Program Details

The mammography program's curriculum is aligned with the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Mammography Curriculum Guide and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Didactic and Clinical Competency Requirements.

Course Details

Courses meet ARRT, ASRT, and MQSA educational requirements.

This course must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better.

The didactic portion of this course is provided online, and the clinical education is provided at healthcare facilities that have affiliation agreements with Broward College.

ARRT Mammography Registry

Technologists must meet the ARRT's education and clinical requirements to be eligible to take the advanced modality registry. The courses included in this program provide those requirements. The courses included in this program provide those requirements.

Mission Statement

The Mammography Program at Broward College aims to provide learners with the expertise, skills, and values required to practice as entry-level mammographers and pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam in Mammography. The program and faculty are committed to preparing competent, genuine, compassionate, ethical, and culturally sensitive practitioners committed to lifelong learning and professional development. Mammography is a technical education program that provides a vital human resource to satisfy the healthcare needs of the community. ARRT Mammography Requirements.

Program Philosophy

Mammographers are valued healthcare team members who practice in a multicultural medical environment. Developing competent and compassionate mammographers requires a quality education founded on a well-rounded professional curriculum that includes cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning outcomes. Multiple learning approaches will be incorporated into the development of mammography instruction due to the diversity of the student population. We acknowledge that there will be differences between learners.

Program Goals & Learning Outcomes

1. Students shall competently perform mammographic procedures.
   1. Students will apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning, and mammographic techniques to demonstrate anatomical structures on image receptors accurately.
   2. Evaluate mammographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality.
   3. Apply the principles of radiation protection to the patient and others in the clinical setting.
2. Students shall demonstrate critical thinking skills in the practice of mammography.
   1. Demonstrate proper operation of mammography equipment and accessories for different patient populations.
   2. Recognize and respond to emergencies.
3. Students shall demonstrate appropriate communication skills in the practice of mammography.
   
   1. Students will demonstrate appropriate oral communication skills.
   2. Students will demonstrate appropriate written communication skills.
4. Students shall demonstrate professionalism as active members of the healthcare team.
   
   1. Students will demonstrate professional behavior in the clinical setting.
   2. Students will demonstrate appropriate work ethics in the clinical setting.
   3. Students will demonstrate compassionate and genuine care in the clinical setting

Students entering the Mammography Program must meet certain standards of performance to progress in their coursework and ultimately graduate. These standards include meeting cognitive, affective, and psychomotor demands associated with the profession. Students enrolled in the program should carefully review all the performance standards as follows.

Data Collection Standards

• Tactile ability is sufficient for the collection and input of data, such as the utilization of mammographic equipment and computer workstations.
• Auditory ability is sufficient to monitor and assess healthcare needs such as hearing monitor alarms, emergency signals, and verbal communication when a patient calls for assistance.
• Visual ability is sufficient for assessing and observing the patient and environment, including near and far acuity, depth perception, visual fields, and color vision.

Communication Standards

• Possess communication skills to interact effectively with others verbally, non-verbally, and in written form.
• Ability to express self verbally in a language that will be understood by a majority of patients with sensitivity to individual and cultural differences.
• Possess the ability to recognize, interpret, and respond to non-verbal cues from patients and clients.

Sensorimotor Standards

• Gross and fine motor skills for adjustment of settings on equipment and to assist with positioning of patients safely.
• Standing and walking for extended periods and the physical ability to maneuver equipment.
• The motor skills of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, and handling.
• Ability to perform medium work (defined as lifting 60 pounds maximum with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 30 pounds) as required to move medical equipment manually.
• Ability to walk with good balance, resist challenges while walking, and support a patient who may have poor balance/weakened musculature during gait.
• Independent mobility, including transportation to/from campus and clinical education sites.
• Stamina to participate in physical activity over prolonged periods while positioning a patient and operating equipment.

Intellectual and Conceptual Standards

• Ability to assimilate, within a reasonable amount of time, large amounts of technical and detailed information from various sources.
• Ability to identify cause-effect relationships to make judgments and set priorities in clinical situations.
• Recognize physiological changes in patient status and act appropriately.
• Ability to function during stressful situations, prioritize tasks, integrate information, and make decisions promptly.

Behavioral and Social Standards

• Possess sufficient interpersonal skills to establish meaningful and effective rapport with patients, families, and colleagues from different social, economic, cultural, religious, and intellectual backgrounds.
• Ability to cope with a heavy workload and patient demands.
• Display adaptability and the ability to function effectively during periods of high stress.
• Accept responsibility for your behavior and engage in self-assessment activities to identify learning needs.

Ethical Standards

• Exhibit respect for truth and a commitment to honesty in all didactic and clinical pursuits.
• Adhere to ethical and legal guidelines established by applicable national organizations and governmental agencies.
• Abide by all programs and institutional rules and regulations.
• Appreciate and respect patient/family confidentiality.

