Radiology Forums

wildwestcats · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 7 Location: Arizona

Lori -

The way that both of those programs help with radiography is to get you into a hospital environment and get you used to the terminology used. An MA program will teach you some phlebotomy and that will come in handy. This fall I have to take a Venous Access course and since I've already been through this with my MA training, I'll have an easier time of it than some of my classmates who have never had to stick a patient. As a HUC, you won't have the patient contact that you would with being an MA.

You might want to go the hospital websites - Banner, Catholic Healthcare West, Scottsdale Healthcare, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems (County), maybe even Abrazo and IASIS - and see what kinds of jobs they are hiring for.

I'm not sure which MA program you're looking at - Phoenix College offers both a certificate and a 2 year degree, but if that's the route you end up going, then the certificate course should be sufficient.

nessabra · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Hi lori,
I too was on the waiting list for Gateway, until I decided to give up and go into Nursing...then someone at my place of employment informed me of a new program that was in the works...this was two years ago.

Now, I'm proud to say that I am enrolled with the first class of Radiography students at Central Arizona College (CAC). I too looked into Pima and Apollo, but did not like the cost and that my credits could not transfer into a Bachelors.
Classes start every January, once a year at CAC. I know they are still accepting applications for next year...interviews will be in August.

If you're interested go to
www.centralaz.edu
click on Academics
click on Division & Programs
click on Radiologic Technology

The program directors name is Frank and his direct number is 480.677.7746

Our class started in January and I am 110% satisfied with the College and Staff. You definetly don't feel like you're a number. Frank cares about every single student and the student's success is his success.

Good luck to you and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

//April

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

I would just add a caveat - although Central's website indicates that graduates are eligible to sit for the ARRT exam, ARRT does not list them as an accredited program. They list only 6 programs - Pima in Mesa and Tucson (at two sites), Apollo, Gateway and Arizona Western.

I checked the JCERT site - they list only the same 6 sites.

I then used the link on the college's websit to go to The Higher Learning Commission (listed as the accrediting agency for the college in general) here - http://www.ncahlc.org/ but could find nothing specifically about allied health or radiologic technology.

If the program has been up and running a while, I'm surprised that they would not cite JCERT accreditaton (since that's what everyone looks for).

I'm certain that the college would not indicate examination eligibility if that were not true, but I would caution applicants to verify with both the college and the ARRT that graduation makes them eligible to sit for the exam.

I would freak if I spent all that time and $$ only to discover that I was not able to become certified.

hjh, RT

nessabra · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Yes, the class has confirmed that we eligible to sit for Registry with ARRT. Because it is a new program it is being accredited in the fall, but the class has been in contact with JRCERT and ARRT, so we will be fine.

hjhogle · Moderator Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 608 Location: CT

Great news!

hjh, RT