Course Descriptions - Allied Health: Radiologic Technology (AHXR)
AHXR 094 PCE TOPIC
Non-credit professional and continuing education (PCE) courses offered to provide condensed coursework to meet the needs of working students and professionals. These courses are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and OPI Renewal Units and are transcribed on the student’s continuing education transcript.
AHXR 101 PATIENT CARE IN RADIOLOGY
Credits: 2
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the first semester RAD Program
This course is designed to introduce the student to techniques and procedures utilized to provide care to the patient in the Radiology Department. It will provide instruction in the areas of infection control, vital signs, venipuncture, and patient communication. This instruction is necessary to meet some of the General Patient Care requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. The course concludes with a study of interactions between radiation and the body atoms.
AHXR 105 INTRODUCTION TO RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY
Credits: 2
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into RAD program
This course will introduce the student to the field of radiography and its various imaging modalities to prepare the student for what they will see and experience during their clinical rotations. It includes instruction in the areas of medical ethics and medico-legal aspects of radiographic imaging that will increase the awareness of the student to the legal responsibilities associated with radiographic imaging and an overview of pharmacology including contrast media, reactions to contrast media and electrical safety to aid the student in their clinical experience for those procedures that require the use of contrast media.
AHXR 130 RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING/PROCEDURES I
Credits: 2
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into RAD Program
In this course the student is introduced to the principles of radiographic positioning including the terminology involved, bone classifications, bone anatomy, bone pathology, and arthrology. Positioning, pathology, and radiographic procedures related to the abdomen and chest are also covered. Instruction will include lecture, audio/visual media and positioning demonstrations in a radiographic room.
AHXR 131 RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING/PROCEDURES II
Credits: 3
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: AHXR 130
This unit of instruction provides the student with the opportunity to learn the radiographic procedures associated with examinations of the upper extremity, lower extremity, and vertebral column. Modification of routine positioning to accommodate traumatized patients is also presented. Methods of instruction include lecture, audio/visual media, and positioning demonstrations in a radiographic room.
AHXR 132 ELEMENTS OF IMAGING I
Credits: 3
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into RAD Program
This course begins with a study of film and film processing procedures. It then takes the student through the analysis of a radiographic image from a quality standpoint and the various factors that influence the quality of the final radiographic image. Image evaluation and knowing how to correct poor images is essential in the performance of the radiologic technologist. Instruction methods will include lecture, audio/visual media, and the review of radiographic images to reinforce the information presented during the lectures.
AHXR 133 ELEMENTS OF IMAGING II
Credits: 3
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: AHXR 132
This course begins with basic principles of physics to prepare the student for instruction related to x-ray circuitry. As a technologist an understanding of x-ray circuitry helps to realize when machine failures occur and what can be done to reduce the likelihood of machine failure. Having a basic knowledge of x-ray circuitry can aid the technologist in describing machine problems to repair personnel so that repairs may be made more efficiently. Instruction methods will include lecture and audio/visual media.
AHXR 194 PCE TOPIC
Credits: VARIES (Sufficient Demand)
Credit-bearing professional and continuing education (PCE) courses offered to provide students and professionals condensed courses for skills upgrades, Professional Certification requirements, and as electives for the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. These courses may be eligible for financial aid for students pursuing the AA or AS degrees and are transcribed on the student’s undergraduate transcript.
AHXR 195A RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL I
Credits: 7 (300 Clinical Hours)
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into RAD Program
This aspect of the curriculum will involve time spent at the clinical education sites assisting with the performance of radiographic examinations on patients. Students will be given clinical rotations at each clinical site and attendance is mandatory. Students will be required to demonstrate competency in the operation and manipulation of the various types of radiographic equipment found at each clinical site during this time. Students will begin to document competencies on radiographic procedures during this time as well to meet the clinical competency requirements of the ARRT and the COT program.
