Department chair: Diana Matthews, 847.376.7427, dmatthews@oakton.edu
The Radiography program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as diagnostic Radiologic Technologists in a hospital setting, healthcare clinic or diagnostic imaging facility. Through their course of study, students will become competent in performing radiologic procedures, appropriately communicate with individuals of all backgrounds, apply problem solving and critical thinking skills and model professional and ethical behavior.
Radiography curriculum is designed to be completed in two years, including summer semesters. Program provides the time and opportunity for students to develop and maintain competency in a wide variety of procedures. Students are required to achieve a minimum of fifty-one procedural competencies to be eligible for the national certification examination. Instructions include on-campus and online lectures, on-campus laboratory practicum and 1200 hours of clinical practicum in an assigned clinical facility.
Clinical practicum is offered in a variety of health care settings in the community. Students must provide their own transportation between the college campus and the clinical agencies.
Curriculum meets the requirements of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).
Upon successful completion of the Radiography program, students will be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification examination.
All Radiography (XRY) courses must be completed at Oakton. Radiography coursework from other institutions is not accepted. Students must receive a minimum grade of C in all XRY courses.
This is a limited enrollment curriculum. For more information, contact the Division of Health Careers at 847.635.1684 or healthcareers@oakton.edu.
Admission Requirements:
- High school graduation or High School Equivalency Certificate 1.
Foreign high school graduates or students with foreign college credits need to send English translated copies of their transcripts to Educational Perspectives, www.edperspective.org/oakton. Students with foreign college credit should request a catalog match. - ACT score of 18 or higher, or SAT score of 960 or higher, or 12 hours of college credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
- One year of high school chemistry with a lab or equivalent college course completed with a minimum grade of C.
- One year of high school geometry or MAT 080 or equivalent completed with a minimum grade of C.
- EGL 101 placement based on Oakton’s Writing Skills Assessment Test (WSAT), or completion of EGL 101.
- Completion of the following courses with minimum grades of C:
• BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I within the past five years
• BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II within the past five years
• HIT 104 Medical Terminology within the past five years
• MAT 102 Mathematics for Health Careers. - Certified Nurse Assistant training and/or experience or other healthcare experience is preferred and important for a program success.
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As of January 1, 2023, the High School Equivalency Certificate became the State of Illinois High School Diploma. High School Equivalency credentials received prior to that date remain valid.
Health Career curricula are governed by specific objectives, rules and regulations formulated by the College, accrediting bodies and participating clinical facilities. Students should familiarize themselves with these standards. Students should also be aware that failure to maintain satisfactory progress in technical courses may significantly delay completion of the curriculum or may result in the student being dropped from the curriculum. Each student’s right to participation in the clinical portion of the curriculum is also contingent upon compliance with the rules of the clinical facility. The clinical facility has sole discretion to determine when its rules have been violated.
Clinical placements require a health assessment, certain immunizations, yearly vaccines, substance abuse testing, criminal background check, specific skill certification (i.e., CPR/BLS) and health insurance. The requirements represent an additional cost to the student.
All Oakton College Health Career students in a program with a clinical component must have “clear” criminal background checks and drug screens in order to participate in any and all clinical components of any health career program courses.
To comply with state statutes and clinical affiliation agreements, and to provide a safe environment for students, employees, and patients cared for by students, those accepted into Oakton’s health career programs will be required to complete a criminal background check and drug screening through a company contracted by the College. Health Career students will be charged a fee for this service.
Timelines for completing criminal background checks and drug screens may vary among the various programs. Deadline dates for each program will be provided by the individual department chairs at the time of a student’s acceptance into a health career program.
Students without a clear criminal background check and/or clear drug screen will not be allowed to enroll in clinical practicum courses or attend clinical programs. This would further necessitate that the student withdraws from the health career program at that time.
Students who refuse a criminal background check and/or drug screen will not be considered “clear” and will not be authorized to participate in the clinical component of the health career program, necessitating withdrawal from the program at that time. Individual results of student background checks and drug screens are considered confidential.
