CVPH Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT.org). It is also approved by the New York State Department of Health to train radiographers eligible for a New York State License. The program was started in 1965 and has been recognized for its excellent pass rate received on the examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT.org)

Liberal arts studies by Empire State College of SUNY New York are provided at the Plattsburgh unit of the Northeast Center located on the Plattsburgh State campus. The 40 college credits awarded to the CVPH Radiology Program are combined with the 24 liberal arts credits completed during the two-year program to assure a minimum of an Associate Degree in Science. The registered areas are Science, Math and Technology (Radiologic) and are in addition to a Radiology School diploma. A student may transfer previous earned credit to work toward a higher degree, but must take at least 24 credits with Empire State during the 24 months enrolled regardless of previous education. Classes through Empire State are usually completed via on-line.

What is a Radiographer:
The radiographer examines the patient for broken bones, ulcers, tumors, diseases or malfunctions of various organs by producing diagnostic images, ready for the physician's interpretation. In many instances, the radiographer works independently, while for some advanced procedures the radiologist and radiographer work together as a team. Responsibilities include: image production through positioning of patients and operation of clinical instrumentation, radiation safety, patient care, quality control and imaging manipulation and processing.

Our Mission 

To provide a quality education in the radiographic sciences, utilizing a current, progressive, competency-based clinical didactic method of instruction to prepare graduates for a professional career as a radiographer and to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination.
 

Goal #1: Graduates/Students will have the knowledge of an entry-level technologist and will meet the needs of the community.

Student Learning Outcomes: 

• Graduates/Students will be prepared for work as an entry level technologist after  graduation.
• Graduates/Students will be prepared to take the ARRT examination.
• Graduate/Students will be above standard clinically upon graduation.
• Graduates/Students- 75% of students starting the program will graduate.

Goal #2: To facilitate development of applied skills in effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving in the practice of Radiography.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Graduates will demonstrate effective critical thinking skills in the work setting.
• Graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills (verbal) in the work setting.
• Graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills (written) in the work setting.
• Graduate will demonstrate the ability to grasp instructions to meet changing conditions and to solve novel or problem situation

 Goal #3:  To graduate a student who will recognize the need for professional development and life long learning.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Graduate will demonstrate a professional attitude.
• Graduate will demonstrate life long learning in the field of radiography.
• Graduate will display ethical behavior and sound professional judgment in the work setting.
• Graduate will be gainfully employed within 6 months post graduation.

 
Goal #4: To facilitate development of a graduate so that they must behave in a compassionate, ethical, and professional manner.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Graduate will demonstrate compassion and sensitivity towards patients.
• Graduates will have the knowledge to behave in an ethical manner.
• Graduates will demonstrate warmth and sociality towards patients and provide a full explanation of the examination to patients. 
  
  
  

Tuition: 
      $4,000 per semester  x 4 semesters for New York residents. 
      $7,300 per semester x 4 semesters for non residents.

Admission

Decisions on admission to the Radiology School are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin, marital status or veterans as specified by state and federal law.

All applications are due by November 30th for the following year.

The two principle academic requirements are:

1. Possession of a high school diploma or GED
2. The required background in the Math and Science related courses could be a minimum of two years math and two years of science at the high school level (preferably regents) with a minimum of a C (or equivalent). College courses in math and science may also be considered with a minimum of a C grade. PSAT, SAT and (or) ACT scores will be evaluated as part of the profile.

Admission Requirements

Physical, Technical and Academic Requirements for Admission

Applicants to the School of Radiologic Technology should be able to perform the following skills in order to perform the clinical assignments of the School and to perform all procedures required of a diagnostic radiographer in the work force. Corrective devices are permitted to meet the minimum requirements.

