Medical Imaging, Mammography, Enhanced Skills Certificate

Program Information

Are you fascinated by technology and the inner workings of the human body? If so, a career in computed tomography, mammography, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be the right path for you. These imaging professionals are qualified to provide patient imaging using technology and equipment for CT, mammography, and MRI under the supervision of a medical doctor to examine anatomic structures.

The San Jacinto College Advanced Imaging Modalities program:

  • Prepares the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registered students to work in advanced modality positions in hospitals and other health care facilities through various clinical rotations.
  • Educates students to produce images used for assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions.
  • Encourages students to be clinically competent, possess critical thinking skills, communicate effectively, and exhibit ethical and professional behavior.

Career Opportunities

Employment outlook is excellent, and many of our students gain field employment before completing this certificate program.

Graduates of this program are employed in hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers.

Earning Potential

Radiologic Technologist median salary: $65,440 per year1

1

Source: texaswages.com, median salary Gulf Coast region, 2021

For more information, students may contact 281-476-1871 or melissa.ledesmazermeno@sjcd.edu or advancedimagingmodalityprograms@sjcd.edu

Links

Application procedures; students must:

  • Apply for admission to San Jacinto College;
  • Submit an application for the Advanced Imaging Modality program; and  
  • Submit copies of transcripts from the Radiography program completed.

Must be a registered technologist with ARRT certification and licensed by the Texas Medical Board by the first class date to participate in the program. Please review the link for program information for all Advanced Modality programs. For Advanced Imaging Modality applications, students may visit the Medical Imaging webpage for application.

Campus

Central Campus

Information

Medical Imaging Technology consists of two Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees and three certificate programs.

The AAS degree programs are:

  • Medical Radiography,
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The advanced or enhanced certificate programs are:

  • Computed Tomography,
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and
  • Mammography.

Students selected for any of the Medical Imaging programs are required to submit a physical exam prior to admission. This physical exam must be consistent with the requirements of the teaching hospitals and agencies the student is assigned during clinical assignments and the performance standards required to function as a student imaging technologist. The exam will also include documentation of any communicable diseases along with immunity to Rubella, Measles, Mumps, Varicella, and Hepatitis B. Additionally, completion of an updated Tetanus vaccine, an annual TB screening, and a seasonal flu vaccine are required. Clinical affiliates may require additional immunizations, titers, and documentation.

In addition to meeting all other requirements, a criminal background check and drug and alcohol screening are required for all health science students attending imaging courses, and are required prior to admission to the program. Students entering a Medical Imaging program will also be required to show proof of health insurance and current CPR (American Heart Association-Health Care Provider) certification. Students may contact the Medical Imaging department for details regarding the criminal background check and drug screening requirements. 

Students enrolling into San Jacinto College programs with external learning experiences (i.e., clinical, practicum, externship, cooperative, etc.) will be required to comply with the immunization requirements and policies of the clinical/external learning sites to engage in all clinical/external learning experiences. Vaccination requirements at clinical/external learning sites are implemented pursuant to the independent authority of such facilities and are not mandated by San Jacinto College. Failure to meet the immunization requirements mandated by clinical/external learning sites may limit a student’s ability to complete the program and/or may delay the student’s graduation date. San Jacinto College does not process exemptions, and students should address potential vaccination exemptions directly with the clinical/external learning site.

Enhanced Skills Certificate

The Mammography program is designed to prepare the registered Radiologic Technologist to enter the advanced field of Mammography. The objectives of the program are to provide the registered Radiologic Technologist with the 40 hours of training required by the Mammography Quality Standards Act, the knowledge, skills, and clinical requirements needed to obtain approval to sit and successfully pass the Mammography post primary examination offered by ARRT, and preparation for entry-level employment in Mammography.

A Mammographer uses specialized X-ray equipment to obtain diagnostic breast images and breast tissue biopsies. This specialized technologist is pivotal in the diagnosis of breast tissue abnormalities in both men and women. Students will learn to position patients and manipulate equipment to provide quality images. Furthermore, students will develop an understanding of anatomy, pathology, equipment, and technical factors, Quality Control/Quality Assurance, implant imaging, communication skills, and specialty equipment, as well as complete eight hours of Digital Mammography training.

The Mammography courses are offered each spring and fall semester. The entire program length is 16 weeks. Lecture and laboratory are offered the first eight weeks in a hybrid format with evening classes one day a week. Day shift clinical rotations are offered the second eight weeks averaging 22 hours a week.

Minimum Program Admission Criteria

Applicants must be American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registered in Radiography and hold a Texas Medical Board Medical Radiologic Technologist License. The applicant must complete and submit an application to the the Medical Imaging department. Provisional acceptance into the Mammography program is determined after review of the application and completion of requirements. Application to the program does not guarantee acceptance due to limited clinical availability. After provisional acceptance, the applicant must also submit required health records, proof of health insurance, CPR certification (American Heart Association-Health Care Provider), criminal background check and drug screen as stated for all Medical Imaging students. Students may reference the paragraph below for full explanations. Full acceptance into the Mammography program is determined after successful completion of physical, background, and drug screen, and submission of all required records (immunization, health insurance, CPR, certifications, and license). Prospective participants should call the Medical Imaging department at 281-476-1871 for additional information.

In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.  

Students selected for any of the Medical Imaging programs are required to submit a physical exam upon provisional acceptance to the program and will be directed with instructions on where to complete and submit all the items listed below.

The physical exam must be consistent with the requirements of the teaching hospitals and agencies the student is assigned during clinical assignments and the performance standards required to function as a student imaging technologist. The exam will also include documentation of any communicable diseases along with immunity to Rubella, Measles, Mumps, Varicella, and Hepatitis B.  Completion of an updated Tetanus, an annual TB screening and a current seasonal flu vaccine is required. In addition to meeting all other requirements, students entering a Medical Imaging program will be required to submit a criminal background check and drug and alcohol screening completed by designated companies, show proof of health insurance, and CPR (American Heart Associate-Health Care Provider) certification. Clinical affiliates may require additional immunizations, titers, and documentation.

Plan of Study

EMRAD-MAMM

Students may see the Medical Radiography, Associate of Applied Science page for more information.

Plan of Study Grid
First TermCredits
MAMT 2333 Essentials of Mammography 3
MAMT 2363 Clinical - Mammography Technology 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits6

Capstone Experience: MAMT 2363 Clinical - Mammography Technology

Students must earn a C or better in all Mammography Technology (MAMT) courses and maintain an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 to remain in and/or graduate from the program.