MCCC Hitting the Mark with Radiography Program

The aging of the general population and a decreasing cost of radiology diagnosis and therapy procedures are combining to boost the market for radiologic technologists and technicians, according to Monster.com.

That’s good news for students in ’s radiography program. For the third consecutive year, 100 percent of Montgomery County Community College’s 2011 radiography graduates passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) National Certifying Examination, according to an MCCC press release.

A total of 11 students graduated from the college’s radiography program in May.

Since the program’s inception, 83 students graduated from the radiography program. Armed with their associate’s degree in radiology, 82 of them went on to become ARRT registered radiographers.

Jacqueline Sodano, of East Norriton, was one of them.

“I was drawn to radiography because of the care and relief I can bring to people. I love the health care environment and the fast-paced speed of the work place. The opportunities are never ending, and no two days are never the same,” she said. 

As an exemplary student, Sodano was selected to receive the first-ever radiography scholarship through the college’s foundation.

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging procedures including X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance scanning, and mammography to assist in the diagnosis of illness.

U.S. health care facilities employ 196,000 radiographers. More than 60 percent of them work in hospitals; the others work in physician’s offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, including diagnostic imaging centers and outpatient care centers.

According to an MCCC press release, employment of radiologic technologists is expected to increase 15 percent over the next 10 years—faster than for any other occupation.

The ARRT exam covers the entire two-year radiography curriculum, including radiation protection, equipment operation and quality control, image production and evaluation, and radiographic procedures, patient care and education.

Students who successfully pass the exam become registered technologists, qualified to work anywhere in the United States and Puerto Rico.

“The school had made me more motivated to get what I want out of life and to be satisfied and confident with my decisions,” Sodano said.

Her plans include working as an X-ray technologist and continuing her education in sonography.

Radiography is one of more than 30 programs that can be completed at MCCC’s West Campus, located at 101 College Drive in Pottstown. Registration is going on now for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 31 and ends Dec. 20.