Academics

Radiographer

Radiographers are medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations using x-rays. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, radiation protection, and basic patient care. They may specialize in a specific imaging technique, such as bone densitometry, cardiovascular-interventional technology, computed tomography, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, or sonography. The radiologic technologists who specialize in radiation therapy, which is the delivery of high doses of radiation to treat cancer and other diseases, are radiation therapists and medical dosimetrists. This six-semester program instructs healthcare professionals in diagnostic x-ray techniques. Graduates are prepared to perform a variety of functions in medical imaging departments of hospitals, clinics, and other health care facilities.

To pursue this career, you must enjoy math and science, be a caring, compassionate person, be very precise about your work and be able to communicate effectively. Coursework is taken on the ICC campuses with the extensive clinical experience provided at Unity Point – Methodist, Unity Point – Proctor, and Pekin Hospital, under qualified supervision. During the 23-month educational period, students will participate in 1,600-1,700 clock hours of clinical experience including evenings and weekends.

Radiographers must complete at least two years of formal education in an accredited program and must pass a national certification examination. To remain registered, they must earn continuing education credits, and to maintain certification, they are required to demonstrate continued qualifications every 10 years.

The mission of the Radiographer Program is to prepare competent entry-level radiographers able to function within the health care community.

Program Handbook

Please download and review our handbook specifically created for ICC Radiographer Program students.

Admission to the Program:

• High School graduate with GPA 2.6 or higher, or equivalent (i.e. GED of 165 or higher) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.

• One year high school science with a "C" average or higher OR completion of an equivalent college science course with a grade of "C" or higher. (Science courses must be chemistry, human biology, or physics).

• Placement into ENGL 110.

• Two years of high school algebra with a “C” or higher or completion of MATH 110 prerequisites.

• Completion of RADTK 100

• ICC grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 or above (if you have attended ICC).
• GPA of 2.0 or above at the last college attended (other than ICC) OR 9 hours of required courses from program sequence with a “C” or higher.

Requirements upon Program Acceptance:

• Drug screen, fingerprint criminal background check, physical exam and immunizations.
• Documentation of current CPR certification from the American Heart Association (AHA) BLS (Basic Life Support) Provider or American Red Cross (ARC) Professional Rescuer and BLS Provider. This CPR certification must remain current throughout student enrollment within the health career program.

Accreditation

The Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (http://jrcert.org/) 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL  60606-3182, phone (312) 704-5300.

The program was last site visited by the JRCERT in September 2017. The site visit resulted in a full, eight-year accreditation award; the maximum length awarded. The next accreditation site visit is tentatively scheduled for the Third Quarter of 2025.

Degree

Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 67.5

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required General Education Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
ENGL 110	COMPOSITION I **	3
COMM 110	INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION: PRESENTATION AND THEORY **	3
PSY 110	INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY **	3
BIOL 140	HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY **	4
MATH 110 or	CONCEPTS OF MATHEMATICS ** or	3
MATH 115	COLLEGE ALGEBRA **	4
	HUMANITIES *	3

Required Program Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
HLTH 121	MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY **	2
RADTK 100	EXPOSURE TO RADIOGRAPHY	0.5
RADTK 110	FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOGRAPHY I	6
RADTK 112	FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE ORIENTATION	1
RADTK 120	FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOGRAPHY II	6
RADTK 121	FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE I	3
RADTK 200	RADIOGRAPHY I	3
RADTK 201	FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE II	2
RADTK 210	RADIOGRAPHY II	6
RADTK 211	RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE III	3
RADTK 221	RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE IV	3
RADTK 230	RADIOGRAPHY IV	2
RADTK 231	RADIOGRAPHY, DIRECTED PRACTICE V	2
RADTK 260	SECTIONAL ANATOMY FOR DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING	3
RADTK 270	PATHOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE IMAGING PROFESSIONAL	3
RADTK 280	COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY PRINCIPLES, INSTRUMENTATION AND IMAGING PROCEDURES	3

* PHIL 113 is recommended.
** Underlined classes can be taken prior to acceptance into the program.
*** RADTK 100 must be completed prior to program application.

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester	Courses
Summer Semester	RADTK 100
Fall Semester 1	BIOL 140; HLTH 121; MATH 110 or MATH 115; RADTK 110; RADTK 112
Spring Semester 1	ENGL 110; PSY 110; RADTK 120; RADTK 121
Summer Semester	RADTK 200; RADTK 201
Fall Semester 2	RADTK 210; RADTK 211; COMM 110; RADTK 260
Spring Semester 2	RADTK 221; RADTK 270; RADTK 280
Summer Semester	RADTK 230; RADTK 231; HUMANITIES

Program Contact Information

Health Careers Department
Peoria Campus, Cedar 105
(309) 690-7530

Illinois Career Cluster

Health Science

Career Pathway:
Diagnostics Services

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.

National Certification Examination

Graduates are eligible to apply to take the National Certification Examination in diagnostic radiography through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Salaries for entry-level radiographers are competitive with other health professionals with similar educational backgrounds.

