Radiography

Owensboro Community and Technical College Radiography program’s mission is to provide a quality education to our students.  We strive to (1) produce academically and clinically competent radiographers who will provide quality healthcare to their community and (2) foster and support life-long learning by sustaining the mission statement of the institution.

1. Students will have the necessary skills to function as competent entry-level radiographers.
   1. Outcomes:
      1. Students will demonstrate exceptional quality patient care.
      2. Students will exhibit overall outstanding clinical skills.
2. Students will effectively demonstrate the ability to think critically.
   1. Outcomes
      1. Students will determine the need to modify a procedure according to patient conditions.
      2. Students will perform under pressure and provide assistance in complex situations. 
3. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
   1. Outcomes
      1. Students will demonstrate the proper use of AIDET when communicating with patients.
      2. Students will utilize effective writing skills.
4. Students will demonstrate professionalism.
   1. Outcomes
      1. Students will demonstrate professional behavior by dependability and accountability.
      2. Students will submit a professional development plan.

Owensboro Community and Technical College Radiography Program is an accredited program through Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

• Student MUST attend a Radiography Pre-Admission Conference.
• There are three 2023 Preadmission Conferences made available to students (only one is required) and all will be held in person at 10 a.m. CST at the SE Campus, 1901 Southeastern Parkway, Owensboro, KY 42303 in Room 212:
  
  1. Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
  2. Friday, March 17, 2023.
  3. Friday, April 21, 2023. 
• The student must also apply to OCTC if they are not already a current student. 
• All College transcripts must be on file in student records at OCTC prior to applying to the Radiography Program.

• Criteria
  • Student must have completed MAT 150 and BIO 137 with a C or above by the end of the spring semester for the year in which they are applying. (If you have NOT taken BIO 139 you will be required to successfully pass it with a “C” or higher in the summer, prior to starting the program in the Fall).
• Submit an online application with the following documents. Application dates: April 1 - May 1, 2023. Complete the application here: Radiography Program Application (Documents MUST be submitted online with application - No photos of documents will be accepted.)
  
  1. TEAS Score (Greater than 60% and must be taken within the last 12 months) The TEAS test can be scheduled at the Downtown Campus. Student must make an appointment. Call 270-686-4444 to schedule in a timely manner prior to submitting application.
  2. ACT Composite Score (This test is only given on preset specific dates throughout the year. The results must be received by the student and submitted with application.)

The admission committee will meet and rank students accordingly:

• Calculated GPA of the 30 most recent college credit hours
• Calculated RAD GPA which includes MAT 150 and BIO 137
• TEAS Score
• ACT Composite Score

Admittance is conditional upon completion of the following:

• Completion of BIO 139 with a C or higher
• Background Check (when directed by the Program Director)
• Drug Screening (when directed by the Program Director)

• 5 semesters with completion in May, 2 years following entrance into the program

• See the KCTCS Catalog for more information on general education requirements.
• It is recommended to have several of these courses completed prior to program entrance.
• General Education Requirements make up 20-22 credit hours of the total 66-68 for program completion

Schedules of clinical rotations will be posted in a timely manner. Changing of rotations with other students is not permitted.  In order for students to have equivalent clinical rotations, the program faculty will determine all assignments. Requests for clinical sites will not be accepted. 

Once the clinical schedule has been posted there will not be any changes made unless the Program Faculty deems it necessary. No student requests will be honored.

During the month of March, the fifth semester of the program, students may request observation in other modalities (i.e., Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, etc.). This is only allowed if ALL competencies are achieved. As of the first full week in April students will return to their scheduled clinical rotation. Students will not be reassigned in order to complete remaining comps.

Students will work the scheduled hours for each clinical assignment. 

Holidays and Vacations

Holidays will be in accordance with the Owensboro Community and Technical College catalog. Students are off during each semester break and holidays. No “vacations” are incorporated into the program. 

Weekends and Nights

To obtain the widest variety possible in clinical experience, you will be required to complete a portion of your clinical education during the evenings, nights, and on weekends in some of the Clinical Radiography courses. Day shift is between the hours of 5:00am-7:00pm, any other shifts are considered evenings or nights.

