Radiologic Technologist Education: How to Check for a Quality Program

Communications Staff

UPDATED MARCH 1, 2021

The attraction to a healthcare career is natural, and it’s smart – no other industry has an upside for continual expansion or a stronger likelihood of making a difference in the lives of others. Being on the lookout for a two-year degree also is smart, and the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree centered on radiologic technology education does just that.

Here’s a six-point checklist to look for to receive a high-quality radiologic technology education from the degree programs and schools you’re considering.

1. It meets ARRT and state licensing requirements

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) requires at least an associate degree to be eligible to take the national ARRT exam in Radiography. Many states now require an associate degree or higher to be eligible for ARRT certification and licensure as a radiologic technologist.

While some places offer a certificate instead of a degree, a certificate is not the same as being ARRT certified. If you earn a certificate without earning a degree, you will not be eligible to take the national ARRT exam needed to be a certified radiologic technologist.

2. It’s a 2-year A.A.S. degree

A sensible, money-smart choice is a two-year associate of applied science degree program – an A.A.S. The “applied science” part of the degree is the difference-maker. It’s your sign that all the knowledge and skills needed for a long-term career come to you in a two-year format.

The faster you graduate from a rad tech program, the faster you can apply for licensure, and the faster you enter the workforce.

3. It offers a preferred admission option

Some rad tech programs offer preferred admission status for students who take their prerequisite courses at the same university as the professional rad tech program. Of course, all admission criteria for the university and program have to be satisfied. Still, what an advantage! It’s worth meeting with the university’s academic advising team to help guide you through this process.

4. Instructors Have Clinical Experience

It certainly pays to get your radiologic technologist education from faculty who have first-hand experience working at or managing imaging centers because they can demonstrate the most effective ways to work through challenging imaging situations.

One way to check for depth of experience by talking one-on-one with the instructors. Here are some questions to ask:

• • Do the instructors have five years or more of imaging experience?
  • Have they recruited rad tech staff before?
  • Does the program teach how to accommodate patients with disabilities or have restricted movement?
  • Were area employers consulted about the structure of the rad tech program?

5. There’s an emphasis on patient interaction skills

In today’s health care world, “patient care interaction skills” are essential because patient satisfaction reports can have a major influence on the compensation received by health care facilities. Not only will many patients have never undergone high-tech medical imaging before, but they will range from the very young to senior adults and come from various cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.

That means a radiologic technologist education is more than learning the equipment. It must include “soft skills development,” such as:

• • Critical thinking
  • How to explain imaging procedures to patients
  • Using therapeutic listening to build trust
  • Effective problem-solving.

6. Clinical experience happens early

Not all rad tech programs are set up the same. A better choice is guided patient care experiences throughout the program, starting in the second semester.

Early interaction with patients enhances learning, but that only makes sense when students have plentiful access to a university’s on-site radiologic equipment rooms, demonstration suites, and human body mannequins for life-like imaging scenarios.

Skills embedded into a radiologic technologist education get rad tech students ready for actual clinical time with patients. Look for rad tech programs that front-load imaging classes before sending you into a work environment. You’ll want to have completed most of your positioning classes before going to your first clinic setting.

It also helps to find out when you can get your clinical training. Traditional rad tech programs are restricted to only 25 percent of their total clinical hours outside of the traditional daytime hours. Non-traditional programs may offer more flexibility.

Radiologic Technologist Education at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC)

Rad tech students at CUKC earn their Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Radiologic Technology degree in a two-year format.

The program’s eight-week courses deliver deep understanding. Students receive hands-on training and gain experience in the University’s on-campus radiologic equipment rooms, two demonstration suites, and clinical experience in partner clinics in the Kansas City region and surrounding communities.

Students who complete all the required prerequisite and general education coursework at CUKC will be granted preferred admission status to the radiologic technology degree program, provided that all admission criteria for the University and radiologic technology program are met, and all other additional considerations are satisfactory.

CUKC welcomes new classes of students into the radiologic technology program in spring and fall.

Ready to look into a radiologic technologist education? Download the free eBook: Your Complete Guide to a Career as a Radiologic Technologist, today!