Outcomes Assessment Plan
Mission Statement -

Consistent with the philosophy of MSSU, the mission of the radiologic technology program is to provide high quality entry-level radiographers for the service area of the university. Attention is focused on the need of each student for local and international service.

• At the completion of the program, students will be clinically competent as entry-level radiographers.
• Students will develop communication skills enabling them to communicate orally and in written form with patients and other health care providers.
• Students will be able to think critically and solve problems in their daily work environment.

Program Philosophy
In order to accomplish the program goals, it is the philosophy of MSSU to provide students with a high quality educational experience that includes:

• Didactic classes providing them access to information to successfully pass the national registry.
• Clinical rotations with exposure to a sufficient number and variety of clinical exams to develop the skills necessary to be successful entry-level radiographers.
• Clinical and classroom situations allowing students to develop problem-solving and communication skills.
• Opportunity for professional growth and development.

Activities and Measures

Goal 1 - At the completion of the program, students will be competent as entry-level radiographers.

Explanation - This means students will complete the program and have the cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills to find and retain employment in the radiology field. It is demonstrated in their ability to pass the registry, find meaningful employment (if desired), obtain satisfactory evaluations from employers in order to retain their jobs and demonstrate a desire for professional growth and development.
Cognitive Skills – The student will be able to recognize and discuss radiology concepts needed for competence as an entry-level radiogrpaher.
Psychomotor Skills – The student will be able to independently perform ARRT-required competency examinations upon graduation.
Affective Skills – The student will demonstrate appropriate interpersonal behaviors toward patients and other medical personnel.

Outcome 1 – Students will be able to pass the national ARRT certification examination.
Measurement Tool – ARRT test
Benchmark - Achievement of a 75% average first-time pass rate over a five year period.
Time Frame – Annually in March.
Responsible Person – Director.

Outcome II - Employer satisfaction six months after graduation as shown by the Post-Graduation Employer Survey.
Measurement Tool – Post-Graduation Employer Survey.
Benchmark - Average overall satisfaction rating of 7 out of 10 over a five-year period on returned surveys.
Time Frame – Annually in March.
Responsible Person - Director.

Outcome III – Graduates will be clinically able to perform as indicated by the clinical instructors.
Measurement Tool – Post-Graduation Clinical Instructor Survey.
Benchmark - Average annual class rating of 7 out of 10 on the overall score for the survey.
Time Frame – Annually in August.
Responsible Person – Director.

Outcome IV – Students seeking employment will be able to find employment in the radiologic sciences field.
Measurement Tool – Phone survey of students and employers of area.
Benchmark - Five-year average job placement rate of not less than 75% within six months of graduation for students seeking employment.
Time Frame – Annually in March.
Responsible Person – Director.

Outcome V – Graduates will indicate they were satisfied the program prepared them as entry-level practitioners.
Measurement Tool – Student Post-Graduation Survey.
Benchmark – Five-year average of 7 of 10 (overall score).
Time Frame – Annually in August.
Responsible Person – Director.

Outcome VI – Students will participate in professional growth and development activities.
Measurement Tool – Membership card or certificate copy.
Benchmark - Seventy percent of students will join a national, state or regional radiology professional organization by March of their second semester.
Time Frame – Annually in March.
Responsible Person – Director.

Outcome VII – Students will complete the program.
Measurement Tool – Survey count of students completing the program annually.
Benchmark – Sixty percent of students will complete the program over a five-year period.
Time Frame – Annually in August.
Responsible Person - Director.

Goal II - Students will develop communication skills enabling them to communicate orally and in written form with patients and other health care providers.

Explanation - Students will have the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with patients, radiographers and other medical personnel in order to optimize patient care and promote a positive image of the radiologic technology profession.
Cognitive Skills – The student will recognize key concepts of respectful (professional) communication skills with patients and other medical professionals.
Psychomotor and Affective Skills – The student will demonstrate concepts learned related to communication in interactions with faculty, patients and other students in clinical and classroom situations. This includes the ability to verbalize problems and solutions.

Outcome I - Students will be able to effectively explain examination procedures to patients and/or family members.
Measurement Tool – Criteria for Success Checklist.
Benchmark - As a class in Positioning I, meet 70% of the “Criteria for Success” listed during a lab check-off exercise where students are given random exams and required to explain the procedure and any special instructions to a patient.
Time Frame – Annually in September.
Responsible Person – Instructor for Positioning I.

Outcome II – Students will be able to effectively write a research paper and deliver an oral presentation during the student’s senior year on a new technical, therapeutic or diagnostic development in the radiology field.
Measurement Tool – Criteria for Success checklist
Benchmark - As a class, meet 70% of the “Criteria for Success” listed for both the written paper and oral presentation.
Time Frame – Annually during the spring semester for senior students.
Responsible Person – Instructor for Patient Care and Special Procedures.

Outcome III – Students will be able to verbalize problems and solutions to rejected films.
Measurement Tool – Film Critique “Criteria for Success” Checklist.
Benchmark – As a class average, students in “Film Critique” will correctly verbalize the problem(s) and solution(s) to their rejected films 75% of the time as evidenced by their presentation in class following 70% of the verbal criteria listed on the “Criteria for Success” on an annual basis.
Time Frame – Annually during the summer semester for freshman students.
Responsible Person – Instructor for Film Critique.

Goal III - Students will be able to think critically and solve problems in their daily work environment.

Explanation - Students will be able to use critical thinking skills to solve problems and carry out their professional duties. This may include the ability to improvise and use alternative positions in trauma situations to obtain necessary views. It may also include problem-solving abilities to help patients overcome physical, mental or emotional factors that might limit the effectiveness of procedures. In addition, it implies the critical thinking ability to maintain proper patient care when patients undergo radiologic examinations (i.e., management of contrast reactions and other emergencies). Finally, it implies the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to critique films and make necessary exposure and positioning adjustments to obtain quality radiographs.
Cognitive Skills – The student will recognize technical and/or patient-related problems and formulate successful interventions.
Psychomotor and Affective Skills – The student will be able to demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem-solving skills by demonstrating alternative positions and techniques used in trauma and non-routine clinical situations.

Outcome I – The student will be able to successfully use critical thinking and problem solving skills in the clinical environment upon graduation from the program.
Measurement Tool – Clinical Instructor Post-Graduation Survey.
Benchmark - Average class rating of 6 out of 10 annually on the Clinical Instructor Post-Graduation Survey question “Ability to problem-solve and think critically in demanding situations.
Time Frame – Annually in August.

Outcome II – Students (as a class) will have the ability to verbalize problems and solutions to rejected films.
Measurement Tool – Film Critique “Criteria for Success” Checklist.
Benchmark – As a class average, students in “Film Critique” will verbalize the problem(s) and solution(s) to their rejected films 75% of the time on an annual basis.
Time Frame – Annually during the summer semester of the freshman year.
Responsible Person – Instructor for Film Critique.