1. Communicate in English in order to converse and instruct patients, to relieve their anxiety and gain their cooperation during procedures.
2. Hear a patient talk in a normal tone from a distance of 20 feet.
3. Observe the patient in order to assess his condition and/or needs from a distance of at least 20 feet.
4. Read a patient's medical chart and/or physician's orders.
5. Evaluate radiographs using a view box and/or computer to make certain that the films contain proper identification and are of diagnostic value.
6. Render services and/or assistance to all patients (from very old to very young) depending on the individual patient's needs and abilities when moving, turning, getting on and off the radiographic table or stretcher and when moving in and out of wheelchairs.
7. Push, pull and lift 40 pounds.
8. Push and manipulate a portable X-ray machine in turning corners, maneuvering on and off elevators and within a patient's room.
9. Manually move and maneuver the X-ray tube at standard and non-standard heights up to 7 feet.
10. Draw up sterile contrast media and other solutions without contaminating the syringe, needle and/or injecting device.
11. Select the exposure factors necessary to produce a radiograph by           manipulating dials, buttons and switches.
12. Place X-ray/CR cassettes in Bucky trays and spot film devices and properly manipulate all locking devices.
13. Physically be able to administer emergency care including CPR as necessary.
14. Physically be able to stand for periods as long as 2 hours while wearing lead aprons and to walk a distance of 2 miles.
15. Test by both oral and written methods.

Required Course List

 All new students will be enrolled at the Empire State College Plattsburgh Unit of the Northeast Center in Plattsburgh, following admission at CVPH Medical Center. There will be an orientation day scheduled to answer questions and familiarize students with this part of their curriculum.

ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THESE CREDITS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE FROM OUR PROGRAM.

The Radiology School will pay for the credits needed, 24 at this time, to complete an Associate Degree in Math, Science, and Technology. The tuition covers New York State residents. Out of State students will be required to pay the additional fee required by Empire State College. (CVPH Medical Center has received 40 college credits from Empire State College).  In addition to the AS Degree, students with previous college may work on their Bachelor of Science Degree. CVPH Medical Center will not pay for any subject failed or not completed. The financial adjustment then becomes the responsibility of the student.

CURRICULUM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:         FIRST YEAR

1. INTRODUCTION TO RADIOGRAPHY:  
   Students will be more aware of the responsibilities entailed by becoming a member of the health care profession. This  includes the relationship of the technologists to other technologists, to the patients, to the radiologists, to the attending    
   physicians and to other members of the hospital staff.  Medical Law will be reviewed, as will dress code, and ethical   
   behavior, cleanliness and confidentiality. It also includes Diversity in the Workplace.  The student will also recognize
   the potential danger of radiation and be instructed on how to observe the principles of protection, which are necessary     
   to themselves and their patient.
2. COMPUTER/ OFFICE PROCEDURES:
   This course is designed to give the student a broad background of our departmental filing system, associated 
   terminology and forms. Operation of telephones, intercoms and other office equipment will be done in a clinical lab.        
   Introduction to computer literacy is included which teaches history of the computer, basic computer language and the 
   use of computers in the hospital.  An introduction to RIS and PACS is also included.
3. MEDICAL TERMS
   This course is designed to help the student master medical terminology as applied to the specialty of radiology. Specifically, the student will learn the anatomical names of bones and organs and other anatomical descriptive terms, commonly used medical terms, prefixes and suffixes and understand the meaning of such terms and their proper usage and spelling.
4. METHODS OF PATIENT CARE (NURSING PROCEDURES)
   This course is designed to acquaint the student with nursing procedures and techniques used in the general care of the radiology patient.  Students will have demonstrations and practice many of these procedures.  They will become certified in BLS (basic life support) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
5. CONTRAST MEDIAS AND PERTINENT PROCEDURES
   This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the physics of contrast media, their responsibility for emergencies in regard to iodine sensitivity and the proper use for procedures.
6. RADIOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING
   This course is designed to help the student develop the skills and knowledge necessary for understanding film, computed radiography, and direct radiography processing, manipulation and presentation of images.  The student will study the history and development of radiographic film and darkroom and the evolution of CR and DR.The student will study and understand image acquisition, storage and retrieval. The use of HIS and RIS systems and image storage using the PACS systems.
7. RADIOGRAPHIC FILM EVALUATION I (FILM CRITIQUE)
   This course is designed to help students evaluate their own films, to see and evaluate films of others and to discuss interesting cases. Assigned film critique classes are of films of the instructor's choosing to supplement discussions in other courses.  Departmental film critique classes are of films of the students' choosing as a form for evaluation or as an opportunity to ask questions regarding their work or the case history.
8. PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE I
   This course is designed to familiarize the student with the essential factors influencing radiographs and their effect upon the quality of that radiograph.  This knowledge will help the student develop into a technologist capable of devising technique based upon sound principles.
9. ANATOMY I
   This course is designed to give the student a basic knowledge and understanding of the various structures of the human body as a whole and of the various parts.  This will help the student to interpret requests for radiographic examinations, to properly position the area to be radiographed, to recognize the structures being examined. This course includes a lab component.
10. PHYSIOLOGY I
    This course is designed to give the student a basic knowledge and understanding of the function of tissues and organs,  as distinguished from anatomy.  This course has a lab component.
11. CROSS-SECTION ANATOMY
    This course is designed to aid the student in understanding    the component parts of the body in a transverse plan, to identify imaging modalities that utilize transverse anatomy, and to identify and label diagrams given in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
12. RADIATION PHYSICS
    This course is designed to help the student understand the field of science that deals with the fundamentals of X-ray phenomenon.  Electrical physics, principles of X-ray generation, biological effects of radiation, and the operation of X-ray equipment and auxiliary devices will be discussed.
13. RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES I
    This course is designed to help the student acquire skill in positioning the various parts of the body to demonstrate the desired structures to their best.  Stress will also be upon the location of each organ using surface landmarks and the relationship of an organ to other organs within the same film read by a Radiologist.

