***UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM***
Effective January 1, 2015 eligibility requirements for ARRT certification in Radiography will require all candidates to have earned an associate or higher degree from an accrediting agency recognized by ARRT. The degree does not need to be in the radiologic sciences, and it can be earned before entering the educational program, during the program, or after graduation. The degree requirement will apply to graduates on or after January 1, 2015 so it will apply to all students starting this program in the year 2013.
PLEASE NOTE: If an applicant already has an associate, bachelor, or masters degree they already meet the ARRT requirements and the following information does not apply to them. The applicant with a degree would need Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology as pre-requisites.
The School of Diagnostic Imaging will continue to graduate well-qualified professionals who are eligible for ARRT certification by articulation agreements with local colleges. Graduates from the program will receive a Certificate in Radiologic Technology from the Cleveland Clinic, and complete their degree requirements at the college either before or during the radiography program.
The radiography program courses taken at the Cleveland Clinic will transfer as college credit and apply toward the degree. Students will develop a plan to complete the general education requirements and any other degree requirements from the college. Upon completion of both the Cleveland Clinic radiography program courses and the college degree requirement courses, the graduate will earn both a Certificate in Radiology Technology from the Cleveland Clinic and an Associate Degree. This will permit the graduate to take the ARRT Registry Examination.
The Cleveland Clinic School of Diagnostic Imaging is working with the following colleges for development of the degree completion program:
Cuyahoga Community College
Associate in Technical Studies degree
Kent State University - Ashtabula Campus
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology degree
Lorain County Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology degree
If you have any questions about this new degree requirement and how it will affect you, please contact Gloria Albrecht at 216.692.7512.
General Radiologic Technology Information
To practice as a radiographer in the state of Ohio, the graduate must successfully pass the national registry certification examination from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). In addition, the state of Ohio requires registered radiographers to possess a radiologic license from the Ohio Department of Health.
Radiologic technology is a complex and challenging field. There are many factors that play a significant role in capturing a quality radiograph. It is the radiologic technologist’s responsibility to make sure that all steps have been taken to produce a quality radiograph.
Before any x-ray is taken, radiologic technologists must prepare the patient for the exam. To accomplish this, they explain the procedure to the patient, position the patient, and if needed administer contrast media used for diagnostic purposes into patients’ blood stream or digestive system.
To prevent excess radiation exposure, radiologic technologists will place protective devices, such as lead shields, over the areas of the patient that will not be x-rayed. They then must determine the thickness of the area being radiographed and set the controls on the x-ray machine to produce radiographic images with the appropriate density, detail and contrast. They also maintain the equipment and keep patients’ records. Some radiologic technologists specialize in diagnostic imaging technologies, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Because they are often dealing with people in physical and/or emotional pain, radiologic technologists must be sensitive to the needs of their patients. In addition, they must be detail-oriented team players and able to follow doctors’ directions explicitly. Operating complicated equipment requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity, while long periods of standing and lifting patients requires physical stamina.
Most radiologic technologists work 40 hours a week; weekend and evening hours are sometimes required. Potential radiation hazards exist in this field, however, protective equipment, such as lead gloves and aprons as well as other shielding devices, minimize exposure. In addition, technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels in their work area. Detailed records are then kept on their cumulative lifetime radiation doses.
Opportunities and Salary
An increasingly aging population requiring diagnostic services should spur job growth for radiographers, predicts the federal government. In fact, some employers are already reporting shortages of qualified technologists. Those with additional credentials, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), or with multiple skills, will find more job opportunities available to them.
Radiologic technology may be attractive to those seeking flexibility in their work schedules. 20 percent of the 275,000 technologists employed in 2008 worked part time. Hospitals should remain the chief employer of technologists; however, more physicians’ offices and clinics, including diagnostic imaging centers, are expected to employ greater numbers of technologists.
The ASRT Wage and Salary Survey 2010, conducted by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the ASRT Education and Research Foundation, shows that Radiologic Technologists nationwide earn an average annual pay of $53,953. In the Cleveland Clinic Health System, new graduates start at an average annual pay of $39,000.
Liability Insurance and Background Check
The Cleveland Clinic Health System provides liability insurance and background checks free of charge to all students accepted in the School of Diagnostic Imaging.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers - American Heart Association
The School of Diagnostic Imaging requires all students to be currently registered in BLS for Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Association. Information on AHA approved CPR courses can be found at www.americanheart.org.