Mission and Goals

Program Mission

Elgin Community College's radiography program is a JRCERT-accredited associate degree program that provides accessible and relevant education in accordance with the highest professional standards.  The program, in partnership with its clinical partners, will graduate competent radiographers who practice excellent patient-centered care to the diverse populations within the community.

Program Goals and Expected Outcomes

The Program will graduate competent radiographers.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will produce quality radiographs by:

• Producing quality radiographic images.
• Practicing effective radiation safety for the patient, him or herself and others.
• Demonstrating overall competence in clinical practice.

The student/graduate will develop and practice proficiency in problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving and critical thinking skills by:

• Modifying standard procedures to accommodate patient conditions and other variables
• Determining the need and adapting exposure factors for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories and contrast media to maintain appropriate radiographic quality.
• Evaluating radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality and make appropriate adjustments to obtain a diagnostic radiographic image.

The student/graduate will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting by:

• Demonstrating effective communication skills.

The student/graduate will conduct him or herself in a professional manner.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will conduct him or herself in a professional manner by:

• Demonstrating professional values and behavior in clinical practice.
• Demonstrating professional growth through participation in lifelong learning.

The student/graduate will provide excellent patient care for a diverse population of patients.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will provide excellent patient care for a diverse population of patients by:

• Demonstrating increased understanding of the importance of cultural competence in clinical practice.
• Demonstrating increased awareness of current trends and changes in healthcare affecting the global population. 

The program will provide the healthcare community with qualified radiographers.
Expected outcomes:

• A retention rate of 75 percent or higher.
• The 5-year average employment rate of graduates within one year of graduation will be 75 percent or greater. A positive outcome is defined as employment in the field for those graduates who declare they are actively seeking employment in the field or are pursuing continued education in the field.
• First-time pass rates of graduate cohorts on the ARRT credentialing exam will be consistent with or above the national passing rates each year of the exam, with a minimum pass rate of 75 percent.
• Mean scores of graduate cohorts on the ARRT credentialing exam will be consistent with or above the national mean scores each year.
• The mean score on the employers' satisfaction survey of the graduates' preparation for employment will be 3.0 (meets expectations) or higher on a 5.0 (exceeds expectations) point scale.

Advanced Medical Imaging Programs

Mission Statement

Elgin Community College's advanced imaging programs in magnetic resonance, computed tomography and mammography provide accessible and relevant education in accordance with the highest professional standards. The programs, in partnership with its clinical affiliates, will provide the healthcare community with competent advanced imaging technologists who provide high-quality images and excellent patient-centered care to the diverse populations within the community.

Program Goals and Expected Outcomes

The program will graduate competent imaging technologists.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will demonstrate competency by:

• Producing quality images.
• Practicing safety for the patient, him or herself and others.
• Demonstrating overall competence in clinical practice.

The student/graduate will develop and practice proficiency in problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving and critical thinking skills by:

• Modifying standard procedures to accommodate patient conditions and other variables.
• Determining the need and adapting exposure factors and/or protocol for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories and contrast media to maintain appropriate image quality.
• Evaluating image quality and to make appropriate adjustments to obtain diagnostic images.

The student/graduate will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting.
Expected outcomes:  Students/graduates will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting by:

• Demonstrating effective communication skills.

The student/graduate will conduct him or herself in a professional manner.
Expected outcomes: Students/graduates will conduct him or herself in a professional manner by:

• Demonstrating professional values and behavior in clinical practice.
• Demonstrating professional growth through participation in lifelong learning.

The student/graduate will provide excellent patient care for a diverse population of patients.
Expected outcomes: Students/graduates will provide excellent patient care for a diverse population of patients by:

• Demonstrating increased understanding of the importance of cultural competence in clinical practice.
• Demonstrating increased awareness of current trends and changes in healthcare affecting the global population.

The program will provide the healthcare community with qualified practitioners of advanced medical imaging modalities.
Expected outcomes:

• A retention rate of 75% percent or higher.
• The 5-year average employment rate of graduates within one year of graduation will be 75 percent or greater. A positive outcome is defined as employment in the field for those graduates who declare they are actively seeking employment in the field or pursuing continued education in the field.
• First-time pass rates of graduate cohorts on the ARRT credentialing exam will be consistent with or above the national passing rates each year of the exam, with a minimum pass rate of 75%.
• Mean scores of graduate cohorts on the ARRT credentialing exam will be consistent with or above the national mean scores each year.
• The mean score on the employers' satisfaction survey of the graduates' preparation for employment will be 3.0 (meets expectations) or higher on a 5.0 (exceeds expectations) point scale.