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Department of Radiologic Sciences
Modalities – Program Options
Sonography    |    Ionizing Radiation    |    Radiation Oncology    |    Non-Imaging

Sonography
Cardiac Sonography
Tasks	produce a real-time view of the heart chambers, valves, muscle, and blood vessels to diagnose cardiovascular disease evaluate congenital and acquired cardiac abnormalities and associated complications determine causes of chest pain track and evaluate chronic heart conditions diagnose narrowed or leaking heart valves determine the need for intervention and evaluate the effectiveness of previous treatment
Technology	ultrasound transducers that use high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics invasive
Work Conditions	small, low-lit rooms stand or sit beside the patient, who is on a stretcher, exam table or wheelchair
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General Sonography/Ultrasound
Tasks	use a transducer to obtain images of abdominal organs, including liver, gallbladder, kidney pelvis obstetrics, e.g. pregnancy superficial structures, including breast, testis, thyroid abdominal blood vessels provide guidance during fine-needle tissue biopsy
Technology	ultrasound transducers that use high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics invasive
Work Conditions	small, low-lit rooms stand or sit beside the patient, who is on a stretcher, exam table or wheelchair
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Vascular Sonography
Tasks	acquire information related to blood vessel anatomy and physiology — cerebral, peripheral, and abdominal circulation assist physicians in diagnosing disorders of the vascular system
Technology	use of ultrasound transducers that use high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images other instruments that measure blood pressure, limb volume changes, and oxygen saturation
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients mostly adults and geriatrics invasive
Work Conditions	small, low-lit rooms stand or sit beside the patient, who is on a stretcher, exam table or wheelchair
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Ionizing Radiation
Computed Tomography (CT)
Tasks	operate CT scanners and related equipment dispense oral contrast to patients perform venipuncture evaluate ct scans for quality and accuracy assist radiologist with special procedures provide care for the psychological and physical needs of the patient
Technology	x-ray computer picture archiving and communication systems
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact when positioning healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics
Work Conditions	small, low-lit rooms sit at a computer console move and lift patients from table to and from CT exam room
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Invasive Cardiovascular Technology
Tasks	study the theory of techniques used in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of cardiovascular disease assist in the care of patients during cardiac catheterization work with cardiologist during cardiac catheterization provide care for the psychological and physical needs of the patient
Technology	x-ray (fluoroscopy)
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact critically ill inpatients and outpatients mostly adults and geriatrics invasive
Work Conditions	wear lead aprons during procedures sterile environment stand to assist cardiologist during catheterization sit at computer console to monitor vital signs manipulate x-ray equipment to acquire images
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Tasks	operate MRI and related auxiliary equipment communicate with radiologists, members of the heath care team, patients, and their families perform venipuncture
Technology	low-energy electromagnetic waves in conjunction with a magnetic field
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics
Work Conditions	move and lift patients from MR table to and from MRI scanning room sit at computer console in a small, low-lit room adhere to safety policies working in or near a magnetic field
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Nuclear Medicine
Tasks	manipulate and administer radioactive materials operate scanners and related equipment evaluate images for quality and accuracy interact with patients and their families, physicians and other healthcare professionals
Technology	gamma and PET scanners radiopharmacy
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact – injecting and positioning patients healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics noninvasive
Work Conditions	small, low-lit rooms stand or sit at a monitor while patient is on exam table Radiation areas
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PET/CT
Tasks	produce highly defined three-dimensional images that improve detection of cancer and show the exact location within the body
Technology	combines the modalities of PET, which shows metabolism and function of cells, and CT, which shows detailed anatomy
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact – injecting and positioning patients while on table healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics noninvasive
Work Conditions	small, low-lit room stand or sit at a monitor while a patient is on table
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Radiography
Tasks	produce images of tissue, organs, and bones understand the characteristics of radiation, its biological effects, and the methods of reducing patient and operator exposure while obtaining optimal diagnostic information
Technology	x-ray
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact healthy and critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics dispense oral and rectal contrast for studies of the GI tract
Work Conditions	stand and move from exam room to operator’s console wear lead aprons during fluoroscopic procedures lift and move patients on the exam table for accurate positioning lift and/or move patients from exam table to and from waiting area
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Radiation Oncology
Medical Dosimetry
Tasks	plan and calculate ionizing radiation for cancer treatment, under the direction of a medical physicist may assist in the fabrication modifying devices
Technology	utilize a CT scanner to generate data which will be used in the treatment planning system produce treatment plans based on physician and physicist input using a treatment planning computer
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics
Work Conditions	work at a console with highly specialized computer typical work hours are 8am-5pm
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Radiation Therapy
Tasks	administer, record, and interpret cancer treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists easily adapt to stressful environment know about alternate imaging modalities tattoo patients
Technology	penetrating beams of high-energy, ionizing radiation CT scanners
Patient Interaction	direct patient contact critically ill inpatients and outpatients all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics
Work Conditions	stand for most of day move and lift patients to and from treatment rooms
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Non-Imaging
Education
The Department of General Studies offers non-imaging options for students who wish to complete the multicompetency BS with a general education preparation.
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Health Management
The Department of General Studies offers non-imaging options for students who wish to complete the multicompetency BS with a health management preparation.
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Healthcare Information Systems
The Department of General Studies offers non-imaging options for students who wish to complete the multicompetency BS with a healthcare information systems preparation.
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