Program Overview

Medical Imaging

Biological and Health Sciences Division, Room B213, (847) 543-2042

https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs/biodv/medical-imaging
Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Plan 21MI

The medical imaging program is a limited enrollment program with courses that are offered during the day in eight-week modules, alternating between the classroom and clinical education. Classes are offered through blended learning instruction. Students are required to meet the screening requirements in effect at the time of screening. Students who screen and are accepted into a limited enrollment program will be required to complete the curriculum that is in place at the time of entrance into the program. If students who screen are not granted admission, they must rescreen and satisfy all screening and curriculum requirements in place for a future program to start. See page 30 for more information about the CAREERS agreement

Screening Deadline: Third Monday in October

The Medical Imaging Program prepares radiographers to work in medical facilities producing radiographic examinations which are interpreted by a radiologist or another medical specialist. Graduates of the program are qualified to take the national certification examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Graduates also meet the additional criteria required for Illinois licensure. The Medical Imaging program is nationally accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology: 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 Chicago, IL 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300, mail@jrcert.org.

The mission of the College of Lake County Medical Imaging Program is to cultivate exceptional Radiologic Technologists through equitable high-quality instruction in didactic, laboratory, and clinical settings. The Medical Imaging Program advocates independent, professional and ethical judgment, cultural and technical competence, advanced quality care, and continuous education to the diverse communities it serves.

The College of Lake County Medical Imaging Program’s Vision is committed to providing a holistic education designed to meet the needs of community stakeholders. In addition, the Medical Imaging Program upholds the Values of the College of Lake County… Purpose, Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Unity, and Compassion.

The number of students that can be admitted to the MIM Program is limited. Therefore, a screening procedure is used to select the academically best qualified from those who request consideration. Preference is given to residents of CLC’s district, or a community college district which does not offer a Medical Imaging program and is a member of the CAREER consortium. Students who live outside of CLC’s district but are eligible for in-district tuition because they are employed by a district employer are NOT considered residents of the district for purposes of selection into the program. Students enrolled in the program are required to undergo a background check and a urine drug screen prior to attending their clinical site (MIM 114). The results of the background check and drug screen may result in the student losing his/her seat in the program. The costs are borne by the student.

To be Considered for Admission to the Medical Imaging Program, Students must Complete the Following Screening Requirements Prior to the Screening Deadline.

Students must have submitted the following documents to the Welcome and One-Stop Center:

Student Information Form.
Official high school transcript with graduation date OR Official GED test scores OR Official college transcripts with graduation date and degree awarded OR Official foreign high school or college transcript evaluated by a NACES approved agency
Medical Imaging Program Request for Screening Form
If using courses from another college to meet prerequisites or degree requirements, submit an official transcript and a “Request for Evaluation of Prior College Transcripts” form to the Office of Registrar and Records

Minimum Selection Criteria:

Student Records Must Indicate the Following:

High school graduate or equivalent or high school senior in the last term
College Reading and Writing Readiness and Basic Algebra Readiness
CLC Cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above
High school chemistry or physics with a lab (1-year, C or better) OR CHM 120 or CHM 121 or PHY 121 or an equivalent course (C or better)
BIO 123, BIO 161, or BIO 244 or an equivalent course (C or better)
One of the following Math options:
- High School Algebra (2-years, C or better) OR
- TM02 C or better (within 18 months of completion) OR
- CLC ALEKS Math Placement Test 30+ OR
- Math ACT score 20+ OR
- Math SAT score 510+ OR
- MTH 102 C or better OR
- MTH 105 C or better OR
- Completion of a higher level math course than 102 or 105 (C or better) OR
- Equivalent course from another college or university
course: Introduction to Medical Imaging (C or better)
Applicants may take the NLN NEX exam once every 90 days (approximately three months). NLN NEX exam results that are less than 90 days between exams will not be considered. Scores used for screening into limited enrollment programs will be valid for only 3 years prior to a screening deadline. Scores older than 3 years will not be considered for screening. An applicant must obtain a minimum RN composite percentile score of 40 and a minimum score of 30 in math, reading, and science. Visit https://www.clcillinois.edu/programs-and-classes/academic-divisions/biodv/nln for more information.
Must be eighteen (18) years of age by the fall semester following the screening deadline to enroll in the first clinical course (course).
course: Anatomy and Physiology I- currently enrolled and will complete at end of the fall semester of the screening year (C or better) OR completed course (C or better)

Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in each Imaging course to continue in and graduate from the program.

