Interview

S – _____ first (ABCs)

A – _____the situation

F – Follow through with the safest ____

E – _____(chain of command) & Evaluate

Safety, Assess, Action, Escalate

What is a Radiologic Technologist?

Perform

Position

Produce

They perform imaging examinations and are responsible for accurately positioning patients and producing high-quality diagnostic images

You must travel up to ____ miles to sites.

You are completely responsible for your own transportation. Schedules include standard day, afternoon, or evening shifts.

You must stand 3-5 hours and lift up to ____ pounds.

You must help move patients weighing up to ____ pounds.

50, 25, 400

JRCERT awarded the program an 8-year accreditation award

HIGH Board Pass Rate: ARRT pass rate is 95%.

Job placement rate is 98.8%.

Five years

Will students get a chance to explore other modalities besides X-ray?

Could you describe what a typical clinical day looks like for a first-year student?

What is the most overlooked quality that makes a person the ideal Rad Tech?

If a scenario asks for my "FIRST" or "IMMEDIATE" step, what do I look for?

I must gather data, check the patient, or review facts before taking action.

Assessment.

How do I handle an ethical dilemma, mistake, or conflict in a written response?:

Consult official policies and immediately notify a supervisor or instructor

Rad Tech begins by making sure —>

The equipment is ready and reviewing the day's orders. 

They verify

Explain

Position

Take —— and evaluate those images before sending them to the radiologist.

They verify patient identity

Explain the exam

Position the patient correctly

Take high-quality diagnostic images

“Tell me about yourself”

My name is Han Le, and I also go by Gia-Han. I’ve spent the last three years taking my prerequisite classes at Lone Star College University Park before my transition to HCC. Along the way, I’ve developed a strong interest in anatomy and physiology, which had fuled my passion for Radiography. Outside of school, I volunteer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the CT department

What do you do at MD ANDERSON?

I interact with patients at the beginning of their imaging visits. I help prepare them for their exams, answer questions, and get them to their assigned rooms.

"Why do you want to become a Radiologic Technologist instead of pursuing nursing or physical therapy?"

“confirmed”

“fast-paced”

I have immense respect for nurses and physical therapists because they play such an important role in patient care. But my time at MD Anderson confirmed that my strengths are more aligned with the workflow of Radiography.

I realized that I thrive on one-on-one patient care. Being a Rad Tech allows me to combine my love for anatomy, imaging technology, and fast-paced environments. 

"Why did you choose HCC Coleman College specifically for your healthcare education?"

I chose HCC Coleman because of its reputation. I know it's a demanding six-semester program, but I was impressed by the high ARRT board pass rates and job placement rates. I’m also excited about the opportunity to complete clinical rotations in the Texas Medical Center near MD Anderson.”

"What is your weakness?"

My insecurity. I lost many opportunities lacking confidence. Loving healthcare made me realize that good patient care requires confidence and effective communication, so I pushed myself into uncomfortable situations:

I volunteered far from home, joined clubs, participated in class, and became comfortable reaching out for help. I'm still growing, and I've learned that growth for me comes from pushing past my limits.

"What steps have you taken to understand the daily role and duties of a Rad Tech?"

I've volunteered at MD Anderson, researched the profession through ASRT and Mayo Clinic resources, and I also enjoy reading discussions from practicing technologists online because they provide the most honest perspectives about the realities of this profession.

ASRT

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

Mayo Clinic College

Of Medicine and Science's Rad Tech career overview.

"What specific qualities do you possess that will make you a compassionate healthcare provider?"

I possess a great amount of empathy, and I am very patient-oriented. When I did my first chest X-ray after a health scare, I remember being so nervous that my hands were unsteady. I was vwey fortunate to have such a kind Rad Tech in that vulnerable moment. 

When he saw that I was struggling, he took the time to do breathing exercises with me until I was comfortable enough to resume the procedure. I knew that I wanted to be a caring Rad Tech, but that experience made me realize I wanted to truly dedicate myself to learning how to care for all types of patients.

"This is an accelerated, 6-semesterwith demanding hours. How do you plan to manage your schedule and study time?" 

I will spend every week curating a detailed schedule. I will block out time for studying, clinical rotations, coursework, and meal-prep to ensure that I keep up with the workload.

"The radiography program is full-time, fast-paced, and highly clinical. If you fall behind in a difficult course like Radiographic Physics, what steps will you take to correct it?"

I will utilize Coleman’s tutoring services, form study groups in classes where I am struggling, and communicate with instructors early to make sure I am on the right track.

"Tell us about a time you felt completely overwhelmed by your school or work responsibilities. How did you handle it?"

There were many times when I felt overwhelmed at the beginning of a semester. I always start by breaking large tasks into smaller tasks by creating a detailed, color-coded schedule. Having an organized schedule means I don’t have stress about where and how to start.

"How do you plan to handle the financial and time logistics of traveling to various clinical sites across the Houston area?"

I understand transportation is my responsibility. I've already become comfortable driving throughout Houston while volunteering at MD Anderson, so I'm prepared to travel far for clinical sites and will arrive early.

"Describe a time you had to work closely with a difficult teammate or classmate. How did you resolve the tension?"

