Riverland Community College radiography students received first place in the Investigational Poster Competition at the Association of Collegiate Educators in Radiologic Technology conference this spring at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Sarah Fischer and Amber Schmidt, two second-year radiography students, received the honors for their poster titled “Radiation to Incubation” that addresses the cleanliness of the radiology department. Fischer and Schmidt’s poster also received first-place honors at the Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists conference last fall. Eight radiography students attended the 40th Annual ACERT Conference and competed in the Student Challenge Bowl as well as several lectures on patient care, radiation physics, radiation protection and pathology.

ACERT is a nonprofit educational organization. Organized on Jan. 25, 1975, this organization is dedicated to improving the quality of education at the collegiate level in radiologic technology. The philosophy of ACERT revolves around the positive growth and development of the collegiate educational process in Radiologic Technology. Ultimately, the education of competent radiologic technologists and educators will insure high quality patient care and the growth of the Radiologic Technology profession.

Riverland’s radiography program began in 1990 and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Radiography courses are available in at the West Building on the Austin Campus, but students complete their clinical rotations in health care facilities across southern Minnesota.

The radiography program accepts 16 students during the fall semester through a competitive admissions process. The program can be completed in six semesters and currently requires 83 credits for graduation. Students also have the option to complete elective credits for Mammography training and Forensics Radiography.

Upon completion of the 24-month program, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science Degree from Riverland Community College and are eligible to apply for the nationally recognized certification exam administered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The Riverland program’s last two graduating classes of 2013 and 2014 completed the exam with a 100 percent pass rate. The graduates are also able to complete their bachelor’s degree in radiologic science leadership through an articulation with Concordia University-St. Paul.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a community college that has inspired personal success through education for 75 years. Approximately 4,900 students are served annually through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities.

An additional 5,400 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Campuses are located in Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system includes 24 two-year community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving more than 420,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system of its kind in the United States.