Radiologic Technologic Program

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General Information:

Radiologic Technology is a health care profession whose practitioners work in hospitals, imaging centers, clinics and private physicians’ offices.  The radiologic technologist (radiographer) is a member of the health care team who works directly with the patient and the physician performing a wide variety of diagnostic x-ray procedures.  The role of the graduate radiographer may be that of staff radiographer, special imaging radiographer, supervisor, administrator or educator, depending upon the level of education and experience obtained.

 The Bakersfield College Associate in Science Degree Radiologic Technology Program provides concurrent didactic and clinical education.  The Program is 24 months in length (excluding prerequisite coursework) and begins each year in June.  Students should anticipate making a fulltime commitment to the Program during the school year.  Summer sessions are required and semesters/terms may be scheduled beyond the regular college session dates.  The Program is primarily scheduled during the day; however, an evening clinical rotation will be completed during the second year of the Program.  Clinical education sites include hospitals and imaging centers located in Bakersfield, California and Delano, California.  Students may be assigned to any clinical education center in any geographical location.

The Program provides the theory, skill, and experience necessary to apply for admission to the licensure exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT); and for licensure from the State of California, Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, as a Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT).  The student is also eligible to write the State Fluoroscopy Permit exam.  Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all radiography courses, have met the state-mandated curriculum and clinical hours, met all clinical education competencies, and earned the Associate in Science degree to be recommended for these examinations/certifications.

For Program information, brochure, and enrollment application form, consult the following website at: http://www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/alliedhealth.

 For more career information it is highly recommended students, consult the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) at www.asrt.org.  Look at the ASRT “career center” or “education and students” section of the website and explore careers in radiography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and sonography.

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Enrollment Procedures and Application Filing Period

Application forms and all required documents must be received by the Radiologic Technology Program Office during the application month of February.  Late applications will not be accepted.

The next application period for new applicants will be February 2013.  Due to the large number of students on the current Program Waitlist, new applications will not be accepted in 2012.  Students currently on the waitlist must refer to #7 under Application Procedures for more information.

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Application Procedures:

It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that the following items are completed prior to the end of the application period held in the month of February:

 1.      Complete required prerequisite courses (refer to page 3).

2.      Obtain application form from the Allied Health Department located in Room 178 of the Math-Science Building on the main campus, or on the Allied Health website at www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/alliedhealth.  You may also call the office to request an application at 661-395-4284.

 3.      Arrange for an official copy of your high school transcript to be mailed directly to the: Radiologic Technology Program, Bakersfield College, 1801 Panorama Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305.  A copy of High School Equivalency (GED) is required if your high school transcript does not identify graduation.

Note: You may also hand deliver this transcript, providing that the transcript is

“official” and sealed.

 4.      If you are a Bakersfield College Student with no college courses other than BC courses: Provide the Program with an unofficial Bakersfield College transcript from the college web site or an unofficial transcript from the Admissions & Records Office.

5.      If you have taken courses from any college other than Bakersfield College:

a)      Apply for admission to Bakersfield College either in person or online at www.bakersfieldcollege.edu, click on Admissions & Records and follow the directions under “Enrolling at BC.”

b)      Submit an official copy of your transcripts from your previous college to the Office of Admissions & Records and request an evaluation of your transcripts.  This process requires the form “Request for Evaluation.”  You may obtain this form in the Office of Admissions & Records or online under Admissions & Records – “Other Forms.”

Note: This process can take up to 12-16 weeks. Once your transcripts have been evaluated and posted to your Bakersfield College transcript, the student must either print a copy of the Bakersfield College transcript from the website, or request one from the Office of Admissions & Records.  This evaluation must be completed and then submitted to the Program prior to the end of the program enrollment filing period during the month of February.

It is the responsibility of the student to supply this information to the Program during the month of February prior to the end of the enrollment filing period.

 6.      Late application materials will not be considered for the current application period.  Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete.  The Program is NOT responsible for late materials or incomplete applications.  The application must be thoroughly complete and signed to be considered for eligibility.

7.      Students on the waitlist must reapply annually during the enrollment month of February.  This is required every year to keep the applicant’s file current.  If the student does NOT reapply, the student will be removed from the waitlist.  Applications will be accepted in February 2012 for current waitlist students only.

