Curriculum

Curriculum Summary

The School of Radiologic Technology offers a diverse and stimulating two-year (24-month) program of instruction. It is recommended to students who wish to receive their education at a progressive and active hospital. St. John Hospital and Medical Center is a designated trauma center offering a wide variety of educational experiences. Students receive didactic instruction and clinical education in all phases of the Department of Radiology. During the two-year program approximately 40% is spent in academic preparation and 60% in developing clinical competencies. Students will experience a vast spectrum of exams in the hospital Radiology departments, St. John Hospital & Medical Center; St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Macomb Center; St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Oakland Center; St. Clair Orthopedics; St. John Medical Center-Macomb Township; and St. John Surgery Center. Additional clinical rotations may be added. These assignments serve to enhance the curriculum by providing specialized clinical educational opportunities.

Clinical Education

Introduction to Radiography
This course will provide the student with an overview of radiography and it's role in healthcare delivery. Student responsibilities will be outlined. Students will be oriented to academic and administrative structure, key departments and personnel, basic radiation protection techniques, medical ethics, and to the profession as a whole.

Methods of Patient Care
This unit will provide the student with the concepts of patient care, including considerations for physical and psychological needs of the patient and family. Routine    and emergency patient care procedures will be described, as well as infection control procedures utilizing Standard Precautions.

Introduction to Mobile Radiography
This introduces the student to equipment and exams performed in mobile radiography. Equipment manipulation and basic positioning considerations will be demonstrated.

Radiographic Image Processing
This will provide the student with knowledge to process radiographic images.  Requirements for the processing area will be identified. Film, film holders, imaging plates and intensifying screens will be discussed. Processing procedures and artifacts will be described.

Medical Terminology
This unit will provide the students with the elements of medical terminology. An introduction to the origins of medical terminology will be addressed. A word building system will be introduced, and abbreviations and symbols will be discussed. Also introduced in this course will be an orientation for the understanding of radiographic orders and an interpretation of diagnostic reports.

Anatomy and Physiology I
This course will provide the student with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the: cells and tissues, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, fluid and electrolyte, acid and base balance.

Anatomy and Physiology II
Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology I. This course will provide the student with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the: skeletal system, muscular system, integumentary system, and blood.

Anatomy and Physiology III
Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology II. This course will provide the student with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the: circulatory system, lymphatic system and immune system.

Anatomy and Physiology IV
Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology III. This course will provide the student with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, special senses and  endocrine system.

Introduction to Computed Tomography and Cross-Sectional Anatomy
This course will identify imaging modalities that utilize transverse anatomy. Diagrams and computed tomography scans of the head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis will be reviewed. 

Radiographic Procedures I
This course introduces the student to positioning terminology, radiographic examinations of the chest, abdomen, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, and biliary tract. Consideration will be given to the production of radiographs of optimal diagnostic quality.  Laboratory experience will be used to compliment the classroom portion of the course.  Students will be required to position classmates and phantoms during laboratory sessions.

Radiographic Procedures II
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures I. This is a continuation of Radiographic Procedures I and includes routine positioning of the upper and lower extremities.

Radiographic Procedures III
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures II. The course includes radiographic positioning and laboratory practice of the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spines, sacrum and coccyx, sacroiliac joints and skull.

Radiographic Procedures IV
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures III. The course includes radiographic positioning and laboratory practice of the facial bones, paranasal sinuses, mandible, nasal bones, orbits, and special positions of the skull.

Radiographic Procedures V
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures IV. This course includes the radiographic positioning and laboratory practice of the temporomandibular joints, mastoids and sternum. Special radiographic examinations of the upper and lower extremities and the spine will be studied. Geriatric, pediatric and mammographic imaging are also covered.

Trauma Radiography
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures V. Special considerations and positioning of the trauma patient will be addressed.

Principles of Radiographic Exposure I
This unit will provide the student with knowledge of factors that govern radiographic density. Laboratory experiments will be utilized to demonstrate clinical applications of the theoretical principles and concepts.

Principles of Radiographic Exposure II
Prerequisite: Principles of Radiographic Exposure I. This unit is a continuation of the factors that govern radiographic density. An introduction to the factors that govern radiographic contrast will also be discussed.

Evaluation of Radiographs I - IV
This course will provide the student with a working knowledge of radiographic evaluation   and critique.  As the student progresses through the curriculum, the complexity of radiographs to be evaluated and critiqued will increase. Some radiographic pathology discussion will be included during these sessions.

Radiation Physics I
This unit will provide the student with a knowledge of basic physics. Structure of the atom, electromagnetism, magnetism, electrostatics, and electrodynamics will be studied.

Radiation Physics II
Prerequisite: Radiation Physics I. This unit will provide the student with knowledge of  the x-ray circuit, rectification, x-ray tubes, and production and characteristics of radiation.

Principles of Radiation Protection
This course will provide the student with an overview of the principles of radiation protection. Radiation protection responsibilities of the radiographer for patients,  personnel and the public are presented. The concepts of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), and stochastic and non-stochastic effects will be discussed and compared with the concept of Absorbed Dose Equivalent. Regulatory agencies will be identified and agency involvement in radiation protection will be discussed.

Principles of Radiation Biology
This course will provide the student with an overview of the principles of the interaction of radiation with living systems. Radiation effects on biologic molecules and organisms with factors effecting biologic response to irradiation are presented.

Radiographic Pathology
This unit will provide the student with an introduction to the concepts of disease. Pathology and disease as they relate to various radiographic procedures, will be discussed.  Radiographs and images will be discussed with the Radiologist Instructor.

Venipuncture
This unit will provide the student with the theory and practice of the basic technique of venipuncture and the administration of contrast media and/or intravenous medication.

Professionalism
This unit provides the student with tools to become a committed, team oriented, employable individual who is proud of his/her profession.

Digital Imaging in Radiologic Science
This unit provides the basic concepts of principles and operation of digital imaging systems found in diagnostic radiology. Factors that impact image acquisition, display, archiving and retrieval are discussed.
 
Registry Review
Review of materials presented during the two-year program. It is designed for preparation of the National Registry Examination.

Course content, additions or deletions are at the discretion of the instructional staff. Changes are made to reflect technological advances.