Radiologic Technology
Radiologic technologists create images used to diagnose a patient's injury or illness.
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, are key members of the healthcare team who create images used to diagnose a patient's injury or illness. They use sophisticated equipment to produce radiographic images, or x-rays, of the human body at the request of a physician. With new advances in medical technology and a shortage of healthcare workers, career opportunities abound for radiologic technologists across the country!
our program
The HCC radiologic technology program prepares graduates to immediately enter the workforce as a professional in the field of diagnostic medical imaging. Students who successfully complete the program will receive an Associate of Science degree in radiologic technology. This fulfills one of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists primary pathway requirements to become a registered radiologic technologist in radiography.
Curious about what kind of career you can have with a radiologic tech degree? Explore these links:
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
- American Society of Radiologic Technologists
- U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
To learn more about HCC's radiologic technology program, check out the links on this page. Information sessions are also a great way to learn more about the program and application process! (Prospective students are required to attend an information session within one year of the application due date of February 1.)
Not sure where to start? Current HCC students should contact their assigned academic advisor. Prospective HCC students can contact admissions at admissions@hcc.edu.
student handbook
Access the radiologic technology program handbook online.
State licensure is required to work as a radiologic technologist in Massachusetts, either by holding a temporary or regular license. To qualify for a temporary Radiologic Technologist license to practice in Massachusetts, you must have graduated from a two-year JRCERT-accredited program, such as the HCC Radiologic Technology program, and be eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) exam. Please visit the Massachusetts government webpage for additional information on Applying for a Temporary Radiologic Technology License in the state of Massachusetts.
To qualify for a Radiologic Technology license in Massachusetts, you must hold current certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Successful completion of the HCC Radiologic Technology program meets the education requirement for primary eligibility pathway in radiography to become board-certified by the ARRT. Please visit the Massachusetts government webpage for additional information on Applying for a Radiologic Technology License in the state of Massachusetts. For requirements to practice as a radiologic technologist in states other than Massachusetts, please visit the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) webpage on Individual State Licensure Information, which will direct you to each state's requirements for practice. For additional assistance determining whether the HCC Radiologic Technology program meets each state's requirements for practice, please contact the HCC Radiologic Technology program director Mary Buckley at mbuckley@hcc.edu.
Admission into the HCC radiologic technology program is selective. Applicants need to meet the minimum application requirements and submit the necessary documents by February 1 to be considered for admission into the program the following fall semester. These requirements are in addition to any needed for general admission into Holyoke Community College. You may find the Radiologic Technology Application Checklist helpful to organize the process.
Minimum Application Requirements
- Apply using the college application due by February 1
- Attendance at a radiologic technology information session no more than one year prior to application deadline
- Submit "Program Requirements Acknowledgement Form" by February 1. This form is available in the main online application.
- Submit "Healthcare Employment Verification Form" by February 1. Employment history in a healthcare field is NOT a requirement of application, but all applicants are REQUIRED to submit this completed form. This form is available in the main online application.
- Submit proof of eligibility for ENG 101, MTH 104, and BIO 217 at Holyoke Community College by February 1. (Please review the prerequisites. Additional information about math and English eligibility can be found on the college's course placement page. If the applicant chooses to use the math placement exam to demonstrate eligibility, the score must be dated within two years of the application deadline. For example: For applications due February 1, 2022, math placement exam scores must be dated after February 1, 2020.)
- Candidates must provide satisfactory evidence of secondary school graduation or its equivalent (final official high school or GED/HiSET transcript with date of graduation) submitted to the HCC admissions office by February 1
- Candidates submitting proof of secondary education completion in a language other than English must submit a certified evaluation.*
- International high school credentials must be evaluated to U.S. credit standards through an approved credential evaluation agency and received directly from that agency. The evaluated document must specify the date on which the student completed secondary school and must include grades for each subject the student completed.*
- Official college transcripts (if applicable) submitted to the HCC admissions office by February 1
- Proof of college or university completion in a language other than English must be a certified translation and include a list of subjects studied and the date on which the student completed their degree.*
- Students who may also seek transfer credit from a college or university not in the U.S. are encouraged to submit an official course-by-course equivalency performed by an authorized credential evaluation service.*
*Information about credential evaluations can be found at naces.org.
Selection Process
Admission into the radiologic technology program is competitive due to space limitations. Applicants will be evaluated compared to others in the same applicant pool. Applications meeting the minimum requirements stated above will be reviewed. The following criteria are NOT requirements for application or admission but are used to evaluate applications.
