Courses and Curriculum

Program Academic Courses

During the two-year, full time, 40 hours/week program you will rotate through several areas of the Department of Radiology. These rotations are designed to strengthen and supplement clinical skills. Although most of the rotations are during the day, routine afternoon rotations are required to gain experience in trauma radiography. As a student, you will receive an extensive orientation to the hospital and to the field of radiologic technology. The curriculum, approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), includes the following courses/units. 

Please note italicized courses are online courses.  Computer access will be provided for any student that requires it.

Curriculum

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. Henry Ford St. John Hospital 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, Henry Ford St. John Hospital; Henry Ford Warren Hospital, Madison Heights Campus; Henry Ford Warren, Madison Heights Campus; St. Clair Orthopedics; Henry Ford St. John Hospital at 23 Mile; and St. John Surgery Center. Additional clinical rotations may be added. These assignments serve to enhance the curriculum by providing specialized clinical educational opportunities.

Introduction To Radiography

This course will provide the student with an overview of radiography and its 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.

Patient Care I

This course 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.

Patient Care II

This course is designed as a continuum of the basic concepts of patient care including consideration for the physical and psychological needs of the patient and family. Routine and emergency patient care procedures are described, as well as emphasis on basic pharmacology and recognition of basic knowledge of EKG and arrhythmias for the imaging technologist.

Introduction To Mobile Radiography

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

Radiographic Image Processing

This unit 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 course 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 and muscular system.

Anatomy and Physiology III

Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology II. This course will provide the student with knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the cranium and special senses.

Anatomy and Physiology IV

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

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.

Radiographic Procedures VI

Trauma Radiography

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

Principles of Radiographic Exposure I

This course will provide the student with knowledge of factors that govern radiographic density/image brightness. 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 course is a continuation of the factors that govern radiographic density/image brightness. An introduction to the factors that govern radiographic contrast will also be discussed.

Image Evaluation I- IV

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

Radiation Physics I

This online course will provide the student with a knowledge of basic physics. Structure of the atom, electromagnetism, magnetism, electrostatics, and electrodynamics will be studied of the x-ray circuit, rectification, x-ray tubes, and production and characteristics or radiation.

Radiation Physics II

Prerequisite: Radiation Physics I. This online course 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 online 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 online 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 course 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.

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 course provides the student with tools to become a committed, team oriented, employable individual who is proud of his/her profession. Resume writing, interviewing, and job search will be explored.

Digital Image Acquisition and Display

This course 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. This online and classroom hybrid course 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.

Academic and Clinical Course List