The mission of Spencerian College Radiologic Technology program is to provide students the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of an entry-level Radiologic Technologist through a progressive academic and clinical educational environment.
Radiography Program Goals
The goals for the radiography program are to validate clinical competency, and develop critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills to effectively meet the needs of our students and community. Program faculty encourages lifelong learning and professional development through participation in Spencerian’s radiography student organization and local professional society, as well as attendance at the Radiography Program Advisory Board meeting.
Radiologic Technologist – The Profession
The registered Radiologic Technologist (radiographer) plays an important role as a member of the health care team by providing quality radiographs (x-rays) for physicians and radiologists. A Radiologic Technologist ensures accurate representation of anatomical structures to aid in the diagnosis of various abnormalities including fractures, tumors, and malfunctioning body systems.
The major responsibility of the radiographer is compassionate care of the patient. In a profession driven by technological advances, caring for the needs of the patient remains the primary objective. Compassionate care includes proficiency in communication, respecting individual rights, and maintaining safety.
Other responsibilities of the radiographer include manipulation of radiographic equipment for specific examinations, placing the patient into the correct position, setting correct technical factors, making the required exposure, and processing the radiographs. In some cases mobile equipment must be used in the emergency room, in surgery, or at the patient’s bedside. Responsibilities may also include performing quality assurance procedures, keeping records of patient radiographs and reports, ordering supplies, and maintaining radiographic and processing equipment.
The radiographer receives the social prestige that accompanies a professional career. As a part of the health care team colleagues might include nurses, physicians, lab technicians, therapists, and other scientific people dedicated to the medical profession. The knowledge and skills of a Radiologic Technologist serves an integral part of the medical community in the treatment and well being of the patient.
Radiologic Technologists are qualified to work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, orthopedic and podiatry facilities, free standing imaging centers, and urgent treatment centers. Salaries in the profession vary depending on the facility, geographical location, experience and shift. To find out more go to:
www.asrt.org; studies and surveys; ASRT research; read results of ASRT studies; wage and salary survey.
Spencerian Radiography Program
Students will be instructed on the proper administration of ionizing radiation for the purpose of medical diagnosis with an emphasis on radiation protection to ensure quality patient care. The curriculum includes both theory and competency-based instruction. Various curricula resources are utilized in the development of the program curriculum – ASRT Radiography Curriculum (www.asrt.org; curricula); ARRT Radiography didactic and clinical competency requirements (www.arrt.com; Education/CE; Primary Certification; Competency Reqs) and Content Specifications for Radiography Exam (www.arrt.com; Examinations/Content Specs). The Radiologic technology didactic and clinical classes are held during the day with the exception of occasional evening clinical rotations.
The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) through the JRCERT Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiological Sciences (Standards).
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Tel: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312 704-5304
Web Site:
www.jrcert.org
Program graduates are eligible to apply for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) Registry Examination. Upon successful completion of the registry examination graduates are qualified for employment as entry-level radiographers in the healthcare delivery system.
The Radiologic Technology program is not the Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO) Program. Each program is distinctly different and offers different career opportunities.
