Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

The Radiologic Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182. The telephone number is 312-704-5300 – mail@jrcert.org.  Accreditation standards are located at http://www.jrcert.org. The MGCCC Radiologic Technology program was awarded a full eight-year accreditation in 2018.

The mission of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Radiologic Technology Program is to produce competent entry-level radiographers.

RGT Program Goals:

1. Students will demonstrate entry-level clinical performance and clinical competence.Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will understand the relationship between scatter and patient exposure.
   • Students will perform routine radiographic examinations of diagnostic quality.
   • Students will learn how to educate the public for radiation protection and acquired skills in the laboratory setting.

2. Students will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills in the laboratory and/or clinical setting.Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will provide appropriate age-specific patient care.
   • Students demonstrate critical thinking skills for increased examination complexity.
   • Students select appropriate technical factors for a variety of situations.
   • Students demonstrate organizational skills for non-routine situations.

3. Students will develop communication skills.Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students write the text for a PowerPoint presentation to peers.
   • Students demonstrate appropriate oral communications with adult patients in a simulated clinical setting.

4. Students and graduates will understand the importance of professional development and growth.Student Learning Outcomes:
   • Students will develop an appreciation for lifelong learning and professional ethics and values of a radiographer.

In addition, the RGT Program faculty monitors program effectiveness.

• Achieve a minimum Composite ACT Score of 18
• Have a minimum cumulative (GPA) of 2.5 on college work with no grade less than “C” on any Academic Core* courses in the current RT curriculum. (Courses may be re-taken and highest score will be used)
• Complete pre-requisites. Student must complete at least 4 of the program’s Academic Core* courses. One of the 4 courses must be Anatomy & Physiology I. All courses considered for selection must be completed prior to making application.
• Register for and complete the HESI A² Exam.
• Review the online mandatory Pre-School of Nursing and Health Professions Orientation Session prior to completing the supplemental application for program ranking. The session can be viewed anytime and anywhere you have access to the internet. The Power Point presentation gives you valuable information on topics common to all School of Nursing and Health Professions programs at MGCCC. Even without the ability to speak directly or interact immediately with a School of Nursing and Health Professions advisor, the session speaks to frequently asked questions from program entrance to completion. In order to receive credit for viewing the session, follow the steps below. The information is approximately one (1) hour in length. To complete this requirement do the following:
  1. Visit Web Services.
  2. Select Student.
  3. Select School of Nursing and Health Professions Supplemental Application Orientation Session.
  4. In order to receive credit, you must review the entire session.
  5. Click survey complete so that your log-in information will be recorded in the college’s BANNER system.
• Comply with Mississippi law requiring a Criminal Background History Check with Fingerprinting through the Mississippi Department of Health. All students making application to a School of Nursing and Health Professions program at MGCCC are required to obtain a clear or acceptable Criminal Background Check from the MGCCC Campus Police Department at HC, JC, Perkinston, or GC Campus. The criminal background check policy (including testing dates and times) can be viewed at School of Nursing and Health Professions Criminal Background Check Policy.

*Academic Core courses include:
BIO 2514, BIO 2524, MAT 1313, ENG 1113, SPT 1113, a Humanities/Fine Arts Elective and a Social /Behavioral Science Elective

Promotion Policy and Grading Scale

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete each course with a C or better, for all courses related to the RT Program.

Students will be advised of their progress throughout a course on a periodic basis, such as the reviewing of tests, clinical evaluation score updates, and the electronic grade book via Canvas. Questions regarding grades, progress, or instructional remediation should be directed to the instructor by making an appointment. Appointments with faculty may be made outside of the regularly scheduled class, lab, or clinical time. RT students are responsible for being aware of their grades and progress throughout a course. Students having difficulty in a course are encouraged to seek help in the Campus Learning Resources Center and from instructors. Good study habits are essential to complete this program and reach your goal.

