The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology defines the human structure learning objective to include a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology. Seventeen content areas are required including chemical composition, cell structure, tissues, skeletal system, muscular system and sectional anatomy.
Patient care is important because radiologic technologists deal directly with the patients, giving them directions, positioning them and putting them at ease. Patient care study includes effective communication, effective interactions, safety, positioning, transfer, assessing patient needs, infection control and emergency procedures.
Radiologic science includes the study of radiologic equipment and image analysis. Radiologic equipment includes x-rays, CT machines and MRIs. Students learn how the machines work, common issues, how to troubleshoot basic issues and basic maintenance. Image analysis entails learning about image standards, analyzing film, positioning patients and corrective actions to take in case of substandard film.
Ethics are important because they govern behavior and set guidelines in the field. Ethics in radiology programs entail study of ethics history, standards, applications, patient consent, confidentiality and legal doctrines. Medical information is highly sensitive and radiologic technicians must know how to process it, who to share it with and how to store it.
Since radiologic technologists work within the health care system, it is important to know medical terms and to be able to identify and decode medical syntax. Medical terminology includes the study of the word building process, medical abbreviations, medical symbols, radiologic technology symbols and radiologic technology terminology.