Determination of whether or not a student can participate in the clinical component of a particular health career program will be communicated to the respective department chairs by the Background Check/Drug Screen vendor. Students may view their personal results on the vendor’s website.
Radiography A.A.S.
70 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0383
Note: Refer to IAI General Education Courses page for guidelines on General Education course selection.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Area A – Communications | ||
| EGL 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| SPE 115 | Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures | 3 |
| Area B – Mathematics | ||
| MAT 102 | Mathematics for Health Careers | 2 |
| Area C – Science | ||
| BIO 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 232 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| Area D – Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Area E – Humanities / Fine Arts | ||
| No course required | 0 | |
| Area F – Global Studies | ||
| Satisfied by SPE 115 | 0-3 | |
| Area G – U.S. Diversity Studies | ||
| Satisfied by SPE 115 | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| HIT 104 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| XRY 100 | Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care | 3 |
| XRY 101 | Radiographic Procedures I | 5 |
| XRY 102 | Radiography Practicum I | 1 |
| XRY 103 | Radiographic Imaging I | 3 |
| XRY 105 | Radiography Practicum II | 3 |
| XRY 106 | Radiographic Procedures II | 5 |
| XRY 108 | Radiographic Imaging II | 3 |
| XRY 110 | Radiography Practicum III | 3 |
| XRY 201 | Radiography Practicum IV | 3 |
| XRY 202 | Radiographic Imaging III | 2 |
| XRY 203 | Advanced Imaging Procedures | 2 |
| XRY 204 | Radiographic Image Analysis | 2 |
| XRY 205 | Radiographic Pathology | 2 |
| XRY 206 | Radiation Biology and Safety | 3 |
| XRY 207 | ARRT Review | 2 |
| XRY 208 | Radiography Practicum V | 3 |
| XRY 209 | Radiography Practicum VI | 3 |
| Total Hours | 51 | |
Radiography Pathway
The following Pathway is recommended for students pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography.
For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact the Health Career Specialist at 847.635.1844, or the Division of Health Careers at 847.635.1684. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Prerequisites | ||
| BIO 231 | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 232 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| HIT 104 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
| MAT 102 | Mathematics for Health Careers | 2 |
| Total Hours | 13 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester One (Summer) | Hours | |
| XRY 100 | Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care | 3 |
| XRY 102 | Radiography Practicum I | 1 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Semester Two (Fall) | ||
| EGL 101 | Composition I | 3 |
| XRY 101 | Radiographic Procedures I | 5 |
| XRY 103 | Radiographic Imaging I | 3 |
| XRY 105 | Radiography Practicum II | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester Three (Spring) | ||
| SPE 115 | Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures 1 | 3 |
| XRY 106 | Radiographic Procedures II | 5 |
| XRY 108 | Radiographic Imaging II | 3 |
| XRY 110 | Radiography Practicum III | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester One (Summer) | ||
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| XRY 201 | Radiography Practicum IV | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Semester Two (Fall) | ||
| XRY 202 | Radiographic Imaging III | 2 |
| XRY 204 | Radiographic Image Analysis | 2 |
| XRY 206 | Radiation Biology and Safety | 3 |
| XRY 208 | Radiography Practicum V | 3 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Semester Three (Spring) | ||
| XRY 203 | Advanced Imaging Procedures | 2 |
| XRY 205 | Radiographic Pathology | 2 |
| XRY 207 | ARRT Review | 2 |
| XRY 209 | Radiography Practicum VI | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
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Course fulfills the Global Studies and U.S Diversity Studies requirements. At least one Global Studies and one U.S. Diversity Studies course are required for degree completion.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Radiography A.A.S., the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate competency performing general diagnostic radiologic procedures.
- Provide culturally competent patient care to all individuals while performing radiologic procedures.
