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Four students in the Radiologic Technology program at NECC examine an X-ray.
People who understand how to work technologically advanced diagnostic equipment are seeing bright futures in health care as the demand for radiographers continues to grow. NECC will prepare you to work with a variety of x-ray equipment in settings from hospitals to clinics, doctor’s offices – even mobile vehicles that provide radiology services.

Why Choose NECC?

NECC’s accredited program covers all aspects of radiologic care, including safety procedures, proper patient positioning, and understanding the technology used to create diagnostic images. NECC also has transfer agreements that will enable you to seamlessly transfer earned credits to earn a bachelor’s degree in medical imaging or a related field. With this program you will:

  • Learn about human anatomy and physiology and radiologic tools and techniques
  • Understand radiographic terminology, positioning, and image production
  • Gain hands on experience with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment
  • Benefit from supervised experiences in clinical care settings
  • Prepare for a career that is emotionally and financially rewarding

Because of NECC

You will be eligible to pursue entry-level technologists positions in a variety of health care settings or to continue your education to learn more about specialty diagnostic areas including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs) Computed Tomography (CAT scans) or mammography. Upon completion of the program you can:

  • Sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national certification exam – upon successful completion you can apply for your Massachusetts license in Radiography
  • Work in hospitals, clinics, doctor offices, and more
  • Take advantage of transfer agreements to continue your education and earn your bachelor’s degree in medical imaging or a related field, saving thousands of dollars on the cost of a four-year degree.

 

Quote:

Northern Essex was close to home, affordable, and a good opportunity to get into health care.”

Allison Brody, Radiologic Technology


 

Courses and Requirements

 

Program Pathway

A pathway is the most efficient sequence of courses semester-to-semester recommended for students to complete their degree. View the suggested pathway for the Radiologic Technology associate degree.

Career Paths & Job Market

Job Opportunities

Job Opportunities

As working professionals, they can expect to provide hospitals and other clinical facilities with excellent qualifications as entry-level radiographers/radiologic technologists.

See the Bureau of Labor Statistics website regarding the job market and trends and the expected median salary for radiologic technologists.

Career Paths

Career Paths

Students in NECC’s Radiologic Technology Associate Degree Program graduate as competent Radiologic Technologists, prepared to sit for their national certification exam with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Once an individual passes the ARRT exam, they are eligible to apply for their Massachusetts license in Radiography.

Graduates who choose to directly enter the workforce can find employment in:

  • Hospitals
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Orthopedic offices
  • Mobile radiography companies
  • Sales
  • Education
  • Supervisory/administrative positions in Radiology
Transferring to a 4 year College or University

Transferring to a 4 year College or University

Northern Essex Community College has transfer articulation agreements with other post-secondary institutions that enable Radiologic Technology Associate Degree graduates to transfer seamlessly into four year Bachelor degree programs.

Agreements vary depending on the program and the schools. For more information about any of the articulation agreements listed, please visit the contact Academic Advising Department or the contact the Radiologic Technology Program Director. You may also refer to the Transfer Agreements page.

Students may also refer to the Transfer Programs and Events pages. Transfer information specific to the program.

Contact

Program Director

Program Director

Angela Bowers, M.S., R.T. (R) (CT)

Office: Lawrence Campus, El Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center, Room LC-315
Phone: 978-655-5932
Email: abowers@necc.mass.edu

Clinical Coordinator

Clinical Coordinator

Gabrielle Yonika

Office: Lawrence Campus, El Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center, Room LC-303D
Phone: 978-655-5894
Email: gyonika@necc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Accreditation

Accreditation

The Radiologic Technology program is accredited through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Most recent site visit was in April 2023. An award of the maximum eight-year accreditation was given to the NECC radiologic technology program. An interim report will be provided in October 2027. The next site visit is scheduled for the Second Quarter of 2031. JRCERT accreditation requires the program to meet specific Standards regarding program Integrity, Resources, Curriculum, Health & Safety and Assessment. The program’s Program Effectiveness Data (PED) is reviewed by the JRCERT and published on the program’s website. Concerns or questions regarding the program’s status of accreditation and compliance with these Standards should be directed to the program director.

The radiography program is accredited by the
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.
https://www.jrcert.org/programs/northern-essex-community-college-lawrence-campus/

Clinical Obligations

Clinical Obligations

Each semester students are assigned to a clinical practicum site by the Program in accordance with the NECC clinical affiliation agreements. Each student will be assigned to a minimum of two different clinical sites while enrolled in the program. Typically, students will spend 2.5 semesters assigned to one clinical site and will rotate to a new clinical site, after week six in Clinical Practicum III. To meet the educational needs of all students the clinical assignments may be changed at any time as determined by the Program Director, Clinical Coordinators and Clinical Preceptors. Students may be required to travel up to 60 miles from campus to their assigned clinical practicum sites and must provide their own transportation.

