Columbia Basin College Radiologic Technology Department Program Review 2014-2015 I. Program Information Program Title Faculty Members Radiologic Technology Rene M. Fox (Program Review Contact) Neil Burt-Adjunct Luke McAlister-Adjunct Cristina Mendoza-Adjunct Shawna Nelson-Clinical Adjunct only Daniel Meloy-Adjunct II. Program Overview The Radiologic Technology program of Columbia Basin College (CBC) prepares those accepted in the program to become an entry level radiologic technologist. Radiologic technologists work directly with the patient and physician performing sophisticated diagnostic x-ray procedures including taking radiographic exposures, image and film processing, operating many types of technological equipment, and utilizing radiation safety practices. The radiologic technologist also provides professional handling and care of patients. The program requires a series of credit courses directly related to radiologic sciences. The program also requires students have completed major support and general education courses prior to admission (see Getting Started in the Radiologic Technology Program). CBC offers an eight-quarter Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology. Upon successful completion of the degree, students are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, which if passed successfully, provides the graduate with nationally-recognized credentials. The program consists of in-class instruction via live lectures; on campus labs where students practice positioning and radiographic technique skills; and up to 1,800 hours of hands-on training in local healthcare facilities. Faculty and Staff The Radiology department currently employs 1 full-time tenured faculty member and 3-6 adjunct faculty members responsible for teaching duties, either didactic and/or clinical, each quarter depending upon the classes offered and number of students in clinical placements. The full-time tenured faculty member also serves as the program and clinical coordinator, as well as fulfills the duties of and is recognized as the national director by the national American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT). This faculty member has both didactic and clinical responsibilities, summer through spring quarters, year round.
Programmatically, one adjunct normally has didactic duties fall through spring quarters, with no clinical duties. Other adjuncts have intermittent didactic classes depending upon the quarter and their areas of expertise or experience. One adjunct faculty member teaches laboratory classes and has clinical duties, and another adjunct faculty member has only clinical duties. Courses As an intensive program with eight consecutive quarters, radiology courses begin in the summer each year for the selected two year cohort. Course requirements of the Radiologic Technology Associate in Applied Science degree and course descriptions are attached (Appendix A). Our Mission CBC upholds an environment of diversity, fairness, equity, and sustainability, providing opportunities for the people of Benton and Franklin counties to succeed in their pursuit of higher educational achievement, meaningful employment, and basic skills development, while promoting cultural enrichment and well-being for its community. The mission and end statements of CBC serve as guidelines for the Health Science division outcomes, the radiologic technology outcomes, the mission, philosophy and conceptual framework of the Radiologic Technology program. It is the mission of the Columbia Basin College Radiologic Technology Program to create exceptional technologists. Ours is an intensive program that requires complete dedication to reach the necessary standards for a profession that utilizes ionizing radiation to diagnosis disease processes. Terminal goal for graduating students is to participate in and pass the national board examination through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which is required in order to become a fully licensed radiologic technologist, recognized both nationally and worldwide. As faculty, we believe individuals working in the field of radiology should aspire to be the best professional they can with the greatest base of knowledge in order to practice safely and effectively. We are determined to develop exceptional technologists, and create the opportunities necessary to receive an excellent education in this field. There are multiple roles and practice levels for beginning radiographers, with identifiable competencies for each. The Radiologic Technology Program has as its primary objective, the preparation of safe, competent graduates to function as a professional in multiple roles and practice levels while facilitating the attainment of educational and professional goals. III. Self-Study Questions Graduate radiologic technology students must participate in and pass the national board examination to work as a professional registered radiologic technologist. The ARRT national examination is categorically divided into five sections. Sections evaluated and scored on the national examination include: 1) Radiation Protection, 2) Equipment Operation and Quality Control, 3) Image Acquisition and Evaluation, 4) Imaging Procedures, and 5) Patient Care and Education. Our programmatic self-study questions reflect analysis of the most independent
