Computed Tomography

This is a one-year post-primary Computed Tomography program designed for the working Radiologic Technologist. It provides a path to eligibility for the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) advanced modality examination in Computed Tomography (CT). Students must hold current ARRT certification in Diagnostic Radiography (R) to enroll in the program.

We project that 15-30 students will earn the CT certificate each year it is offered. The CT core courses are to be offered in a distance learning format that will allow working technologists the flexibility to complete the program.  Students and the instructor will work closely together to complete the clinical education portion of the certificate.  Completion of the CT certificate will enable students to take the ARRT advanced modality examination in CT.  

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Computed Tomography Certificate of Achievement in Career Technical Education. The Computed Tomography (CT) program is designed to educate and train Certified Radiologic Technologists in the additional imaging modality of CT. The need for American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certified Computed Tomography Technologists has been advocated for by local community health partners and is further supported by current, regional labor market research (SOC 29-2034 and 29-2035).  The CT program is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission and master plan.  Approval of this program will benefit regional employers, fulfill healthcare service needs of the local community, augment college enrollment, and support career advancement in the diagnostic imaging profession. ​The CT program would support 15-30 students each year it is offered. The goal is for certificate completers to be eligible to take the ARRT post-primary certification exam in CT. Technologists certified in both Radiography and CT are able to increase their earning potential as more employers are requiring the dual certification in Radiography (R) and Computed Tomography (CT) for initial employment due to the high probability of crossover staffing in both of these modalities. 

The 16 required units for the CT certificate include the following core courses: Sectional Anatomy and Pathology, Imaging Pharmacology, Computed Tomography Physical Principles, Computed Tomography Protocols, Procedures, and Patient Care, and Applied Computed Tomography Clinical Education.  The Applied Computed Tomography Clinical Education course is designed for students to complete and document the number of practice procedures required by ARRT. The course offerings are designed to meet the post-primary eligibility pathway requirements established by ARRT

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
RT189A	Sectional Anatomy	3.00	S1
RT189B	Imaging Pharmacology	1.00	S2
RT190A	Computed Tomography Physical Principles	3.00	S2
RT190B	Computed Tomography Protocol and Procedures	3.00	S3
RT190C	Applied Computed Tomography Clinical Education	6.00	S4

The CT certificate is a post-primary program in the Radiologic Technology Department at Cabrillo College. The core courses are to be offered in a distance learning format by a qualified instructor that is also a Certified CT Technologist with experience. The Radiologic Technology Program Director will collaborate with the instructor, our community health partners, and other community colleges in the region to promote the program. The Radiologic Technology Department, in association with Strong Workforce Development and the Career Technical Education Department, developed this Certificate of Achievement proposal.

Currently, there are no other Computed Tomography Certificate of Achievement programs offered at community colleges in our region. While there are other online certificate programs available at private or out-of-state educational institutions, our program has access to local community health partners to guide the clinical education experience that other online programs would not be able to offer. The potential of this program has generated opportunities for new clinical partnerships and college collaborations.