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Computed Tomography (CT)
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  Computed Tomography Certificate

This program prepares students in the use of x-ray energy and computer processing techniques to demonstrate sectional anatomic images for interpretation for diagnosis and treatment.

Southern Union State Community College offers a two semester certificate program. This program is for credentialed radiologic technologists or ARRT registry eligible radiologic technologists. Upon completion of the program an individual will be registry eligible in computed tomography. Didactic courses will be taught on campus with various clinical sites being used across the state.

Type of Program: On-Line/Clinical Varies

Type of Degree: Certificate

Employment Opportunities: Hospitals, Private Diagnostic Offices

  
     
  ARRT registered, or registry eligible radiologic technologists should meet the following requirements and submit a CT Program Application before participation in the program is approved. In addition to a program application, the following documents are required prior to the deadline.
  • Southern Union State Community College Application for General Admission.
  • Current or previous SUSCC students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA at Southern Union.
  • Official college transcripts sent to Records Office. If no previous college coursework, submit high school transcripts or GED scores.
  • Application for Computed Tomography Program.
  • Documentation of status as a Radiographer certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or ARRT registry eligibility.
Clinical Requirements
  • Obtain current student liability insurance. ($10.00 per semester paid to the business office.)
  • Complete Health Questionnaire and Essential Functions Form evidencing a state of physical and mental health such that the student is able to complete all program requirements without presenting undue risk/harm to the student or other persons.
  • Be acceptable by clinical agencies for clinical experiences. May require criminal background check.
  • Submit verification of current CPR certification at the American Heart Association BLS-C (Healthcare Provider) level.
  • Proof of the first of three vaccinations for Hepatitis B or sign a waiver. (The second vaccination is due one month following the first vaccination. The third vaccination must be taken six months after the first vaccination.)
  • Proof of annual TB skin testing and current immunizations.
*Students currently enrolled in accredited Radiography programs may apply to the CT certificate programs after completing 50% of their program requirements. (Must submit documentation of 2.5 GPA in the radiography program.) 		 
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Computed Tomography (CT)
(Post-Primary Medical Imaging Certificate) CIP Code: 51.0911
Award Year: 2010-2011
U.S. Department of Labor's Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 29-2034
On-Time Graduation Rate: 67%
Tuition and Fees for Program: $2886.00
Typical Cost of Books and Supplies: $250.00
Job Placement Rate: 100%
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TOMOGRAPHY (CT)
Prefix Name of Course Theory Lab Clinic Credit
RAD 250* Advanced Patient Care 4 2 0 5
RAD 251 Cross Sectional Anatomy 3 0 0 3
RAD 263 CT Imaging Procedures 5 0 0 5
RAD 264 Physics – Instrumentation & Imaging 5 0 0 5
RAD 265 CT Clinical Education 0 0 12 4
RAD 266 Pathology Correlation in CT/MR 4 0 0 4
Total Credit Hours = 26

*Students who wish to enroll in an online course for the first time at Southern Union State Community College must also concurrently enroll in CIS290C Online Learning Basics (1 credit hour).

  
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RAD 250. ADVANCED PATIENT CARE. 5 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admision to the program.

This course will provide the radiographer with concepts of patient care including patient preparation, patient education, assessment and monitoring, IV procedures for contrast agents and medications, pharmacology, emergency care, radiation safety and biological considerations, safety precautions, and feneral procedural considerations for CT, MRI, Mammography, Cardiovascular Interventional Technology Sonography.

 

RAD 251. CROSS-SECTIONAL ANATOMY. 3 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to the program.

This course provides the radiographer with knowledge of anatomy of the human body in cross-section. Topics included advanced sectional anatomy as demonstrated by computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and medical sonography. Upon completion, the student will be able to identify cross sec­tional anatomy from CT, MRI, and medical sonography.

 

RAD 263. CT IMAGING PROCEDURES. 5 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: Admission to the program.

This course provides a knowledge of computed tomography imaging procedures. Emphasis s on head, chest, spine and pelvis. Upon completion, students will demonstrate and/or explain specific CT imaging procedures relative to the head, chest, spine, and pelvis.

 

RAD 264. CT PHYSICS - INSTRUMENTATION & IMAGING. 5 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: RAD 250, RAD 251, RAD 263

This course will provide the radiographer with knowledge of computed tomography physics and instrumentation to include system operation and components; image processing and display, image quality, and artifacts.

 

RAD 265. CT CLINICAL EDUCATION. 4 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: RAD 250, RAD 251, RAD 263

This course provides the essential clinical experiences for development of skills and competencies of CT imaging procedures, data acquisition, and image processing.

 

RAD 266. PATHOLOGY CORRELATION FOR CT/MR. 4 hrs.

PREREQUISITE: RAD 250, RAD 251, and/or RAD 263 or RAD 284

This course is designed to introduce theories of disease causation and pathophysiologic disorders that compromise health systems. Each disease or trauma process is examined from its description, etiology, associated symptoms, slinical manifestations, and diagnosis with appearance on CT and MR images.

 
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  Background checks
Southern Union is contractually obligated to comply with requirements set forth by agencies used for clinical rotations. All health science students are required to have background checks and drug screens completed to meet the requirements of clinical agencies in accord with the Joint Commission Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards. Background checks will be conducted by one vendor approved by the clinical agencies. Currently the vendor is Student Backgrounds and the website is www.studentbackgrounds.com

Students must complete background checks prior to enrolling in the first semester of a program. Students contract directly with the approved vendor and results are confidential. The clinical agency (ies) will make the decision to approve or deny the student for clinical privileges. Refusal of an agency to accept a student will prevent a student from completing the health science program. The student will be responsible for clearing any denials reported from the clinical agency. Students who are unable to resolve denials will be withdrawn from the Health Science Program.

