Program specifics about earning a Radiologic Technology Degree at Northland.
The Radiologic Technology program prepares students to perform various radiologic procedures through didactic as well as clinical experiences. The student Radiologic Technologist instructs and positions patients, manipulates radiographic equipment, adjusts exposure factors, provides radiation protection for patients, self, and others, evaluates the quality of images, and carries out activities associated with quality control. The student Radiologic Technologist carries out these functions under the supervision or upon the direction of a registered Radiologic Technologist and Radiologist, a physician specializing in radiography for diagnosis and treatment.
The Radiologic Technology program is a five-semester, 21-month, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). In addition to providing quality education in the field of radiography, our program incorporates values and attitudes congruent with the professional standards and ethics as outlined by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
In addition to the sequential classroom requirements outlined in the program curriculum, student radiographers clinically rotate at six clinical education sites. These designated clinical education sites provide students with a wide variety of both inpatient and outpatient imaging services designed to enhance graduate work-readiness skills in imaging and patient care.
Graduates of the Radiologic Technology program are eligible for the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Successful completion of this exam qualifies the graduate as a Registered Radiologic Technologist. Please visit www.arrt.org for eligibility requirements.
Field Description/Work Environment
Radiologic Technologists (R.T.’s) work in a variety of healthcare settings, such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, and outpatient clinics. Radiographers also provide mobile imaging in surgery, emergency room, and patient room settings. R.T.’s are responsible for achieving accurate positioning of patients and body structures, ensuring that they provide radiologists with quality diagnostic images. Radiologic Technologists work closely with radiologists. A Radiologist is a physician that is responsible for interpreting radiographic images in order to diagnose patient conditions.
Program Accreditation
Northland Community & Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The radiography program is accredited by the
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and current accreditation award letter can be found here.
Next Review Date: Fall 2025
Current 8-year accreditation award
JRCERT Award Letter (February 24, 2022)
Program Learner Outcomes
Mission Statement
Northland’s Radiologic Technology Program provides a valuable education by integrating excellence in didactic instruction and clinical experiences to produce competent entry-level Radiologic Technologists whose personal and professional attributes contribute to the healthcare community and its patients.
Program Goals
- Graduate students that will be clinically competent to fulfill the needs of the healthcare community.
- Graduate students with a foundation for problem-solving and critical thinking in healthcare.
- Graduate students with effective communication skills in the healthcare setting.
- Graduate students that demonstrate professionalism.
- Conduct annual assessments to ensure program effectiveness.
Learner Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in positioning skills.
- Students will demonstrate radiation safety practices by following the principles of ALARA.
- Students will identify the required criteria for routine radiographic images.
- Students will apply basic patient care skills.
- Students will apply critical thinking and utilize independent judgment with respect to positioning when exams deviate from the routine.
- Students will analyze radiographic images to determine the corrective action needed.
- Students will demonstrate effective communication with patients with respect to diversity.
- Students will demonstrate effective communication with the healthcare team.
- Students will exhibit professional behaviors in the healthcare setting.
- Students will demonstrate a desire to grow professionally through active participation in educational opportunities and continuing education.
Licensure & Certifications
Radiologist technologists may complete an accredited associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or certificate program in a related field of study in order to pursue a career. Most states require Radiologic Technologists to be licensed. This usually includes completing educational requirements and passing an exam like the one given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Graduation from a Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited radiology program allows a graduate to take the ARRT examination. Professionals who have successfully completed the ARRT examination must complete mandatory continuing education to maintain their licensure.
Employment Information
Radiologic Technologists, also called Radiographers or “x-ray techs,” images parts of the human body for diagnostic purposes. They work with patients on a daily basis and must be knowledgeable with human anatomy to provide optimum imaging outcomes. Radiographers may work in hospitals, physicians’ offices or outpatient clinics. Radiographers also provide mobile imaging in surgery, emergency room and patient room settings. Since Radiographers work with radiation, they must follow radiation protection practices to protect themselves, patients and other members of the healthcare team from unnecessary radiation exposure.
The Registered Radiologic Technologist is qualified to work in such settings as clinics, hospitals, physicians offices, public health projects, industrial plants, and Veterans and Armed Forces hospitals. The entry-level position is generally as a staff member in a radiology department. With additional education and/or experience, one may also become a manager or supervisor in such a department, or function in nuclear medicine, special procedures, radiation therapy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, and ultrasound departments.
Useful websites:
Additional Program Resources
Application Process
Completion of the Northland admissions application. All applicants must apply and be accepted to Northland. The application can be completed at any time or contact admissions at 1-800-959-6282.
Completion of the Radiologic Technology online program application, November 1 – February 1 each year.
November 1st — the online program application becomes available and officially opens.
February 1st — the online program application closes at the end of the day. All college transcripts are due, and any course substitution paperwork must be completed.
Selection Process
February 2nd — The program selection process begins.
March — Program applicants will be notified by mail as to their status. The applicant must ensure their mailing address is current and listed correctly in the online program application.
All program applicants will be assessed using the following criteria:
Academics: (GPA calculated for required program courses only)
- 3.50 – 4.00 = 15 pts
- 3.00 – 3.49 = 10 pts
- 2.50 – 2.99 = 5 pts
Required Program Course Completions — A = 6 pts B = 4 pts C = 2 pts
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- College Algebra
- Introductory Chemistry
- Medical Terminology
Additional Required Program Course Completions — A = 6 pts B = 4 pts C = 2 pts
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Intro to Psychology
- Morals and Medicine or Intro to Ethics
- Intro to Radiologic Technology/Patient Care (Offered fall semester only). This course is open to any Northland student considering Radiologic Technology as their career choice.
