Radiologic technology
students may study radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, sonography or another modality of interest.
"Radiology Technician" is a local variation of the official title, "Radiologic Technologist." The coursework, clinical practicum and competency examinations required for the certification of the radiologic technologist prepares graduates of the program for an entry-level radiographer position. The student's selection of a modality will modify the curriculum to reflect their concentration. Radiologic technology students must satisfactorily complete a battery of courses in the natural sciences and core requisites in the social sciences and humanities tailored to medical professionals.
Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities--Year 1 Curriculum
Students enrolled in the radiologic technology program must complete Introduction to Radiography & Medical Imaging and Medical Terminology for Medical Imaging in their first semester. In addition, enrollment in Principles of Exposure, Imaging Modalities & Equipment, Fluoroscopic Procedures I & II, Radiographic Imaging I & II, Radiographic Procedures I, II, III, IV and Radiography Clinical Practicum I, II, III, IV must take place during the first year of study. To fulfill the requirement of courses in the natural sciences, the completion of Radiographic Physics, Radiographers Mathematics, Computer Applications in Radiography, Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Human Growth & Development all serve as mandatory prerequisites, which will prepare the student for the advanced sciences in the second year of their program. In the area of Social Sciences & Humanities, the first year core-requisites include General Psychology I, English Composition I & II, Medical Law & Ethics, Patient Care in Medical Imaging and Operational Issues in the Healthcare Environment.
Natural Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities--Year 2 Curriculum
During the second year in the radiologic technology program, students must complete Radiation Biology, Radiation Protection, Pharmacology, Introduction to Computerized Tomography, Radiographic Pathology, Radiographic & Cross-sectional Anatomy, Trauma Radiography, Radiographic Imaging III and Introduction to Quality Assurance and Quality Control. To fulfill the requirement of clinical rotations for certification, students must complete Radiographic Procedures V, Radiography Clinical Practicum V, VI, VII and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Review. In the area of Social Sciences and Humanities, the second year core requisites include Sociology of Aging: Death & Dying, Principles of Speech Communication and Intercultural Communication.
ARRT's Revisions of Clinical Competency Requirements
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists has revised its clinical competency requirements. Effective January 2011, all radiologic technology students pursuing nuclear medicine technology certification must satisfactorily perform four unique functions in patient care, perform five procedures in quality assurance and control, and perform 25 procedures in diagnostics and therapeutics. Effective January 2011, radiologic technology students pursuing radiation therapy certification must satisfactorily demonstrate their competency in traditional and alternative treatments and identify adverse side effects and other complications. Students must apply their factual knowledge and illustrate their conceptual understanding of pathology, physiology and anatomy for the regulation of appropriate dosages throughout the cycle of treatment. Students must successfully execute a number of procedures--including adhering to radiation therapeutic parameters, preparation of units, observation of patient's disposition and documentation of patient's condition throughout the treatment cycle, while ensuring the patient's physical comfort and emotional stability--in order to pass the overall assessment for certification. Effective January 2012, all radiologic technology students pursuing radiography certification must satisfactorily perform six unique functions in patient care, one radiographic image of the head, process two images of a fluoroscopy studies segment of the body, perform 31 imaging procedures from the mandatory list, and perform 15 out of 35 imaging procedures from the list of electives. Effective January 2015, all radiologic technology students must obtain, at minimum, an associate's degree prior to submitting their request to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists clinical competency examination for primary certification.
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