Radiography

Radiographers, also known as radiologic technologists, are healthcare professionals who create high-quality images of the body's internal structures through utilizing ionizing radiation and patient positioning.

Radiologic technologists are the third-largest group of health care professionals (after nurses and physicians). To become a radiographer, an associate degree in radiologic sciences is required. KCC's Radiography program requires two years of full-time study and combines classroom theory with clinical experiences.

Students learn:

• Radiographic physics and biology
• Radiation safety
• Patient positioning and lab procedures
• Anatomy and pathology
• Image analysis
• Patience care
• Communication

KCC Radiography graduates are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing examination. In addition to the ARRT, graduates are eligible to apply for state licensure with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA)/Division of Nuclear Safety (DNS), which is required for employment in Illinois.

Students interested in a bachelor’s degree should consult their advisor. Although this program is not part of the Illinois Articulation Initiative, it has at least one transfer agreement, with University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois B.S. in Health Care Management information.

Program Mission Statement

The mission for the Kankakee Community College Radiography program is to promote and educate students coming from diverse backgrounds the fundamental skills, knowledge, and practice in order to prepare for positions as highly qualified entry level Radiographers. The program will promote life-long learning to keep abreast of the technologic advancements within medical imaging. Encourage individuals to be aware of social and health care needs within the community through service projects.

Program Goals

In support of the program’s mission statement, the following goals have been developed. Upon completion of the radiography program, the graduate will:

1. Clinical Competency: Students will perform, in the clinical setting, competently as an entry-level radiographer.
2. Communication Skills: Students must employ effective communication skills.
3. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will develop and utilize critical thinking skills.

Physical exam/background check

Each student selected into the Radiography Program will be required to have a mandatory background check (without any disqualifying convictions) and a negative drug screen prior to the start of classes. A physical exam, titers, vaccinations/immunizations, and current CPR Certification from the American Heart Association (BLS for Healthcare Provider) or American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer: adult, child, and infant or AED) are also requirements. The student is responsible for the fee/cost associated with the requirements. KCC offers financial assistance through various resources as well as the health career success navigator.

Grading scale

The student must earn a “C” or better in all Radiography (XRAY) and general education courses required in the curriculum for the Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography.
The grading scale for the KCC Radiography Program courses is:

*Any score below a 75% is considered failure of the course.

A student receiving an “F” for any radiography program courses are referred to the readmission criteria in the Radiography program handbook.
Additional course specific grading criteria are found within each course’s syllabus.

Program completion/graduation

After successful completion of the 24 months of didactic and clinical education, the student will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiography. The AAS in Radiography allows the graduate eligibility to apply to take the ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) national certification examination.

For successful program completion and graduation from the program, the student must meet all ARRT didactic and clinical competency requirements found here; and must have satisfactory completion of:

• All required clinical hours and clinical objectives.
• All competency examinations with a minimum of 75%.
• All required XRAY curriculum course examinations with an average grade of 75% or better.
• All radiography program courses listed in the KCC academic catalog with a grade of 75% or better.
• Any general education requirements needed for the AAS in Radiography.
• All attendance requirements.

Program handbook

Download the KCC Radiography Handbook.

Prospective students should consult Health Careers Requirements for the complete process to apply and enroll in a health program--including deadlines, Radiography eligibility worksheet, essential physical capabilities and functions.

The curriculum of record for students applying to, but not yet accepted into, competitive entry health careers programs will be the Associate in General Studies.

Applicants who meet minimum records and academic eligibility requirements by the deadline move to the next step, the HESI A2 Entrance Exam. Students who achieve a score of 70% or higher are ranked for program entry based on their test scores. The top-ranking students will be offered seats in the program and eligible students who are not offered seats, will be alternates. In the event that there is a tie in HESI A2 scores, the student scoring the highest in the reading section of the HESI A2 will be offered a seat.

General education courses

Courses listed in the General Education requirements section can be completed prior to program acceptance.

Clinical site placements are based on availability and the student’s preference and individual needs will be considered whenever possible. Clinical site placement is determined by KCC radiography program faculty.

All clinical rotations will be located in Illinois and may require students to travel. Some clinical sites are more than 60 minutes, one way, from the KCC Riverfront Campus.
Clinical arrangements may change due to clinical availability, program changes, or based on the discretion of the JRCERT.

Clinical education is a competency-based clinical experience. Students are assigned to a Clinical Education Center where they will be given the opportunity to apply the principles of radiography in a supervised environment for a scheduled number of hours each week. Students will be involved in all areas of general diagnostic radiography and may be introduced to specialized imaging modalities, such as CT. Students will be sent to at least two additional affiliated Clinical Education Centers in their 4th and 5th clinical courses.

The student will be expected to use the clinical experience to develop the skills required of an entry-level radiographer. Clinical education experiences will be guided by specific educational objectives found in each clinical course syllabi.

Clinical obligations:

• The majority of clinical rotations are on the a.m. shift: 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• More than three weeks--but no more than five weeks--will be on the p.m. shift rotations: 1:30-10 p.m.
• Students will also be required to complete mid-shift rotations (11a.m.- 7:30 p.m.) each semester.
• Students are not scheduled on weekends or 3rd shift.
• Students will rotate through two additional clinical sites in their second year (Clinical 4 and Clinical 5).

Affiliated clinical sites

The affiliated clinical sites are listed below. The number of students assigned to the clinical site is determined by the clinical site and in conjunction with the JRCERT standard.

• Prime St. Joseph Medical Center* - Joliet, Illinois
• Prime St. Mary’s Hospital - Kankakee, Illinois
• Gibson Area Hospital - Gibson City, Illinois*
• Iroquois Memorial Hospital - Watseka, Illinois
• Morris Hospital* - Morris, Illinois
• OAK Orthopedics - Bourbonnais, Illinois & Frankfort, Illinois
• OSF St. James John W. Albrecht Memorial Hospital - Pontiac, Illinois
• Riverside Medical Center - Kankakee, Illinois
• Silver Cross Hospital* - New Lenox, Illinois

*Travel time is 60 minutes or more one way from KCC's Riverfront Campus.

Student Learning Outcomes

The following student learning outcomes clearly state the expected knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and habits of mind that students are expected to acquire during this program.

1. Students will produce quality diagnostic images.
   - Students will comply with the principles of radiation protection standards to ensure a safe environment.
2. Students will implement effective verbal communication skills.
   - Students will implement effective non-verbal communication skills.
3. Students will utilize critical thinking skills to organize patient radiographic examinations.
   - Students will evaluate images for diagnostic quality & formulate necessary improvements.

Program Effectiveness Data

Following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, defines and publishes this information. Click here to go directly to the JRCERT webpage.

Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Program completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%.

Download the KCC Radiography Handbook.

KCC’s Radiography Program is actively seeking programmatic accreditation through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology (JRCERT). More information about JRCERT can be found at www.JRCERT.org; or by contacting JRCERT, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182; phone 312-704-5300; fax 312-704-5304.

Learn more about this program: Radiography, AAS