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School of Radiography:

school of radiography

Congratulations Graduates!

Hats off to our recent grads!

The graduating class of 2011 achieved a 100%, first attempt, pass rate on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification examination. Congratulations!

The Field of Radiologic Technology

A radiologic technologist, or radiographer, is a health care professional who plays an important role in patient care by assisting with the diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease.

Radiologic technology combines advanced medical technology with human compassion. Through the use of x-rays, radiologic technologists perform sophisticated diagnostic imaging tests that uncover a wide range of medical conditions. The results of these tests are then used by physicians to determine the patient's condition and the best course of treatment.

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Employment Opportunity and Outlook   

A career in radiologic technology can lead in many directions. Demand for radiologic technologists is strong across the country, in every health care setting. You could work in a large hospital, a suburban outpatient clinic or a rural physician's office. You could specialize in dozens of clinical areas ranging from prenatal care to orthopedics. You could be responsible for quality assurance or for overseeing the implementation of new technology. You could manage an entire radiology department, including its budget and personnel. Or you could teach. The boundaries of your career in radiologic technology are determined only by your own abilities and interests.

A career in radiologic technology offers a promising future, job stability and good salaries. As technology advances and the American population ages, the demand for radiologic exams and procedures has soared. The country needs a growing number of qualified professionals to provide medical imaging and radiation therapy. Wages of radiologic technologists are competitive with other health professionals who have similar educational backgrounds. A 2004 survey by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists showed that wages averaged about $18 per hour for entry-level radiographers. With experience, additional education or supervisory responsibilities, wages can reach an average of $25 to $30 per hour.

Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College Radiography Program Information 

The Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College Radiography Program is a full-time, primarily daylight program that is 24 months in length including two summers. Classes start at the end of August.

Although schedules may vary, students in the first year of training typically attend classes at the hospital two days per week and at the college three days per week. Students in the second year of training typically attend classes at the hospital three days per week and at the college two days per week. Students attend classes at the hospital three to five days per week during summer sessions.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded a certificate in Radiologic Technology and an associate degree in Health Science with a concentration in Radiologic Technology and are eligible to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Students passing the national certification examination with a score of 75 percent or higher are then recognized professionally as registered radiologic technologists.

The Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College Radiography Program is accredited by:

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850  l  Chicago, Illinois 60606-2901
(312) 704-5300          www.jrcert.org

PROGRAM STATISTICS

ARRT Certification Exam (first attempt) Pass Rate               93%

Retention Rate (% of students that graduate)                      76%

Graduates with jobs (within 6 months)                                 72%    

Averages based on students graduating 2006 thru 2010.

Educational Requirements

The associate degree in radiologic technology requires fulfillment of 66 credits. Required credits are as follows:

  • 40 credits of basic science and core curriculum courses taught at La Roche College
  • 26 credits of clinical and radiologic technology theory courses taught at Ohio Valley  General Hospital 

Students entering the program with an associates or bachelors degree will be granted a certificate provided that they fulfill the following requirements.

  • 26 credits in Radiography courses at Ohio Valley General Hospital.
  • 28 credits in math/science/english from La Roche College
  • Admission Requirements and Process

Credits from other institutions of higher learning may be acceptable for transference.

Admission to the radiography program is dependent on the following criteria:

  • Interest in working in the field of Radiologic Technology
  • Characteristics congruent with the profession of Radiologic Technology
  • High School or College Algebra & Biology
  • Four (4) hours documented job shadowing with a registered radiologic technologist in a hospital setting
  • Acceptance to La Roche College (fee paid to La Roche College)
  • Pre-admission testing to prove math & English proficiency ($20.00 fee)*
    • Placement into or above MATH 1010 or MATH 1010A
    • Placement into or above ENGL 1011 or ENGL 1011A 
  • Submittal of a completed application ( $25.00 fee)* to Ohio Valley General Hospital, School of Radiography
  • Completion of an interview at Ohio Valley General Hospital
  • CPR Healthcare Provider Certification (provided by hospital following acceptance)
  • Willingness to submit to and satisfactory results for the following: 
    • Drug screening
    • FBI background check ($33 fee)*
    • Child abuse clearance ($10 fee)*            
  • Completed health physical and immunization records
  • Ability to perform basic physical tasks, as required for the profession of Radiologic Technology
    • Reach, move and adjust the x-ray tube located at heights up to 80 inches from the floor
    • Push a patient in a wheelchair or stretcher
    • Assist a patient out of a wheel chair /stretcher onto the x-ray table located at a height of 34 inches from the floor
    • Give clear, verbal commands to a patient at close range and at a distance up to 10 feet.
    • Have hearing corrected to be able to hear a patient at a distance of 10 feet
    • Have sight corrected to read a requisition and adjust the controls on the equipment as well as observe a patient’s respiration at 10 feet
  • Please note (*) all fees are subject to change 

Interested candidates can apply to the radiography program by completing the online application at www.laroche.edu.