Refusal to sign the "Consent for Release of Information" form or refusal of access to a clinical agency will result in withdrawal or dismissal from the program.

Drug Screens
Drug screens will be conducted during the first semester of coursework and at random throughout the program. Students who do not pass the drug screen will be withdrawn from the health science program. Drug screens will be conducted by one vendor. Please refer to student handbook for complete policy. 		 
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Background Check and Drug Screening Info
Student Background/Drug Screen Instructions
STEP 1 After acceptance to the CT/MRI program, log on to www.studentbackgrounds.com and submit your personal information and payment. Cost is $50.00. (Master Card and Visa Accepted).
  PLEASE NOTE: PROCESSING OF YOUR BACKGROUND WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FOR SERVICE.

Once you have submitted your personal information and payment online, your educational institution will be notified of your criminal background check status by the hospital at which you are completing your clinical rotations.

If you have any questions, please call Matt Samson, Employment Manager at Columbus Regional at
706-660-6414 or E-mail :matt.samson@crhs.net
   
STEP 2 You will be notified of the time and process for completing this step once classes have begun. Cost of the drug screen is $31.00, payable at the time of registration for CT/MRI courses.

 

  
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Question and Answers
Question:
What is the cost of the background and drug screen?
Answer:
 The cost is $50.00.
   
Question:
What is the $50.00 paying for?
Answer:
  • Unlimited Criminal County Level Search
  • SSN Trace
  • OIG Search
  • National Sex Offender Search
  • OFAC Search
  • EPLS Search
   
Question:
What drugs will the drug screen test for?
Answer:
 Amphetamine
Barbiturate
Benzodiazepine
Cannabinoid
Cocaine
Metabolite
Opiate
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Methadone
   
Question:
What is the timeframe students must have their drug screen completed from the time they are notified?
Answer:
 According to directions given by instructor.
   
Question:
How long will the background check and drug screen be valid?
Answer:
 Students who remain within the program will not be required to complete another background screen. If the student drops out of the program and is out of a health care program at SUSCC for longer than one (1) semester, he/she will have to submit to and pay for another background screen. Random drug screens may be required at any time during the program.
   
Question:
How far before acceptance into a program can students complete the criminal background?
Answer:
 It is not recommended that student complete health requirements before acceptance to a program. On average the criminal background results will be complete within 3-4 business days.
 
Question:
What are the basic step-by-step procedures for the background/drug screen policy?
Answer:
 Step 1: Upon admission to program, student is issued instructions for online ordering of the criminal background check and making payment.
Step 2: Student submits personal information (for background purposes) and payment online. (The drug screening will be completed after classes begin.)
Step 3: Once the background results are complete, the hospital will be notified of the results. Once the results are approved or denied by the hospital, an e-mail will be sent to the point of contact at the school, notifying them of the status of their student. Results are confidential and are released only to the appointed contact person at the school.
Step 4: Student is notified of drug screen date and process after classes have begun.
   
Question:
How will the schools be notified that a student is cleared?
Answer:
 Via secure website. Results are confidential.
   
Question:
What is the name and contact information for representative at H.I.R.E?
Answer:
 Steve Mills, 706-587-9205 or smills@hirellc.com
   
Question:
Who from the clinical sites/hospital will be clearing or answering questions about the criminal backgrounds and drug screens?
Answer:
 Matt Samson, Employment Manager, Columbus Regional (706) 660-6414 or via e-mail: matt.samson@crhs.net
   
 
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  Students enrolling in a health science program must provide Southern Union State Community College with the required health care data after admission to the program. Clinical agencies mandate that students provide information regarding their current health status (annual physical and essential function) that may affect the safety of the student or the client in the clinical settings. Clinical agencies also require documentation of specific immunizations and proof that a criminal background checks and drug screen has been conducted. Various immunizations are required and are subject to change depending on the health care agency requirements. The student’s health requirements must be on file in the Health Sciences building before the student can register for health sciences course.

Clinical requirements must be kept current throughout the students’ tenure in the program. The documentation will be reviewed initially upon entrance to the program and prior to each semester until program completion. Students may not register for classes if the required clinical documents are not up to date. Clinical documents such as Tb skins test must not expire during the semester.

Immunizations
The Health Sciences Division must verify that all students have up-to-date immunizations. Students who do not have documentation of immunization must have blood drawn for titer to see if they are immune. The Health Sciences Student Requirements form provides details about how to meet clinical requirements. The Student health forms guidelines and physical forms are available for download at the top of this section.

Health Insurance
Students in the Health Sciences must demonstrate proof of health insurance. Students without proof of health insurance will not be allowed to register for health science courses or attend clinical. 		 
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Question Where do I send my health records once they are completed?
Answer Fax, mail or deliver the complete package of documents to Libby Leak. FAX 334-745-6342
   
Question Where can I find the textbook list for my courses before the semester begins?
Answer Email Mary catherine Herndon@mherndon.suscc.edu and request a booklist for your respective program.
   
Question How often do you admit students to the CT and MRI programs?
Answer Once a year, beginning every fall semester (August).
   
Question When are my admission requirements and application to the program due?
Answer August 1
 
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Southern Union State Community College is an Equal Education Employment/Opportunity Institution. Click here for official policy of non-discrimination.
750 Roberts Street
Wadley, AL 36276
(256) 395-2211 		1701 LaFayette Parkway
Opelika, AL 36801
(334) 745-6437 		321 Fob James Drive
Valley, AL 36854
(334) 756-4151
 
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