Clinical Obligations
The Radiography Program is a full-time, 24-month program conducted entirely during daytime hours. All classroom and laboratory instruction takes place in person at the Edison campus. Clinical education occurs at approved healthcare facilities off campus, where students will complete rotations at three different clinical sites throughout their training.
The Clinical Coordinator assigns all clinical placements based on educational needs and facility availability. Students are not permitted to select their clinical sites and must provide their own transportation to and from all assigned clinical locations.
Practical Considerations
Students are required to have the following abilities:
- Written and Verbal Communication: Communication skills in the English language to effectively and accurately communicate with patients, peers, supervisors, families, and other healthcare members.
- Perceptual/Sensory Ability: Ability to monitor and assess patients safely. Ability to understand speech, hearing, reading, and writing. To accurately assess patient conditions and treat patients safely; to make radiographic technical adjustments to equipment to produce acceptable radiographs; and to assess the completed product for technical accuracy.
- Motor Abilities: Strength capable of manipulations and adjustments of patients and equipment. Have the ability to transfer, lift, and move patients without restrictions.
- Students must possess the cognitive and mental health wellness to critically think, and to assimilate and analyze information to make timely and safe patient decisions. Must be able to synthesize and transmit information. Demonstrate affective behaviors required by healthcare employers, such as maintaining excellent attendance and integrity and being able to work under pressure.
- Comprehend and follow clinical policies and procedures.
Health Considerations
Due to the nature of clinical experiences, students will be participating in a work environment that has the potential of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases. All accepted students are provided with specific instructions on infection control protocols and standard precautions in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
The Middlesex College Radiography Program follows guidelines consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The College and program continuously monitor federal, state, local, and external clinic site compliance to minimize risks to the health, safety, and well-being of patients, students, faculty, and staff. Students of the Radiography Program at Middlesex College must comply with these guidelines.
Students are responsible for following applicable regulations of the program, external clinic sites, and college, local, state, and federal agencies. In case of a discrepancy, the clinical site policies and protocols override the others.
It is important to note that the clinical site requirements may vary over time. In case of discrepancies among the clinical sites regarding their requirements, all students must comply with the most restrictive standards among those sites during their clinical education.
Health Insurance: All students admitted to the program must have active health insurance for the duration of the program.
Students must meet clinical agency medical requirements and vaccine requirements:
- TDAP
- Meningitis (required under age 19; at least one dose since age 16)
- QuantiFERON blood test (TB)
- Annual Flu Vaccine
- Immunity to Measles (rubeola), Mumps, Rubella, Varicella
- Hepatitis B immunization series or immunity
- Covid-19 Vaccine: As stated above, students must comply with the clinical site protocols and requirements. Covid-19 vaccination requirements may vary depending on the clinical sites and time of the clinical studies. In case of discrepancies among the clinical sites in terms of their requirements, all students are obligated to comply with whatever the highest standards are.
- N-95 Fit Testing: Radiography Students will be required to get fit tested for an N-95 respirator annually. There will be instances where you may need to wear an N-95 mask in addition to other personal protective equipment in the clinical settings for extended time frames. Your Health Care Provider must deem that you are medically cleared to wear the N-95 mask.
- CPR: Only the American Heart Association Basic Life Support for the provider is accepted and must be maintained throughout the program.
Middlesex College generally follows federal, state, and local health agencies. However, in case of a discrepancy, the clinical site policies and protocols override the others.
Legal Considerations
A student is required to have a criminal background check performed with satisfactory results acceptable by Middlesex College and the Radiography Program and/or participating clinical facilities as a condition of admission, initial enrollment and/or continued enrollment. An offer of admission is not final and enrollment will not be permitted until the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.
Drug screening is also a requirement for Radiography students. Students must have “clean” drug testing results. Admission may be denied or rescinded, or enrollment terminated based on the criminal background check results and drug testing (if applicable).