SECOND YEAR:

1. PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION:
   This course is designed to help the student recognize the dangers that are present in an ordinary radiographic department. This course will provide the student with an understanding of ionizing radiation and the need for protective measures and maximum safety for the patients and themselves.
2. RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES II:
   This course is a continuation of Course I in positioning of the body for additional radiographs of a more specialized nature. It concentrates on the skull, urinary studies and fluoroscopy, which include the use of contrast medias and appropriate equipment. Pediatric radiography is covered, as well as, the basics of mammography. This course includes a lab component. 
3. RADIOGRAPHIC FILM EVALUATION II:
   This course is a continuation of Radiographic Film Evaluation I, a more indepth study of cases and film evaluation.
4. PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE II:
   This course is a contination of Exposure I, with an indepth look at techniques and equipment used in the imaging department.
5. DEPARTMENT ADMINSTRATION:
   This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the administrative procedures involved in   managing a Radiology Department including JCAHO accreditation
6. PHARMACOLOGY:
   This course is designed to enable the student to recognize various categories of drugs, recognize normal drug  nomenclature, basic concepts of pharmacology and discuss specific drugs and to understand the actions, reactions and  possible interactions of drugs.
7. RADIOGRAPHIC PATHOLOGY:
   This course is designed to provide an introduction to pathological conditions and diseases with application to  Radiology. A basic introduction to the nature of pathology, followed by a systemic classification of diseases will enable the student to understand the importance of providing informative radiographs for diagnosis.
8. RADIOBIOLOGY:
   This course is designed to provide the student with the knowledge of basic pathology as it relates to radiotherapy and  radiation biology and the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems.
9. SPECIAL PROCEDURES:
   This course is designed to provide the student with a knowledge of the supplementary procedures used in advanced technology and related radiographic equipment. ie: (Angiography, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound)
10. ANATOMY II:
    This course is a continuation of Anatomy I more indepth study of the human body.    
11. PHYSIOLOGY II:
    This course is a continuation of Physiology I, more indepth study of functions of tissues and organs.
12. VENIPUNCTURE:
    This course is designed to provide the student with the theory and practice of the basic techniques of venipuncture and the administration of contrast media and/or intravenous medication.
13. QUALITY ASSURANCE:
    This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of quality assurance pertaining to the
    radiology department and to identify the required testing of the equipment, time intervals and the standards as
    they pertain to state and federal guidelines

STUDENT HANDBOOK