Description of Program
In the fall of 2004, Montana Tech College of Technology (now Highlands College) began meeting the needs of Butte and the State of Montana by offering an Associate of Applied Science of Radiologic Technology. To meet these needs, the Health Programs Department is providing students with advanced education to meet the demands of the ever-changing radiologic field. The educational requirements are derived from the standards of several national organizations, including the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) to provide an education that will maintain continuity among radiologic professionals. Radiologic Technologists use x-ray equipment to produce images of tissue, organs, bones, and vessels of the body. These medical professionals perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Work settings vary from large hospitals, to suburban outpatient clinics, to rural physician offices.
Program clinical experiences are available in Butte, Dillon, Helena, Miles City, and Sidney, and Baker - and are integrated through each semester. The Radiologic Technology Program employs alternative course delivery modes through web-based courses, evening classes, and varied clinical experiences. Much of the clinical training emphasizes patient care and performing radiographic procedures, computer based programs and technology, blended lecture and web based courses.
Objectives
The objectives of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiologic Technology are three-fold:
- Provide a quality education that blends theory and practice to assist students with meeting their individual employment goals and help meet the needs of the health care industry.
- Facilitate effective communication and problem-solving skills through a variety of traditional and technological resources. In this regard, students receive a general education core that sets the foundation for effective communication.
- Expose the students to a vast variety of work-based learning opportunities to satisfy the personal interests of the students.
Outcomes
Students must sit for a national certification exam upon completion of the degree in order to enter the workforce. Candidates for this certification are required to meet minimum didactic and clinical competency requirements. As part of this educational program, students must demonstrate competency in a variety of radiologic clinical activities. Graduating students must submit documents to ARRT with faculty approval stating the student performed the procedures independently, consistently, and effectively. Highlands College of Montana Tech has the necessary competency requirements as stated by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Assessment
The Health Programs Department believes that the quality of an academic program is defined by the capability of the students to enter the workforce and in the end, their long term success. We believe that if our graduates meet our didactic and clinical competency requirements and goals, they will be prepared for a career in the health care industry. The goals of our assessment program are to assure our students obtain the necessary national certification to enter the workforce, to maintain our mission, and to continuously update and improve our curriculum in order that the graduates achieve the goals of the Radiologic Technology Program. A career in radiology technology can lead in many directions. There are many specialty areas with specific imaging techniques for radiology technologists to advance into. Demand is strong across the country.
The Radiologic Technology program includes anatomy, biology, radiation safety and physics. Students learn to use computers and electronic equipment. It is one of the fastest growing professions in the country. Radiologic Technologists are vital members of the patient care team.
How do I get into the Montana Tech RT program?
Admission to Montana Tech does not guarantee acceptance into the Radiologic Technology (RT) Program. Students entering with the intent to become a radiology technologist are accepted into the program through a formal selection process. Students planning to study radiology technology need a strong educational health core and must be competent in computer skills. The plan of study includes 23 credits for the first fall semester. These credits are the basis for selecting students into the program. The minimum selective GPA for consideration into the RT Program is 2.75. Other selection criteria include computer proficiency demonstrated by completion of CAPP 131 - Basic MS Office , successful challenge of the course, or prior work experience. An additional recommended pre-requisite is AHMS 144 - Medical Terminology. A limited number of students are admitted spring semester of each year. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available space, not all qualified applicants will be accepted. Students must meet minimum Radiology Department requirements to be eligible for application into the program.
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