Note: The lecture portion of the course is blended learning. MIM courses are provided in 8-week learning modules, alternating between didactic and clinical education.

CoURSE	Title	Hours
Spring Semester One		6 Credits
course	College Success Seminar	2
course	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
Summer Session One		5 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Radiographic Anatomy and Positioning I	5
Fall Semester One		13 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice I (First 8 weeks)	3
course	Radiographic Anatomy and Positioning II (Second 8 weeks)	5
course	Advanced Radiographic Procedures I (Second 8 weeks)	2
course	English Composition I	3
Spring Wintersession		1 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice II (First 2-weeks of Jan.)	1
Spring Semester Two		13.5 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice II (First 8 weeks)	3
course	Principles of Radiographic Exposure (Second 8 weeks)	2.5
course	Technical Aspects of Patient Care (Second 8 weeks)	2
course	Introduction to Psychology	3
course	Fundamentals of Speech or
course	Interviewing Practices	3
Summer Intersession		1 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice III	1
Summer Session Two		3 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice III	3
Fall Semester Two		13.5 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Imaging Equipment (First 8 weeks)	5.5
course	Computed Imaging (First 8 weeks)	2
course	Clinical Practice IV (Second 8 weeks)	3
course	Introduction to Ethics	3
Winter session		1 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Clinical Practice IV (First 2-weeks of Jan.)	1
Spring Semester Three		9 Credits
CoURSE	Title	Hours
course	Advanced Topics in Radiography (First 8 weeks)	3
course	Introduction to Sectional Anatomy (First 8 weeks)	1
course	Radiography Seminar (First 8 weeks)	2
course	Clinical Practice V (Second 8 weeks)	3
Total Hours for A.A.S. Degree		66

For more information on recommended courses or program specific advising, contact faculty member Dr. Lynn Wiechert at bio559@clcillinois.edu , Christina Lozano at clozano1@clcillinois.edu or the Biological and Health Sciences division.

Pregnancy Policy

During the first semester in the medical imaging program, all students will be taught basic radiation protection procedures. These instructions will include enough background so that students will be able to understand the possible biological risks of ionizing radiation to the embryo and fetus. In addition, any perspective student attending a Medical Imaging information session receives the NRC guide #8.29 and #8.13 with a brief overview.

Information is available through the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guide #8.13 on instruction concerning prenatal radiation exposure. The NRC guide and forms are available in the appendices of the MIM handbook or at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0037/ML003739505.pdf

A student may voluntarily inform the department chair and the radiation safety officer in writing using the form in the back of guide #8.13 should a pregnancy occur during the educational period. The pregnancy then becomes declared and a fetal dosimeter will be issued to the student to monitor radiation exposure. The signed NRC 8.13 form letter for declaring pregnancy will be placed in the student’s CLC file. A student may rescind pregnancy declaration at any time in writing to the department chair.

Once the student declares their pregnancy, the possible risks to the embryo and fetus shall be reviewed and the review documented and signed by the radiation safety officer and the student. The student will then be referred to the department chair for discussion and documentation of the student’s pregnancy options.

The student will choose one of the following pregnancy options:

The student may continue in the program without modification. In this case, two dosimeters will be used, one worn at the collar and on top of the apron during fluoroscopy and one worn on the belt and under the apron during fluoroscopy to record the student exposure and the fetal exposure respectively. Should recorded fetal exposure increase to 500 mrem or be received at a rate greater than 50 mrem per month at any time during pregnancy, the student will be required to take a leave of absence [see (b) below]. All course objectives and rotations shall be equivalent to any and all students enrolled in those particular courses. Adherence to radiation protection policies should eliminate almost all fetal exposure. Other counseling on radiation protection procedures shall be done as needed.
A leave of absence may be taken until the birth of the child. All medical imaging grades will be recorded as withdrawn (W) if the student grades are acceptable at the time. This will permit the student to return with no penalty. Student acceptance to clinical facilities depends upon the availability of sites.
The student may terminate the program. All medical imaging grades will be recorded as withdrawn (W) if the student grades are acceptable at the time.

The Medical Imaging Programs Sets Forth the Following Goals and Outcomes:

Goal 1: Students will use critical thinking skills.

Students will calculate technical factors.
Students will demonstrate their ability to modify routine procedures.

Goal 2: Students will be clinically competent.

