Computed Tomography

Note: The catalog description below is included in Mt. SAC’s current college catalog

The Computed Tomography (CT) program at Mt. SAC is a two semester certificate program open to Technologists who possess a valid California Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT) license and are certified and registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in one of the following supporting disciplines: Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (or NMTCB), or Radiation Therapy. The program provides a complete educational experience for registered Radiologic Technologists (RT’s) who wish to expand their skills into the study of the theory and practice of CT. Students will have the opportunity to learn and develop competence in patient care, communication skills, critical thinking,and technical skills that will prepare the student to become a competent entry level CT Technologist. The program curriculum is designed to meet the CT educational and clinical training requirements set forth by the ARRT. The educational standards established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) are also incorporated into the curriculum. Educational activities include lecture, discussions, group activities, and hands-on clinical training at a clinical site. The program includes:

•           ARRT clinical experience requirements and content specifications

•           ARRT 16 hour structured education requirement

•           Course work in cross-sectional anatomy, pathology, patient care and safety, CT procedures,equipment, image evaluation, instrumentation, technique, physics, quality assurance, and quality control.

Clinical training will be conducted at affiliated health care institutions and there is no guarantee the student will be placed close to home. Hours for clinical training are arranged with the clinical site (days and times will vary depending on the site). No arrangements for part time status are available. Applicants will be required to complete a background check,physical, drug test, and provide proof of immunizations during the admissions process. To remain in the program, students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all courses. Upon successful completion of the program, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mt. San Antonio College.Technologists certified and registered by ARRT in the appropriate disciplines will be eligible to sit for the ARRT Computed Tomography certification examination.

The number of projected students or“annual completers” to be awarded the certificate each year after the programis fully established is 15-20 students. As mentioned before, the program hasbeen offered at Mt. SAC for 3 years. The number of students enrolled in theprogram has been consistent. The department anticipates to maximize enrollmentat 20 students (capacity) by 2021.

 The 3 year average job placement rate forprogram completers is 100%.

 Computed Tomography Program-E0397: 

Year	Annual Program Offering	Annual Students Enrolled
2017	1	14
2018	1	18
2019	1	15

Program Mission

The mission of the Computed Tomography (CT) Program is to prepare competent and professional entry level CT Technologist. Students will be provided with a comprehensive curriculum in the study and clinical practice of CT that addresses evolving technical skills, communication, and critical thinking. It is our goal to provide the necessary clinical and academic experiences to enable students to successfully earn ARRT CT certification.

The CT Program's mission is consistent with the College's mission in that it supports students in achieving their full educational potential in an environment of academic excellence.

Program Goals

1. To provide educational experiences that prepare students to enter the healthcare community as CT Technologists

·       Program curriculum will be up to date with current California state certification educational requirements, ARRT educational requirements, and ASRT Computed Tomography curriculum

·       Clinical experience will be in compliance with California state law

·       Program faculty will be qualified and meet requirements to maintain ARRT credentialing

·       Program curriculum will maintain clinical affiliations enabling the student to become competent entry-level CT Technologists

2. To prepare clinically competent entry-level CT Technologists 

• Students will develop workforce readiness skills
• Students will apply accurate positioning skills and provide appropriate patient care
• Students will select optimal technical factors
• Students will utilize appropriate radiation protection and ALARA principles
• Students will demonstrate academic and technical competence as an entry-level CT Technologists

 3. To develop CT Technologists  who utilize exceptional communication skills

 

·       Students will communicate effectively with patients, clinical staff, and peers

·       Students will demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills in didactic and clinical settings

4. To train CT Technologists to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform job-related functions

·       Students will use critical thinking skills in both routine and non-routine clinical situations

·       Student swill adapt standard procedures for non-routine patients

·       Students will analyze images to determine diagnostic quality and make modifications as needed

5. To develop CT Technologists who perform CT procedures professionally

·       Student swill exhibit professional work ethic, behavior, and attitude

·       Students will abide by the ASRT Code of Ethics

·       Students will use professional judgment when working with patients and others

