According to the
American Society of Radiologic Technologists,
Radiographers are the medical personnel who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments. They are educated in anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety ,radiation protection, and basic patient care.
Want to learn more? Click here to view an informational PDF answering many frequently asked questions. Additionally, you can download the Radiography Student Handbook by
clicking here.
Program Effectiveness Measures:
Goal 1: The Cooperative Radiography Program will monitor program effectiveness.
Goal 2: Students will demonstrate clinical competence and entry-level radiographer skills.
Goal 3: Student will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills and personal accountability.
Goal 5: Students will develop professionally and demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of life-long learning.
Radiography Program Outcomes
Annual Program Statistics most recent five years |
Year |
Program Completion
Rate |
ARRT
Certification Examination
Pass % |
ARRT
Comparison to
SWCC to National Stats |
2005 |
19 of 25 |
90% |
90 / 89.4 |
2006 |
28 of 36 |
91% |
91 / 90.1 |
2007 |
27 of 36 |
94% |
94 / 90.8 |
2008 |
26 of 36 |
93% |
93 / 91 |
2009 |
26 of 36 |
100% |
100 / 91.4 |
* 2010 data incomplete at this report date and will be posted summer 2011.
Taking Classes
This program is an innovative, cooperative arrangement with Southwest Virginia Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College, and Wytheville Community College. Students register at MECC for their general education course requirements and register through SWCC for their Radiography program courses. However, all class offerings and clinicals are provided on the MECC campus and at local healthcare facilities, with limited travel to other campuses. Classroom instruction incorporates interactive video-teleconferencing between classroom locations.
Credentials
After successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take a national registry examination to become a Registered Radiologic Technologist – RT(R). This exam is administered by the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Job Opportunities
Opportunities for Radiographers include employment at hospitals, physicians’ offices, clinics, government agencies, research institutions, education, and the armed forces.
Salary
The median salary for Registered Radiographers is $38,870 as listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Admission to the Program
- APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15 of each year
- Students must apply to Southwest Virginia Community College (http://www.sw.edu/admissions.htm)
- A high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Completed with a grade of “C” or better in high school (or college equivalent of): Algebra 1; Algebra 2 or Geometry; Chemistry, and Biology. Students may enroll in MECC’s developmental courses if these requirements are not met: (MTH 03; MTH 04 OR MTH 06; CHM 05; and BIO 101).
- Completed college placement test (Asset or Compass). All prescribed developmental work must be completed before admission to the program.
- Submitted high school transcripts, proof of GED if applicable, and all college transcripts to MECC and SWCC.
- Submitted Radiography Application to SWCC (http://www.sw.edu/publicforms/Allied%20Health%20Application.pdf)
- Observation in a Hospital Radiology Department for a minimum on twelve (12) hours. These observations must be documented by the radiology personnel denoting date(s) and time(s) and submitted to SWCC. Download Shadowing Form
Contact MECC 
