Schools of Radiation and Imaging Technologies

With quality patient care always being at the heart of Grady Health System; the schools are able to combine a high level of academic and clinical curricula, assuring our graduates that they will acquire a special dimension of education and clinical expertise. This combination prepares graduates for greater advancement in their respective fields and creates potential for immense personal and professional development.

The Schools of Radiation and Imaging Technologists are full-time, maximum 40-hours a week programs consisting of classroom education in conjunction with clinical education each week. Classroom education enables the student to acquire the knowledge that will be applied in the clinical environment. Evening classes are not available.

A student must maintain a 75 percent academic cumulative average and cannot fail any academic course in order to continue in the program.

• Radiologic Technology Program
• Radiation Therapy Program
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
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School of Radiologic Technology
The School of Radiologic Technology, sponsored by Grady Health System, is the oldest in the State of Georgia. The program began in the 1940’s. To date, more than 1,400 students have graduated from the School of Radiologic Technology (see program assessment). This program prepares the graduate for a rewarding career in the imaging field. Many graduates continue to further their education in various advanced level radiation and imaging modalities.

The 24-month course of study in Radiologic Technology awards a certificate from Grady Health System upon graduation. Students who satisfactorily complete the program fulfill the requirements to write the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The program has articulation agreements with both Georgia Perimeter College and Atlanta Metropolitan State College, which means graduates will be awarded an Associate of Science degree in Radiologic Technology by the respective college upon successful completion of college prerequisites and the radiologic technology component at Grady Health System.

This entry-level program is a full-time, daytime program lasting 24 months. Classes are limited in size. Admission to this program is competitive. Only 22 students are accepted annually. The current graduation rate is 84 percent.

School of Radiation Therapy
The School of Radiation Therapy at Grady Health System began in 1974. More than 200 students have graduated from the program (see program assessment). The School of Radiation Therapy has several affiliate clinical sites where student training is enhanced through exposure to many diverse people, various types of equipment and a variety of examination types. This specialized program prepares the graduate for a rewarding career in the treatment of cancer.

The 12-month course of study in Radiation Therapy awards a certificate from Grady Health System upon graduation. Students who satisfactorily complete the program fulfill the requirements to write the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

This advanced-level program is a full-time, daytime program lasting 12 months. Classes are limited in size. Admission to this program is competitive. Only 12 students are accepted annually. The current graduation rate is 95 percent.

School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Grady Health System began in 1991. More than 150 students have graduated from the program. The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography has several affiliate clinical sites where student training is enhanced through exposure to many diverse people, various equipment and variety of examination types. This specialized program prepares the graduate for a rewarding career in diagnostic medical sonography in the areas of Abdomen and OB/GYN.

The 18-month course of study awards a certificate from Grady Health System upon graduation. Students who satisfactorily complete the program fulfill the requirements to write the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

This advanced-level program is a full-time, daytime program lasting 18 months. Classes are limited in size. Admission to this program is competitive. Only 10 students are accepted every 18 months. The current graduation rate is 100 percent.

Accreditation

The School of Radiologic Technology is an accredited program approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 704-5300, mail@jrcert.org.

The School of Radiation Therapy is an accredited program approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606, (312) 704-5300, mail@jrcert.org.

The School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography is an accredited program in General Concentration approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, 1361 Park Street, Clearwater, FL, 33756, (727) 210-2350, www.caahep.org through review by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, 6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500, Ellicott City, MD 21043, (443) 973-3251, www.jrcdms.org.

Program Mission & Goals

Program Mission

It is the mission of the Schools of Radiation and Imaging Technologies to provide a quality education that actively engages the student in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences that will produce an entry level radiographer, diagnostic medical sonographer, or radiation therapist and prepare the student for employment and to challenge the national certification examination.

Goals and Learning Outcomes

• School of Radiologic Technology
• School of Radiation Therapy
• School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Clinical Education

The major goal of the clinical portion of the program is to enable the student to develop skills that will allow him/her to successfully perform the duties of a Radiographer, Therapist, or Sonographer. These programs are competency-based programs in which faculty members and/or departmental staff evaluate the student.

A student spends at least 21 hours per week in the clinical setting and may be exposed to ionizing radiation, infectious diseases, body fluids, processing chemicals and cleaning solutions. He/she is appropriately instructed in radiation protection and standard precaution procedures, as well as the proper utilization of various types of protective clothing an personal protective devices.

There are seven (7) holidays observed by the Schools. Students are also off during the break weeks between quarters/semesters. Any absences must be made up prior to awarding a certificate of graduation. Absenteeism affects a student's clinical grade and may jeopardize his/her position in the program. Eligibility for the ARRT or ARDMS certification examination is dependent upon the date of program completion.

Radiologic Technology
Students rotate on a weekly basis through general diagnostic radiology, emergency radiology, pediatric radiology, and specialized areas such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, mammography, special procedures, radiation oncology, cardiac catheterization, and PET. Students must dress in the approved uniform attire during classes and clinical rotations. Clinical hours vary depending on the assigned rotation. Most clinical assignments occur during the day shift; however students also rotate on evening and weekend shifts in emergency and pediatric radiology departments. In addition to clinical assignments at Grady, students also rotate to several neighborhood clinics and affiliate hospitals in the Atlanta area.

Radiation Therapy
Students rotate through radiation treatment areas, nursing, radiation therapy simulation and dosimetry. Students participate in clinical rotations at several affiliate sites in the Atlanta area. Students must dress in the approved uniform attire during classes and clinical rotations. Clinical assignments occur during the day shift. This program prepares the student to play an integral role in the cancer management team of physicians, physicists and other health care professionals. The Radiation Therapist has the opportunity to interact with the patient over a period of several months and becomes an important part of his/her health care. This continued contact with the patient is the source of much satisfaction and professional pride.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Students rotate through diagnostic abdominal imaging areas, perinatal departments, and pediatric imaging departments. Students participate in clinical rotations at several affiliate sites in the Atlanta area. Students must dress in the approved uniform attire during classes and clinical rotations. Most clinical assignments occur during the day shift. This program prepares the student to be a professional member of the health care team and, under the direction of a radiologist or perinatologist disciplined in Sonography. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer performs highly skilled procedures involving the use of sound waves to visualize the internal structures of the body.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the Schools of Radiologic Technology, Radiation Therapy, or Diagnostic Medical Sonography, a student must have successfully completed both the academic and clinical portions of the course of study.

Successful completion of the academic and clinical portions require the following criteria to be met:

• A final cumulative average of 75 percent must be obtained considering all courses studies.
• A score of 75 percent or better must be obtained in each comprehensive final examination in Registry Review.
• Successful completion of all required clinical hours within the program.
• Successful completion of all clinical competencies.

Upon completion of the prescribed course with satisfactory scholastic standing, each student will be awarded a certificate of graduation from Grady Health System.

Faculty