Medical Radiography Technology Diploma

Full-time Starts: September 2011 Fees, entire program TBD 2 consecutive years alternating semesters of theory/labs with clinical placements in the field Prince George campus Careers A northern Medical Radiography Technologist Program is critical to the continuation and provision of high quality radiographic services and medical care for residents of Northern British Columbia. There is a current shortage of medical radiography technologists (MRTs) in the North and throughout the province. Increasing demands for imaging tests, reduced personnel supply, and an aging workforce are all contributing to a crisis in the number of MRTs available to provide crucial medical support. A provincial and national shortage has been identified by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. Northern British Columbia will feel the effects of this shortage especially, given the general difficulty in recruiting qualified professionals to northern communities. CNC has partnered with the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) to create a northern Medical Radiography program. As a medical radiography technologist, you will use computer generated images to aid in making medical diagnoses. A digital image (X-ray) may be for a routine chest or a broken finger or it may form part of the sophisticated examinations used in the detection of heart, blood vessel, or brain abnormalities. The medical radiography graduate is an imaging technologist who works as part of the health team composed of radiologists, interns, surgeons, nurses, laboratory technologists, biomedical technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, sonographers and other specialists. The program prepares you, under the direction of a medical specialist (radiologist), to work: in the hospital medical imaging department; at the patients bedside; in the operating room or Emergency department, and in private imaging clinics. Earning your diploma in medical radiography technology is a base for other certifications, such as advanced radiography certifications, cross-trained as technologists in Medical Laboratory Sciences, and specialized BSc and health administration degrees. These additional qualifications are a key component of health care service. Clinical placement/Work experience Students will undertake extensive unpaid work experience at radiography sites during their education. CNC will utilize as many northern sites as possible, in collaboration with Northern Health; however some placements may be in the Interior and Lower Mainland to ensure students can obtain MRT competencies that can only be achieved at urban sites. Some placements may also be in the Yukon and Northwest Territory. Credentials CNCs program will share curriculum and many resources with BCIT as part of a new provincial model of collaborative delivery. The CNC program will grant its own credential and will be accredited separately from BCIT. CNCs MRT diploma credential and competencies are set by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiography Technology. Medical Radiography Technology programs undergo a national accreditation process by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). CNC submitted its registration form to begin the accreditation process in July 2010. The full accreditation process will not be complete until early spring 2013 as the first cohort of students move into their final phase of the program. Admission requirements 1. High school graduation or equivalent 2. The following courses, each with a grade of B or better: - English 12 or equivalent - Principles of Math 12 or Applications of Math 12 or equivalent (for students graduating secondary school prior to 2013) - Foundations of Math 12 or PreCalculus 12 (for students graduating secondary school 2013 and later) - Physics 12 or equivalent - Biology 12 or equivalent 3. Completed Self-Report on Suitability Form 4. Participate in a program information session (these will be delivered face-to-face or available by electronic means for applicants. 5. 30 hours of volunteer/paid work in a patient care environment. 6. Submit a letter from facility supervisor, volunteer co-ordinator or employer confirming volunteer work or paid employment acceptable and unacceptable examples will be developed by program co-ordinator. It is highly recommended that required entrance courses be completed within the past six years. If more than six years has elapsed, upgrading the required subjects is suggested. This is due to the heavy emphasis on math and physics in the CNC MRT curriculum. March 31, 2011 is the deadline to submit application and all qualifying documentation for the Medical Radiography Technology Diploma program.

www.cnc.bc.ca

98

Medical Radiography Technology Diploma contd

General requirements essential to success for MRT students Strong sense of responsibility, caring nature, interest in the well-being of others, excellent interpersonal skills, strong problem-solving skills and good teamwork. Aware that MRT profession is both physically and mentally demanding, and requires individuals to cope well in a stressful environment. Maintain a controlled sensitivity to disturbing scenarios such as trauma patients, surgical procedures and symptoms of hospitalized patients. Excellent physical fitness and mental acuity; this includes good eyesight and hearing. Competent in written and oral English; must be able to accurately follow written requisitions and fast paced verbal directions. Computer literacy, such as interacting with various computer operating and software programs (internet browser, e-mail, word processing). This program has a significant percentage of course work delivered via electronic learning platforms such as Desire to Learn (D2L). Radiographic images are viewed and shared electronically. Selection The program will enrol 16 students per intake. This number is based on the anticipated capacity to secure clinical placements of the students. Across the country, student selection for all medical radiography technology programs is highly competitive. In cases of oversubscription for this program, selection is based on criteria that may include academic achievement beyond the minimum prerequisites identified in the calendar or application form. Given the high number of people on the CNC MRT program interest list, we anticipate a competition for the limited number of seats (16) and will utilize a three-step selection process.
www.cnc.bc.ca