- Completion of ENG 101, ENG 102, Social Science elective 1, Social Science elective 2
- Academic achievement in BIO 217, BIO 218, HTH 114, MTH 104
- One or more years of employment in a healthcare field with direct patient care contact
The following essential functions will be necessary to successfully complete the radiologic technology program. In some cases, assessment and developmental courses may help students meet these standards. These functional abilities may be performed with reasonable accommodation. This information is provided to allow students to assess their own capabilities.
To ensure patient safety, students throughout the program must be able to demonstrate:
1. Physical
- Helping in positioning patients who may be comatose, paralyzed, or otherwise incapacitated, from wheelchairs and beds, to x-ray tables, and vice versa. This includes regular lifting, pulling and pushing of 40+ pounds.
- Handling and moving objects: Use of hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. Continuously reaching above shoulder level, frequently while holding objects.
- Standing and walking for extended periods of time
- Positioning, placing, and moving equipment, i.e. image receptors, portable x-ray machines, and overhead equipment, as radiography requires positioning the x-ray tube hanging from the ceiling to various areas of the room.
- Response to signals such as sound and light from a distance of 15 feet, as control panels and exposure switches are located in rooms or paneled areas separate from the x-ray table on which patients are placed.
- Determination of differences in gradual changes in blacks, grays, and whites for purposes of judging images for technical quality.
2. Communicative
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language.
- Active listening: Giving full attention to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made.
- Oral comprehension: The ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Speech clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Speech recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Written expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Communicating with others: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and physicians by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Interacting with computers: Using computers and computer systems including hardware and software.
- Civility: Polite, respectful, and professional behavior exhibited in classroom and clinical setting.
3. Cognitive
- The ability to fill syringes and enema bags, manipulate locks on equipment, and follow isolation procedures.
- Problem sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
- Control precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Clinical decision making: Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data
4. Emotional
- Dependability: Requires being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling role obligations.
- Integrity: Requires being honest and ethical.
- Cooperation: Requires displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Self control: Requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior even in very difficult situations.
- Concern for others: Requires being sensitive to others needs and feelings.
- Initiative: Requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Stress tolerance: Requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Adaptability/flexibility: Requires being open to change and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Definitions from the Summary Report for Radiologic Technologists produced by the United States Department of Labor in their Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
If you require accommodations, please contact the HCC Office for Students with Disabilities & Deaf Services/Documentation.
Students admitted to the program must meet the Essential Functions. Additionally students must meet additional requirements to be eligible for clinical placement. Admitted students will be provided instructions on when and how to complete the requirements. These requirements include:
Documentation of the following:
- Measles, mumps, rubella vaccination or positive titer
- Varicella vaccination or positive titer
- T-Dap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination
- Influenza vaccination
- COVID-19 vaccination
- Hepatitis B vaccination AND positive titer (since the vaccination process for Hepatitis B takes place over 6 months, applicants are encouraged to start this process in advance of application).
Additional Requirements:
- Physical: Admitted students must also receive a physical performed and documented by a licensed healthcare provider (MD, NP, PA). The physical must have been completed within one year prior to the program start date (September 1)
- Criminal Offender Record Check (CORI)
- Sex Offender Record Check (SORI)
- 10 Panel Drug Screening
- CPR certification - American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
- Tuberculosis screening (annual requirement)
- Students must carry personal health insurance (this can be purchased through the college, if needed)
- Students must meet the Essential Functions
- Each student must hold liability insurance. This is offered as a group policy (at a group rate) through the program. The fee will appear on the student's bill.
- Attend orientation meeting
- Admitted students may be required to attend a shadow at a clinical site
Trajecsys
Trajecsys is a clinical document tracking system. Students are required to purchase a Trajecsys account that is linked to the HCC Radiology program. The account will remain active for the duration of the program.
Castlebranch
Students must create and pay for a subscription to Castlebranch, a third party vendor contracted by Holyoke Community College to verify, track, and maintain documents. You will be provided with directions on when and how to create the account so that it is visible to HCC administrators. Students are required to submit required health records and maintain compliance throughout the duration of the program.
Clinical Sites
The HCC Radiologic Technology program currently hold affiliate agreements with the following health care centers: Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, MA; Cooley Dickinson Hospital In Northampton, MA; Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke, MA; Trinity of New England Mercy Medical Center in Springfield, MA; Berkshire Medical Center and Berkshire Health Urgent Care in Pittsfield, MA. Students assigned to Cooley Dickinson may attend a weekly rotation assignment at the affiliated Atwood Health Center, also in Northampton. Students at Berkshire Medical Center may attend a weekly rotation assignment at the affiliated Berkshire Health Urgent Care, also in Pittsfield. Students may be placed at any clinical site and more than one site during the program. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the clinical site.