Course enhancements are defined by RT faculty as assignments designed to foster ongoing and successful study habits leading to positive unit test and comprehensive final examination results. Test average is the average of major unit tests and the final examination. Promotion in the program depends on a passing grade in all core courses as scheduled. A passing test average of 80 is required to pass a course. If a test average is failing, then the course grade is F and course enhancements do not count, in other words, a student must have a passing test score average. If the test average is passing, the course enhancements are counted, which usually greatly improves the final grade.

Student Responsibilities

The following are student responsibilities while performing clinical hours in agencies recognized as clinical affiliates of the program. These responsibilities are

1. The student will comply with all existing policies, protocols and procedures of the Agency and the College. The student is responsible for the cost of liability insurance, drug screening, and background checks while enrolled in the program.
2. The student will be supervised at all times by a certified and/or registered health professional or an Agency-designated preceptor.
3. The student will observe the client’s rights to privacy and confidentiality. The student will sign a confidentiality/non-disclosure agreement with the Agency, if requested.
4. The student will be responsible for the cost of illnesses or injuries that may occur during the time of their affiliation and/or on the premises of the Agency. The student will be responsible for transportation costs incurred as a result of said occurrence and any follow-up care.
5. The student will not hold the College or the Agency liable for any illnesses/diseases contracted during the affiliation.
6. The student will complete health forms, liability release forms, and other related forms as requested by the Agency and the College.

Attendance Policy

Students will not be scheduled for more than forty (40) hours per week including all lectures, formalized labs, and clinical experience. Students are allowed thirty minutes for lunch and one morning and one afternoon break of fifteen minutes on clinical days. Attendance is reviewed with each student on a regular basis. (Breaks are a privilege)

The RT Program’s absentee policy for didactic courses, including those with laboratory sessions, supports the policy as stated in the College Catalog:

Students are allowed one hour of absence per semester hour for lecture courses. Two hours of absences are allowed per semester hour for laboratory courses. The RT Program has developed a separate attendance policy for clinical education courses. It is the responsibility of the RT Program faculty to help students develop good employment habits. Among the many essential employment skills and habits desirable for radiographers, potential employers and the Advisory Committee have identified attendance habits as a crucial employment skill. The specific clinical education attendance policy is outlined within the course syllabus for the course. (see course syllabi)

Clinical absences shall be governed by the following regulations:

1. All student time must be documented.
2. Each policy and procedure is considered a separate occurrence for documentation and penalties.
3. The student is to call the CES to report an absence within an hour of the beginning of the assignment. The student should speak with the technologist in charge of the work area when reporting absences. Record on the evaluation pages for the day of the absence, which CI was notified and the time of the notification so the Clinical Coordinator can verify the call. The student shall also email the Clinical Coordinator before 8:00 am informing them of their absence.
4. Clinical absences and make up assignments are subject to regulations stipulated in each clinical education syllabus. Clinical absences and tardiness will affect the student’s grade. i.e., a student can accumulate more than one penalty in one day, such as arriving late, returning late from lunch, then leaving early.
5. When deemed appropriate by the Program faculty, voluntary make up will be assigned by the Clinical Coordinator/Instructor at the CES where the absence occurred. Clinical absences that may be considered for voluntary make up are maternity leave, major surgery, etc. Students not completing the entire voluntary make up prior to the end of the semester will receive a grade of Incomplete (I).
6. A student will be dropped from a clinical course when the student misses more than the number of absences specified in the course syllabus.
7. Excused and official absences affecting clinical assignments qualify for and require make up to meet program completion standards.

• It is recommended that students maintain a journal/calendar to coordinate assignments, testing dates, clinical data, clinical contacts, details of course absence, etc.
• If course objectives require a combination of lecture and lab, then the absences will be apportioned according to the limitations stated.

