Gannon University

CYNTHIA L. LIOTTA, MS, RT(R), (CT), Program Director
SUZANNE STURDIVANT, BS, RT (R) (CT) (M), Instructor

Practitioners in radiologic sciences are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to provide pictorial representations of the human body to aid in the diagnosis of disease or injury. This requires development of cognitive abilities, technological skill, effective communication and interpersonal qualities that will assist the individual in this process.

The Radiologic Sciences Program, fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, is 24 months in length. The first year is primarily didactic, with emphasis on required academic courses and introductory courses in radiologic sciences, including a 3 hour per week clinical experience. The professional component, which is 15 months in length, combines extensive clinical experience with professional coursework. Clinical competency is verified through faculty assessment of student’s skill level in actual performance of radiologic examinations. Students enrolled in the program must maintain a grade point average of 2.5. All Radiologic Sciences courses (RADS) and all Anatomy and Physiology courses (BIO) must be completed with a "C" or better to continue to the next sequenced professional course. Students may not fail or repeat more than one course during the entire program.

The Associate Degree fulfills all the eligibility requirements for the national certification exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The Associate Degree also enables students to pursue additional education in computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography and radiation therapy, as well as provide a foundation to pursue a baccalaureate degree for employment in education, management, sales or other areas of health care.

Prospective students should be aware that in order to successfully complete this program they will be required to perform certain physical functions in course work and/or clinical education. The following standards describe the physical abilities necessary to complete the program. The program requires the capability to demonstrate the following physical activities and administrative tasks:

• Help in lifting patients who may be comatose, paralyzed, or otherwise incapacitated. See minimum physical requirements – Student Handbook.

• Lift, move and push heavy equipment, such as cassettes and portable machines. See minimum physical requirements – Student Handbook.

• To insure patient safety, hear faint sounds from a distance of 15 feet, as control panels and exposure switches are located in rooms or paneled areas separate from the x-ray table on which patients are placed.

• Hear faint audible signals such as low sounding buzzers and bells to determine and recognize malfunctioning equipment.

• Determine differences in gradual changes in blacks, grays and whites for purposes of judging films for technical quality.

• Communicate orally and in writing instructions and directions to patients and to other health care personnel. Obtain health history and other pertinent data from patients.

• Manual dexterity, good motor skills, eye-hand coordination skills and sensory function in at least one upper limb (move equipment, patient, etc.)

• Dexterity of the fine motor skills (fill syringes, manipulate locks on equipment, put on surgical gloves, etc.)

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

All RADS courses must be taken in the order listed in the curriculum. Clinical education may include clinical sites outside of Erie.

RADS 101: Introduction to Radiologic Sciences
This course is divided into three parts. Part I provides an introduction to Medical Terminology focusing on word roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Part II concentrates on radiation protection to include possible effects of radiation on living tissue, medical radiation doses and protection concepts. Part III focuses on patient care methods, medical asepsis, body mechanics, vital signs, sterile procedures, catheter care, isolation techniques, medical emergencies, contrast media and allergic reactions.
3 credits, Fall

RADS 117: Clinical Radiography I
This course will introduce the student to the clinical setting. It consists of three hours per week at a clinical site for approximately 8 weeks and coordinated class sessions throughout the semester. Students will learn and apply simple techniques and basic principles in patient care and radiation protection as well as observe radiographic procedures.
1 credit, Fall

RADS 118: Radiographic Exposure and Processing
An in-depth study of the essential qualities of the radiographic image; density, contrast, recorded detail, distortion, and latitude is presented along with the many variables under control of the radiographer, which influence image quality. Film processing, x-ray generation, accessories, and quality assurance are thoroughly examined.
Prerequisites: RADS 101, 117, 120, BIOL 108, 109, 110, 111, 120
3 credits, Summer

RADS 119: Radiographic Exposure and Processing Lab
An analysis of the various factors involved in image quality. Lab experiments to demonstrate the effect of changing exposure factors, and the use of accessories to improve radiographic quality. Processor trouble-shooting and quality assurance.
Prerequisites: RADS 101, RADS 117, BIOL 108, 109, 110, 111, 120
1 credit, Summer

RADS 120: Clinical Radiography 2
This course is sequential to RADS 117. It consists of three hours per week at the clinical site for 12 weeks. Observation and participation in general radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
Prerequisite: RADS 101, 117, BIOL 108, 109
1 credit, Spring

RADS 204: Radiographic Positioning & Procedures I
This course will introduce the student to positioning terminology used in radiography, lines and planes of the body and utilization of proper positioning to ensure high quality radiographs. The course will focus on correlated anatomy, positioning and film critique of the chest, upper and lower extremities, abdomen, digestive and urinary systems.
Prerequisites: RADS 101, 117
3 credits, Spring

RADS 205: Radiographic Positioning & Procedures Lab I
This is a “hands on” course for radiographic positioning techniques of the chest, upper and lower extremities and the abdomen. Film evaluation and anatomical correlation are integrated into proper positioning procedures and film critique.
Prerequisites: RADS 101, 117, BIOL 108, 109
1 credit, Spring