The Radiologic Technology Program schedule is based upon the NECC academic calendar. Additionally, radiologic technology students are assigned to clinical as outlined below:

  • Semester One Fall Clinical – Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Semester Two Spring Clinical – Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Semester Three Summer
  • The Clinical Practicum III Summer course involves a 12-week clinical assignment.
    • First Six (6) Weeks Clinical – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
    • Last Six (6) Clinical – Monday through Thursday. 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Semester Four Fall Clinical – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Semester Five Spring Clinical – Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  • During the second year of the program students are required to complete a portion of their clinical hours during non-traditional clinical times such as evening and weekend hours. All students will be required to complete two evenings from 1:00 AM – 9:00 PM or 3:00 PM -11:00 PM, one weekend from 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM, and one Saturday from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
  • Students may not be scheduled in clinical during school closures.
  • For the safety of students and patients, no more than ten (10) clinical hours shall be scheduled in any one day. Scheduled didactic and clinical hours combined will not exceed forty (40) hours per week.

A student’s clinical assignment(s) may be some distance from a student’s home and up to 60 miles from the Lawrence campus. Clinical sites are Lowell General Hospital, Lawrence General Hospital, Holy Family Hospital Methuen, and Anna Jaques Hospital. Each student is responsible for providing their own transportation to and from these clinical sites.

Anna Jaques Hospital 25 Highland Avenue Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: (978) 463-1000 (978) 463-1308 Holy Family Hospital Methuen 70 East Street Methuen, MA 01844 Phone: (978) 687-0151 Ext. 2076
Lawrence General Hospital 1 General Street Lawrence, MA 01840 Phone: (978) 683-4000 Ext. 2542 Lowell General Hospital 295 Varnum Avenue Lowell, MA 01854 Phone: (978) 937-6000 Ext. 75634
Program Effectiveness Data

Program Effectiveness Data

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. Click here to go directly to the JRCERT webpage.

Outcome Measure

Credentialing Examination:

The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Credentialing Examination Rate number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation
Year Results
Year 1 – 2019 15 of 16 (94%)
Year 2 – 2020 15 of 16 (94%)
Year 3 – 2021 16 of 16 (100%)
Year 4 – 2022 10 of 10 (100%)
Year 5 – 2023 6 of 9 (66.6%)
Program 5-Year Average 62 of 67 (92.5%)
Job Placement:

The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rate number employed divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation
Year Results
Year 1 – 2019 16 of 16 (100%)
Year 2 – 2020 16 of 16 (100%)
Year 3 – 2021 16 of 16 (100%)
Year 4 – 2022 16 of 16 (100%)
Year 5 – 2023 9 of 9 (100%)
Program 5-Year Average 67 of 67 (100%)
Program Completion:

The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%.

Program Completion Rate number graduated divided by number started the program
Year Results
Year 1 – 2023 9 of 11
Annual Completion Rate 81.8%
Mission, Goals, and Learning Outcomes

Mission, Goals, and Learning Outcomes

Mission

The mission of the Radiologic Technology Program is to graduate professional, skilled entry level technologists who meet and strive to exceed the healthcare needs of the diverse patient population in area facilities. The technologists will be prepared to provide high quality imaging and patient care in the current evolving healthcare environment.

Goals of the program:

  1. Students/Graduates will demonstrate clinical competence.
    Student Learning Outcomes:

    • Students will apply appropriate positioning skills to achieve diagnostics radiographs.
    • Students will be able to apply knowledge in radiation safety practices.
  2. Students will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills.
    Student Learning Outcomes:

    • Students will be able to adapt to new circumstances, difficult cases or unusual situations to produce acceptable diagnostic images.
    • Students will be able to adapt positioning and technical factors for trauma patients.
    • Students/Graduates will adjust technical factors for varying patient conditions and pathologies.
  3. Students/Graduates will communicate effectively.
    Student Learning Outcomes:

    • Students/Graduates will demonstrate appropriate oral communication skills.
    • Students will demonstrate competent written & oral presentation skills.
Student Handbooks

Student Handbooks

View the Student Handbook & Clinical Policy and Procedure Manual

Class of 2026 (PDF)

Class of 2025 (PDF)

Student Learning Outcomes - Radiologic Technology Associate Degree

Student Learning Outcomes – Radiologic Technology Associate Degree

  • Students will apply appropriate positioning skills to achieve diagnostic radiographs.
  • Students will be able to apply knowledge in radiation safety practices.
  • Students will be able to adapt to new circumstances, difficult cases or unusual situations to produce acceptable diagnostic images.
  • Students will be able to adapt positioning and technical factors for trauma patients.
  • Students/ Graduates will adjust technical factors for varying patient conditions and pathologies.
  • Students/Graduates will demonstrate appropriate oral communication skills.
  • Students will demonstrate adequate written & oral presentation skills.
  • Students/ Graduates will demonstrate professional behavior.
  • Students will be able to apply knowledge in diversity.

Required Documents

Criteria Packets
Technical Standards
CORI/CHRI/SORI

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