed on first attempt within six months of graduation	Number attempted within six months of graduation	Percent passed
1	2021	16	21	76%
2	2022	12	16	75%
3	2023	12	18	67%
4	2024	15	24	63%
5	2025	23	25	92%
Total		78	104

• TTC's Program five-year Average 75%.

 

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 12 months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rates

Program year	Year	Number employed within 12 months of graduation	Number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation	Percent employed
1	2021	19	21	90%
2	2022	16	16	100%
3	2023	16	19	84%
4	2024	24	25	96%
5	2025	26	26	100%
Total		101	107

• TTC's Program five-year average 94%.

 

Annual Program Completion Rate

The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length, excluding those students who leave the program for nonacademic reasons. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%

Program Completion Rate

Program year	Year	Number graduated	Number started the program	Percent completed
1	2025	26	26	100%

The Radiologic Technology program begins each Summer Semester with a new cohort of 25-30 students. Classes include didactic, laboratory and clinical components. Classes are usually scheduled Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Radiologic Technology program does not accept part-time students at this time.

Admission is based on a FIRST-QUALIFIED, FIRST-ADMITTED basis, so students must ensure they meet the General College Admission Requirements and the Radiology Program Admission Requirements.

Observation hours in Radiology must meet the following requirements:

• A minimum of 8 total observation hours must be completed in a Diagnostic Radiologic Technology department within a hospital setting.
• At least 6 of the 8 hours must be spent observing general diagnostic radiography procedures.
• No more than 2 of the 8 hours may be completed in a specialty imaging area, such as:
  • Computed Tomography (CT)
  • Mammography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Interventional Radiology
  • Other advanced imaging specialties
• All observation hours must be properly documented and submitted according to program guidelines.

The purpose of this requirement is to provide prospective students with a realistic understanding of the radiologic technology profession, the healthcare environment, and the responsibilities of a radiologic technologist before entering the program.

Students are encouraged to begin arranging their observation experiences as early as possible if they will not be accepted prior to Jan. 1, 2027.

Once enrolled in the Radiologic Technology program, students will follow a six-semester curriculum with general education and professional courses being taught at the Thornley Campus and at Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester county health care facilities. All Radiologic Technology courses are taught during daytime hours; however, some clinical rotations will require specific evening and weekend hours.

Clinical rotations will begin the second week of the fall semester, following successful completion of the introductory Radiologic Technology courses in the summer semester. Students will need to have successfully completed the following to be eligible for clinical rotations:

1. A comprehensive health form that includes documentation of required immunizations
2. A recent background check
3. Passed a recent, random drug screen
4. Completed required Care Learning modules
5. BLS CPR certification for Healthcare Workers (must be maintained throughout the program)
6. Professional Liability Insurance
7. Personal Medical Insurance
8. Purchase necessary clinical supplies

Notes:

1. 1. The Hepatitis B vaccination series (including titer) is now required for students entering the program. The Hepatitis B vaccination series (including titer) takes approximately 8 months to complete. It is strongly recommended that you begin the series as soon as possible so that it is completed prior to your start date.
   2. COVID-19 vaccines are required in order to attend clinical rotations by the clinical affiliates. Some affiliates will accept a medical or religious exemption. This is at the discretion of the clinical affiliate.
      If the student chooses to decline the vaccines/immunizations/titers, this may impact the student’s ability to be assigned to certain clinical rotations, which may in turn impact the student’s ability to continue in the program.
   3. All requirements must be met for students to be moved forward if a vacancy becomes available.
   4. Any female student who suspects that she is pregnant or who has confirmed pregnancy has the option of whether or not to inform the Program Coordinator. If she chooses to inform the Program Coordinator, it must be in writing. In the absence of this voluntary written disclosure, the student cannot be considered pregnant. However, it is recommended to inform the Program Coordinator so appropriate precautionary procedures can be taken to protect the mother and fetus. The student has the right to rescind the disclosure at any time during the pregnancy.

Students will rotate in a different facility each semester in order to receive a very well-rounded clinical experience and education. These locations are dispersed throughout the area. They will be exposed to many different imaging settings such as hospital, trauma, pediatrics, outpatient services and specialty modalities. In addition, they will have evening and weekend assignments. Students will be required to complete exams per the ARRT specifications. Each semester there will be objectives assigned to correlate with learning opportunities in the clinical setting.

COVID-19 vaccines as well as other vaccines/immunizations/titers may be required for some health sciences programs in order to attend clinicals. Should immunizations and titers be required by a clinical affiliate and the student refuses to obtain the vaccines/immunizations/titers, this may impact the student’s ability to be assigned to certain clinical rotations, which may in turn impact the student’s ability to continue in the program.