RADS 206: Clinical Radiography 3
This course is sequential to RADS 120. It consists of 32 hours per week and is designed to develop performance skills necessary for competency exams. Directly supervised clinical experience is correlated with classwork in radiography subjects. Orientation to the clinical site includes hospital policies and procedures, OSHA requirements, clerical and darkroom procedures, and aspects of patient care. Clinical competency examinations that must be completed by the end of the summer are upper extremities, lower extremities and chest. Clinical practice sessions with film critique focus on areas of competency.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
4 credits, Summer

RADS 214: Radiographic Positioning and Procedures II
Continuation of radiography of the urinary and digestive systems. Anatomy and positioning of the pelvis, hip, femur, shoulder girdle, vertebral column and bony thorax is also included.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
2 credits, Fall

RADS 215: Radiographic Positioning Lab II
This is a “hands on” course for radiographic positioning of the body parts and systems covered in RADS 214. Film evaluation and anatomical correlation is also studied.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses
1 credit, Fall

RADS 216: Clinical Radiography 4
This course is sequential to RADS 206. It consists of 32 hours per week as students prepare for competency in more complex exams as well as work independently in areas of completed competency. Clinical competency examinations and AART checkoffs that must be completed by the end of the semester are abdomen, urography, pelvis/femur, and gastrointestinal system. Clinical practice sessions with film critique focus on areas of competency. Optional rotation through ultrasonography, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, mammography, CT, MRI, and cardiovascular imaging may be included.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
4 credits, Fall

RADS 218: Advanced Exposure
Integration of clinical experience, exposure technique theory, film processing, quality control and quality assurance is studied. Multiple exposure and conversion problem solving, accessories and devices to improve quality of radiography is also reviewed.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and BIOL courses.
2 credits, Spring

RADS 219: Imaging and Equipment
This course covers atomic structure, electricity, magnetism, x-ray interactions in the tube and in tissue, x-ray equipment, circuitry, and specialized imaging equipment. Television systems and components are discussed. CT, MRI, digital imaging, and PACS systems are introduced.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
3 credits, Fall

RADS 224: Radiographic Positioning and Procedures III
This course offers an in depth study of the skull, facial bones, sinuses, and temporal bone. Also included is the cardiovascular system, arthrography, mammography and reproductive system, specialty exams, and introduction to sectional anatomy.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and biology courses.
3 credits, Spring

RADS 225: Radiographic Positioning and Procedures Lab III
This is a “hands on” course for radiographic positioning of the skull, facial bones, sinuses, and temporal bone. Radiographic exposures are made on Tillie, correlated with film evaluation and radiographic anatomy. The use of computerized software is provided with film review.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and biology courses.
1 credit, Spring

RADS 226: Clinical Radiography 5
This course is sequential to RADS 216. It consists of 24 hours per week of directly or indirectly supervised clinical experience as appropriate to the student’s level of competency. Clinical competency examinations that must be completed by the end of the semester are in areas of spine, bony thorax, skull and mobile radiography. Clinical practice sessions with film critique focus on areas of competency.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
3 credits, Spring

RADS 252: Radiation Biology
This course is divided into three parts. The first part deals with the types of ionizing radiation and their effects at the atomic, molecular and cellular levels. Genetic and somatic effects as related to acute and chronic doses of radiation are also discussed. The second part concentrates on medical diagnostic radiation – sources, exposure, dose limits, detection and measurement, design of equipment and rooms for maximum protection, reduction of dose and quality control. The third part will deal with some of the social issues related to radiation.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and biology courses.
2 credits, Spring

RADS 271: Introduction to Radiographic Pathology
A study of the common pathologies seen radiographically. This course integrates the student’s previous clinical experience and classwork with specific pathophysiology within the body systems. It is designed to offer the learner basic foundations of disease or injury, including clinical, pathological, and radiographic manifestations.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and biology courses.
1 credit, Spring

RADS 285: Special Topics
This course is designed to provide study of specific topics determined by their relevance to a changing professional environment. Topics may include but are not limited to: venipuncture, medico-legal issues, professional specializations, continuing professional competence, technological advances in clinical practice in radiology.
Prerequisite: All previous RADS and BIOL courses
1 credit, Summer

RADS 286: Clinical Radiography 6
This course is sequential to RADS 226. It consists of 32 hours per week of indirectly supervised clinical experience in all areas of completed competency. Students focus on developing efficiency and polishing clinical skills. The terminal competency, all checklists and ARRT checkoffs must be completed before graduation. Clinical practice sessions focus on the terminal competency. Electives in special and advanced areas may be arranged.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
4 credits, Summer

RADS 441: Introduction to Radiology
This course is designed to introduce the Physician Assistant student to radiologic imaging procedures. The focus of the class will include technical, anatomical and pathologic considerations.
Prerequisite: PHAS 305
3 credits, Fall

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Associate Degree Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)

 *Students are advised that the courses taken in the Summer I and Fall II semesters will be combined for the purposes of billing and grading. Students will receive their bill for the Summer I and Fall II semester at the regular Fall billing time. Grades will be sent out at the completion of each of the four semesters. Students are advised that the Summer I and Spring II grade reports will contain “*” grades for the Fall II and Summer II semesters.

**Students are advised that the courses taken in the Spring II and Summer II semesters will be combined for the purposes of billing and grading. Students will receive their bill for the Spring II and Summer II semesters at the regular Spring billing time. Grades will be sent out at the completion of each of the four semesters. Students are advised that the Summer I and Spring II grade reports will contain “*” grades for the Spring II semesters.

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