Selection process Note 1: Only a selected number of qualified applicants will be shortlisted and invited to attend an interview. Note 2: A limited number of interviewed applicants will then qualify for an invitation to visit and observe in an actual radiography lab and complete a career investigation report. Note 3: Final selection will be completed using the following criteria elements: Cumulative grade point average of the required courses, post-secondary credits Completed MRT technology career investigation report/test BC or Yukon residency Persistent interest in program Interview Note 4: Self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants who meet the admission requirement by the priority deadline will be given priority for two seats. Information sessions will start fall 2010 for interested applicants. Please note that once a program co-ordinator has been hired in September, the elements and points awarded for selection process will be finalized. Program requirements once accepted into the MRT program: Immunizations these will follow the requirements of BC Health Authorities Upon entry into the program, students must provide documentation of CPR certification, level C (preferred) or Health Care Provider (HCP). CPR on-line courses are not acceptable. Students are responsible for the costs of CPR certification and to maintain certification while in the program. Criminal record check Successful completion of MRAD 100 Medical Terminology course (approximately 10 hours of self-directed learning) which has a radiography language focus
99

Costs of program requirements are the responsibility of the student. Re-admission policy A student who is unsuccessful in a Medical Radiography course once will be allowed to apply for re-admission to the program. Multiple course failures or a subsequent failure in MRAD courses will exclude the student from further study and re-admission to the program; that student may not apply again to the program under the new student category. The MRAD program must be completed within a five-year period. Re-admission to the program is considered on a space-available basis and will be administered according to the following priorities: A student who has successfully completed the prerequisite courses and/or who, at the time of withdrawal maintained an overall grade of C+ or better, will be accorded first priority. A student who has failed a MRAD course or who has withdrawn from the MRAD course with less than a C+ grade standing in the course will be accorded second priority. A student requesting transfer from another accredited MRAD program will be subjected to the above criteria and be accorded third priority. Program outline Semester 1 SeptemberDecember (15 weeks) MRAD 103 Human Behaviour MRAD 101 Radiographic Sciences 1 MRAD 105 Radiographic Anatomy and Physiology MRAD 109 Radiographic Procedures 1 MRAD 107 Clinical Orientation MRAD 111 Patient Care MRAD 113 Physics Medical Radiography 1 MRAD 115 Relational Anatomy and Physiology 1

Medical Radiography Technology Diploma contd

Semester 2 JanuaryMay (20 weeks) MRAD 120 Clinical Education 1 MRAD 122 Pathology 1 MRAD 124 Radiobiology and Radiation Protection Semester 3 JuneAugust (11 weeks) MRAD 125 Relational Anatomy and Physiology 2 MRAD 127 Professional Ethics and Canadian Health care System MRAD 129 Clinical Applications in Computer Tomography Semester 4 mid-AugustDecember (17 weeks) MRAD 230 Clinical Education 2 MRAD 235 Radiographic Procedures 2 MRAD 237 Inter-professional Imaging Practice Semester 5 JanuaryMay (20 weeks) MRAD 240 Radiographic Anatomy and Physiology 2 MRAD 241 Radiographic Procedures 3 MRAD 243 Radiographic Sciences 2 MRAD 245 Physics Medical Radiography 2 MRAD 246 Relational Anatomy and Physiology 3 MRAD 247 Communication and Research Skills MRAD 248 Pathology 2 MRAD 249 CT Physical Principles Semester 6 JuneAugust (13 weeks) MRAD 250 Clinical Education 3 MRAD 255 Capstone

Grading system A passing grade is a minimum of 64%. Grading Scale: A+ A AB+ B BC+ C 90-100% 85-89.9% 80-84.9% 76-79.9% 72-75.9% 68-71.9% 64-67.9% 60-63.9%

Any grade below 64% will not be considered a pass. Financial planning and awareness Please be aware that not all segments of this program are eligible for student loans. Students are required to make signicant tuition payments during the program and plan for costs of practicum placements outside of Prince George. Students applying to this program need to begin nancial planning early. You might also be interested in. . . Dental Assisting Certificate Dental Hygiene Diploma Medical Laboratory Technology Science Diploma Nursing, Bachelor of Science Practical Nurse Certificate University-level science courses University Transfer first-year science Important dates TBD please contact the Prince George campus for details
Revised: 11.03.08

www.cnc.bc.ca

100