The profession continues to grow as does the demand for qualified Radiographers. Radiology is an exciting and challenging profession for the 21st century. The Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology is organized and led by Stephen Cooper, MBA,RT(R), Program Director. Stephen has been a Radiography Program Director since 2004 and is dedicated to the success of the program and its students.
Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology has been educating Radiologic Technologists since early 1960 and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-2901 as program #33290000, and adheres to the requirements of the Texas Department of Health.
Welcome to the Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology Program!
The program is a 24-month certificate-based open program with selective admissions. Citizens Medical Center Radiologic Technology School is accredited to admit five new students in July of each year. Selection is based upon criteria approved by the Citizens Medical Center School of Radiology Admissions Committee and consistent with state regulations. Successful graduates are prepared to take the National Registry from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and prepared as entry-level radiographers.
Our students have become Radiology Department Managers, Supervisors, Senior Technologists, Special Procedures Technologists, MRI, Ultrasound, CT, Mammography and Staff Radiologists. Students attend the Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists in their second year and enter into the Display and Paper Competition. To date, Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology students have been awarded 6 plaques for their Scientific Displays.
Students receive personal, hands on experience and are monitored closely regarding their academic and clinical activities to verify they are competent to perform exams.
| Semester 1 & 4 | July through October |
| Semester 2 & 5 | November through February |
| Semester 3 & 6 | March through June |
School starts on the second Thursday in July and completes the last week in June.
Requirements
School of Radiology Curriculum
- Introduction to Radiologic Technology
- Medical – Legal Issues
- Patient Care Procedures
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Positioning
- Common Contrast Procedures
- Physics
- Radiologic Critique
- Image Receptacles and Process
- Radiologic Technique and Image Production
- Cross Sectional Anatomy
- First Year Clinical Experience
- Special Procedures
- Advanced Imaging Tech
- CT Applications
- Radiation Protection
- Quality Assurance
- Registry Review
- Second Year Clinical Experience
Time Commitment
The program requires students to spend no more than 40 hours per week in classroom and clinical settings. Normally, students are assigned an 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday schedule. Occasionally, students are assigned to Saturday or Sunday rotations for trauma experience, with compensatory time off given during the week.
Prerequisites for Admission
Our professional accrediting body, the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT), states that all Radiology Program graduates taking the Radiology Certification exam after January 1, 2015 will be required to have an Associates Degree. To meet this new professional standard, our prerequisites will be increasing over the next five years.
Requirements for the classes of 2011-2013 and 2012-2014 are:
| 1. | Student must be 18 years old at the time of admission. |
| 2. | Student must be a high school graduate or equivalent. |
| 3. | Student must comply with the Technical Standards for Admission. |
| 4. | Student must provide transcripts from an accredited college that document the following course work: |
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Applicants for the class starting in July, 2013 will be required to have completed an Associates Degree from an accredited college to include the requirements listed above. The degree does not need to be in Radiologic Science to qualify.
| NOTE: | A minimum grade of "C" or 75 points is required in all courses. Graduates who have obtained an Associates/Bachelors Degree prior to application and who did not maintain a grade level of "C" must retake classes to meet the "C" requirement. |
The Profession
Registered Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic Technology, or Radiography, is a science combining advanced technology and human compassion. Radiologic Technologists utilize their knowledge of physics, human anatomy, patient care, and physiology to create permanent medical images for the diagnosis of diseases and/or preventative measures. The Radiologic Technologist provides patient services using specialized imaging equipment under the direction of a physician.
Radiographers strive to provide quality patient care and are particularly concerned with limiting radiation exposure to patients, self, and others. This profession requires people who have a dependable personality with a mature and caring nature.
Mission and Goals
It is the Mission of the Citizens Medical Center School of Radiography to prepare students to practice in the Professional Discipline. Upon graduation, our students will demonstrate the following goals:
| Goal 1: | Students will be clinically competent. |
| Goal 2: | Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills. |
| Goal 3: | Students will demonstrate effective communication. |
| Goal 4: | Students will display professionalism. |
| Goal 5: | Graduates will be employable and meet the needs of the community. |
As a Radiologic Technologist, you will:
- work with doctors to provide quality radiographs in the radiology department, surgery, emergency room, hospital room, outpatient clinic, or imaging centers
- deliver the least amount of radiation per dose
- provide physical and mental comfort, and
- work with state-of-the-art imaging equipment
- Job opportunities are available in various settings such as hospitals, health care facilities, physicians’ offices, mobile imaging companies, industrial plants, research centers, government agencies, commercial sales, and marketing. The starting salary for Radiologic Technologists in Texas is approximately $37,000 per year and can range much higher in larger cities. Opportunities for advancement are available in: Management, Research
- Education
- Ultrasonography (RDMS)
- Computerized Tomography (CT)
- Mammography (M)
- Cardiovascular Special Procedures (CV)
- Nuclear Medicine (NM)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Hospital Information
Citizens Medical Center is a 344-bed, acute care hospital that has access to the best research and clinical expertise available in health care. In its third decade as the area’s leader in cardiac care, Citizens is equipped with sophisticated diagnostic, surgical, and medical treatments designed specifically for the cardiac patient. Citizens Medical Center is a Lead Level III Trauma Center and offers the Chest Pain Center as a means for cardiac patients to present with clinical symptoms of a heart attack and be quickly diagnosed. Citizens Medical Center is a smoke free facility.
With six floors dedicated to patient care, Citizens Medical Center is also the leader in cancer therapy. The Kathryn O’Connor Regional Cancer Center is ranked as one of the best in the nation.
