Radiography, A.S.

The CF Radiography program is an American Registry of Radiologic Technologists recognized primary-pathway educational program. CF maintains accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which is an ARRT recognized accreditation mechanism. CF is also approved by the Florida Department of Education to award associate degrees, baccalaureate degrees, college credit certificates and occupational certificates. Program graduates will be eligible for licensure in Florida as a Certified Radiologic Technologist and to apply for admission to the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist upon completion of the radiography program.

The program is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), for the accreditation of traditional and distance delivery educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry.

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology is located at 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182. Contact them at 312-704-5300 or mail@jrcert.org or visit www.jrcert.org.

The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.

The credentialing organization, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists may be accessed for additional information on applicant and continuing education requirements, testing requirements, ethics requirements and post-primary certifications.

The professional organization, American Society of Radiologic Technologist may be accessed for additional information on the practice standards for radiologic technologist, radiography curriculum guide, state and federal legislative affairs, continuing education, and affiliated societies such as the Florida Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Applicants are not required to have an academic degree completed prior to enrolling in our radiography program, just a few prerequisite courses. The Associate in Science in Radiography is a 77-credit hour program requiring a full-time commitment for five consecutive semesters once the applicant has been accepted as a cohort candidate.

Students in a cohort will advance through the radiography curriculum at the same pace, learning the same program radiography content at the same time. This cohort education model allows for shared learning and critical analysis, relationship building on a personal and professional level, ongoing peer support, and customized instruction and learning resources based on the needs of the cohort members.

The educational experience varies from classroom lecture, directed self-study using e-resources, interactive group projects, discussion, oral presentations, homework assignments, computerized testing, mock credentialing exams, skills lab performance, oral testing, and hands-on clinical experience. Emphasis is placed on demonstration of clinical competency, critical thinking skills, effective communication skills, and professional behaviors. Radiography program cohorts begin each fall semester.

Many health care organizations require mandatory drug screens and a federal criminal background check prior to clinical education placement. All candidates accepted into the Radiography program cohort are required to undergo substance screening and a background check as part of the acceptance process. Results of the substance screening and federal criminal background check must be received by the Radiography program manager prior to the first day of class in the Radiography program.

Clinical education site affiliates may deny access to individuals based on results of a federal criminal background check and/or substance screen. Candidates accepted into the Radiography program are required to provide evidence of a recent physical examination, laboratory test results and immunization records. The trend of mandatory annual influenza vaccination for all employees, physicians, volunteers, and learners engaged in providing health care is growing. Learners enrolled in the CF Radiography program may be required to receive the annual influenza vaccination in order to maintain their learner status at a clinical externship site. Learners must complete purified protein derivative (PPD) skin testing to determine exposure to tuberculosis. The Mantoux tuberculin baseline test must be completed prior to entry into the clinical environment and annually thereafter.

All candidates accepted into the Radiography program are responsible for personal transportation to and from the clinical externship sites located in Marion, Citrus and Levy counties. Clinical externship placement may include two to three different locations per semester requiring enrolled learners to commute to any of the tricounty area locations. Clinical externship hours are typically scheduled between 5 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. weekdays (Monday-Friday), weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and evenings (up to 9:30 p.m.). Failure to follow clinical education obligation requirements may result in the loss of the candidates’ placement in the Radiography program.