Radiography Program

Associate of Science in Radiography - Radiography Program

Radiologic Technology is a science combining advanced technology and human compassion in the delivery of quality health care to patients. This general term is applied to an individual who performs radiography, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine technology. The term diagnostic radiography is used to describe a variety of radiographic or x-ray examinations of internal structures of the body by the passage of x-rays through the body to act on specially sensitized film emulsion (radiograph) or some other type of imaging system. The Radiologic Technology profession is comprised of numerous modalities and Radiography is considered the entry-level discipline. Since the discovery of x-rays over 100 years ago by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen on November 8, 1895, Radiography has undergone continual changes in the pursuit of excellence.

Radiographers or Medical Imaging Technologists (more commonly known as x-ray technologists) use their knowledge of physics, radiographic exposure, human anatomy and physiology, and pathology in order to create a permanent diagnostic medical image. Most people have either had a chest x-ray or know someone who has had an x-ray taken for a broken bone. The radiographer performs routine and emergency x-ray examinations, assists in special radiographic procedures, and performs mobile radiography in an operating room or at the patient's bedside. Many radiographic procedures may require the use of contrast media, a solution which makes it possible to study organs that otherwise may not be seen on a radiograph (x-ray film). The radiographer works very closely with the radiologist who is a physician that specializes in the interpretation of the radiographic image. As health care providers, it is the responsibility of the technologist to promote the highest quality of care and service to our patients with minimal radiation exposure.

Radiological services are offered in various settings such as hospitals, physician's offices, research centers, mobile and temporary imaging companies, industrial plants, government agencies and health clinics, and commercial sales and marketing companies. The radiographer may pursue a health career as an educator, department administrator, research technologist, medical consultant for x-ray equipment companies, or specialize in other imaging modalities like mammography, cardio-vascular interventional imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.

Curriculum

Jewish Hospital College of Nursing and Allied Health offers an Associate of Science in Radiography (ASR) degree. Education for the radiographer utilizes an integrated plan of classroom and practicum experiences. The students learn radiographic equipment operations, patient positioning techniques, image production and evaluation, radiation protection, radiation biology and patient care management skills. The ASR degree offered at the College is a 71-credit, 2-year program, consisting of 27 credits in general education, and 44 credits of discipline-specific (radiography) courses. Students may take many of the general education courses at Washington University's University College or transfer related course credits from other colleges.

Upon the successful completion of all degree requirements, the graduate is then eligible to apply for the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Graduates attaining a passing score are certified as radiographers, with the credentials of RT(R) (ARRT) used behind their name.

Accreditation

The ASR program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

PROGRAM GOALS

To prepare graduates to:

1. Perform procedures, tasks, and skills accurately.
2. Use analytical and clinical decision-making skills to evaluate health status.
3. Maintain effective quality assurance.
4. Assess the economic implications of new techniques, equipment, and procedures.
5. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
6. Adhere to professional, ethical and, legal standards.
7. Participate in improvement of health care, scholarship in clinical practice, and lifelong learning.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the Undergraduate Admission Criteria, the following criteria are considered when reviewing an application to the ASR program:

1. Biology and Algebra II (or Intermediate Algebra) must be successfully completed of submission of a midterm grade report showing satisfactory progress.

ASR CURRICULUM PLAN

General Education and Support Science Courses (27 credits)

Humanities (9 credits)

Social Sciences (12 credits)

Prerequisite Courses (6 credits)

Courses provided by Washington University are prefixed with "U".

Radiography Courses (44 credits)

Sample Course Sequence - ASR Degree

Freshman Year

Fall Semester  Terms 1 and 2

Fall Semester  Term 1

Fall Semester  Term 2

Spring Semester  Terms 1 and 2

Spring Semester  Term 1

Spring Semester  Term 2

Summer Semester

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester  Terms 1 and 2

Fall Semester  Term 1

Spring Semester  Terms 1 and 2

Spring Semester  Term 1

Spring Semester  Term 2

Summer Semester

ASR - RADIOGRAPHY COURSES

For the ASR program, one unit of academic credit is assigned for one class period (50 minutes each) and one laboratory period. In courses with a practicum component, instructional time is calculated at 192 contact hours per credit.

RS 1000 - Introduction to Radiography
1 credit hour (1 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program
Overview of Radiologic Technology and its role in health care delivery. An introduction to ethical terminology, definitions, methods, models and case studies to describe ethical issues. Basic principles of radiation safety and protective measures, including regulatory and oversite agency discussions, will be introduced.

RS 1040 - Radiographic Exposure
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program
Introduction to the fundamental principles of radiographic exposure: radiation production, equipment function, collimation and filtration of the x-ray beam, control of secondary radiation, and automatic processing techniques. Application of anatomical and pathological conditions effecting image quality will be addressed.

RS 1090 - Radiographic Physics
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1040 and RS 1160
Introduction to the principles of x-ray generation and use, including the mathematical, electrical, chemical and physical concepts necessary for x-ray production and beam characteristics. Considers production and measurement of radiation, interactions with matter and film, x-ray tubes, rating charts, circuits. An introduction to the x-ray equipment, instrumentation and control, and the unit of measurement. An analysis of how radiation interacts with matter and film will be presented.

RS 1160 - Radiographic Positioning I
2 credit hours (2 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1000 and HS 1110; Prerequisite or Concurrent: U29-1201
Lecture and practicum in routine radiographic procedures for the chest, gastrointestinal and genitourinary studies using relevant medical terms, definitions, abbreviations and symbols.

