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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