Mammography (Certificate E0398)

Technology and Health Division
Certificate E0398
The Mammography certificate program at Mt. SAC is a two semester certificate program available to current Mt. SAC Radiologic Technology (RT) program students. The program provides a complete educational experience for those RT students who wish to expand their skills into the study in the theory and practice of mammography. Students will have the opportunity to learn and develop competence in patient care, communication skills, critical thinking, and technical skills that will prepare the student to become a competent entry level Mammographer.
The program curriculum is designed to meet the mammography educational training requirements set forth by the FDA Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), the California Department of Public Health Services- Radiologic Health Branch (RHB), and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The educational standards established by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) are also incorporated into the curriculum. Educational activities include lecture, laboratory activities, and hands-on clinical training at a clinical site.
The program includes:

• MQSA and RHB 40 hours of documented training specific to mammography requirement
• ARRT 16 hour structured education requirement
• Eight hours of digital mammography training
• MQSA hands-on clinical experience requirements (25 supervised mammograms)
• Course work in breast anatomy/physiology, patient care, mammography procedures, positioning, compression, interventional procedures, imaging of patients with breast implants, pathology, image evaluation, instrumentation, technique, physics, and quality assurance/quality control

All didactic courses will be offered on campus. Clinical training will be conducted at affiliated healthcare institutions (days and times will vary depending on clinical education site).
Upon completion of the program, the student receives a certificate of completion from Mt. San Antonio College. Current Diagnostic CA Radiologic Technologists (CRT’s) will be eligible to sit for the CA state certification in Mammographic Radiologic Technology examination. In addition, the program will prepare the student for the ARRT Mammography certification exam.

Required Courses

Mammography Website

Admission Requirements

The Mammography Certificate Program has special admission requirements and limited enrollment. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admission requirements below are met, and all documents are submitted on time.

1. Applicant must be currently enrolled as a second year student in Mt. SAC’s Radiologic Technology (RT) Program.

• If a student withdraws from the RT program for any reason, the student cannot continue in the Mammography program. State law forbids clinical practice in mammography for students who are not currently enrolled in a Diagnostic RT program.

2. Complete and submit a Mammography Program Application. Applications are available on the Mt. SAC Mammography Program website and in the Technology & Health Division Office, Bldg 28A, Room 101E.
3. Provide a current copy of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification with program application

• CPR card must be American Heart Association: BLS Healthcare Provider, valid 2 years
• Students must maintain current CPR certification throughout program

4. Submit a copy of RT competency ruler providing evidence of the following with application:

• Competency in 30/40 mandatory procedures 
• Competency in 4/9 elective procedures 

5. Complete all other clinical site requirements if applicable and submit documentation
6. Deliver your completed application, copy of CPR card, copy of RT ruler, and clinical requirements to the Technology & Health Division Office, Bldg 28A Room 101E or the Radiologic Technology Department, Bldg 67A Room 127A by application deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.
7. Attend a mandatory orientation meeting with the Radiologic Technology Department. You will be contacted with date and time of orientation once you have been admitted.

Selection

Selection of applicants is based upon the completion of admission requirements and the date of application. Only completed applications will be considered for admission.

Program Completion Requirements

All students in the Mammography Program MUST complete all the program course requirements before a certificate documenting completion will be awarded. Applicants must follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program. Once the graduate is certified as a Diagnostic CRT, the graduate will be eligible to sit for the CA state certification in Mammographic Radiologic Technology examination. In addition, the program will prepare the student for the ARRT Mammography certification exam.

Working environment

• May be exposed to infectious and contagious disease, without prior notification
• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases
• Exposed to hazardous agent, body fluids and wastes
• Exposed to odorous chemicals and specimens
• Subject to hazards of flammable, explosive gases
• Subject to burns and cuts
• Contact with patients having different religious, culture, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, psychological and physical disabilities, and under a wide variety of circumstances
• May be required to handle emergency or crisis situations
• Subject to many interruptions
• Requires decisions/actions critical to patient safety
• Exposed to products containing latex

Required Skills and Physical Abilities

1. Transport, move, lift, or transfer patients from a wheelchair or gurney to an x-ray table or to a patient bed.
2. Lift arms above the head to move the x-ray tube assembly.
3. Move, adjust, and manipulate portable and fluoroscopic equipment according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy while conducting radiographic examinations.
4. Maneuver well enough to physically protect himself or herself from injury caused by patients exhibiting aggressive behaviors.
5. Physically place patients in the proper positions for the examination according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy.
6. Rapidly respond to situations involving the health and safety of patients, providing physical and emotional support to the patient during radiographic procedures, providing basic first aid and emergency care in the absence of or until a physician arrives.
7. Function adequately under stressful situations related to technical and procedural standards of patient care situations.
8. Hear well enough (average 30 decibels for both ears) to respond to directions or calls for help from individuals remote from the location of the student.
9. Speak English clearly enough to explain and direct procedural information to patients, and to communicate with physicians, technical staff, and faculty.
10. Calculate and select proper technical exposure factors according to the individual needs of the patient's condition and requirements of the procedure with speed and accuracy.
11. View and evaluate the recorded images of a radiograph for the purpose of identifying proper patient positioning, accurate procedural sequencing, proper exposure (and/or "s" number), and other established technical qualities.

English Language Skills

Although proficiency in English is not a criterion for admission into the Radiologic Technology Program, students must be able to speak, write and read English to ensure patient safety and to complete classes successfully.
 

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

• Develop workforce readiness skills
• Apply accurate positioning skills and provide appropriate patient care
• Select optimal technical factors
• Utilize appropriate radiation protection and ALARA principles
• Demonstrate academic and technical competence as an entry-level Mammographer
• Communicate effectively with patients, clinical staff, and peers
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills in didactic and clinical settings
• Use critical thinking skills in both routine and non-routine clinical situations
• Adapt standard procedures for non-routine patients
• Analyze images to determine diagnostic quality and make modifications as needed
• Exhibit professional work ethic, behavior, and attitude
• Abide by the ASRT code of ethics
•  Provide compassionate patient care
•  Use professional judgment when working with patients and others
• Identify the advantage of belonging to professional organizations
• Understand the need for continued professional development and growth
• Participate in professional development activities
• Pass the California state certification exam in Mammographic Radiologic Technology
• Secure employment as a Mammographer within one year of program completion

Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.

Looking for guidance? A counselor can help.This Guided Pathways for Success (GPS) is a suggested sequence of coursework needed for program completion. It is not an official educational plan. Schedule an appointment with a counselor or advisor as soon as possible to create an individualized Mountie Academic Plan (MAP) specific to your goals and needs.