1. What is radiography?
2. What do radiographers do?
3. What should I know about becoming a radiographer?
4. Where do students complete the HCC radiography program’s clinical education assignments?
5. What institutions offer academic training in radiography?
6. Where can I look for additional information in radiography?
7. What is the difference between a radiologist and a radiographer?
8. What is a radiologist assistant?
9. Can I complete the radiography program part-time?
10. What are the requirements and/or expectations of the radiography program?
11. What advanced level courses are offered at HCC?
12. What advanced imaging programs are offered at HCC?
13. Who is the advisor for the radiography program at HCC?
14. Does the radiography program have a pregnancy policy?
15. Can a student test out of a course required in the radiography curriculum?
16. Is there a radiography organization or club on campus where students can become members to learn more about the field?
17. Are scholarships available to radiography students attending HCC?
18. Does the radiography faculty use HCC's Blackboard to communicate with students?
19. Does the radiography program have technical standard requirements?

1. What is radiography?
Radiography is a health career that specializes in the use of x-rays to image the body for medical diagnosis and offers excellent employment versatility and mobility. Hagerstown Community College offers a 24-month, selective admissions associates degree program designed to provide students with the necessary skills to practice as radiographers.

2. What do radiographers do?
Radiographers are healthcare workers who perform diagnostic imaging examinations. They use x-ray equipment, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scanners, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to image anatomical structures in a person’s body.

Note - Radiographers must complete 24 hours of continuing education bi-annually to maintain certification.

3. What should I know about becoming a radiographer?

• Students interested in radiography will need formal education that may range in length from 2 to 4 years. Programs can either lead to a certificate, associates degree, or bachelor’s degree.
• After a student has completed his/her studies, employment may be found within hospitals, physician offices, and diagnostic imaging centers.
• The job market for radiographers is very favorable at this time.
• Students must be proactive in meeting academic and certification requirements in the state they live.

4. Where do students complete the HCC radiography program’s clinical education assignments?
There is much flexibility when performing clinical hours. Clinical assignments are scheduled during the evenings, days, or the weekends. Clinical education requires travel up to 2 hours one way and is the responsibility of the student. All placement assignments is determined by the clinical coordinator.

Below is a list of some institutions offering clinical education to students admitted into HCC’s radiography program.

Carroll County General Hospital
Chambersburg Hospital
Chambersburg Summit Health Center
City Hospital
Community Imaging Partners
Frederick Memorial Hospital
Morgan County General Hospital
Mid-Atlantic Orthopedics Specialists
Robinwood Medical Center
Washington County Hospital
Waynesboro Hospital
Waynesboro Health Center

5. What institutions offer academic training in radiography?

Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland, MD
Community College of Baltimore County – Essex Campus, Baltimore, MD
Hagerstown Community College, Hagerstown, MD
Lancaster Institute for Health Education, Lancaster, PA

6. Where can I look for additional information in radiography?
Students can go to the following websites below to find additional information regarding radiography and certification.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist

7. What is the difference between a radiologist and a radiographer?
Radiographers are health professionals who have the knowledge and understanding required to use and manipulate radiographic equipment and complex medical imaging technology to generate a variety of images for subsequent interpretation and storage.

They work as part of a medical imaging team. Using x-ray film-based imaging, radiographers select and implement the most appropriate examination protocol which will deliver the lowest possible dose of radiation to the patient. The radiologist is the medically qualified practitioner who prepares a formal medical report on the images created by the radiographer. Radiologists also perform procedures such as barium studies and angiograms.

8. What is a Radiologist Assistant?
The radiologist assistant will be a physician extender, not a physician substitute. The radiologist assistant would work under the supervision of a radiologist to provide patient care. First, the radiologist assistant will take a leading role in patient management and assessment. Duties in this area might include determining whether a patient has been appropriately prepared for a procedure, obtaining patient consent prior to beginning the procedure, answering questions from the patient and his or her family, and adapting exam protocols to improve diagnostic quality. The radiologist assistant also would be expected to serve as a patient advocate, ensuring that each patient receives quality care while in the radiology department or clinic.

A radiologist assistant also performs selected radiology exams and procedures under the supervision of a radiologist. Lastly, the radiologist assistant will be responsible for evaluating image quality, making initial image observations and forwarding those observations to the supervising radiologist. The supervising radiologist would remain responsible for providing a final written report, an interpretation or a diagnosis.

9. Can I complete the radiography program part-time?
The program requires approximately thirty hours weekly with a variety of classroom and clinical experiences. Courses within the program are sequential, however students may have completed some coursework which would decrease their semester load.

10. What are the requirements and/or expectations of the radiography program?
Students are required to wear uniforms, clinically professional conduct is expected at all times and the professions code of conduct is to be followed. A physical background check and drug screening are required for clinical placement. There are a number of other policies to be followed by the program. For specific information, contact Brenda Hassinger at 301-790-2800, ext.205.

11. What advanced level courses are offered at HCC.

Mammography for Radiographers (RAD-216)
Introduction to Ultrasonography (RAD-214)

12. What advanced imaging programs are offered at HCC?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – for additional information, contact Lance Baker,
301-790-2800, ext.459.
Computed Tomography – for additional information contact Dawn Dingle,
301-790-2800, ext.499.

13. Who is the advisor for the radiography program at HCC?
Students interested in the radiography program may contact Dawn Dingle for additional information by email, or 301-790-2800, ext. 499 or Brenda Hassinger, Program Coordinator which can be reached at ext. 205

14. Does the radiography program have a pregnancy policy?
The radiography program has a pregnancy policy. For more information, please contact Brenda Hassinger, program coordinator of the radiography program at 301-790-2800, ext.205 or by email.

15. Can a student test out of a course required in the radiography curriculum?
It is the policy of the radiography program to evaluate previous academic success in radiography on an individual basis. As a result of this evaluation, full credit may be rewarded, or student will need to show proof of competency in the course in question by passing an examination.

16. Is there a radiography organization or club on campus where students can become members to learn more about the field?
The Radiography Club is open to students interested in pursuing a career in radiography. The club serves as a vehicle to discuss topics relating to radiologic technology and the field of medicine. Club members participate in community , professional, and fund raising activities. Club members participate in community, professional, and fund raising activities.

17. Are scholarships available to radiography students attending HCC?
The Hagerstown Community College Radiography Scholarship is available for students to apply. This scholarship provides assistance to men and women pursuing an education in radiography at HCC. This annual scholarship is based upon financial need and academic ability evidenced by a 3.0 or greater grade point average. Recipients are chosen by a committee composed of members from the HCC Radiography department, College staff, and community radiology professionals.

18. Does the radiography faculty use HCC's Blackboard to communicate with students?
The radiography faculty use Blackboard for posting course information, announcements ,and grade notifications. Students can also use Blackboard.

19. Does the radiography program have technical standard requirements?
Students must be able to perform the required motor and sensory activities of the program and the profession. For more information, please contact Brenda Hassinger, program coordinator of the radiography program at 301-790-2800, ext. 205 or by email.