Excessive tardiness will not be tolerated and will count as absences. An instructor may drop a student after the student misses more than the number of absences per semester hour that the course carries. Excused absences are permitted at the discretion of the instructor and are not counted as absences. These are only considered under extenuating circumstances that can be verified by official documentation. Official absences are excused by the college and are not counted and are excused. Instructors will be notified of such official absences by the college.

In extenuating circumstances, students who are dropped after exceeding allowable absences may petition, in writing, for reinstatement first to the faculty member initiating the drop, then by following the chain-of-command if the matter is unresolved to the student’s satisfaction.

Breaks and Holidays

All students are entitled to college holidays and breaks, as outlined in the College Catalog. The dates of breaks may be different than those indicated by the College Catalog or tabloids in order to complete the hour requirements of the curriculum framework, as mandated by the Mississippi State Department of Education, Vocational and Technical Education, Allied Health and Related Technologies Division.

Student Dress Code and Professionalism

One of the requirements of the health field is that a fresh, clean uniform be worn in the clinical area. The uniform is a source of pride in the health occupations and should not be considered a burden. In addition to the proud representation for the college, health occupations, the RT Program, and self, the purpose of the uniform is protection and professionalism.

The dress code is strictly enforced. The RT Program faculty, designated Clinical Instructors, and CES Supervisors will enforce violations of the RT Program’s dress code.

Students are immediately dismissed from clinical participation at the CES for the day of the dress code violation. All time missed from the CES for a dress code violation is considered an absence for the entire assignment, as described by the Attendance Policy for the Program (a student can fail a clinical education course for multiple dress code violations). A student will be dismissed from the RT program for habitual dress code violations or dress code violations in conjunction with other program violations.

Students are required to adhere to the following guidelines for appropriate uniform regulations and personal hygiene:

1. Students will wear approved uniforms, of the scrub type, at all times within the CES.
2. Approved uniforms include a white professional lab coat (short lab coat, not knee length) with the RT Program patch on the left sleeve (a patch must also be affixed to the left sleeve of each uniform). Patches may be purchased from the JC bookstore.
   • The lab coat must be worn at all times, except during fluoroscopic procedures.
   • A short-sleeved lab coat is permissible. In cases where the student has a visible tattoo on the arms, a long sleeve lab coat must be worn.
3. All uniforms will be kept neat, clean, and properly arranged at all times.
   • When T-shirts are worn under the uniform, they must be white and must fit so that the only part of the shirt visible is at the neckline of the uniform, no shirt tails or visible sleeves. No visible logos are allowed.
4. Proper foundation garments, hosiery or white socks, and shoes shall be worn.
   • Shoes shall be of the clinical type or white or black leather tennis shoes with no colored or distinguishing marks. Shoes must be closed at the heel. Shoes may not be inlaid with canvas or open mesh.
5. Students shall not wear perfume, ribbons, ornaments, colored nail polish, artificial nails, or jewelry other than allowed by the dress code.
   • Students are not allowed to wear any body-piercing jewelry or simulations of any type (i.e. earrings, tongue piercing, eyebrow rings, nose rings, etc.) to the CES.
   • A watch and a wedding set or single ring on each hand is considered appropriate. Smart watches are not allowed. Other jewelry will be deemed inappropriate to the dress code. The wearing of an engagement ring or any type ring other than a plain band is discouraged because it not only harbors pathogens but may damage the skin of patients.
   • Bracelets and necklaces are considered inappropriate for professional dress and may present a safety hazard.
   • Hair shall be neatly styled in a conservative fashion, with collar-length hair either worn up or pulled back at the nape of the neck and secured.
   • Hair color must be within the range of naturally occurring human colors.
   • Approved manners of securing hair include scrunchies, non-ornamented barrettes or clips, and bands that are colored royal blue, black, white, or tortoise shell.
   • Nail polish must be clear, no color, no French nail tips or artificial nails. No nail polish should be worn in the surgical setting.
   • No visible tattoos are allowed.
6. Students will wear the specified picture ID as a name identification tag; picture must be turned so it is visible at all times and may not be covered by markers, etc. Additional IDs may be provided and required by an individual CES.
7. Pants shall be properly hemmed to shoe top level. No stockinet or cuffed slacks are allowed.
8. Uniform tops will be pullover style, no button or snap closures allowed.
9. The uniform style shall not be altered (i.e. pant legs should be left loose to facilitate movement).
10. Students will be dismissed from daily clinical assignments for failure to comply with the dress code and the dismissal will result in grade penalties and absence as described in the absentee policy.
11. Eating, drinking, chewing gum, etc. in the presence of a patient is not allowed.
12. Smoking will be allowed in designated smoking areas only. Most of the affiliates are smoke free.
13. The uniform color for the RT Program is royal blue. When choosing uniforms, there are two shades called royal blue, the darker shade is unacceptable. Please keep receipts and check with faculty to determine if the correct shade has been chosen.

