Program Description
Vermont State University’s Associate of Science Degree in Radiologic Sciences Program philosophy is grounded in the beliefs that:
Medical Imaging is a learned profession. Caring is the essence of all health professionals and the most central and unifying focus for medical imaging practice. The practice of medical imaging includes verbal and nonverbal caring behaviors and technical competence with the goal being to provide imaging services that aid in promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.
Health is the effective interaction with one’s environment, is unique to the individual and is culturally determined.
Individuals are unique biological, psychological, sociological beings, capable of caring by virtue of their humanness.
The environment and the individual have a reciprocal relationship, thereby creating a holistic framework of existence. Caring sets up the possibility for giving and receiving help. A caring environment is one in which an individual can develop his/her potential.
Radiologic Science education allows for the journey of caring and nurturing going hand in hand with technical skills. The art and science of medical imaging are intertwined and grounded in giving of a responsible self.
VTSU’s Associate of Science degree in Radiologic Sciences Program fulfills its commitment to the community and the ever-changing needs of society by providing imaging practitioners who are generalists prepared for entry level radiologic imaging in various health care agencies. A radiologic science degree allows students an opportunity to pass a national registry examination. Successful completion of the exam allows the radiographer the opportunity to cross-train into CT, mammography, cardiac catheterization lab, angiography, bone densitometry, and quality assurance/control.
Students are required to have a 2.75 GPA overall and achieve a 77% (C+) minimum for all RAD courses.
Program Outcomes
- Students will use algorithmic reasoning when determining exposure factors to obtain diagnostic quality radiographs with minimum radiation exposure.
- Students will practice radiation protection for the patient, self and others.
- Students will position the patient and imaging system to perform optimum radiographic examinations on patients throughout the life span.
- Students will use effective non-verbal, oral and written communication in patient care to anticipate and provide basic care and comfort, patient education as well as for professional relationships.
- Students will exercise critical-thinking and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures consistent with current standards of practice.
- Students will support cultural/social awareness when providing medical imaging procedures.
- Students will appraise patient information from multiple sources to perform medical imaging procedures consistent with the scope of practice.
- Students will explore the advantages of life-long learning for the purpose of maintaining current standards of practice.
