Radiologic Technology

Program Description

A radiologic technologist is a skilled professional who provides a specialized health care service. This rewarding profession involves the operation of sophisticated equipment in a rapidly expanding field. The Radiologic Technology Program in the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Bronx Community College prepares students as entry-level qualified licensed and registered radiographers.

The term “diagnostic radiography” is used to describe a variety of radiographic or x-ray examinations. Most people are familiar with chest x-rays and also x-rays to diagnose broken bones. The radiographer performs these procedures as well as those which require the use of contrast agents that make it possible to study organs that otherwise cannot be seen.

Students receive their clinical education at Montefiore Medical Center, Jacobi Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, or Montefiore Wakefield Division. All facilities are accessible by public transportation.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for the national and state certifying examinations. Graduates may go on to earn a higher degree in radiological health sciences. Graduates have a wide selection of clinical settings to choose from, including hospitals and medical centers, out-patient imaging facilities, public health institutions and government and private research institutes that require radiographers.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Bronx Community College Radiologic Technology Program is to prepare its students for careers in the Diagnostic Imaging Sciences through a challenging, progressive academic and clinical environment. The faculty of the Radiologic Technology Program is committed to graduating competent, compassionate Radiographers with strong communication and patient care skills.

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes of the Radiologic Technology Program

Goal # 1: Graduates will demonstrate clinical competency in radiologic technology.

SLO # 1.1: Students will demonstrate accurate positioning skills to produce diagnostic images.
SLO # 1.2: Students will demonstrate effective patient-care skills.
SLO # 1.3: Students will compute appropriate technical factors and practice principles of ALARA.
SLO # 1.4: Students will utilize principles of radiation protection.

Goal # 2: Graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills.

SLO # 2.1: Students will demonstrate proficiency in written communication skills.
SLO # 2.2: Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills in the clinical aspect of the program.

Goal # 3: Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

SLO # 3.1: Students will apply alternate methodologies for imaging trauma patients.
SLO # 3.2: Students will recognize the quality of diagnostic radiographic images.
SLO # 3.3: Students will demonstrate ability to modify and improve image quality.

Goal # 4: Graduates will demonstrate professionalism.

SLO # 4.1: Students will conduct themselves according to professional standards.
SLO # 4.2: Students will demonstrate understanding of the Code of Ethics.
SLO # 4.3: Students will demonstrate professional development by advancing in the field of radiologic technology and medical imaging.

Admission to Radiologic Technology

To be eligible for admission to the Radiologic Technology course work (RAD and CLE designated courses) students must:

• Achieve a minimum grade of C+ in BIO 23 and B- in MTH 28 or MTH 28.5 by the conclusion of spring semester prior to entry. (Students will be selected into the program at the end of spring semester. The Radiologic Technology Program only accepts students once a year for the subsequent fall semester.) Applicants are allowed two attempts to achieve a C+ in BIO 23 Human Anatomy and Physiology and B- in MTH 28 or MTH 28.5 College Algebra and Elementary Trigonometry. All grades, academic and administrative, count as an attempt including all versions of W grades (e.g., W, WD, WN, WU, WA) and non-traditional academic grades (e.g., P, NC), as well as standard letter grades (e.g., C, D, F).   Exceptions: The Radiologic Technology Program’s Committee on Admissions and Waivers has the right to allow the student an additional attempt when there is evidence of extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances need to have legal and/or official documentation and must be presented to the Committee on Admissions and Waivers before a waiver will be granted.
  
  Students must have completed BIO 23, MTH 28 or MTH 28.5 (or equivalent for transferred students) within seven years of the date of admission into the Radiologic Technology Program. 

• Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8, inclusive of the following: all BCC credits and the grades of any transferred credit applicable to Radiologic Technology curriculum (BIO 23, MTH 28/28.5 (or equivalent and above), ENG 111, PSY 11, COMM 11, HIS 10/11, BIO 24, and PEA). (Students are required to provide official transcripts for non-BCC coursework related to Radiologic Technology program.) Note: As the program is competitive, a GPA of 2.8 does not guarantee that the student will be accepted into the program. Seats are limited based on clinical placement capacity.

