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Two male radiography students looking at x rays.Medical radiographers are experts in the art and science of diagnostic medical radiography and are valuable members of the healthcare team.
With the advent of computers and the increasing use of technology in the healthcare setting, radiographers are at the cutting edge of scientific technology, working with the latest advances in medical care. As an essential member of the healthcare team, radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists, use their knowledge of physics, radiation protection, human anatomy and physiology and a mastery of highly technical equipment to create medical images of organs, tissues, bones and vessels. Medical imaging examinations often are the first diagnostic tool doctors use to diagnose injuries and disease processes. Another intricate role of the radiographer is to be educated in pathological processes and provide quality patient care and education during imaging procedures.

Mission
The Associate of Science Degree Radiography program at Casper College produces competent medical radiographers eligible for immediate employment or advanced education, by offering high quality educational and clinical experiences.

Purpose
The Radiography Program at Casper College provides quality learning opportunities for its students in order to accomplish its mission.  It also encourages and supports life-long learning.  By maintaining national accreditation, the radiography program will prepare students to meet the demands of the profession.  This includes technical skills, as well as their ability to be intellectually adaptive and communicate well, to think analytically, to integrate knowledge, and to appreciate cultural and social diversity.  Graduates will learn to exhibit and apply high ethical values and standards of practice in regard to patient care in the healthcare field.

Program Goals

  • Clinical Performance and Competence:  Students will produce high quality images by possessing the knowledge, clinical application, radiation safety practices and patient care skills needed to meet the needs of the radiography community as entry level radiographers.
  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking:  Students will demonstrate sound problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary to function effectively in the clinical setting.
  • Communication:  Students will communicate effectively with patients, peers, and other members of the healthcare team.  Through effective communication students will function as a productive member of the healthcare team.
  • Professional Growth and Development:  Students will understand the purpose and importance of professional values, ethics, continuing education, and life long learning.
  • Program Effectiveness:  Graduates will fulfill the needs of the health care community.  The program will provide the community with graduates who are able to function as an active member of the health care team.

Casper College Radiography Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.  For more information contact JRCERT, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 2850, Chicago, IL   60606-3182 or www.jrcert.org.

For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Contact Information:    
Crystal Sosalla
Academic Assistant
307-268-2025
HS 107
      Laurie Weaver
Program Director
(307) 268-2587
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RDTK 1500 Introduction to Radiologic Technology (4L/week,1CR):
An orientation of the radiologic technology profession. Emphasis is on history, medical ethics, radiology administration, certification, and professional organizations. Prerequisite: selection into program.

RDTK 1530 Patient Care and Management (2L,2CR)*:
*Three week minimester session. Orienting student health professionals into patient care methodology in the clinical environment. Emphasis is placed on the illness process and specific nursing and radiologic patient care procedures.

RDTK 1580 Radiographic Positioning I (1L,2LB,2CR)*:
*Three week minimester session. Positioning skills of the chest and abdomen; hand and wrist; forearm, elbow and humerus are emphasized. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiography Program.

RDTK 1610 Radiographic Imaging I (2L,3LB,3CR):
Identifying and demonstrating essential operating principles of x-ray machines, and the factors and ancillary equipment that contribute to the production of optimum diagnostic quality radiographs. Prerequisite: MATH 1400.

RDTK 1640 Radiographic Imaging II (2L,3LB,3CR):
Skills that facilitate the production of quality radiographs. Analyzing different modes of imaging and intensification systems. Emphasis is placed on primary and secondary exposure factors, recording media, and special imaging techniques. Computed radiography and digital imaging will be covered in detail. Prerequisite: RDTK 1610.

RDTK 1680 Radiographic Positioning II (1.5L,1.5LB,2CR):
Positioning skills and anatomy of the lower extremity, myelography, spine radiography and arthrography. Mobile and surgical radiographic procedures will be demonstrated when applicable. Prerequisite: RDTK 1580.

RDTK 1710 Clinical Education I (28LB/week,2CR):
This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 144 clinical eduction hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Basic skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed. Positioning skills of the chest, abdomen, hand, wrist, elbow and forearm will be covered. Radiation protection principles will be reviewed. See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: currently passing RDTK 1580.

RDTK 1810 Clinical Education II (13.5LB,3CR):
A continuation of RDTK 1710. This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 195 clinical education hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed.  Positioning skills of the shoulder, humerus, clavicle, scapula, AC joints, and lower extremities including the pelvic girdle will be covered. See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RDTK 1710.

RDTK 1830 Pharmacology for Radiographers (1L,1CR):
This course is designed to introduce the radiography student to common drugs the radiographer should be familiar with and those stocked for emergency use. The course will also include an overview of the laws governing drug administration. Venipuncture procedures and skill will be reviewed. Prerequisite: current enrollment in the radiography program.

RDTK 1910 Clinical Education III (13.5LB,3CR):
A continuation of RDTK 1810. This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 195 clinical education hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed. Positioning skills of the spine and contrast studies will be covered. See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RDTK 1610 and 1810.

RDTK 2580 Radiographic Positioning III (1.5LB,1.5LB,2CR):
Positioning skills of the cranium, sella turcica; petrous pyramids; facial bones; zygomatic arches; nasal bones; mandible; temporomandibular joints; temporal bone; optic foramen; coccyx, bony thorax, digestive, urinary systems including a study of contract media and fluoroscopy. Pediatric studies will also be included. Prerequisite: RDTK 1680.

