Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions

Course Descriptions Semester I PRO 101 – Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy I Building upon the foundation of knowledge gained in BIO 115/116 (College A+P I), this course specifically incorporates the application of anatomy and physiology essential to the practice of radiologic technology. This course emphasizes the radiographic appearance of the major organs and systems of the human body. Study of osteology, arthrology, and topographic anatomy of the upper and lower extremities and thorax will be included. The fundamentals of radiographic positioning and terminology utilized to describe radiographic projections will be studied. Standard and selected additional radiographic projections of the chest, abdomen, and extremities will be discussed and demonstrated. Demonstrations and competency testing will be conducted in the positioning lab. IRF 101 – Introduction to Radiographic Fundamentals and Terminology An introduction to Radiology will be presented including hospital and medical imaging organization, professional ethics, medical terminology, and patient care. Emphasis will be placed on the symptoms associated with the use of contrast media and the radiographer's responsibilities in emergency situations. A study in the use of medical terminology with emphasis on those terms and abbreviations associated with radiology will be included. Surgical and bedside radiography will be studied along with aseptic and sterile technique with emphasis on standard precautions. Professional ethics will be discussed with emphasis placed on the medical and legal responsibilities of the radiographer. PRE 101 – Principles of Radiographic Exposure and Physics I A study of atomic theory, principles associated with matter, energy, basic electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetism are included in PRE 101. Students will develop basic electrical circuits and calculate the relationship between potential difference, current and resistance. A study of various radiographic apparatus will be included. Emphasis will be placed on the construction and principles of generators, transformers, rectifiers, x ray tubes, and controlling components. A discussion of tube rating will be included. The basic schematic x-ray circuit will be studied in detail. CLN 101 – Clinical Practicum I During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. During CLN 101, students will demonstrate clinical competency on radiography of the chest, abdomen, and upper extremities. Semester II PRO 102 – Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy II As a continuation of PRO 101 and building upon the foundation of knowledge gained in BIO 117/118 (College A + P II), this course provides an in depth examination of the osteology, arthrology, and radiographic appearance of the vertebral column, pelvic girdle, and bony thorax. In addition, anatomy and physiology of the respiratory, urinary, and digestive systems are studied with radiographic correlation. Standard and selected additional radiographic projections of the vertebral column, pelvic girdle, and bony thorax will be discussed and demonstrated. Advanced radiography of the chest and abdomen as well as radiographic procedures of the digestive and urinary systems will be studied. Demonstrations and competency testing will be conducted in the positioning lab. PRE 102 – Radiographic Exposure and Physics II As a continuation of PRE 101, a study of the production of the x-ray beam, prime exposure factors, filtration, and x-ray interactions with matter will be included. An in depth investigation of the prime exposure factors and their effects on the image will be discussed. Radiation protection for patients and personnel will be included. Creating the image with beam restriction, patient considerations, radiographic grids, film/screen combinations, image processing, digital radiography, and film sensitometry will be included. Students will complete lab assignments in the radiographic rooms demonstrating these principles. CLN 102 – Clinical Practicum II During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. During CLN 102, students will demonstrate clinical competency on radiography of the upper and lower extremities, as well as three elective studies, and patient transfer. Semester III CLN 103 – Clinical Practicum III During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. During CLN 103, students will demonstrate clinical competency on radiography of the lower extremities, pelvic girdle, ribs, vertebral column, upper gastrointestinal series, and advanced chest studies, as well as three elective studies. Semester IV PRO 201 – Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy III As a continuation of PRO 102, this course provides an in dept examination of the osteology, arthrology, and radiographic appearance of the skull. Multiplanar anatomy of the head, thorax, spine, abdomen, and pelvis will be investigated with correlation of CT, MRI, and Ultrasound. Students will be introduced to interventional radiographic procedures and heart catheterizations. Students will be instructed in performing venipuncture and radiographic contrast injections. Standard and selected additional radiographic projections of the skull, facial, sinuses, and trauma radiography will be discussed and demonstrated. Demonstrations and competency testing will be conducted in the positioning lab. PRE 201 – Radiographic Exposure and Physics III This course is designed as a continuation of PRE 102. Through discussion and experimentation on energized x ray units, the students will investigate creating and analyzing the radiographic image. Radiographic density, contrast, detail, and distortion will be studied in depth. Special imaging techniques such as automatic exposure control, mobile radiography, tomography and fluoroscopy will be included. The students will be instructed in computerized and digital imaging and processing of the digital image. Creating exposure charts and solving exposure conversion problems will be included. PTH 201 – Pathology and Image Evaluation I A study of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the body will be included. Emphasis will be placed on those diseases and conditions which are diagnosed through medical imaging procedures. Images displaying these particular diseases will be presented and reviewed. Selected images of interest will also be presented. Image critique including