Once accepted by the college, applicants must then be interviewed by the Hospital for acceptance to the radiography program. Interviews begin in August and continue until all positions are filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Final acceptance to the radiography program is contingent upon the results of a screening for illegal drug use, a criminal background check and child abuse clearance.

Mission Statement

The Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College Radiography Program strives to meet the needs of the communities it serves by offering a radiologic technology training program that provides an environment for the development of competent and professional future radiologic technologists by providing a solid clinical and theoretical background in the radiologic sciences.

Program Goals 

To provide a quality education in the radiologic sciencesthat will develop competent, entry level radiographers. Specific program goals include the following:

  • Students will be clinical competency
  • Students will develop critical thinking skills
  • Students will exhibit professionalism
  • Students will demonstration communication skills

Click here to download the Program Checklist.

Equal Opportunity

Prospective and enrolled students of the Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche Radiography Program receive equitable treatment without regard to age, sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sexual orientation, or non-job related disability. This policy of non-discrimination applies to every aspect of the program's policies and practices, including recruitment and selection of program candidates, clinical and classroom instruction, learning opportunities, and clinical assignments.

Racial/Ethnic Tolerance

The Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College admits qualified students of any sex, race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin or veteran status to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students in the program.

The program is strongly opposed to and will not tolerate any form of harassment which is defined as any word, gesture, picture or symbol (verbal or written) that is commonly understood to convey hatred or contempt, or to demean, alarm or abuse an individual (or group) because of his/her sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin.

Tuition and Fees

Students enrolled in the Ohio Valley General Hospital/La Roche College Radiography Program will pay tuition to the both the hospital and the college.

Students are charged a flat fee of $350 per semester/session for hospital tuition. Based on seven sessions, hospital tuition for the entire 24-month program is presently $2,450 and is paid directly to Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Radiography. Scholarships to help defray the cost of hospital tuition are currently being offered by Ohio Valley General Hospital; however, scholarship offerings are subject to change.

Students enrolled in the radiography program incur other expenses such as uniforms, books for hospital courses, lead identification markers, and nominal expenses for external clinical rotations.

Once accepted to the program, students are required to submit a $100 non-refundable acceptance fee to Ohio Valley General Hospital. Students will also be required to submit deposits to La Roche College.

Current La Roche College 2011-2012 tuition is $575.00 per credit. Please visit the La Roche College website for information regarding tuition, residence fees and other fees. www.laroche.edu

Hospital Refund Policy

A student who withdraws from the program will have any paid hospital tuition refunded as follows:

  • A 100 percent refund will be given prior to the start of classes for that semester. In the  event of withdraw prior to the beginning of the first semester, 100 percent of tuition will be  given minus the cost of any pre-ordered personal radiation dosimeters and the $100  deposit. 
  • A 50 percent refund will be given for withdrawal up to the third week of classes during fall  and spring semesters and the second week of summer sessions. 
  • No refund will be given for withdrawal past the third week of fall and spring and the second week of summers. 

Scholarships

Scholarships are currently available through both La Roche College and Ohio Valley General Hospital. Scholarship opportunities are subject to change. Information on scholarship availability and eligibility can be obtained from both the college and hospital.

Learning More About The Field of Radiography 

High school juniors and seniors interested in radiography may spend a half day career "shadowing" in Ohio Valley General Hospital's Department of Radiology. Shadowing aids in career decisions by allowing prospective students the opportunity to observe the actual duties of a radiologic technologist. For more information on shadowing, please contact Ohio Valley General Hospital's School of Radiography at (412) 777-6200.

Prospective Students

Individuals who are interested in the radiography program may obtain further information or apply to the program through the following contacts.

Office of Freshman & International Admissions  l  LaRoche College
9000 Babcock Boulevard  l  Pittsburgh, PA 15237
1-800-838-4LRC  l  

Office of Graduate & Continuing Education Admissions
La Roche College
9000 Babcock Boulevard  l  Pittsburgh, PA 15237
1-800-838-4LRC  l  

Barbara J. O’Connor, M.S.,R.T. (R) (M)  l  Director
Ohio Valley General Hospital 
25 Heckel Road  l  McKees Rocks, PA 15136
(412) 777-6210  l  

Other Informational Websites

Additional information about the field of radiography or about the La Roche College/Ohio Valley General Hospital Radiography Program may be obtained at the following websites:

La Roche College 

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists 

United States Department of Labor
(once on the Department of Labor's website, click on the Occupational Outlook Handbook and conduct a search for radiologic technology) 

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

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