Computed Tomography (CT Imaging)


Program Detail

QUICK LINKS

Admission Requirements (Click here for more information)

Courses (Click here for more information)

Staff Directory (Click here for more information)

PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of the CT Imaging Technology Program is to provide ARRT and NMTCB certified imaging technologists the opportunity to meet the needs of the medical imaging community through a variety of highly integrated advanced level educational options in both the art and science of CT Imaging and to improve the over all quality of the practice of Computed Tomography.     

CURRENT PROGRAM GOALS

  • To improve the over all quality of the practice of Computed Tomography.
  • To provide a comprehensive educational experience that prepares the imaging professional to successfully challenge the national ARRT Post-primary Certification Examination in Computed Tomography.
  • Make programs flexible and accessible in response to changing technologies and economic trends.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Program graduate exam scores on the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Post-primary Certification Examination in Computed Tomography are consistently above the national average in overall exam scores, individual category scores, first-time pass rate and the overall pass rates.

CURRICULUM OFFERINGS

Distance Learning Non-Clinical Certificate (C 45 20 0 DL) - This certificate is intended for technologists with CT clinical experience and desires to complete their educational experience through distance learning. This certificate does not have a clinical component.

  • The DLC currently accepts 15 new students in the spring semester and an additional 15 students in the summer semester*
  • The application deadline for spring semester is October 1
  • The application deadline for summer session is March 1
  • The courses required for the DLC are 3 credit hours each:
  • CAT 210 CT Physics & Equipment
  • CAT 212 CT Sectional Anatomy
  • CAT 214 CT Pathology
  • CAT 215 CT Imaging Procedures


All potential DLC applicants are required to participate in a distance learning screening and assessment process prior to acceptance

Traditional Non-Clinical Certificate (C 45 20 0 TN) - This certificate is intended for technologist with CT clinical experience and desires to complete their educational experience in a traditional classroom.. This certificate does not have a clinical component.

  • The TNC certificate currently accepts 15 new students in the fall semester.
  • The application deadline is March 1
  • The courses required for the TNC are the same as the DLC and are 3 credit hours each:
  • CAT 210 CT Physics & Equipment
  • CAT 212 CT Sectional Anatomy
  • CAT 214 CT Pathology
  • CAT 215 CT Imaging Procedures


Traditional Clinical Certificate (C45 20 0 TC) - This certificate is intended for the technologist that does not have CT clinical experience and desires to complete their educational experience through a traditional classroom program. This certificate has a mandatory clinical component which guarantees the clinical competency documentation needed to meet minimum core clinical experience requirements necessary to establish eligibility for certification. The documentation satisfies the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) requirement for Post-Primary Certification in CT.

  • The TCC certificate currently accepts 10 students and 2 alternates in the fall semester.
  • Application deadline is March 1
  • The courses required for the TCC are 3 credit hours each unless otherwise noted:
  • CAT 210 CT Physics & Equipment
  • CAT 210A CT Physics & Equipment Lab – 1 credit hour
  • CAT 212 CT Sectional Anatomy
  • CAT 214 CT Pathology
  • CAT 215 CT Imaging Procedures
  • CAT 221 CT Clinical Practicum – 1 credit hour
  • CAT 224 CT Clinical Practicum – 4 credit hours

CAT 210A, CAT 221, and CAT 224 are completed on the campuses of Forsyth Tech's clinical affiliates. Students receive individualized instruction from Forsyth Tech's R.T. (R)(CT) (ARRT) registered instructors in addition to clinical affiliates' staff technologists.  Students utilize state of the art scanning equipment and protocols while performing cutting edge exams including angiography and cardiovascular imaging. In addition to routine exams, students will also assist with invasive and interventional CT procedures.  PET/CT Fusion Imaging and CT Simulation Planning in Radiation Therapy are a part of the clinical experience through a limited rotation in each modality. Limited rotations are subject to change.

STATISTICS

Program graduates have consistently outperformed the nation in both overall score and individual section scores on American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Post-primary Certification Examination in Computed Tomography.

Program Graduates:

  • Patient Care 8.3
  • Imaging Procedures 8.1
  • Physics & Instrumentation 8.1
  • Mean Score 81.7
  • Percent Passing 100%


National Average:

  • Patient Care 8.2
  • Imaging Procedures 7.9
  • Physics & Instrumentation 7.9
  • Mean Score 79.8
  • Percent Passing 78%

JOB PLACEMENT

  • Hospitals are the principal employer of CT technologists. A great number of jobs can be found in physicians' offices and diagnostic imaging centers.
  • Employment of CT technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.
  • A June 2007 salary survey conducted by Radiology Today magazine reported median annual earnings of $57,927 for CT technologists
  • A 2007 salary survey conducted by the ASRT reported a mean annual earnings of $61,039 for CT technologist in North Carolina.

CLINICAL FACILITES

Currently the program utilizes Forsyth Medical Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, and Excel Imaging's four state-of-the art, complete multimodality imaging centers to provide varied and well-rounded CT clinical experience. All facilities are located just minutes from Forsyth Tech's main campus.

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition is set by the North Carolina Legislature and is currently $42 per credit hour. In addition to tuition, the student is also responsible for the cost of:

  • Textbooks
  • Uniforms
  • Fees
  • Malpractice Insurance
  • Parking Decal

PROFESSIONAL LINKS

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists: www.arrt.org
American Society of Radiologic Technologists www.asrt.org
North Carolina Society of Radiologic Technologists: www.ncsrt.org