Students will be expected to attend a 3 night (mid night shift) at the University of Louisville Hospital. This rotation will take place during your 3rd semester of the program (Summer Semester).

Owensboro does accept transfer credits from other colleges.

The Senate Rules states:

1.1.3 Admission of Students with Previous College-Level Competency

The Council on Postsecondary Educations general education transfer policy and baccalaureate program transfer frameworks policy shall provide the basis for an institutions policy on the acceptance of transfer credits. The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Transfer Credit Practices of Educational Institutions shall serve as a reference for admission of transfer students to a technical institution and for the acceptance of transfer credits. An applicant with previous college work seeking admission to a KCTCS college shall submit an official transcript(s) of all previous college work.

A state-supported institution shall assure that a transferring student receives academic counseling concerning the transfer of credit among institutions.

An institution shall accept a students college credit earned when a course is taken both for high school credit and college credit. Credit earned through a dual enrollment arrangement shall be treated the same as credit earned in any other college course.

Grades, credits, quality points and academic status from courses taken at other colleges in the KCTCS are transferred when the student enrolls.

Degree credit work taken at a fully accredited college or university is recognized credit hour for credit hour. Quarter hours are recognized as two-thirds (2/3) of a semester hour. In order to be classified as fully accredited, a college or university must be a member of an accrediting association.

Academic credit from a non-accredited college or university may be obtained by special subject examinations or may be validated by completion of twelve (12) credit hours, excluding developmental or remedial courses, with a grade point of at least 2.0. (See Section V, 5.13.)

The KCTCS President is authorized to establish reciprocal agreements with fully accredited colleges and universities, whereby grades received, as well as credit earned at a previous institution shall be recognized by colleges. 

Please review our Academic Policies for the Radiography  program.

Drug-Free Policy—Drug Testing

KCTCS is committed to providing a safe environment for students, faculty, and staff.  KCTCS is a drug-free facility.  The following policies apply:

• Being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs or the use, possession, distribution, manufacture, or sale of illegal or unauthorized drugs is prohibited and is punishable as a felony offense on campus or within 1,000 yards of the campus.
• Conduct that violates this definition, poses unacceptable risks, and disregards the health, safety, and welfare of members of the KCTCS college community shall result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination. KCTCS colleges are in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989.
• “Campus” includes classrooms, laboratories, and clinical settings.
  Some clinical areas require drug tests.  A student may be assigned to a clinical facility that makes this a requirement.
• Students must supply a list of any and every prescription and/or over-the-counter medication at the time of testing. During the student’s clinical rotation, a facility or instructor may request a blood or urine test at any time at the student’s expense. Failure to comply with the request of the clinical facility will result in dismissal from the program.
• Students, whose drug test results are positive, in accordance with the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct, will be removed from clinical and dropped from the program. The Code of Student Conduct may be accessed here.

FAILURE to submit to a drug test at any time will result in automatic dismissal from the program. All students are required to have a 10 panel drug screen completed with Certified Background before the student can do the clinical observation. Do not assume the results will be readily available. The cost of the drug screen is the student’s responsibility. If the student fails the drug screen or fails to submit to a drug screen, the student will be dismissed from the Radiography program.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

All students are required to have a background check completed with Certified Background before the student can do the clinical observation.  The cost of the background check is the student’s responsibility.  If the student fails a criminal background check or if the student fails to submit to a criminal background check, the student may be dismissed from the Radiography program. 

What is the ATI TEAS Assessment? The ATI TEAS Assessment is a 170 question, time limited, multiple choice, proctored assessment designed to test basic knowledge in reading, mathematics, science and English and language usage.

How can I prepare for the assessment? ATI TEAS Study Guides may be checked out from the OCTC Library on the main campus on a one-week loan. There are also ATI TEAS Study Guides in the library at the Downtown Campus.

May I use a calculator? Calculators are allowed. Calculators are embedded in the online version and will be provided by testing center.

How do I register to take the ATI TEAS Assessment? Simply call Workforce Solutions at 270.686.4444.