 8.      Through 2012, if the Radiologic Technology Program has more applicants for enrollment than space available, and the current waitlist will fill the next program class of students, priority is provided to residents of the Kern Community College District.  This procedure will be eliminated for the 2013 enrollment period.

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Prerequisite Requirements:

All prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to applying for the Radiologic Technology Program.  Students are strongly encouraged to complete prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in general education courses.  This will improve a student’s opportunity to apply for program enrollment.  The following prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade “C” or higher. 

1.      BIOL B18 (Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology – 4 units) at Bakersfield College

OR

BIOL B32 (Human Anatomy and Physiology I – 4 units) and

BIOL B33 (Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 4 units) at Bakersfield College

OR

equivalent courses(s) at another accredited college

Note: BIOL B14 (Human Anatomy) and BIOL B15 (Human Physiology)

were previously taught at BC and they meet this requirement.

2.      MATH BD (Intermediate Algebra – 5 units) at Bakersfield College

OR

equivalent course at another accredited college

Note: A higher level college math course will be accepted in lieu of this

algebra requirement. 

3.      MEDS B60 (Medical Terminology – 3 units) at Bakersfield College

OR

equivalent course at another accredited college

4.      ENGL B1a (Expository Composition – 4 units)

OR

equivalent course at another accredited college

Note: This prerequisite must be met by all new and waitlist

applicants effective February 2013.

5.      Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 with MATH BD passed on the first attempt

OR

a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.9 with MATH BD passed on the second attempt.

Note: This prerequisite must be met by all new and waitlist

applicants effective February 2013.

6.      Graduation from high school or an equivalent education (GED).

 For more information on enrollment eligibility for prerequisite courses, refer to each course description in the Bakersfield College catalog or http://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu

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General Education Courses: 

General education courses are required to graduate from the Bakersfield College Associate in Science Degree Radiologic Technology Program.  It is suggested that these courses be completed prior to program enrollment.  Refer to the Bakersfield College General Education and Graduation Requirements in the college catalog for more specific information and requirements for the college (the list below does NOT identify all requirements).  All students are encouraged to regularly check the college requirements for graduation to ensure that AS degree requirements will be met at the end of the radiography program.

 1.      Student Development: It is recommended that students complete this component as they begin college coursework

2.      Computer Studies (3 units): COMS B2 or COMS B5 or equivalent is necessary to meet Radiologic Technology Program completion

3.      Behavioral Science: Psychology B1a is recommended

4.      Arts, Literature, Philosophy, and Foreign Language-Humanities: Philosophy B12 recommended

5.      Health Education: Students who successfully complete the Radiologic Technology Program are waived from the Health Education requirement for graduation

6.      An individual who has previously received an associate degree or higher must meet and earn the Associate in Science Degree requirements for the Radiologic Technology Program to meet eligibility requirements for certification and licensure.

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Enrollment Selection Process:

In the event that the number of qualified students for the Associate Degree Radiologic Technology Program exceeds space available, the following selection process will be utilized:

Students who are qualified for enrollment will be admitted in the order in which their names appear on the Program Waitlist.  To be placed onto the waitlist, all program prerequisites must be completed.  An applicant’s position on this list will be determined by random drawing of names from the pool of qualified students.  To remain current on the waitlist, an application form must be submitted annually during the application filing period in the month of February.

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Program Supply Information:

Students will be required to purchase uniforms, textbooks, and selected equipment; provide transportation to off campus clinical education centers in Bakersfield, California and Delano, California; and pay current college fees.  Estimated costs for books, uniforms, fees, and required equipment for the first year of the Program are approximately $1,200 to $1,400.  Subsequent semesters require enrollment fees, supplies, books, and course syllabi (approximately $1,200).  Additional expenses for the last semester of enrollment include the program pin and application fees for national and state licensure/certification examinations (approximately $450).

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Radiologic Techologic Program Curriculum:

Note: The clinical components of all radiologic technology courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis only.  Radiologic Technology students are exempt from the maximum of three pass/no pass units which may be taken in a semester and from the maximum of 12 pass/no pass units which may be applied toward the Associate in Science degree at Bakersfield College.

