The field of Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy includes some of the most rapidly advancing careers in modern medicine. Gateway Community College responds to this by offering programs in four areas of diagnostic imaging and therapy. The Radiography and Radiation Therapy Programs are accredited by the Board of Governors for Higher Education and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182, (312) 704-5300, (mail@jrcert.org). The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is accredited by the Board of Governors for Higher Education and the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology, 820 W. Danforth Road, Suite #B1, Edmond, OK 73003; (405) 285-0546; fax: (405) 285-0579, or mail@jrcnmt.org.
Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy refers to four disciplines:
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers use highly sophisticated equipment that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images necessary to assist the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Nuclear Medicine: Nuclear Medicine technologists administer radiopharmaceuticals, acquire and process images using a gamma or PET camera and computer system to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation Therapists use highly sophisticated equipment to administer therapeutic doses of ionizing radiation, as prescribed by the physician, for the treatment of disease, primarily cancer.
Radiography: Radiographers are primarily responsible for administering ionizing radiation to the patient and producing images necessary to assist the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of disease or injury.
The courses in the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy curricula are designed to build sequentially upon the knowledge learned in previous courses. Therefore, all required courses must be taken in sequence, and all prerequisites must be met prior to registration. Each program consists of a didactic component taught at the College and clinical laboratory experiences at one or more of the affiliated hospitals. To be eligible for graduation, students must successfully complete both components.
Admission Requirements
Refer to the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy Program Information Packet that can be found on the Gateway Community College website, www.gatewayct.edu.
Transfer Credits
Program specific transfer credits from outside institutions will not be accepted.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to the College’s general requirements, the programs require a minimum grade of “C” in each and all mathematics, science, pre-requisite, and program-specific courses. In addition, students are required to pass all clinical practicums and internships with a grade of “P.” Students must also successfully complete all of the program’s published clinical competencies. Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the National certification examination in Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology or Sonography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board and/or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
For more information on the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy programs, contact the Enrollment Services Assistant, Mary Beth Banks at (203) 285-2388 or e-mail at (mbanks@gatewayct.edu).
Note: Non-traditional students who did not complete high school but earned a GED may be evaluated based on GED math and science scores and/or prior college credits.
Miscellaneous Information
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Students are required to provide documentation of current professional level certification in Basic Life Support for adult, child, and infant. Certification can only be earned through the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross and must remain current throughout the Program. Courses meeting this requirement are: The American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers OR The American Red Cross CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Failure to comply will result in exclusion from the clinical learning experience.
Clinical Sites
Clinical learning experiences are planned as an integral part of the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy courses and are held at a variety of healthcare settings. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation and parking fees at the clinical sites. Clinical experiences may be assigned during daytime and evening hours. Assignment of clinical sites is at the discretion of the faculty. Clinical sites may require a mandatory parking fee.
Criminal Background Checks
Many clinical sites are now requiring that criminal background checks, and/or toxicology screening (for drugs and alcohol) be completed on any students who will be attending a clinical rotation at those facilities. Students must follow instructions for obtaining a background and/or toxicology screening at college of attendance. Students who are found guilty of having committed a felony/misdemeanor and/or are found to have a positive toxicology screen may be prevented from participating in clinical experiences. Results of student background checks and toxicology screening do not become a part of the student’s educational records, as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If you cannot participate in a clinical rotation at an assigned facility, you will not be able to complete the objectives of the course and of the program. Specific situations are reviewed by college personnel.
Felony Conviction
The ARRT, NMTCB, and ARDMS investigate all potential violations to determine eligibility for certification. For further information, please visit the websites – www.arrt.org, www.nmtcb.org, or www.ardms.org.
Health Requirements
- Accepted Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy students must be seen by their healthcare provider and cleared to participate in Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy courses with no restrictions.
- Health Assessment Form and Immunization records must be submitted electronically by the student to the Health Form Tracking Services system.
Immunization Requirements - students will receive a packet of information describing current college policies.
Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy Health Assessment Form - completed forms (which document specific requirements for the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy programs) must be on file in accordance with college policy.
Technical Standards
The Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy students must be able to apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function in a broad variety of clinical situations. Technical standards reflect reasonable performance expectations of the Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy students for the performance of common functions of the registered technologist. These requirements address capabilities in the areas of motor, sensory, communication, behavior and critical thinking abilities. The technical standards can be found at www.gatewayct.edu.
ARRTS Program
This program results in an Associate of Science Degree for hospital-based graduates in the areas of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, and Radiography. Gateway Community College offers an innovative program for hospital-trained Radiologic Technologist professionals who wish to acquire their Associate of Science Degree. Gateway will grant credit to those applicants who are graduates of a two-year accredited hospital-based (certificate) program and hold certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology. Certification areas include: Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, and Radiography, ARDMS, ARRT (N), (T), (R), (D), (S), NMTCB.
Upon verification of transcripts and current documentation of ARRT certification, applicants will be awarded up to 34 credits for courses in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, or Radiography. Individuals accepted into this program need only complete program pre-requisite courses and any general education courses required for the associate degree. Degree credit will also be granted for credit courses completed at other accredited collegiate institutions.
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