AHXR 195B RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL II
Credits: 8 (360 Clinical Hours)
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: AHXR 195
The student will continue assisting in the performance of radiographic examinations on patients at the clinical sites. Students are expected to continue to improve clinical skills and to demonstrate competency in additional radiographic procedures involving the chest, abdomen including digestive and urinary systems, upper extremities, lower extremities, and vertebral column to meet the clinical competency requirements of the ARRT and the COT program. Students will be given clinical rotations at each clinical site and attendance is mandatory.
AHXR 225 RADIOBIOLOGY / RADIATION PROTECTION
Credits: 3
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: Acceptance into RAD Program
This course will introduce the student to the concepts of radiation, sources of radiation, and the production of x-rays that are used for imaging areas of the body. The effects of radiation exposure on living tissues and the risks to both the exposed individual and the individual’s offspring are also included. Methods utilized to reduce exposures to patients and personnel are also covered. Instruction methods will include both lectures and audio/visual presentations.
AHXR 230 RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING/PROCEDURES III
Credits: 4
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: AHXR 131
This unit of instruction will provide the student with positioning and procedures involving the cerebral cranium, visceral cranium, urinary system, digestive system, biliary tract, and mammography. Methods of instruction include lecture, audio/visual media, and positioning demonstrations in a radiographic room.
AHXR 231 RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING/PROCEDURES IV
Credits: 2
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: AHXR 230
This course introduces the student to the anatomy of the circulatory system and angiographic imaging. It includes instruction related to angiographic procedures and the equipment necessary to perform angiographic procedures. It will also include common pathologic conditions that require angiographic studies and the radiographic appearance of these pathologic conditions. Several therapeutic procedures performed with angiographic methods are also included.
AHXR 233 ELEMENTS OF IMAGING III
Credits: 2
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: AHXR 133
This course will include instruction covering computer applications in radiology including computer terminology applicable to radiology systems, and an introduction to quality assurance testing that is performed within the radiology department to insure quality imaging can be provided. Instruction methods will include lecture and audio/visual media.
AHXR 270 RADIOGRAPHIC REGISTRY REVIEW
Credits: 2
Term: (S)
This course will begin the review process to prepare the student for the certification examination provided by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (A.R.R.T.) which is taken after graduation from the clinical portion of the program. It will involve review testing to identify those areas of the didactic curriculum in which the students have their greatest weaknesses followed by classroom discussion. This allows the review to be more focused to the needs of the students. Computerized testing is also utilized to prepare the student for the testing format utilized by the A.R.R.T.
AHXR 295A RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL III
Credits: 8 (360 Clinical Hours)
Term: (F)
Prerequisite: AHXR 298
This course is a continuation of AHXR 298 and provides the student with the opportunity to improve clinical skills learned during their first year and to demonstrate clinical competency in more advanced radiographic procedures. In addition to previous clinical assignments, the students will be scheduled for clinical observation in areas of specialized imaging including CT, MRI, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine and angiography. The student will be required to continue to demonstrate competency in new radiographic procedures to meet the clinical competency requirements of the ARRT and the COT program.
AHXR 295B RADIOGRAPHIC CLINICAL IV
Credits: 10 (480 Clinical Hours)
Term: (S)
Prerequisite: AHXR 295
This is the final clinical rotation period for the student. This semester provides the student with a clinical observation in radiation therapy in addition to those in diagnostic imaging. IT is expected that the student will finish documentation of the completion of the clinical competency requirements of the ARRT and the COT program.
AHXR 298 RADIOGRAPHIC INTERNSHIP
Credits: 8 (320 Clinical Hours)
Term: (SU)
Prerequisite: AHXR 195
This course provides the student with the opportunity to practice in an internship setting completing 40 hours of clinical time per week during the 10 week summer session. During this session the student is given the opportunity to set up a two0week externship to another clinical site if they wish to or to do a one-week rotation at an orthopedic office in Great Falls and a week of evening rotation. The student will be required to continue to demonstrate competency in new radiographic procedures to meet the clinical competency requirements of the ARRT and COT program.