College and clinical instructors/supervisors reserve the right to refuse clinical experiences to students dressed in any manner deemed professionally inappropriate and/or in noncompliance with the dress code. They may send you home.

Clinical Guidelines and Assignments

Each student is assigned by RT Program faculty to a different diagnostic area on a regularly scheduled basis. This is necessary to insure adequacy of clinical experiences for each student as well as to familiarize each student with different types of equipment. Scheduled rotating assignments provide various clinical examinations and procedures that are peculiar to certain diagnostic imaging areas. RT Program faculty develops clinical education plans for a newly enrolled class before students begin clinical education assignments.

The two-year clinical education plan provides an equitable learning experience for all students, based on average hours of involvement in the same or similar procedural environments within a variety of CESs. Because alterations to the two-year plan grossly affects the education of other students’ plans and the educational morale and equitability for others, changes to the schedule are made for the entire plan only under extreme circumstances impacting the class majority, such as catastrophic events, like Hurricane Katrina. Changes in the two-year educational plan are not made to accommodate the circumstances of individual students unless deemed critical for competency completion, such as prolonged equipment failure in a specialty area or insufficient number of procedures in a non-duplicated area. Schedule changes are the discretion of faculty. No changes are made to the clinical education plan to resolve or accommodate conflicts within CESs. The two-year clinical education plan is provided to individual students, each CES, and program faculty. Copies of clinical education plans are maintained in the office of the Clinical Coordinator and in the Program’s Master Plan.

Due Process/Grievance Policy

Faculty maintains an open door policy and encourages students to speak with them about any concerns they may have. The School of Nursing and Health Professions Student Handbook describes students’ rights to reasonable due process. Students have a right to appeal college decisions which they believe to have an adverse effect on their pursuit of an education or participation in college programs. In order to receive due consideration, the student must enter a formal appeal in accordance with the Student Grievance Procedures, MGCCC Statement No.718, which can be found in the MGCCC Student Handbook online on the college website. A copy of the SON&HPs appeals process is located in the appendix.

Radiography students wishing to address questions concerning and/or to report suspected inconsistencies between educational practices and the Standards of Accreditation by the JRCERT, may contact or consult the JRCERT directly at www.jrcert.org or via phone at (312) 704-5300.

General Fees

• General MGCCC Tuition and Fees

Radiologic Technology Program Expenses – Non Refundable (Cost may be subject to change)

Prior to Entering Program

• Criminal Background Check $65 – $80 (MGCCC Campus Police)

Once Admitted into Program

• Career and Technical Program Fee $40 per credit hour
• Pre-admission Physical Exam and Immunizations $200 – $300
• Books $500 – $700 (plus rental fees, if applicable)
• Substance Testing $29 – $35 per semester
• Liability Insurance $12 -$15 per semester
• Additional purchase items, supplies, online supplemental resources $350 – $650
• Uniform, Accessories $200 – $300
• National Board Exam Application Fee $250 – $300
• Radiation Monitor Fee – $200 – $400

Cost may be subject to change