Previous Degrees Awarded:
- Master’s or higher = 3 pts
- Bachelors = 2 pts
- Associate = 1 pt
In the event there is a tie in points, the date of earliest declared major of Radiologic Technology will be considered.
All students who apply are afforded the opportunity to take the requirement program courses listed above at any time. However, they must have an understanding that enrollment in the Radiologic Technology Program is limited. Proving ability through good academic standing will be a considerable help, there is no guarantee that an applicant will be accepted into the program by enrolling and/or completing coursework listed above.
Although it is not an application requirement to shadow/observe a radiology department, we strongly encourage applicants to do so in order to have a strong foundation of knowledge of the daily responsibilities of a Radiologic Technologist as well as future career opportunities in the field. Points during the selection process will not be awarded for shadow/observation experiences.
Graduation Requirements
Upon successfully completing the program requirements, the graduate will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree. The program requirements for graduation are as follows:
- The student must achieve a grade of 2.0 (C) or above in each course comprising the curriculum of the program.
- The student must obtain a satisfactory rating (C or above) on all final weekly clinical evaluations.
- The student must complete all required clinical competencies as outlined by the ARRT.
- The student must complete all required clinical hours.
The competencies required of each graduate of the Radiologic Technology Program are designed to comply with the Clinical Competency Requirements Adopted by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Upon completion of the Program, graduates are eligible for the National Registry Exam sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist. Passing this exam allows the graduate to perform as a Registered Radiologic Technologist.
Students must complete the program within 150% of the published six semesters. If the program is not completed in this published length of time, the student surrenders their position in the program.
Class Capacity
16 students selected per year
Current Clinical Education Sites
The following healthcare facilities provide students with their clinical rotations. Students are required to rotate through all of the listed facilities throughout their five semesters of the program.
- Essentia Health in Fosston, MN
- Unity Medical Center in Grafton, ND
- Sanford Health in Thief River Falls, MN
- Riverview Healthcare in Crookston, MN
- Altru Family Residency Center in Grand Forks, ND
- Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND
- Altru Family Medicine Center in Grand Forks, ND
- Altru Professional Center in Grand Forks, ND
Shift Differentials
Weekend and p.m. rotations provide students with the possibility for more exposure to trauma and/or mobile procedures and enable students to assess the various shift atmospheres in which they may be employed upon program completion. Students will be scheduled on approximately three weekend and nine p.m. shifts throughout the 21 months of the program. A schedule of such rotations will be provided to them well in advance indicating their weekend and p.m. rotations for each semester. Weekend and p.m. hours will equal the same hours as a regular clinical day shift for that current semester. Weekend hours worked will be in place of the weekday shift and the student will be off one clinical day in the week prior to the weekend and one day in the week following the weekend worked. Students with inquiries about schedules should seek advisement from the program.
Additional Rotations
Students are provided with the opportunity to rotate through other areas of Radiology such as Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, CT and MRI and Interventional Procedures. Students will not be trained in these areas but it will provide them the opportunity for an understanding of those modalities in the event they wish to continue their education upon completion of the program.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to have a basic understanding of the Radiology Profession. We strongly encourage applicants to shadow in a productive Radiology Department so that they are provided with the opportunity to visit with Radiologic Technologists and observe a typical radiology department.
*We do not require documentation of shadow experiences.
Program Progression Standards
Failure of the student to attain, maintain, and abide by any one or more of the following criteria will cause the student to be placed on probation for a period of time designated by program officials, which is dependent on the standard not being met. If at the end of this time the student shows no improvement, he/she will be dismissed from the Northland Community & Technical College Radiologic Technology program and is no longer eligible for enrollment in the program.
* Must achieve a letter grade of C (77%) or above in each and every course required in the program in order to progress. If a student fails to achieve this in a general education course and chooses to repeat the course, this must be accomplished by the completion of the trailing semester; (any general education course repeated must not interfere with the continuation of radiology courses and clinical time). Radiology courses cannot be repeated if a student receives less than a 77%).
* The student must obtain a satisfactory rating on all Weekly Clinical Evaluations.
* The student must exhibit ethical and professional conduct at all times as outlined in the professional code of ethics.
Qualities of a Radiologic Technologist
- Ability to work well under stressful and emergency situations
- Able to act quickly and accurately
- Work well with other people
- Good communication skills
- Empathy
Physical Requirements for Student Radiographers
The following requirements are necessary to perform as a radiologic technology student. All selected students in the Northland Radiologic Technology program must possess the following:
- 1. Sufficient verbal and written skills in order to respond to other members of the healthcare team.
- Sufficient visual ability to view patient/exam orders, as well as additional patient information with charts (including electronic charts) and radiographic images. Sufficient vision is required to observe patient conditions in regard to patient safety.
- Must possess sufficient hearing in order to interact, communicate and respond to patients and hear audible sounds related to various medical equipment.
- The ability to stand and remain ambulatory for approximately 80% of the clinical time.
- Intellectual and emotional skills to exercise discretion in handling confidential medical information.
- Cognitive ability to perceive and deal appropriately with environmental threats and stresses and continue to function safely and effectively during stressful situations.
- The ability to protect self, patients and other members of the healthcare team from infectious disease by understanding the basic concepts of infection control/standard precautions.
The student must be able to perform all motor skills necessary to execute all radiologic examinations.
- The student must be physically able to lift, move and transfer patients.
- The student must be physically able to lift and carry image receptors.
- The student must be physically able to manipulate and move all mobile X-ray units.
- The student must be able to fulfill any additional physical requirements essential to complete the course of training.
Students who have concerns about the ability to perform any of these functions should contact the Radiologic Technology Program Director at (218) 793-2616. Individuals with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations or information by calling (218) 793-2382.