Students will differentiate between pathological processes.
Students will modify exams based upon patient history, condition, or diversity of populations.

Goal 3: Students will be able to communicate.

Students will compose accurate communication for fluoroscopy examinations.
Students will demonstrate effective communication.

Medical Imaging Technical Performance Standards

Medical Imaging is a practice of discipline with cognitive, sensory, aﬀective, and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on those requirements [and the State of Illinois licensing requirements], a list of “Performance Standards” has been developed. Each standard has an example of an activity or activities that a potential student will be required to perform while enrolled in the radiography program. Please note that these examples are not all inclusive.

Issue	Standard	Examples of Required Activities (Not all inclusive)
Visual	Visual ability suﬃcient for observation and assessment necessary in the operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Visualize x-ray collimator centering light and identify its center. • Observe the patient in order to assess the patient’s condition and/or needs from a distance of at least 20 feet. • Can see numbers, letters, calibrations, etc., of varying sizes located on equipment utilized by a radiographer.
Hearing	Auditory abilities suﬃcient to monitor and assess patient needs, and to provide a safe environment.	• Hear a patient talk in a normal tone from a distance of 20 feet • Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, and cries for help.
Tactile	Tactile ability suﬃcient for patient assessment and operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Perform palpatation, tactile assessment and manipulation o body parts to ensure proper body placement and alignment. • Manipulate dials, buttons and switches of various sizes.
Mental	Mental ability suﬃcient for patient assessment and operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Be able to visually concentrate and focus attention, thoughts, and eﬀorts on patients and equipment for varying periods of time. • Be able to respond to patients’ changing physical conditions.
Environmental Requirements	Physical health suﬃcient enough to be able to tolerate certain conditions present in the clinical setting.	• Be able to tolerate risks of discomforts in the clinical setting that require special safety precautions, additional safety education, and health risk monitoring (i.e., ionizing radiation), working with sharps, chemicals, and infectious dis- ease. Students may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, goggles, gloves, and lead aprons.
Communication	Communication abilities suﬃcient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.	• Eﬀectively communicate to the patient in order to converse, instruct the patient, relieve anxiety, gain their cooperation during procedures, understand the patient when they are communicating symptoms of medical emergency.
Mobility	Physical abilities suﬃcient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.	• Assist all patients, according to individual needs and abilities, in moving, turning, transferring from transportation devices to x-ray table, etc. • Be able to push, pull, and lift a minimum 50 lbs. • Push a stretcher and/or wheelchair without injury to self, patient, and others. • Push a mobile x-ray machines from one location to another, including turning corners, getting on and oﬀ an elevator, and manipulating it in a patient’s room or surgery.
Motor Skills	Gross and ﬁne motor abilities suﬃcient to provide safe eﬀective patient care.	• Manually move the x-ray tube and position the tube at various angles and heights up to 7 feet. • Accurately draw up sterile contrast media and other solutions without contaminating the syringe and/or needles, etc. • Physically be able to administer emergency care including performing CPR. • Place cassettes (image receptors) in Bucky trays and properly manipulate all locks. • Be able to stand for periods as long as 2-hours wearing lead aprons and to walk a distance of 5 miles during a normal work day.
Critical Thinking	Critical thinking ability suﬃcient for safe, clinical judgment.	• Identify cause-eﬀect relationships in clinical situations. • Evaluate radiographs to ascertain that they contain proper identiﬁcation and are of diagnostic value. • Select exposure factors and accessory devices for all radiographic procedures with consideration of patient size, age, and extent of disease. • Assess patient’s condition and needs from a distance of at least 20 feet. • Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR, based on assessment data.
Interpersonal Behavioral and Social Skills	Interpersonal abilities suﬃcient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.	• Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues. • Allow mature, sensitive, and eﬀective relationships with patients and fellow workers (interpersonal skills). • Tolerate physically taxing workload. • Function eﬀectively under stress. • Adapt to changing environments (ﬂexible schedules, emergency conditions). • Display compassion, professionalism, empathy, integrity, concern for others, and interest and motivation.

Developed by St. Petersburg College Radiography Program: Permission granted to CLC.

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and College of Lake County policy prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. One of the purposes of this document is to ensure that students are aware of the requirements of this program and acknowledge their understanding of the program requirements. Students who have a disability and are in need of accommodations or modiﬁcations must contact the Oﬃce for Students with Disabilities (“OSD”). The OSD will determine whether or not any reasonable accommodations or modiﬁcations can be provided.