As a student in the Radiography program, you will obtain clinical experience through the Radiology Department.
Citizens Medical Center offers a 24-month credentialed educational program, which prepares entry-level radiographers for this challenging career.
Scholastic & Clinical Requirements
Scholastic Requirements
Students enrolled in the Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology are required to meet the following scholastic standards:
A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course. Our grading scale is as follows:
100% - 95% = A
94% - 88% = B
87% - 80% = C
Failure to maintain a Grade of C in either clinical or didactic course work in the first 8 weeks of enrollment of the program will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Failure after this time will result in a formal written notice. After 3 formal written notices of any kind, students will be excused from the program.
Clinical Requirements
Students are assigned on a rotational basis to all areas of the Radiology Department. Assignments in Diagnostic, Radiation Therapy, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, CT Scanning, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory are arranged to broaden the student’s knowledge of related specialties. Most of the student’s education will revolve around diagnostic radiology. Competency is based on the American Society of Radiologic Technologists guidelines and students must maintain a minimum grade of 85% in clinical studies.
Graduation Requirements:
| 1. | All course averaged academic grades 80% or better. |
| 2. | All clinical averaged grades 85% or better. |
| 3. | Pass Registry Review tests and Mock Registry with 80% or better. |
| 4. | Final ten clinical exams with average 85% or better. |
| 5. | Time off does not exceed 21 days per year. |
The Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology offers an advanced certificate to those students that prove competency in Computed Tomography.
The Victoria College Associates Degree / Citizens Medical Center
Articulation Program
Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology and The Victoria College have an articulation agreement that states that ARRT certified and licensed graduates of the Citizens Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology can receive block credit for 16 credit hours of Radiograph course work toward an Associates of Science Degree at The Victoria College. To complete the degree, the following courses are required:
The Victoria College Course Requirements: |
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| Course: | Semester Hours: |
| Communication | 3 |
| Computer Science | 3 |
| English Composition | 6 |
| History | 6 |
| Humanities | 3 |
| Math | 6 |
| Performing Arts | 3 |
| Physical / Life Sciences | 7 |
| Physical Activity | 2 |
| Political Science | 6 |
| Social / Behavioral Science | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours: | 48 |
You may have to meet other requirements to complete your degree plan. The Victoria College has the following additional conditions:
| 1. | Unconditional admission or removal of all entrance conditions. |
| 2. | Completion of a minimum of 62 semester credit hours with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Only The Victoria College courses will be used in grade point average calculation. |
| 3. | Completion of at least 25 percent (25%) of semester credit hours earned through instructions at The Victoria College. |
| 4. | Satisfy the Texas Success Initiative. |
| 5. | Completion of core curriculum. |
ARRT certified and licensed graduates of the Citizens Medical Center Program of Radiography who are interested in receiving block credit of 16 credit hours of Radiography course work toward an Associates of Science Degree should contact the Counseling Services Office for admission and graduation requirements.
Obtaining Application Informational Packages
Applications are only accepted beginning October 1 and no longer accepted after December 31 of every year. Applications may be hand delivered to the front desk in the Radiology Department at Citizens Medical Center and addressed to Stephen Cooper:
By Web (the preferred method to obtain a package):
By E-Mail, send request to:
By Phone:
Call Program Director at (361)572-5062 and state you are requesting an Application Information Package. Speak clearly and slowly, leaving your Name, Complete Address, and your Telephone Number on the recording. Application information packages are generally mailed every Monday.
By Mail, send request to:
Stephen Cooper, R.T.(R)
Program Director, School of Radiologic Technology
Citizens Medical Center
2701 Hospital Drive
Victoria, Texas 77901
Costs and Financial Information
Application Fee:
A $25.00 dollar non-refundable application fee submitted with the application covers the costs of tests and processing the application. If you mail your application, please send a check or money order made payable to Citizens Medical Center.
Tuition, Books and Fees:
The tuition cost of the program is $1,000.00 for the two years of training. Books are included in tuition costs. Uniform costs are the student’s responsibility and must be ordered and paid for by June 1. The Radiology Department selects these uniforms and specified uniforms are worn on specified days.
- $50.00 of this amount is sent in with your agreement letter. Check or Money Order only please.
- $475.00 is due the first day of class. The remaining $475.00 is due within 30 days of beginning class. Check or Money Order only please.
- The $25.00 admission fee is not applied to tuition costs.
Refund(s):
The $50.00 sent in with the agreement letter is non-refundable. IF the student leaves the program within the first month, and has paid full tuition, and returns all their books, they will receive a $200.00 refund. IF the student has not paid full tuition, then there is no refund before or after the first month and they are required to return their books.
Financial Assistance:
Students do not receive a salary or stipend while in the program. This program is approved for Veterans Administration benefits only. The school does not participate in federally secured loans or grants (Pell grant, etc.) nor is the program approved under the Hazelwood Act.
Acceptance Into the Program
- Students must submit all required materials.
- Students must observe in Radilogy Department.
- Students must be interviewed by our Admissions Committee.
- A limited number of positions are available in each class and many more applicants apply to be admitted. Student selection is based on a combination of academic preparedness, personal interviews, career, and life experiences.
- Students must pass a satisfactory medical screening by the Medical Center’s personnel.
- Screening includes but is not limited to:
- TB Skin Test
- Chest X-Ray ** only if applicant has a positive PPD **
- Health Questionnaire
- Rubella Titer
- Lifting Test
* specific acceptance criteria is detailed in the downloadable Application Package
Forms
All applicants are notified by letter of their status on or before May 1. Students selected for the July class will receive a Letter of Agreement with instructions to complete the entrance process.