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School of Radiography:

school of radiography

Congratulations Students!

LaRoche College just announced the Fall 2009 Dean's list and four Radiography students are on that list.

The dean's list recognizes the academic excellence of full-time students who have completed a minimum of 12 credits and earned a QPA of 3.5 or higher in recognition of their dedication to academic excellence.

  • Bridget Kelly
  • Gina Natale
  • Katelyn Noone
  • Melissa Pencosky

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.

OVGH_SchoolRadiography.jpg

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 with an option to complete 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 following agency:

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

Educational Requirements

The associate degree in radiologic technology requires fulfillment of 70 credits. Required credits are as follows:

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

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

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 from in math/science/English from La Roche College
  • Admission Requirements and Process

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

  • Completion of an interview at OVGH
  • Submittal of an application fee of $25.00 made payable to Ohio Valley General Hospital, School of Radiography
  • Acceptance to La Roche College
  • High School or College Algebra & Biology
  • Pre-admission testing to prove math & English proficiency ($5.00 fee applies)
  • Placement into or above MT 110 or MT 110A
  • Placement into or above EN 111 or EN 111A
  • Interest in working in the field of Radiologic Technology
  • Characteristics congruent with the profession of Radiologic Technology
  • Four (4) hours documented job shadowing with a registered radiologic technologist in a hospital setting
  • Ability to perform basic physical tasks, as required for the profession of Radiologic Technology (Technical Standards)
  • Satisfactory results of a screening for illegal drug use
  • Willingness to submit to a criminal background check

Interested candidates can apply to the radiography program by completing an application from Ohio Valley General Hospital, School of Radiography and by completing a La Roche College admission form or by completing the online application at .

The deadline for application to the radiography program is July 1st. Once accepted by the college, applicants must then be interviewed by the Hospital for acceptance to the radiography program. Final acceptance to the radiography program is contingent upon the results of a screening for illegal drug use conducted by Ohio Valley General Hospital.

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 also 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.

For information on college tuition, deposits and other fees, please visit the La Roche College website at .

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. 

Information on La Roche College's refund policy can be found on the college's website at .

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) 777-6210.

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 sciences in accordance with the JRCERT's Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences
  • To provide a curriculum that enables students to successfully meet all Radiography  Clinical Competency Requirements established by the American Registry of Radiologic  Technologists (ARRT)
  • To prepare students for the ARRT's national certification examination in radiography
  • To equip students with entry-level diagnostic technologist skills 

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.

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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