6. To encourage students/graduates to invest in continued personal and professional growth

·       Students will identify the advantage of belonging to professional organizations

·       Students will understand the need for continued professional development and growth

·       Students will participate in professional development activities

7. To meet the employment demands of the medical community

·       Students will pass the ARRT certification exam in CT

·       Students will secure employment as a CT Technologist within one year of program completion

Certificate of Achievement: Computed Tomography 

Requirements	Dept. Name/#	Name	Units	Sequence
Required Core: 17	RAD70   RAD7A RAD71   RAD72   RAD7B	Completion of Computed Tomography coursework as follows (17 units) Computed Tomography Sectional Anatomy and Pathology Computed Tomography Clinical Experience 7A Computed Tomography Procedures and Patient Care Computed Tomography Physics and Instrumentation Computed Tomography Clinical Experience 7B	2.0   2.0 3.0   3.0   7.0	Yr. 1 Winter   Yr. 1 Winter Yr. 1 Spring   Yr. 1 Spring   Yr. 1 Spring

Required Core Total                     17

TOTAL Units:                                  17

Proposed Sequence:

Year 1 Winter = 4

Year 1 Spring =13

TOTAL UNITS: 17

 

The requirements for the CT Certificate Program were developed in collaboration with the program’s advisory committee.The requirements were approved and recommended by the Radiologic Technology Department Advisory Committee. Please seethe attached minutes (Appendix A).

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
RAD70	Computed Tomography Sectional Anatomy and Pathology	2	Yr. 1 Winter
RAD 7A	Computed Tomography Clinical Experience 7A	2	Yr. 1 Winter
RAD 71	Computed Tomography Procedures and Patient Care	3	Yr. 1 Spring
RAD 72	Computed Tomography Physics and Instrumentation	3	Yr. 1 Spring
RAD 7B	Computed Tomography Clinical Experience 7B	7	Yr. 1 Spring

No inventory records need to be made inactive or changed in connection with this program. This certificate does not replace any existing programs at the college. The related program offered at Mt. SAC is the Radiologic Technology (RT) AS Degree Program. The CT Certificate would enhance RT graduates, as earning specialized training, and a CT credential, makes them eligible to meet the demands of the evolving workplace. RT graduates with advanced credentials in CT are more marketable to employers, and earn higher wages than RT graduates without CT credentials.

Long Beach City College (LBCC) offers a similar program. Brief Description of LBCC’s Program: • The CT Program will begin every two years in the even years (2016, 2018 etc.) • The program includes didactic and clinical courses. • Provides opportunity for ARRT Registered Technologists who would like to increase their knowledge of CT in preparation of the ARRT examination. Upon program completion, the students qualify to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) examination in CT. • See attachment (Appendix B) for a complete description of LBCC’s CT program. • Program Similarities • Both include the structured education required by the licensing board- ARRT • Both programs prepare students for ARRT licensure in Computed Tomography • Both have a program capacity of 20 students • Both offer didactic and clinical experience in their curriculum Program Differences • Mt. SAC’s program is 22 weeks. LBCC’s program is 32 weeks. • Mt. SAC’s program includes the educational standards established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) in the program curriculum. The ASRT standards are the gold standard in the field of Radiologic Technology (includes CT). • LBCC only offers the CT program every other year. Mt SAC’s CT program is offered every year. • Mt SAC’s CT program allows for flexibility in scheduling clinical hours. This flexibility allows working students to better manage their school/work schedules. LBCC’s clinical hours are fixed.

The number of projected students or “annual completers” to be awarded the certificate each year after the program is fully established is 15-20 students. As mentioned before, the program has been offered at Mt. SAC for 3 years. The number of students enrolled in the program has been consistent. The department anticipates to maximize enrollment at 20 students (capacity) by 2021. The 3 year average job placement rate for program completers is 100%. Computed Tomography Program- E0397: Year Annual Program Offering Annual Students Enrolled 2017 1 14 2018 1 18 2019 1 15