sections evaluated by the national board examination and the candidate graduate perception of preparedness for this terminal examination at the national level. Methods A. Are CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Radiation Protection on the national ARRT board examination? B. Are CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Imaging Procedures on the national ARRT board examination? C. Are CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Patient Care and Education on the national ARRT board examination? D. Do CBC graduate candidates for the radiologic technology national ARRT board examination perceive being prepared to pass this terminal national examination (student survey performed with 2013 and 2014 cohorts)? Results of the ARRT national board examination were accessed and analyzed through data available on the Radiologic Technology program director secure website (http://www.arrt.org/). Columbia Basin College Radiologic Technology Program s annual summary of national ARRT board examination outcomes were examined for graduates of the 2013 and 2014 classes (Appendix B). Comparative data results of the national mean averages versus the CBC Radiologic Technology Program were also analyzed for the 2013 and 2014 graduate classes (Appendix C). To access CBC graduate candidate perceptions as to their preparedness for national ARRT board examination testing, a five part question based on a four point Likert scale survey (Appendix D) was administered to two cohorts of students nearing completion of the radiology program and national test eligibility. Graduate candidates from the 2013 and 2014 Radiologic Technology program were surveyed. All five section content categories found on the board examination were included on the survey. IV. Results and Discussion National Mean Averages To assess CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Radiation Protection on the national ARRT board examination, the national director s database was accessed by CBC s designated director representative. The national mean average in Radiation Protection in 2013 was 8.6, with CBC graduates averaging 8.9. The national mean average in Radiation Protection in 2014 was 8.5, CBC graduates averaged 9.0.
To assess CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Imaging Procedures on the national ARRT board examination, the national director s data base was accessed by CBC s designated director representative. The national mean average in Imaging Procedures in 2013 was 8.5, with CBC graduates averaging 9.2. The national mean average in Imaging Procedures in 2014 was 8.5, with CBC graduates averaging 9.3. To assess CBC radiologic technology graduates scoring at the national mean average or above in the subject of Patient Care and Education on the national ARRT board examination, the national director s database was accessed by CBC s designated director representative. The national mean average in Patient Care and Education in 2013 was 8.6, with CBC graduates averaging 8.9. The national mean average in Patient Care and Education in 2014 was 8.5, CBC graduates averaged 8.9. Overall, CBC radiologic technology graduates scored higher than the national mean averages in all section content categories analyzed than was nationally achieved in both 2013 (Figure 1) and 2014 (Figure 2). In fact, CBC scored higher in all five section content categories both years also (Appendix C). 9.4 9.2 National Comparison 2013 9.2 9 8.9 8.9 8.8 8.6 8.4 8.6 8.5 8.6 2013 National 2013 CBC Program 8.2 8 Protection Procedure Patient Figure 1. National comparison ARRT versus CBC results, 2013.
9.4 9.2 9 9 National Comparison 2014 9.3 8.9 8.8 8.6 8.4 8.2 8 8.5 8.5 8.5 Protection Procedure Patient 2014 National 2014 CBC Program Figure 2. National comparison ARRT versus CBC results, 2014. The complete national comparison report data set acquired from the ARRT director s website is included in Appendix C. National comparison reports generated include all five sections being examined on the board examination. Categorically the sections are designated as: A=Radiation Protection, B=Equipment Operation and Quality Control, C=Image Acquisition and Evaluation, D=Imaging Procedures and E=Patient Care and Education. Annual Program Summary reports for 2013 and 2014 graduates are included for all content sections in Appendix B. Perception of Preparedness A five part question based on a four point Likert scale survey was administered to two cohorts of students nearing completion of the radiology program culminating in national test eligibility (Appendix D). Students were asked as to their perception of preparedness for national board examination. All five section content categories found on the board examination were included on the survey for analysis performed with the graduate candidates of the 2013 and 2014 Radiologic Technology program. The Likert scale point system was designated as: 1=Strongly Disagree, 2=Disagree, 3=Agree and 4=Strongly Agree. Averages were calculated for both the 2013-2014 cohorts (Figure 3). Overall, the 2013 cohort reported a perception of Agree to Strongly Agree that they were prepared for the ARRT national registry board examination. The lowest content section, Protection, scored an average of 3.0 and the highest reported section, Imaging Procedures, scored an average of 3.69. The 2014 cohort reported a slightly lower perception of preparedness in the majority of section categories than the 2013 cohort. Both Protection and Equipment sections scored slightly under the 3.0 Agree scale with 2.93 each. The highest reported section, Patient Care and Education, was perceived at an average of 3.73 for the 2014 cohort. The other two categories, Image Acquisition and Imaging Procedures, were above the Agree survey scale of 3.0.
