Program Information

Standard: Critical Thinking ability sufficient for problem solving and clinical judgment.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Identify cause and effect relationships in clinical situations
• Anticipate what the next steps would be to reduce patient discomfort and increase exam efficiency
• Assess risks and provide for patient safety
• Ability to multitask and prioritize
• Make effective decisions quickly
• Ability to recognize private medical records

Standard: Interpersonal abilities to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Ability to make direct eye contact while: (a) introducing self to patients/family, (b) explaining exam to patient and (c) speaking with other medical staff.
• Ability to accept and apply constructive criticism from clinical instructors, physicians, and other staff members.
• Be personable and smile when in conversations

Standard: The ability to speak, hear, and observe patients is necessary.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the patient, patient’s family, clinical personnel, and others in order to obtain or disseminate information relevant to patient care and work duties.
• Read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes, and other records.
• Understand and correctly carry out oral instructions given by instructors and clinical personnel in the special procedures suite or operating room setting where all personnel are wearing surgical masks.
• Provide clear positioning instructions in a tone and voice level that all patients can hear and understand.
• Fluently be able to explain exams, procedures and processes in the English language.
• Be able to listen to instructions
• Read and follow all program, clinical site and college policies

Standard: Physical abilities sufficient to move throughout facilities and within small spaces to provide effective client care.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Reach, manipulate, and operate radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment, which is above shoulder level (about 6 feet off the floor).
• Walk the equivalent of 5 miles daily at work
• Range of motion to sufficiently reach across a stretcher or exam table.
• Move around in patient rooms, bathrooms, & treatment areas
• Push/position mobile x-ray machines and surgical equipment into operating rooms and patient rooms including backing up into small areas and be able to move machines in non-routine positions in confined spaces.
• Stand, squat, reach above shoulder level.
• Lift and carry at least 30 pounds of weight to safety transport and use ancillary equipment (imaging plates, sandbags, hip positioners, slide boards) when performing radiologic procedures.
• Safely push and pull patients to/from bed, stretcher, table and wheelchair with assistance from departmental staff.

Standard: Good manual dexterity, motor skills and eye hand coordination are necessary.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Ability to move the Bucky and x-ray tube while positioning patient without affecting patient care.
• Caring for patient’s medical equipment (bedpans, IV’s, Chest tubes, and ventilators)

Standard: Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess client needs and maintain facility safety.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Hear radiation alarms, x-ray equipment alarms, monitor alarms, emergency signals, and auscultatory sounds
• Hear patient’s cries for help
• Hear telephone communications
• Take accurate and detailed patient history
• Hear physician’s instructions
• Listen for equipment malfunctions

Standard: The ability to see fine detail is necessary.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Function in a dimly lit work environment
• Ability to detect small details
• Ability to distinguish and colors and shades of gray correctly.
• Correctly read technique charts, read/select correct exposure factors at control consoles, and read/set correct distances on radiographic equipment and fluoroscopic towers.
• Evaluate radiographs for technical quality including visual perception of density levels, contrast levels, evidence of distortion, and evaluation of minute structural details for evidence of blur.
• Observe changes in patient’s skin color for emergency responses.
• Read labels on contrast media and equipment displays
• Distinguish normal anatomy versus pathology
• Understand right versus left side of body

Standard: Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment in imaging departments.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Perform palpation when finding bony landmarks
• Physically touch patients while standing or on table to properly place in position
• Distinguish bony anatomy from soft tissue

Standard: Emotional stability sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Interact appropriately with peers, patients and supervisors at all times, including high stress
• Receive corrective feedback calmly
• Demonstrate mental alertness in day-to-day interactions with patients, visitors, staff and peers in high stress/pressure situations in the radiologic environment.

Standard: The ability to observe the patient and any environmental activity is necessary.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Monitor equipment/background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person.
• Visually monitor patients for retention of correct position, correct breathing, motion or evidence of physical/emotional distress during performance of radiologic procedures, including in dimly lit rooms.
• Monitor and evaluate the vital signs of a patient including the taking of temperatures and reading standard

Standard: Ability to tolerate environmental stressors.

Examples of Necessary Activities (Not all Inclusive):

• Standing all day without the opportunity to sit down
• Work in areas with blood and other body fluids
• Work in areas with patients who have communicable diseases
• Work in loud areas
• Work in areas that are confined or crowded
• Work in surgical, emergency, and acute care settings
• Wear lead aprons, protective glasses/gowns, and face masks for several hours
• Be able to adapt to changing schedules and assignments