RS 1170 - Image Evaluation I
1 credit hour (0 didactic/1 practicum)
Prerequisites or Concurrent: RS 1000, AH 1120 and RS 1160, or Permission of Instructor
Lecture and practicum in skills necessary to perform radiological procedures for chest, gastrointestinal and genitourinary studies. An introduction to chest and abdomen mobile radiographic procedures for the adult and pediatric patient. Implementation of radiation protection standards and evaluation of radiographic image quality in simulated clinical situations.

RS 1180 - Radiographic Positioning II
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites or Concurrent: AH 2110, RS 1160 and RS 1170
Introduction to the procedures utilized in bone and joint and skull radiography, including the fundamentals of skeletal anatomy, structural relationship, landmarks in radiographic positioning, types and sizes of image receptors utilized for each study, routine positioning and techniques of the region.

RS 1190 - Image Evaluation II
3 credit hour (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1170; Concurrent: AH 2110, or Permission of Instructor
Lecture and practicum in radiological procedures used for bone and joint, spine and skull studies in the non-energized lab. Focus on communicating theory related to individuals and group presentations, develop basic written, critical thinking, verbal and nonverbal communication skills relating to the caregiver-client relationships in diagnostic imaging. Implementation of radiation protection standards and evaluation of radiographic image quality in simulated clinical situations.

RS 1500 - Clinical Practicum I
1 credit hour (0 didactic/1 practicum)
Prerequisite: HS 1120 and RS 1000
Clinical practice experience is designed for development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for department and mobile chest and abdominal procedures on adults and children, and gastrointestinal procedures on adults.

RS 1510 - Clinical Practicum II
1 credit hour (0 didactic/1 practicum)
Prerequisite: RS 1500
Clinical practice experience is designed for development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for mobile chest and abdominal procedures on adults, and genitourinary/gastrointestinal procedures on adults and children.

RS 1520 - Clinical Practicum III
2 credit hours (0 didactic/2 practicum)
Prerequisite: RS 1190 and RS 1510
Clinical practice experience is designed for development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for bone and joint, and skull procedures.

RS 2060 - Radiographic Pathology
2 credit hours (2 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite: RS 1180
Introduction to basic disease processes, nature and causes of disease, acute injury, and their related radiographic significance and appearance. An overview of pathologic processes and their relevance to radiographic procedures is presented.

RS 2130 - Introduction to Quality Assurance
2 credit hours (2 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisite or Concurrent: RS 2240
Fundamental concepts of radiographic quality assurance and consistency in the production of radiographic images. Equipment tests and procedures to evaluate these components are identified. State and federal regulatory impact on radiologic quality assurance are reviewed.

RS 2180 - Radiographic Positioning III
1 credit hour (1 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1180 and RS 1190
Bone and joint, spine and skull trauma radiography including the fundamentals of skeletal anatomy, structural relationships, landmarks in radiographic positioning, operating room equipment use, types and sizes of film utilized for each study, routine positioning, patient assessment skills, and techniques of the region are examined. Topics in pediatric radiography, emergency medicine, geriatric trauma, and bedside radiography are discussed.

RS 2200 - Radiographic Positioning IV
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 2180 and RS 2290
An overview of historic data, equipment, filming techniques, pathological conditions and tray preparation for angiographic procedures and vascular/non-vascular interventional radiography are presented. A general review of contrast media used in angiography procedures, catheters, guidewires, and injector equipment is provided. Application techniques, image formation, computer anatomy and picture archiving of digital imaging processing and computer tomography concepts are presented.

RS 2220 - Radiobiology
3 credit hours (3 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1040, RS 2180
Overview of the principles of the interaction of radiation on the human body. Radiation effects on molecules, organisms and the factors affecting biological response, and acute and chronic effects of radiation are discussed. Reviews radiation protection measures.

RS 2230 - Cross-Sectional Anatomy
1 credit hour (1 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1190 or Permission of Instructor
Fundamental study of the human body in cross-section. An introduction to basic application techniques, image formation, and computed tomography concepts. Specific procedures imaged for the head, thoracic, abdomen and pelvic regions will be addressed. A general review of scanning protocol, patient preparation and evaluation of radiographic image quality will be discussed.

RS 2240 - Image Intensification and Equipment
1 credit hour (1 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1040 and RS 1090
Image intensification x-ray equipment routinely utilized to produce diagnostic images. An overview of various recording media and image intensification units used in radiology will be addressed.

RS 2250 - Radiography Curriculum Review
1 credit hour (1 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1190, RS 2200, RS 2220 and RS 2240
Review of all previous course work through multiple examinations on concepts in radiation protection, patient care management, radiographic procedures, image production and equipment operation so as to prepare the student for the national credentialing board exam.

RS 2290 - Basic Radiologic Pharmacology
2 credit hours (2 didactic/0 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 1180 and AH 1120
Fundamentals of pharmacology such as drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion responses for selected drugs and contrast media used in radiology and radiographic procedures. Introduction to venipuncture. Desired effects, mechanism of actions and adverse effects of contrast media on the human body are discussed.

RS 2500 - Clinical Practicum IV
2 credit hours (0 didactic/2 practicum)
Prerequisite or Concurrent: RS 2180 and RS 1520
Continuation of the development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for the remaining bone and joint, neuro and trauma procedures on adults and children.

RS 2510 - Clinical Practicum V
2 credit hours (0 didactic/2 practicum)
Prerequisite: RS 2500
The continuation of development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for gastrointestinal, genitourinary, bone and joint and operating room procedures on adults and children.

RS 2520 - Clinical Practicum VI
2 credit hours (0 didactic/2 practicum)
Prerequisites: RS 2200 and RS 2510
The continuation of clinical practice experience is designed for development, application, analysis, integration, synthesis and evaluation of clinical competencies for special procedures, angiography, venipuncture, computed tomography, and other selected modalities.