4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Preparedness 2013-2014 3.693.6 3.73 3.46 3.46 3.23 3.27 3 2.93 2.93 Protection Equipment Imaging Procedure Patient 2013 2014 Figure 3. Perception of preparedness for national examination testing, 2013-2014. Discussion Overall achievement of the CBC radiologic technology graduates on the ARRT national registry board examination is impressive. Noteworthy achievements fall within all content sections of the national board examination and overall score mean averages, not just those analyzed for review (Appendix C). In all five content sections, CBC radiology graduates outscored the national mean averages. Results also indicate that CBC radiologic technology graduates achieved higher average mean scores on their completed national registry examinations than the national average. In 2013, the national mean average score for completed examination was 84.1 while CBC radiology graduates achieved an average of 89.0. The results for the 2014 cohort were even higher with the national mean average score being 83.8 while CBC radiology graduates achieved a mean average of 90.4. Perceptions of preparedness for participating and passing a terminal examination are subjective in nature. Both the 2013 and 2014 cohorts projected confidence in being prepared for national board examination with degrees of variability based on content sections. The lowest perceived preparedness by content section for both classes was in Radiation Protection and Equipment Operation and Quality Control. In both content sections, CBC graduates scored higher than the national mean average again. Program learning outcomes for the radiology program includes cognitive application of the knowledge gained throughout the program to achieve the national mean average or higher on the American Registry of Radiologic Technology national board examination after graduation. The data supports that the CBC radiology program graduates are consistently scoring above the national mean average. To date, all graduates of the CBC radiologic technology program have passed their national board examination. However, the 2013 cohort had two graduates who individually fell below the national mean average. Of the two graduates previously noted only one graduate had to repeat the examination to achieve a passing score on the board examination,
and one student passed the board examination but fell 1% below the national mean average. The 2014 cohort achieved 100% success for programmatic outcome with all graduates achieving individual board examination scores higher than the national mean average. V. Summary and Conclusions The 2013 and 2014 radiologic technology program graduates of Columbia Basin College perceived confidence in their preparedness for ARRT national board examination testing. With this level of confidence and preparation, the 2014 cohort was 100% successful in achieving examination scores above the national mean average. The 2013 cohort fell slightly short of the program outcome goal, with one individual required to retest and one graduate falling 1% under the national mean average. However, as a program, both the 2013 and 2014 program cohorts successfully achieved mean scoring averages above the national mean average on the American Registry of Radiologic Technology national board examination in all content sections. The radiologic technology program at CBC is consistently well above the national mean average scoring in all sections on the national ARRT board examination. In 2013 content specifications were modified by the ARRT with changes being sent to the program directors in January for implementation in the didactic portions of education. These changes were eligible for testing within the following year. For those two year programs with spring quarter graduates, remedial education for any changes made to content from the first years didactic portions had to be performed within the last quarter or added to ongoing classes before graduation. Considering the timing of the changes to content, CBC graduates have performed well. For both years effected by the content changes, CBC graduates outscored the national mean average in all content sections. In 2013 and 2014 the national overall pass rates for first time ARRT national board examination test participants were the lowest recorded in the nation since the inception of the CBC program, 89.6% and 88.9% respectively. Even with the decline in national pass rates the CBC radiology program pass rates were higher than the nation recording 91.7% and 100% for both years, respectively. Future areas for analysis As part of our future evaluation for the radiologic technology program, the creation and implementation of surveys for graduates and employers will be included in data collection. Part of our program goals include understanding if employer needs are being met and that the skill set and competency expected of entry level radiologic technologists are being demonstrated by CBC graduates. Valuable information may be gained by surveying CBC radiologic technology graduates regarding feeling prepared for their first year of employment regarding entry level skill expectations. Hiring trends, part time versus full time, and multiple modality expectations for employability are areas of interest that may also require further analysis to best serve our future students and community.