positioning, anatomy, and exposure factors with means to improve image quality will be offered. MOD 201 – Radiographic Supplemental Modalities This course is designed as the introduction to the supplemental radiologic sciences of radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, ultrasonography, computerized axial tomography, digital radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, and absorptiometry. A discussion of the basic principles, terminology, and equipment used in these fields is included. The students will be given the opportunity to observe and assist technologists working in these areas of the hospital. CLN 201 – Clinical Practicum IV During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. In the senior year the students will have the opportunity to observe in the supplemental modalities of radiography in addition to the routine diagnostic area. During CLN 201, students will demonstrate clinical competency on radiography of pediatric chest, trauma upper and lower extremities, trauma shoulder, portable chest, advanced abdomen procedures, barium enemas, as well as four elective studies. Semester V PRO 202 – Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy IV This course is a continuation of PRO 201 including a study of the digestive, cardiovascular and lymphatic, nervous, reproductive, and integumentary systems and their radiographic appearance. A study of the positioning recommendations and radiographic considerations for contrast studies of these systems will be included. Emphasis will be placed on the procedural steps, equipment used, anatomy demonstrated, and responsibilities of the radiographer during these examinations. Discussion of additional diagnostic procedures accomplished in the radiology department and in the interventional suite will be included. Emphasis will be placed on special studies of the female reproductive system and mammography. Pediatric imaging and film critique will also be included. PRE 202 – Principles of Radiographic Exposure and Quality Assurance This course is designed to prepare the student to develop a quality assurance program and to assist the student in the understanding of minor equipment malfunctions and repair. The student will create a quality assurance manual including instructions and documentation logs of all aspects of quality assurance in radiology which may be used to develop a quality assurance program. A study in formulating and charting radiographic technique will be included. Students will be given the opportunity to perform equipment quality control checks and proper processor care in the clinical area. PTH 202 – Pathology and Image Evaluation 2 As a continuation of PTH 201, a study of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the body will be included. Emphasis will be placed on those diseases and conditions which are diagnosed through medical imaging procedures. Images displaying these particular diseases will be presented and reviewed. Selected images of interest will also be presented. Image critique including positioning, anatomy, and exposure factors with means to improve image quality will be offered. PRP 201 – Graduation and Registry Preparation This course is designed to prepare students for ARRT examination and employment in the field of radiology. Students will be given the opportunity to take mock registry examinations and review the examinations with instructors. A review of radiography materials determined by the students will be included. Students will discuss career options, the search for a job in radiography, job applications, resume writing, and interviewing. Emphasis will be placed on professionalism, professional growth, and opportunities for advancement, continuing education requirements, national certification, and state licensing requirements. APC 201 – Advanced Patient Care for the Radiographer This course is a continuation of the patient care presented in IRF 101. Specific patient care procedures encountered by radiographers are covered in detail. Pharmacology of emergency medications administered in radiology and other medications commonly encountered in radiology will be presented. EKG and vital signs will be presented in the didactic setting with competency required in the clinical area. Healthcare topics of interest will be presented by professionals from various hospital departments with emphasis on their interface with radiographers. Students will relate the materials presented to patient care and a career in radiography. RPB 201 – Radiation Protection and Radiobiology This course will include a study of radiobiology with special attention to cellular effects, and early effects vs. late effects of radiation. Discussions on radiochemistry, cell sensitivity, organ effects and radiation risk estimates will be included. A study of the advanced radiographic principles of radiation protection, measurement, and shielding will be presented. Protection of the patient, radiographer, and others in radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy will be emphasized. ALARA and patient education to minimize radiation exposure will be discussed. CLN 202 - Clinical Practicum V During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. In the senior year the students will have the opportunity to observe in the supplemental modalities of radiography in addition to the routine diagnostic area. During CLN 202, students will demonstrate clinical competency on radiography of the skull, sinuses, trauma cervical spine, portable abdomen and extremity, as well as five elective studies, and C-arm procedures. Semester VI CLN 203 - Clinical Practicum VI During all phases of this program clinical practicum is used to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the radiographic equipment in that environment. During all phases of the practicum the students will perform radiographic examinations. At first these examinations will be done under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. In the senior year the students will have the opportunity to observe in the supplemental modalities of radiography in addition to the routine diagnostic area. During CLN 203, students will demonstrate clinical competency on venipuncture and contrast injection, taking vital signs, care of medical equipment, sterile field set up, oxygen administration, performing EKGs, and final radiographic competencies. The final radiographic competencies are indicative of entry-level radiographer performance.