• Be CUNY English proficient, either by meeting CUNY criteria (e.g., Regent’s Score, English Proficiency Index >64, etc.) or by successfully completing ENG 100/110. Note that completing ENG 100/110 is equivalent to ENG 111. Additionally, it is recommended that ENG 111, HIS 10/11, COMM 11, PSY11, BIO 24 and PEA be completed prior to entry to the Radiologic Technology course work (RAD and CLE designated courses). Students who have not completed Anatomy and Physiology I and II at the same college must provide documentation that they have covered full subject matter in BCC’s BIO 23 and 24. Failure to do so may result in students having to complete BIO 23 or 24 at BCC.

• Have completed the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) at BCC in the past two years with an average score of “Proficient” or higher. The student is limited to two attempts to get an average score of Proficient or higher. Additionally, to be considered for the first round of admission to the program, the student must achieve at least a 70% on the science and math components of the exam. (See next section for admission process.)

Students eligible to enter the first radiologic technology course will be admitted using the following process:

• Round 1: All eligible applicants with a TEAS average score of proficient or higher and a 70% or higher on the math and science components of the TEAS will be selected based on highest to lowest GPA until the available seats have been filled. Note: If two students have the same average to one decimal place, the student who has completed more credits relevant to Rad Tech will be given preference.

• Round 2: If seats are still available after finishing the Round 1 Admission process, the remaining eligible applicants who did not score at least 70% on the math and science sections of the TEAS will be considered for admission. These students will be selected based on highest to lowest GPA until the available seats have been filled. Note: If two students have the same average to one decimal place, the student who has completed more credits relevant to Rad Tech will be given preference.

PLEASE NOTE: For admission to the Radiologic Technology program (and enrollment in RAD/CLE courses), students must file an application with the program. Please contact the Radiologic Technology program for more information.

Program Accreditation:
The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the New York State Department of Health. In 2024, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology awarded the Radiologic Technology program 5-year accreditation. Complaints may be addressed to the JRCERT at the following address:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: 312.704.5300 | Fax: 312.704.5304

Please click here for the Radiologic Technology program information on the JRCERT website.

Ethical Standards, Criminal Background Checks, and Drug Screening

Radiologic science professionals must meet high ethical standards given their essential role in the health care system and the close contact they have with patients. If you are a student who has been charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony (including a conviction of a similar offense in a military court-martial), the Radiology program recommends completing an “Ethics Review Application” that can be obtained from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). This application can help identify issues that may make a student ineligible for certification and registration. It is a student’s responsibility to identify and address any potential issues early, before a student has pursued coursework toward the Radiologic Technology degree. While the Department of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Bronx Community College does not require a criminal background check for admittance to degree programs, the department’s educational requirements include placement at one or more hospitals or other off- campus clinical training sites. These sites do frequently require a student to undergo a criminal background check before the student can be placed for clinical training. If based upon the results of a criminal background check, the site determines that a student’s participation in its clinical training program would not be in the best interest of the site, the site may deny that student admission to the training program. Even if the student has already begun the placement when the results are received, the site may elect to dismiss the student, regardless of the student’s performance while in the training program. Each clinical training site that requires a criminal background check sets its standards and procedures, and you may be asked by the site to pay the cost of the background check. Please note that if a clinical training site determines that you may not take part in its training program based on the results of a criminal background check, you may be unable to complete your course requirements and to continue in the Radiology program. It is essential for you to consider this before you enrolling the Radiology program. Bronx Community College has no obligation to refund your tuition or fees or to otherwise accommodate you in the event you are ineligible to complete your course requirements based on the results of a criminal background check, or if you are denied a license to practice Radiologic Science.

Please note that some of the clinical affiliates require screening for substance abuse. If this is a mandate of the clinical facility, the student must comply with and is responsible for the expense. Failure to comply or a positive finding will result in the student having to withdraw from the Radiology program at the time of the finding. No alternate clinical placement will be accommodated.

Once accepted to the Radiology Program the Program Director will provide students with a handbook, which provides detail information regarding the process and cost of the background check and drug testing.

Program Director: Professor Manish Sharma