PROGRAM MISSION
The mission of the radiologic technology program at Holyoke Community College is to graduate students with an Associate of Science degree in the curriculum of radiologic technology, and provide the skills and knowledge necessary to enter medical imaging professions. In addition, the program supports the overall HCC mission as stated in the college catalog.
Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competence.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will be proficient in producing quality diagnostic radiographic images.
- Students will understand and apply proper radiation protection practices.
Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
Student learning outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate effective verbal communication with clinical instructors, staff, patients, and other students.
- Students will practice effective written communication.
Goal 3: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills. Student learning outcomes:
- Students will adapt positioning to non-routine situations.
- Students will modify technique based on image critique and patient factors.
For complete assessment data, please contact the program director at mbuckley@hcc.edu.
The following sample program schedule is included for prospective students to have a sense of the time commitment required for the Radiologic Technology program. Note: the sample schedule is subject to change. The program begins with a fall semester start, then includes Wintersession, spring semester, summer semester, and fall semester, and ends after a second spring semester.
first fall
First five weeks
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| RDL 115 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 132 RDL 122 |
RDL 115 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 132 RDL 122 |
RDL 115 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
Week 6 – end of semester
*One week of evening clinical rotation; M-F, 4 – 8 p.m.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| RDL 141* 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 132 RDL 122 RDL 141* |
RDL 141* |
RDL 132 RDL 122 RDL 141* |
RD: 141* |
wintersession
Two weeks
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| RDL 158 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 158 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 158 |
RDL 158 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 158 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
first spring
*Two weeks of evening clinical rotation; M-F, 4 – 8 p.m.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| RDL 142* 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 133 RDL 123 RDL 142* |
RDL 142* 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
RDL 133 RDL 123 RDL 142* |
Summer
Students attend summer clinical for 10 weeks over an 11-week period (a one-week break is built in). Two weeks of evening rotations M-F, 2 – 10 p.m.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| RDL 251 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 251 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 251 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 251 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
RDL 251 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
second fall
*Two weeks of evening clinical rotation; M-F, 4 – 8 p.m.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|
RDL 241* RDL 233 RDL 221 |
RDL 241* 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
RDL 241* RDL 233 RDL 221 |
RDL 241* 7:30 – 11:30 a.m. |
second spring
*Two weeks of evening clinical rotation; M-F, 4 – 8 p.m.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|
RDL 242* RDL 234 RDL 190 |
RDL 242* 12 noon – 4 p.m. |
RDL 242* RDL 234 RDL 190 |
RDL 242* 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
The following is the most current program effectiveness data for the Radiologic Technology program at Holyoke Community College. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. The information can be found directly on 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 benchmarkestablished by the JRCERT is 75%.
| Credentialing Examination Rate | Number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation |
| Year | Results |
| Year 1- 2018 | 5 of 5 100% |
| Year 2- 2019 | 11 of 11 - 100% |
| Year 3- 2020 | 10 of 10 - 100% |
| Year 4- 2021 | 13 of 15 - 86.7% |
| Year 5- 2022 | 5 of 5- 100% |
| Program 5-Year Average | 44 of 46 - 96% |
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%.
| Job Placement Rate | Number employed divded by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation |
| Year | Results |
| Year 1- 2018 | 4 of 4 - 100% |
| Year 2- 2019 | 12 of 12 - 100% |
| Year 3- 2020 | 11 of 11 - 100% |
| Year 4- 2021 | 13 of 13 - 100% |
| Year 5- 2022 | 5 of 5 - 100% |
| Program 5-Year Average | 45 of 45 - 100% |
Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length (21 months). The annual benchmark established by the program is 70%.
| Program Completion Rate | Number graduated divided by the number who started the program |
| Year | Results |
| Year 1 - 2022 | 5 of 6 |
| Annual Completion Rate | 83% |
The Radiologic Technology program at Holyoke Community College is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program was awarded eight year accreditation status in Spring of 2016. The current accreditation award extends to 04/01/24 at which point the program will seek continued accreditation through the JRCERT. The Radiologic Technology program must adhere to the JRCERT Accreditation Standards. Directions on how to pursue allegations of noncompliance can be found here.
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182
312.704.5300
JRCERT Website
Holyoke Community College provides student resources. Student resources refer to the variety of services and programs offered to promote academic success. Please click on the following to find information about:
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learning in the center for health education
Students learn in our new Center for Health Education, a facility that features multimedia-equipped classrooms and state-of-the-art technology.
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produce radiographic images
Learn how to create images used to diagnose a patient's injury or illness.
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help diagnose & treat
Use your education to produce x-rays at the request of a physician, and aid in the process of a patient receiving a diagnosis and treatment.