RDTK 2630 Radiographic Pathology (2L,2CR):
General principles of pathology as well as disease processes and radiographic manifestations of specific body systems will be covered. A portion of the course will be devoted to the study of cancer and its radiographic appearance for the various systems. Prerequisite: ZOO 2040, 2041, 2110, and RDTK 2810. (Fall semester.)

RDTK 2640 Radiation Biology and Protection (2L,2CR):
The effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems and essential radiation protection guidelines to minimize radiation exposure to the radiographer, the patient, and the public. Prerequisite: RDTK 1610, 2710, and ZOO 2040, and 2041.

RDTK 2710 Clinical Education IV (28LB/week,2CR):
A continuation of RDTK 1910. This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 144 clinical education hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed. Contrast studies, mammography, computerized tomography, myelography and arthrography will be emphasized. Students will also be scheduled in rotations through specialty imaging and therapeutic modalities.  See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RDTK 1910

RDTK 2810 Clinical Education V (22.5LB,5CR):
A continuation of RDTK 2710. This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 330 clinical education hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed. Skull, facial bones, CT, pediatric, contrast studies, trauma, surgical and mobile procedures will be reviewed. Students will also be scheduled in rotations through specialty imaging and therapeutic modalities.  See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RDTK 2710.

RDTK 2910 Clinical Education VI (22.5LB,5CR):
A continuation of RDTK 2810. This course involves a practical learning experience in the clinical radiographic environment. Students participate at pre-scheduled time periods and practice their radiographic skills for a total of 330 clinical education hours at various clinical locations. Students will be under the supervision of clinical instructors or registered radiographers during their experience. Skills necessary to perform entry level tasks in the clinical setting will be reviewed. Review sessions will cover all imaging procedures in preparation for graduation and the national ARRT examination. Students will also be scheduled in rotations through specialty imaging and therapeutic modalities. See program policies for clinical clock hours vs credit hours description. Prerequisite: RDTK 2810.

RDTK 2930 Transition from Student to Radiographer (2L,2CR):
Provides the advanced student technologist an opportunity to review previously learned radiologic material and effectively prepare for the national certification examination. Résumé preparation, interviewing skills and professional organization participation will be included. Continuing personal and professional growth will be emphasized in this course. Prerequisite: RDTK 2910.

RDTK 2990 Special Topics in Radiography: (Subtitle) (1-3L,1-3CR):
Will be molded to meet the needs in the radiographic community. Topics identified by the group will be discussed in seminar format. Any group with specific concerns should consult the director of the radiologic technology program. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or graduate technologist.

  • What do radiographers do?

Radiographers play a vital role in the health care team. Using knowledge of physics, radiation protection, human anatomy & physiology and the latest high tech equipment, they create medical images of organs, tissues and bones. Radiography is often one of the first tools that doctors use to diagnose their clients' ailment. Radiographers also use their knowledge to provide quality patient education and care during imaging procedures.

  • Where do they work?

    Graduates of our program work in a variety of settings including hospitals, private clinics, mobile imaging and research centers. In addition,there are many opportunities for further education in speciality areas such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, mammography, radiation therapy, eductation, and cardiovascular/interventional imaging.

  • What kind of opportunities and salary could I expect to earn as a rad tech?

According o the US Bureau of Labor, there is a predicted need of 75,000 radiographers needed by 2010. That means that radiography is a great career choice. Our graduates receive numerous job offers every year. The national mean salary is approximately $38,000 per year. Salaries will vary by location and job.

  • How long is the Rad Tech program?

 

  • What are the prerequisites for the program?

ENGL 1010             English Composition I
MATH 1400             Pre-Calculus Algerbra
ZOO 2040/2041     Human Anatomy / Lab or 
ZOO 2110               Human Physiology
HLTK 0950             Basic Life Support
HLTK 1200             Medical Terminology 

Students must have completed these courses or be enrolled at the time of application.  Midterm grades will be used in the application ranking process if the student has not completed the course by February 15th of the year applying.

  • How do I get admitted to the program?

New students are selected once each year, mid-spring semester. February 15 is the deadline to apply. A maximum of 20 students are admitted each year.  To apply students must:Applied to Casper College as a degree seeking student.

  • Have taken or be enrolled in the courses listed above.
  • Have a cummulative GPA of 2.3 or better.
  • Have observed in a radiology department for a minimum of 8 hours and completed the program observation form and questions.
  • Must have a current CPR card for Healthcare Providers.
  • Complete and return the Radiography Program application for addmission by Feb.15th.
  • Include two letters of recommendation with the letter of application.

Why is JRCERT accreditation important to students? 

JRCERT educational standards are developed and accepted by professionals in the radiologic sciences.

JRCERT is the only organization recognized by the US Deparntment of Education to evaluate and accredit education programs in radiography and radiation therapy, which includes magnetic resounance and medical dosimetry.

JRCERT accreditation demonstrates that a program adheres to the national educational standards that will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes through didactic and clinical education you need for entry into your chosen profession and to practice your profession anywhere in the United States.

Graduation from a JRCERT accredited program assures that you will be eligible to practice in all 50 states.

In some state, only graduates of JRCERT-accredited programs are eligible for licensure or certification.  Graduation from a JRCERT-accredited program assures that you will be eligible to practice in all 50 states.

Enrollment in a program accredited by the JRCERT can enhance your eligibility for scholarships and other funding from government and private agencies.

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Casper College's Saunders Health Science Center houses our seven health care programs. Careers in the health care industry are in great demand. With a two-year degree, students have unlimited opportunities anywhere in the country. Salaries are competitive and the work is satisfying.

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