Appendix A
Course ID Course Title Credits RATEC101 Introduction to Radiologic Technology 1.0 RATEC102 Radiographic Physics 5.0 RATEC103 Principles of Radiographic Exposure 3.0 RATEC104 Advanced Radiographic Procedures 4.0 RATEC105 Introduction to Radiographic Technique 2.0 RATEC106 Computed Imaging 2.0 RATEC107 Positioning and Related Anatomy I 2.0 RATEC108 Positioning and Related Anatomy II 3.0 RATEC109 Positioning and Related Anatomy III 3.0 RATEC1103 Clinical Education I 3.0 RATEC1113 Clinical Education II 5.0 RATEC1123 Clinical Education III 5.0 RATEC1133 Clinical Education IV 5.0 RATEC1143 Supplemental Clinical Practicum I 1.0 RATEC120 Nursing Procedures 2.0 RATEC121 Patient Care 2.0 RATEC125 Medical Terminology 1.0 RATEC127 Introduction to Sectional Anatomy 2.0 RATEC199 Special Studies 1.0-10.0 RATEC207 Concept Integration 2.0 RATEC2103 Clinical Education V 13.0 RATEC2113 Clinical Education VI 8.0 RATEC2123 Clinical Education VII 8.0 RATEC2133 Clinical Education VIII 8.0 RATEC2143 Supplemental Clinical Practicum II 1.0 RATEC220 Pathology I 3.0 RATEC221 Pathology II 2.0 RATEC230 Quality Assurance 2.0 RATEC240 Radiation Biology and Protection 3.0 RATEC296 Special Topics in Radiology 2.0 RATEC299 Special Studies 1.0-10.0
Course Descriptions RATEC101 Introduction to Radiologic Technology 1 Credit Surveys types and operations of hospital departments. Students learn medical ethics, basic radiation protection, chemistry and methods of film processing, and construction of film. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC102 Radiographic Physics 5 Credits Examines X-ray circuits, tubes, and X-ray equipment. Topics include design and application, troubleshooting and maintenance, equipment testing, imaging intensification, cineradiography, and advanced imaging procedures. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC103 Principles of Radiographic Exposure 3 Credits Presents basic elements of radiologic technique and other factors influencing it. Format includes two hours of lecture and a two-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC104 Advanced Radiographic Procedures 4 Credits Examines the theory and principles of contrast media used in radiologic examinations and special positioning. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC105 Introduction to Radiographic Technique 2 Credits Introduces concepts of electromagnetic radiation necessary to understanding the production and control of X-radiation. Students learn how the radiographic image is created and what factors affect the appearance of that image. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC106 Computed Imaging 2 Credits Presents computed imaging in comparison to screen-film technology. Topics include identifying components, understanding how they affect the image, and quality control. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic RATEC107 Positioning and Related Anatomy I 2 Credits Presents basic positioning principles and terminology. Students get demonstration and film evaluation experience in positioning and related anatomy of the chest, abdomen, and upper extremities. Format includes two hours of lecture and a two-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC108 Positioning and Related Anatomy II 3 Credits
Provides demonstration and film evaluation experience in positioning and related anatomy of the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities. Format includes two hours of lecture and a two-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC109 Positioning and Related Anatomy III 3 Credits Provides demonstration and film evaluation experience in positioning and related anatomy of the cervical and thoracic spine, boney thorax, skull, facial bones, and sinuses. Format includes two hours of lecture and a two-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC1103 Clinical Education I 3 Credits Provides supervised clinical experience at an affiliated healthcare site. Beginning RATEC students are assigned to clinical education sites, 40 hours per week for two weeks. Students get an orientation to hospital and department procedures, participate in ancillary radiology activities, and observe and perform diagnostic radiologic procedures. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC1113 Clinical Education II 5 Credits Second in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 16 hours per week. Students observe and perform diagnostic radiologic procedures. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC1123 Clinical Education III 5 Credits Third in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 16 hours per week. Specific performance objectives are established for each student. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC1133 Clinical Education IV 5 Credits Fourth in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 16 hours per week. Specific performance objectives are established for each student. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC1143 Supplemental Clinical Practicum I 1 Credit An optional course that offers supervised clinical education experiences between the fall and winter quarter of the first program year. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 16 hours per week. Students observe and perform diagnostic radiologic procedures.
Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program and instructor permission. RATEC120 Nursing Procedures 2 Credits Presents basic nursing procedures emphasizing the role of the radiologic technologist in various patient-care situations. Incorporates seven hours of AIDS and bloodborne pathogen education. Healthcare provider BLS is included. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC121 Patient Care 2 Credits Examines patient care and assessment in the imaging department, as well as in other special care units. Topics include medications and their administration, acute patient care, bedside radiography, and patient lines and tubes. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC125 Medical Terminology 1 Credit Presents a systematic approach to medical terminology combining word roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC127 Introduction to Sectional Anatomy 2 Credits Expands knowledge of anatomy through the introduction of multiple plane orientations. Students review normal anatomy of the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis, neck, and spine. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC199 Special Studies 1-10 Credits A class used to explore new coursework. RATEC207 Concept Integration 2 Credits Prepares students for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam through a comprehensive review. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC2103 Clinical Education V 13 Credits Fifth in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 40 hours per week for 11 weeks. Specific performance objectives are established for each student. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC2113 Clinical Education VI 8 Credits Sixth in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 24 hours per week. Specific performance objectives are established for each student.
Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC2123 Clinical Education VII 8 Credits Seventh in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 24 hours per week. Specific performance objectives are established for each student. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC2133 Clinical Education VIII 8 Credits Eighth in a series of supervised clinical education experiences. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 24 hours per week. Specific performance objectives are established for each student. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC2143 Supplemental Clinical Practicum II 1 Credit An optional course that offers supervised clinical education experiences between the fall and winter quarter of the second program year. Students are assigned to clinical sites, 16 hours per week. Students observe and perform diagnostic radiologic procedures. Prerequisite: acceptance and current enrollment in the Radiologic Technology program and instructor permission. RATEC220 Pathology I 3 Credits Introduces changes that occur in disease and injury, with application to radiologic technology. Topics include respiratory, skeletal, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC221 Pathology II 2 Credits Continues RATEC 220. Students become familiar with the etiology, symptoms, prognosis, and imaging of disease processes of the cardiovascular, nervous, hemopoetic, endocrine, and reproductive systems. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC230 Quality Assurance 2 Credits Presents theory and practice for operating a successful quality assurance program in a diagnostic radiology department. Students discuss the importance of quality control with respect to healthcare costs, radiation exposure to patients, and improvement of the diagnostic quality of films. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC240 Radiation Biology and Protection 3 Credits
Explores types of radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, and the effects of those interactions in human tissue. Students learn methods and principles of radiation protection for both patient and technologist. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program. RATEC296 Special Topics in Radiology 2 Credits Allows study of special topics that may be necessary to update students in the field of radiologic technology. Prerequisite: acceptance into the Radiologic Technology program or instructor permission. RATEC299 Special Studies 1-10 Credits A class used to explore new coursework
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Survey of Categories Identification Number All data collected is intended for analysis only and utilized for purpose of a special project. All participants are guaranteed confidentiality and will not be identified by their names. 1. I feel prepared for the registry ARRT national board examination in these areas: Strongly Disagree Disagree Agree Strongly Agree 1 2 3 4 A. Radiation Protection B. Equipment Operation and Quality Control C. Image Acquisition and Evaluation D. Imaging Procedures E. Patient Care and Education