- Apply radiation safety by employing appropriate techniques and using radiologic equipment solely for the purposes for which it is designed.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct as appropriate to the radiologic technologist profession.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to obtain optimal radiographic images.
Radiography Courses
Course provides an overview of the field of medical imaging. Students practice the essential patient care skills of a radiographer. Safety in the workplace, ethics and law, and pharmacology are covered in the course.
Course covers ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) procedures and terminology required to position patients for radiographic imaging. Application of human anatomy is included in classroom discussion and throughout the demonstration of accurate positioning and x-ray image critique to achieve optimal image quality. Radiographic positioning will be practiced hands-on in the lab upon phantoms and students. Standard radiographic procedures of the chest, abdomen, upper extremities, including the shoulder girdle, and lower extremities, including the hip and pelvis, are covered in this course.
This beginning clinical practicum course provides for observation and performing radiologic procedures on patients under direct supervision. Students will become familiar with imaging equipment, department workflow, and perform standard radiographic procedures on the chest. Emphasis will be placed on developing culturally competent communication and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.
Course covers the process and components of radiographic imaging. Students learn the factors affecting the production and quality of the radiographic image.
This second clinical practicum course prepares students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with direct supervision and a minimal indirect supervision once competency has been achieved. Students will apply radiation safety and appropriate infection control procedures. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills will be introduced as they relate to performing radiographic procedures. Students will continue developing culturally competent communication skills and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.
This course is a continuation of XRY 101. ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) required procedures will be discussed and analyzed in classroom discussion. Radiographic positioning will be practiced hands-on in the lab upon phantoms and students. Standard radiographic procedures of the spinal column and bony thorax, fluoroscopy to include GI tract and biliary system, mobile and surgical imaging, urinary tract and headwork are covered in this course. Application of human anatomy is included in classroom discussion and throughout the demonstration of accurate positioning and x-ray image critique to achieve optimal image quality.
Course covers the components of the x-ray unit and examines how the radiographic image is produced. Quality management techniques, including corrective actions, are also studied.
This third clinical practicum course prepares students to perform radiographic procedures on patients with both direct and indirect supervision with continuing competence. Students will demonstrate radiation safety, proper infection control, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they relate to performing radiographic procedures. Students will continue developing culturally competent communication skills and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.
This fourth clinical practicum course prepares students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with supervision with continuing competence. Students will demonstrate radiation safety, proper infection control, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they relate to performing radiographic procedures. Students will continue developing culturally competent communication skills and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.
Course examines elements that influence radiographic image acquisition, display, archiving and retrieval. Content includes principles for exposure factor selection and image evaluation, as well as quality assurance and maintenance of the digital system.
Course introduces students to medical imaging modalities with an emphasis on Computed Tomography. Content includes special diagnostic procedures, advanced medical imaging profession and their roles in healthcare as well as interprofessional skills.
Course prepares students to analyze and critique radiographic images for quality. Students will learn to identify and correct procedural and equipment errors.
Course covers pathology as it relates to radiographic sciences. Disease manifestations, causes and implications for radiographic procedures will be covered. Students will identify the radiographic appearance of pathologies.
Course identifies different types of radiation and how they interact with biological tissues. Students will learn radiation safety practices and how to apply them for patients and personnel.
Course prepares students for the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) examination. Each student will focus on their specific lowest scoring subjects on the ARRT content specification. Study materials and mock registry examinations are presented in the course.
This fifth clinical practicum course prepares students to perform radiologic procedures on patients with minimal supervision with continuing competence. Students will demonstrate radiation safety, proper infection control, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they relate to performing radiographic procedures. Students will continue developing culturally competent communication skills and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.
This capstone clinical practicum course requires students to competently perform radiographic procedures on patients by demonstrating knowledge obtained throughout the course of the Radiography program. Students will demonstrate radiation safety, proper infection control, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they relate to performing radiographic procedures. Students will continue developing culturally competent communication skills and practices for all patient populations in the field of medical imaging.