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Health Requirements and Screenings

1. After a student receives notification of enrollment into the Program, a physical examination will be required to demonstrate that the student meets the technical standards necessary to meet the objectives of the Program.  The Essential Technical Standards required for Radiologic Technologist are listed on page seven of this brochure.  A list may also be obtained at www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/alliedhealth.

2.      As a condition of enrollment to the Radiologic Technology Program, all students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screen.

3.      As a condition of enrollment in any Allied Health Program with a clinical component, students are required to submit to and pass a designated background screen.  Every student offered space in the Program will be required to submit to a background screening as part of his or her clinical requirement for admission.  Please note the following:

• A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion, or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render a student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.

• If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the Program.

•  In the event that a student cannot obtain a background clearance, the space will be forfeited.

•  Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the radiography program shall be subject to dismissal from the Program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.

4.      Immunizations and health tests are needed for acceptance in a clinical education center, and to protect the health and welfare of the student and the community.  Immunizations may include but are not limited to rubella, varicella, hepatitis B and seasonal influenza.  A tuberculosis screening is also required.

5.      The medical exam, drug and alcohol screen, background screen, immunizations, and health tests are performed at the expense of the student.

6.      The student must possess a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) card.  This card must be provided at the start of the Program and be kept valid during the entire 24-month Program.

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Essential Technical Standards:

Radiologic Technology students must meet the following essential technical standards to ensure the safety and welfare of the patients, the healthcare team, and themselves.  A physical examination determines whether or not a student meets the technical standards or determines what accommodation may be necessary.

• Capable of standing and/or walking up to seven hours throughout an eight-hour shift.

• Bend, crouch, or stoop several times per hour.

• Lift and carry a minimum of 30 pounds several times an hour.

• Lift and move up to a 300-pound patient in a 2-3 person transfer.

•  Reach overhead above the shoulder 90 degrees.

•  Push and/or pull objects and equipment weighting up to 300 pounds.

• Utilize eyesight to observe patients, manipulate equipment and accessories to evaluate radiographs for technical quality under various illumination levels from low levels of illumination to amber/red lighting to bright light levels.

• Capable of hearing to effectively communicate with the patient and healthcare team.

• Utilize sufficient verbal and written skills to effectively and promptly communicate in English with the patient and healthcare team.

•  Manipulate radiologic and medical equipment and accessories, including but not limited to switches, knobs, buttons, and keyboards, utilizing fine and gross motor skills.

• Perform the assigned job responsibilities with the intellectual and emotional functions necessary to ensure patient safety, and exercise independent judgment and discretion.

• Utilize the above standards/functions to respond promptly to patients’ needs and/or emergency situations.

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Admission to college/Financial Aid:

 For further information on Bakersfield College, please contact the: 

Office of Admissions & Records                               661-395-4301
Counseling Center                                                      661-395-4421
Assessment Center                                                      661-395-4479
Financial Aid and Scholarships                                  661-395-4427
Bookstore                                                                    661-395-4506

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Radiologic Technologic Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes: 

The mission of Bakersfield College Radiologic Technology Program is to promote student success by providing quality instruction for graduates to competently practice radiography at the entry level.

Program Goals and Outcomes are:

1.      Students will be clinically competent

2.      Students will develop critical thinking skills

3.      Students will communicate effectively

4.      Students will model professionalism

5.      The Program will graduate entry-level radiographers

09/20/12

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Program Accreditation:

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2225, Chicago, IL 60603-3182, 312-704-5300 or www.jrcert.org.  The Program is also approved by the State of California, Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch, PO Box 997414, MS-7610, Sacramento, CA 95899-7414, 916-327-5106 or www.cdph.ca.gov/rhb.

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Licensure/Certification Eligibility: 

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) requires review of the following:

• Any conviction, misdemeanor, or felony

• Sanction by the Program regarding an academic honor code

• Suspension or dismissal by a radiography program

• Licensure suspension or denial

• Other disciplinary action by a regulatory authority or certification board other than the ARRT

This review may be conducted prior to or during the Program.  For more information, contact the ARRT at: 1225 North Highland Drive, Mendota Heights, MN 55120, 651-687-0048 or www.arrt.org. 

The State Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists require possession of a valid Social Security Number to apply for licensure and/or registration.

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