During group projects, I tend to gravitate towards leadership roles. I once met someone who also preferred to lead. We had plenty of disagreements about how the project should be organized and where to begin. Even though I wanted to keep pushing, I realized the tension wasn't helping the team and that our shared goal of getting the best grade was more important than who was leading, so I decided to focus on helping the team succeed.

"Tell us about a time you had to diffuse a situation with a disgruntled customer or patient."

I once heard a customer yell at one of my fellow food runners. I stepped in between them, asked for clarification, apologized for the delay of his order, and empathized with the customer's frustration. I explained that while rush hour had affected our service, it wasn't an excuse, and I assured him I would involve the manager to make things right, which diffused the situation. 

"Can you give an example of a time you made a mistake? How did you rectify it, and what did you learn?"

I once made a huge mistake as the leader of a group project. I had accidentally written down the wrong deadline, and by the time we realized it, one group member had dropped the course, leaving just one other student and me to finish the project. So I took responsibility and stayed up all night with that student so we could complete the project on time. Since then, I've made it a habit to double- and triple-check every important deadline.

"Radiology is a fast-paced environment where plans change instantly. Tell us about a time you had to adapt quickly to an unexpected change"

During my first job as a food runner, we unexpectedly experienced a major rush, and I was reassigned to the drink station with almost no training. I grabbed sticky notes and labeled the cabinets and storage areas so I could immediately find supplies while preparing drinks. As I became more familiar with the station, I also started making complicated drinks ahead of time to help the other runners/waiters.

"How would you handle a situation where a patient is aggressive, uncooperative, or refusing to stay still for an X-ray?"

I'd remain calm, assess why the patient is upset, explain the procedure, and try to de-escalate the situation. If safety became a concern, I'd stop the exam and notify my clinical instructor or supervisor.

"If you observe a classmate or a tech at a clinical site violating patient safety or HIPAA rules, what would you do?"

I take patient confidentiality and safety very seriously. I would confirm the situation before reporting the violation to my clinical instructor.

How do you respond to constructive criticism or negative feedback from an instructor or clinical preceptor?

I'd listen carefully, ask clarifying questions if needed, repeat the feedback to make sure I understood it correctly, and write it down so I can improve.

What does 'professionalism' mean to you in a hospital setting when interacting with doctors, nurses, and patients?

In a hospital setting, it means adhering to the highest standards of safety and respect, and knowing how to effectively communicate with your healthcare team and patients. It also means taking responsibility for your mistakes and allowing yourself to grow and adapt to that professional environment.

Why should you be considered?

I know this program is demanding, but I'm prepared to put in the work. I have fully dedicated myself to my education. For the last three years, I’ve been a student first; my academics are my top priority and I’ve learned that I grow the fastest in the most stressful and fast-paced environments. More than anything, I genuinely enjoy helping patients. I'm committed to becoming a skilled and compassionate Rad Tech.

"Where do you see yourself professionally five years after graduating from this program?"

I see myself working at MD Anderson, forming strong connections with the nurses, physicians, and radiologists, and eventually cross-training into CT.

"What would you do if you did not get accepted into the program this application cycle?"

I would retake classes, improve my HESI scores, continue volunteering at MD Anderson to gain more patient-facing experience, and reapply.

What do you know about the hospital? 

It is a busy environment, and within this chaos, there is order and teamwork. The hospital depends on essential workers, such as nurses, patient transporters, and Rad Techs, to adapt to the flow and carry out their responsibilities.

“What would be the most rewarding part about working in a radiology department?” 

Getting the opportunity to help solve medical mysteries by utilizing my skills and taking high-quality diagnostic images. I also look forward to interacting with patients and making them feel comfortable. 

“What if the patient you’re imaging is being rude to you? How do you solve the conflict?”

I will stay calm and ask them clarifying questions to get to the bottom of their frustration. I will validate their feelings, empathize with them, and let them know that my goal is to perform their exam as swiftly and comfortably as possible so they can complete their visit

“Wrong part X-rayed and patient is still in the building”

I would accept accountability by getting in contact with the doctor who ordered the X-ray. If repeat imaging is needed, then I would explain the situation to my patient and complete an incident report afterwards.

How do you x-ray a baby?

I would follow the hospital's pediatric protocols and inform the baby's parent or guardian about the procedure in detail. I would also collaborate with them to comfort and distract the baby so we can capture a good image on the first attempt.

1) If asked for your FIRST or IMMEDIATE action:

Assess the patient.

Gather facts.

Verify orders or information.

Determine what is actually happening.

Assess

2) Take the Safest Action

Protect the patient.

Stop the procedure if necessary.

Call for assistance.

Continue only when it is safe.

Action

3) Follow the Chain of Command If there is:

A mistake

An ethical concern

A HIPAA violation

Unsafe behavior

A patient incident

Notify an instructor, technologist, or supervisor immediately

Patient can't breathe

____ become the priority.

Assess immediately.

Call for help.

Stay with the patient.

Notify the appropriate personnel.

ABCs

Wrong body part exposed

Stop immediately.

Assess what occurred.

Inform your instructor/technologist.

F.....

Learn from the mistake.

Follow department policy.

Aggressive or uncooperative patient

Maintain a calm, professional demeanor.

Assess the cause of the behavior.

Attempt verbal de-escalation.

If safety becomes a concern.....

Stop the exam and seek assistance.