Where and when is it available? The ATI TEAS Assessment will be administered at the OCTC Downtown Campus located at 1501 Frederica Street on the following dates. *Room numbers are subject to change.

How much will it cost? ATI TEAS Assessment fee: $85.

What should I bring? Please bring a photo ID and student ID number to the testing site.

How do I get my score to the OCTC Radiography Department? Include a copy of your TEAS scores with your application packet.

How can I send a copy of my TEAS score/TEAS transcript to the OCTC Radiography Department? If you tested at another KCTCS institution, someone at that campus may enter your scores into PeopleSoft. If not, you must go to ATI’s online store and select TEAS Products/TEAS Discover Transcripts. There is a $27 charge. Transcripts are sent immediately by email. A paper copy from the student is not accepted.

Can I retake the ATI TEAS assessment? The ATI TEAS assessment may be taken a maximum of 3 times per year with a 4 week wait period between attempts. 

For more information on the ATI TEAS Assessment as well as information on purchasing a study guide and online practice tests, please visit the ATI TEAS website, or contact OCTC's Program Coordinator/Acting Director, Michelle Tudor at michelle.tudor@kctcs.edu or 270.686.4646.

ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologist) Certification information

The ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technology) is a National society that promotes excellence within the field of Imaging Science. They offer educational and Career opportunities, Professional Resources, and publications.

Can I sign up for classes anytime?

No, You must be accepted into the Radiography program in order to sign up for the Radiography classes.

What degree will I have after I complete the Radiography Program?

You will have a AAS (Associates in Applied Science) with a emphasis in Radiography. You will still have to pass a National Registry before you are a official RT (R).

When should I apply?

Application can be downloaded off the web site. The application is due May 1, of each year and the selection for the fall classes is made by the 1st of June.

How often does a class start the program?

This happens only once every fall.

Do I have to rotate to all clinical sites during the program?

Yes, there are several different clinical sites: Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro Health Outpatient Imaging -Breckenridge 
Department of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro Health Outpatient Imaging -Ford 
Department of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Owensboro Health Multicare, Owensboro Health Outpatient Imaging -Springs 
Department of Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center (Leitchfield, KY), Ohio County Hospital (Hartford), Perry County Memorial Hospital (Tell City, IN), University of Louisville Hospital (Louisville, KY), One Health Multicare (Madisonville, KY), and Ohio County Family Care (Hartford, KY).

Am I provided any type of transportation? 

No. You must have a reliable source of transportation during the two year program.

What will be my earning after I become registered in Radiology?

This amount differs from state to state. If you go to the Resource page you will find links to different sites that do surveys to estimate your earnings. You will also find static's about the current job market for this profession.

Quick Facts

• Program length: 2 years; 5 semesters
• Prerequisites: 6 prerequisite college credits - see Course Sequence above
• Granted: Associates in Applied Science Radiography
• Patient interaction: High
• Placement outlook: Good
• Hours: Eight-hour days/five days a week.
• Class Size: Up to 20 students per class
• Admits Class: Once a year, application due May 1

For additional information concerning radiography careers, pay scale and scholarships, visit these sites.

• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists- ARRT
• American Society Of Radiologic Technologists-ASRT
• Bureau of Labor for Stats
• Kentucky Society of Radiologic Technologists-KSRT
• Indiana Society of Radiologic Technologists-ISRT
• Joint Review Committee in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) 

In addition to tuition and books, Radiography students are responsible for (all amounts are approximately):

1. Individual malpractice insurance (through OCTC) everysemester $11.00
2. Purchase of clinical markers $30.00
3. Cost to sit for national registry ($200.00)
4. Fees related to joining professional societies $20.00 to $85.00
5. Uniforms $150.00
6. National Conference (Fundraiser) $1000.00
7. Registry Review (approx. $185.00)
8. Graduation $50.00
9. Membership to National Alumni $20.00
10. Radiation Dosimeter Badges $100.00
11. *Drug Screen $60.00
12. Immunization updated $100.00 to $300.00
13. Physical $100.00
14. Background Check $45.00

*At any time a clinical site can request an additional drug and/or alcoholic screening. If the student refuses to participate in this test they will immediately be dismissed from the program.