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Goal	Student Learning Outcomes
Students/Graduates will be clinically competent.	Students/graduates will accurately evaluate radiographic images. Students/graduates will select appropriate technical factors.
Students/Graduates will demonstrate communication skills.	Students/graduates will use effective oral communication skills. Students/graduates will practice written communication skills.
Students/Graduates will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.	Students/graduates will appropriately assess image quality and determine corrective action to ensure optimal images. Students/graduates will modify routine procedures to meet patient needs.

Program Effectiveness Data

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 Rate	number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 – 2021	16 of 17 – 94%
Year 2 – 2020	12 of 12 – 100%
Year 3 – 2019	14 of 14 – 100%
Year 4 – 2018	14 of 15 – 93%
Year 5 – 2017	13 of 13 – 100%
Program 5-Year Average	69 of 71 – 97%

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

Job Placement Rate	number employed divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 – 2020	13 of 13 – 100%
Year 2 – 2019	13 of 13 – 100%
Year 3 – 2018	14 of 14 – 100%
Year 4 – 2017	13 of 13 – 100%
Year 5 – 2016	14 of 14 – 100%
Program 5-Year Average	67 of 67 – 100%

Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%.

Program Completion Rate	number graduated divided by number started the program
Year	Results
Year 1 – 2021	17 of 17
Annual Completion Rate	100%

For more information regarding general program effectiveness data visit the JRCERT website

Essential Skills and Abilities

Radiography is a practice discipline with cognitive, sensory, affective, and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on these requirements the following list of “Core Performance Standards” has been developed. Each standard has examples of activities, which a student will be required to perform while enrolled in the Radiography Program. These standards are a part of each Radiography course and of the professional role expectation of a Radiographer. The Performance Standards should be used to assist in determining whether accommodations or modifications are necessary for a student to meet program requirements. A student who identifies potential difficulties with meeting the Performance Standards should communicate his/her concerns to the Program Director. The student has the responsibility to identify and document any disability and to request reasonable and appropriate accommodations as needed. All students must be otherwise qualified and able to perform independently in all areas. Determination is made on an individual basis as to whether any accommodations or modifications can be reasonably made.

A. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking ability sufficient for safe clinical judgment

• Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations
• Evaluate radiographic images to ascertain that they contain proper identification and are of diagnostic value
• Select exposure factors and accessory devices for all radiographic procedures with consideration of patient size, age, and extent of disease
• Assess patient’s condition and needs from a distance of at least 20 feet
• Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR, based on assessment data

B. Interpersonal Behavioral and Social Skills

Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds

• Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues
• Allow mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and fellow workers (interpersonal skills)
• Function effectively under stress
• Adapt to changing environments (flexible schedules, emergency conditions)
• Display compassion, professionalism, empathy, integrity, and concern for others
• Maintain patient confidentiality and abide by guidelines set forth in the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
• Accept criticism and reflect upon provided feedback to improve performance and practice
• Adhere to the policies and procedures required by academic and clinical settings

C. Communication

Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form

• Communicate in English to patients of all age levels in order to: converse, give instructions, relieve anxiety, gain their cooperation during procedures, understand the patient when communicating symptoms of a medical emergency
• Read the patient’s medical chart and/or physician’s orders
• Legibly write patient history
• Documents own actions and patient responses as indicated

D. Mobility

Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces

• Assist all patients, according to individual needs and abilities, in moving, turning, transferring from transportation devices to the x-ray table, etc
• Be able to lift and carry 50 pounds
• Exert up to 100 pounds force or push/pull
• Push a stretcher, wheelchair or other transportation device without injury to self, patient, or others
• Push a portable x-ray machine from one location to another, including turning corners, getting on and off of an elevator, and manipulating it in a patient’s room

E. Motor Skills

Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective care

• Manually move the x-ray tube and position the tube at various angles at heights up to 7 feet
• Accurately draw up sterile contrast media and other solutions without contaminating the syringe and/or needle, etc
• Place image receptors in Bucky trays and spot film devices and properly manipulate all locks
• Physically be able to administer emergency care including performing CPR
• Be able to stand for a minimum of 2 hours wearing lead protection and to walk a distance of up to 5 miles during a normal work day

F. Hearing

Auditory abilities sufficient to monitor and assess patient needs, and to provide a safe environment

• Demonstrate auditory acuity (with correction if needed) that includes hearing muffled voices (through surgical mask) with extraneous background noise
• Hear a patient talk in a normal tone from a distance of 20 feet
• Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, and cries for help
• Discern soft sounds, such as those associated with taking a blood pressure

G. Visual

Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in the operation of equipment and care of patients

• Observe the patient in order to assess the patient’s condition and/or needs from a distance of, at least, 20 feet
• Can see numbers, letters, calibrations, etc. of varying sizes located on equipment utilized by a radiographer

H. Tactile

Tactile ability sufficient for patient assessment and operation of equipment

• Perform palpation, tactile assessment, and manipulation of body parts to insure proper body placement and alignment
• Manipulate dials, buttons, and switches