Clinical education is part of the Mammography Program, where students gain hands-on experience working with patients in a hospital setting. The Mammography Program affiliates with clinical sites located throughout Broward County. Clinical sites are hospitals with breast imaging departments staffed by mammographers. Students will practice on patients under the supervision of mammographers and radiologists, who are the physicians responsible for interpreting medical images.

Students are required to attend clinical sites during their one semester of education. The rotations are for the fall semester, August-December, or the spring semester, January-May. The Clinical Coordinator will assign students a clinical site at the onset of each rotation.

Methods of Instruction and Clinical Sites

Methods of Instruction
Clinical courses involve face-to-face activities designed to provide instruction and foster learning in the cognitive (i.e., mind-based), affective (i.e., value-based), and psychomotor (i.e., physical) domains. Activities primarily include demonstration, practice, and return demonstration on patients.

Clinical Sites
The assignment of clinical sites will be based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the number of students in the program, the number of available slots at each facility as approved by JRCERT, and hospital affiliation agreements between the clinic and BC. The clinical coordinator has the final authority to place students at clinical sites.

To help facilitate the assignment of clinical sites, students must choose a first, second, and third preference for each rotation using the Clinical Preference form. The Clinical Coordinator will attempt to place each student at one of their 3 preferences. However, the criteria above will dictate which sites the student must attend, and there is no guarantee that a student can be placed at any specific site.

The estimated total cost of the Mammography Program for Florida residents, including tuition, special course fees, books, uniforms, and other fees (e.g., insurance, background checks, drug screening, health physical) is $1,400.00. For out-of-state applicants, the approximate cost of the program is $4000.00. For more information regarding fees, visit the Financial Aid page.

Note: The cost listed above is a current estimate for Florida residents and is subject to change without notice. Costs for non-residents will be higher.

The Mammography program consists of online courses and clinical education to meet MQSA requirements and is approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Our flexible online program allows you to work while pursuing your Mammography Technical Certificate.

Once enrolled, you will  learn:

• Patient Care
• Safety
• Image Production
• Procedures

Being a mammographer presents many challenges, so be sure the program fits your ambitions before you apply. If you are considering entering the field of mammography, you should:

• Be able to think critically and independently
• Show compassion and caring towards others
• Ability to apply technical knowledge
• Possess good communication and interpersonal skills
• Be adaptable to various situations, environments, and personalities
• Be able to work well under pressure in the presence of illness

Upon graduating from the program and finding work as a mammographer, you will be required to:

• Maintain patients' trust through confidentiality
• Manipulate complex mammographic equipment safely
• Perform more than one task at a time under stress
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to patients and their families
• Recognize physiological changes in patients and respond accordingly
• Have sufficient stamina to move patients, stand for long periods, and lift medical equipment (60 lbs. Maximum)

Liza M Terron, MHA, BSRS, R.T. (R) (M) - Program Manager

Mrs. Terron joined Broward College in 2019 as a clinical instructor/coordinator. She is registered in radiography and mammography. Mrs. Terron has over 20 years of clinical experience in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

Michael Giovanniello, Ph.D., R.T. (R) - Senior Professor

Dr. Giovanniello joined Broward College in 1990 as an adjunct and in 2001 as a full-time faculty member. For the Radiography Program, he has held the positions of Clinical Instructor, Clinical Coordinator, Professor, and Program Manager. He is also an eLearning Associate for the Department of Instructional Technology/BC Online. He teaches Image Production in Mammography. Dr. Giovanniello has over 25 years of clinical experience in Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

Debbie Armstrong, AS, R.T. (R) (M) - Clinical Instructor

Mrs. Armstrong is a graduate of Broward College, registered in radiography and mammography. She has over 35 years of clinical experience working in both Florida and Colorado. Her career began in radiography, but mammography quickly became her primary focus. After working as a mammography technologist for many years, she advanced her career into leadership, serving as a clinical coordinator for breast centers in South Florida and then as supervisor, manager, and director of 13 outpatient radiology centers in Colorado.

Visit the admissions how to apply page to learn how to register.

1. Under Degree-seeking Application, click the Apply/Login button
2. Log in
   if you do not have an account, click create your account
3. Click start new
4. Answer questions
   1. For "degree" > click on Associate of Science
   2. For "interested in advanced certificate, Associates or Bachelors, or limited access health science program" > click Yes
   3. For "term" > select the appropriate term
5. Continue answering questions
   for "Select program of interest", click ATC Mammography

Student Success Coach, Health Science Admissions
Nichole Drullard, MBA
nhowell@broward.edu

Program Manager
Liza M. Terron, M.H.A., R. T. (R) (M)
lterron@broward.edu