EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION

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Equipment inspection

Perform safety checks of radiographic equipment and accessories (e.g., lead aprons and gloves, collimator accuracy).

Recognize malfunctions in the radiographic unit (including table, tube, and accessories).

Note difficulties experienced which might assist in locating the cause of the malfunction.

Report malfunctions in the radiographic unit (including table, tube, and accessories).

Inspect and clean screens and cassettes regularly to identify and remove causes of artifacts.

Perform "start up" and/or "shutdown" procedures on the automatic processor (e.g., adjust water, removal and cleaning of "cross-over" bars).

Recognize malfunctions in the automatic processor.

Note difficulties experienced which might assist in locating the cause of the malfunction.

Report malfunctions in the automatic processor.

Monitor the performance of the automatic processor.

Clean, wash, disinfect, and/or sterilize facilities and equipment (e.g., cassettes, tabletops) and dispose of contaminated items in preparation for the next examination.

X-ray tube warm-up

Warm-up the x-ray tube to achieve proper operating conditions by following the manufacturer's prescribed sequence of steps.

EXPOSURE TECHNIQUES           

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Film storage and processing

Store film/cassette in a manner which will reduce the possibility of accidentally exposing or reexposing the film.

Imprint proper identification information onto the film using either the radiographic, photographic, or light imprinter method.

Process exposed film by unloading the cassette and feeding it into the automatic processor.

Reload cassettes by selecting film of proper size and type.

Record required information on the request form following performance of examination (may include technologist identification, patient data, billing codes, number and size of films, technique, or other information as required by department protocol).

Combine radiographic requisition and radiographs for interpretation and filing.

Technique development

Determine appropriate exposure factors using calipers, technique charts, and tube rating charts for guidance.

Modify exposure factors for circumstances such as voluntary and involuntary motion, plaster casts, pathological conditions, and/or the patient's inability to cooperate.

Restrict beam to limit exposure to area of interest and to improve image quality.

Set kVp, mA, and time or automated exposure system to achieve optimum image quality, safe operating conditions, and to minimize radiation exposure.

Technique evaluation

Evaluate radiographs using view box to make certain that radiographs contain proper identification and are of diagnostic quality.

Determine corrective measures if the radiograph is not of diagnostic quality.

PARTICIPATION IN AND/OR OBSERVATION OF ROUTINE AND SPECIAL RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES      

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Body cavities, shoulder girdle, and upper extremities

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the thoracic cavity.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the thoracic cavity.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of thoracic cavity radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the abdominal cavity.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the abdominal cavity.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of abdominal cavity radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the upper extremities.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the upper extremities.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of upper extremity radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the shoulder girdle.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the shoulder girdle.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of shoulder girdle radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Lower extremities, pelvic girdle, spine, and bony thorax

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the lower extremities.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the lower extremities.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of lower extremity radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the pelvic girdle.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the pelvic girdle.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of pelvic girdle radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the spine.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the spine.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of spinal radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the bony thorax.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving the bony thorax.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of bony thorax radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and biliary systems

Observe and/or participate in patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal system.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal system.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal system.

Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the gastrointestinal system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.

Identify the special considerations for gastrointestinal procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.

Observe and/or participate in patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the genitourinary system.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the genitourinary system.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the genitourinary system.

Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the genitourinary system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.

Identify the special considerations for genitourinary procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.

Observe and/or participate in patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the biliary system.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the biliary system.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the biliary system.

Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the biliary system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.

Identify the special considerations for biliary system procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.

Cranial and facial radiography

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the cranium.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving cranial procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of cranial radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving facial structures.

Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving facial structures.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of facial radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.

Special procedures

Observe and/or participate in special minor radiographic procedures such as arthrograms, bronchograms, endoscopic retrograde  cholangio- pancreatograms (ERCPs), myelograms, sialograms, venograms, and mammograms/xerograms.

Observe and/or participate in the preparation for use, operation, and maintenance of equipment used to perform special minor radiographic procedures such as arthrograms, bronchograms, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms (ERCPs), myelograms, sialograms, venograms, and mammograms/xerograms.

Observe and/or participate in the use and maintenance of special radiographic equipment such as image intensifiers, magnification radiographic equipment, biplane equipment, recording equipment, rapid film changers, injectors, program selectors, and other miscellaneous radiographic equipment.

Observe and/or participate in the preparation of patients undergoing special minor radiographic procedures such as arthrograms, bronchograms, endoscopic retrograde  cholangiopancreatograms (ERCPs), myelograms, sialograms, venograms, and mammograms/xerograms.

Observe and/or participate in the post-procedural care of patients who have undergone special minor radiographic procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of special minor procedure radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, anatomy visualized, and pathologies revealed.

Observe and/or participate in the selection and administration of contrast media used for special radiographic procedures.

Observe and/or participate in the diagnosis of and treatment for adverse reactions to contrast media.

Observe and/or participate in special radiographic procedures such as cerebral, visceral, peripheral, and digital subtraction angiograms.

Observe catheterization techniques.

Observe the Seldinger technique.

Observe and/or participate in interventional techniques such as infusion therapy, extractions, embolizations, PTA/PTLAs, and percutaneous needle studies.

FINAL COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIRED CLINICAL COMPETENCIES

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Competency completion planning

Develop a plan in conjunction with on-site clinical supervisors and technical college faculty to outline future completion and mastery of the clinical competencies contained in this and previous clinical courses.

Continuing education

Identify the benefits associated with participation in continuing education for radiographers.

Develop a tentative plan for participation in continuing education for student radiographers.