Health Sciences

It is with deep regret that the College community has found itself in a position that does not allow us to accept a group of Radiologic Technology (R.T.) students for entrance into the fall 2012 semester. The circumstances which lead to this decision were unavoidable and beyond anyone’s control.

This notice is to assure you that the college supports the Radiologic Technology Program and that misinformation does not occur. We have included the essence of what was sent to the applicants and the local radiologic technology community.

The enormous economic hardships in education have required that Santa Rosa Junior College eliminate large numbers of sections across the curriculum, and the Health Sciences Department is not immune; however, other clusters have taken much larger cuts than Health Sciences. The administrative decision to not take a new group of R.T. students is part of the economic reality within our State. We do wish to stress the College’s commitment to the ongoing success of the R.T. Program and to assure you that this decision to eliminate sections by not taking a new group of students will apply to fall 2012 only.

The loss of the program director also contributed to the decision not to admit a R.T. class for fall 2012. The period of time required to search for a qualified replacement and to obtain subsequent approval from our accrediting bodies is a lengthy and arduous process. In the interim, the six adjunct faculty members have been successful in providing for the educational needs of the existing students. The fact remains that we will be in the process of locating a new program director; when selected, the director will need additional time for orientation. Focusing on just the second year students for 2012 will allow the new program director to maintain the existing level of academic quality.

You may be reassured to know that both our accrediting bodies, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and the State of California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (CDPH-RHB), are in constant communication with us and they have been satisfied that the high standards of educational quality are being maintained. In addition, a recent two-day site visit from the CDPH-RHB resulted in a rating of no violations and the remarks on the Program’s processes, procedures, curriculum, radiation safety, and records were outstanding. JRCERT has reviewed our interim report favorably which allows our eight-year accreditation to remain in force until 2014, at which time we will go through the customary reassessment process. We hope that this assurance will encourage you to maintain your high esteem for this long-standing program and that you will consider us in the future.

We will be going through with the normal processing of the applications to insure that this year’s candidates are qualified. Once a candidate is considered qualified and the application has been deemed to be complete, eligible candidates will be chosen by lottery. The applicants who number 1 through 20 in the lottery will be offered guaranteed entrance into the R.T. Program in the fall semester of 2013. (Please note that the normal accepted number of students is 16 and we are able to offer an additional 4 slots for 2013.) The remaining applicants who number 21 and beyond in the lottery will be considered alternates and will be offered a position in numerical order in the event that any of candidates #1 through #20 do not choose to accept the position for entrance in 2013. Applicants can expect to be notified of the lottery results by June 22, 2012.

An additional consideration is that we will not take any new applications for the entrance year of 2013. Only those applicants who submitted a complete and eligible application by 3/30/12 will be considered for entrance in fall of 2013.

The third consideration is to change the 5-year “recency” for any prerequisite courses. Any applicant who submitted a complete and eligible application by 3/30/12 will be allowed a 6-year “recency” for their prerequisites to still be considered viable for the entrance year of 2013.

It is important to note that the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), the agency which provides the certification exam which allows R.T. program graduates to be employed as radiographers, will be changing its eligibility requirements effective in January of 2015. The significance of this is primarily that a student who enters an R.T. program in 2013 and who graduates in 2015 will need to have earned an associate (or more advanced) degree from an accredited institution recognized by the ARRT to be eligible to take the certification exam. It is important to meet with a counselor to make sure you meet these new degree requirements.

Please refer to the ARRT Website for more complete information on eligibility. https://www.arrt.org/Certification/Academic-Degree-Requirement
I just want to assure you that the college is in full support of the Radiologic Technology Program and we are very proud of our students and graduates.

Ezbon Jen, DrPH, MSEd, MA, MPH
Dean, Health Sciences

Radiologic Science is the health profession concerned with medical imaging for diagnosis and assessment of disease. Radiologic Science is also known by other names including x-ray technology, radiologic technology, radiography, and imaging science. Clinical practice provides a unique blend of direct patient contact with the study of human anatomy and rigorous medical technical expertise. Graduates with a degree in this field are referred to as registered radiologic technologists. The career opportunities are numerous and diverse.

The radiologic technologist's main duty is to provide quality patient care while applying knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning, radiographic technique, and precise scientific knowlege. Effective communication with patients, other health professionals, and the public is important. Additional duties may include management of images, evaluating radiologic and computer equipment, performing quality assurance procedures, and providing patient education relevant to specific imaging procedures.

- Mondays or Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and  Fridays 8-4 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- 6 hours of clinical experience

- Thursdays 8-3 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- Two days of clinical experience

- Wednesdays 8-3 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- Three days of clinical experience

- Thursdays 8-3 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- Three days of clinical experience

- Wednesdays 8-3 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- Three days of clinical experience

- Tuesdays 8-3 (on Santa Rosa campus)
- Three days of clinical experience