CYNTHIA L. LIOTTA, MS, RT(R), (CT), Program Director
RONALD G. CUZZOLA, MS, RT(R), MLT, Clinical Coordinator
SUZANNE STURDIVANT, M.Ed., RT (R) (CT) (M), Faculty
Practitioners in radiologic sciences are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to provide radiographic images 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 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.
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.
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
Sequential to RADS 117. Radiation safety, the legal aspects of healthcare included HIPAA and
informed consent, as well as the interaction with patients including clinical histories, will be
covered prior to assigned clinical rotations. During clinical rotations students should observe
and assess the practices of infection control, body mechanics, transfer techniques, radiation
safety, clinical histories, control panel setup, patient confidentiality, and method of operation
of a complete radiographic procedure.
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 the radiographic positioning of the body parts
and systems covered in RADS 214. Image evaluation and laboratory exposures on
the phantom are performed to correlate the anatomy studied. Simulated
competencies are also completed.
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 ARRT checkoffs that must be completed by the end of the semester are
abdomen, urography, pelvis/femur, and gastrointestinal system.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
4 credits, Fall
RADS 218: Advanced Exposure
This course will help with integration of clinical experience and exposure
technique theory. Automatic processor, film processing, image receptors,
equipment accessories, and methods used to improve quality of the image are
reviewed. Quality assurance and quality control are also included.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and BIOL courses.
2 credits, Spring
RADS 219: Imaging and Equipment
This course covers atomic structure, electricity, xray equipment and circuitry,
xray interactions in the tube and in tissue, image intensification and digital
image capture.
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 and sinuses.
Also included are arthrography, reproductive systems, specialty exams, and an
introduction to the cardiovascular system, nervous system and 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 and sinuses. Radiographic exposures on the phantom are correlated with
image evaluation and radiographic anatomy. A component strictly related
identification of anatomy of the cardiovascular system and central nervous
system anatomy using MRI and CT images is also included.
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 and ARRT
checkoffs that must be completed by the end of the semester are in areas of
spine, bony thorax, skull and mobile radiography.
Prerequisites: All previous RADS and Biology courses.
3 credits, Spring
RADS 252: Radiation Biology
This course is divided into two 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 & measurement, design of
equipment and rooms for maximum protection and reduction of dose.
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 will assist the student in the development of an additional
knowledge base to broaden the student’s understanding of total patient care.
Venipuncture will be discussed and performed. Basic electrocardiography will be
covered. In addition, this course will present basic principles and theories of
law as it applies to the Radiologic sciences profession. Review of content for
the national certification examination will also be included.
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 sssions focus on the terminal competency.
Electives to CT, MRI, sonography, cardiovascular/interventional procedures,
nuclear imaging, radiation therapy or specialized pediatric imaging 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.
3 credits, Fall
Associate Degree Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
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*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.