Radiographer Course

Lesson 1 • Radiation Interactions with Matter

Explains photoelectric effect, Compton scatter, and pair production as they relate to tissue absorption. Connects interaction types to image contrast and patient dose outcomes.

Lesson 2 • History and Scope of Radiography

Traces the discovery of X-rays to modern diagnostic imaging and defines the radiographer's scope of practice. Provides context for all subsequent technical and clinical content.

Lesson 3 • Radiation Physics Essentials

Covers atomic structure, electromagnetic spectrum, and X-ray production mechanisms. Builds the physics foundation required for understanding image formation and dose management.

Lesson 4 • Professional Ethics and Legal Obligations

Defines patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance in radiography. Anchors professional conduct standards that apply throughout the entire course.

Lesson 1 • Personnel Dosimetry and Monitoring

Explains thermoluminescent dosimeters, optically stimulated luminescence badges, and electronic personal dosimeters. Students interpret dose reports and identify overexposure triggers.

Lesson 2 • Personal Protective Equipment

Details lead aprons, thyroid shields, gonadal shields, and protective eyewear selection and use. Connects proper PPE application to measurable dose reduction for staff and patients.

Lesson 3 • Radiation Safety in Special Populations

Addresses dose management for pregnant patients, pediatric patients, and occupationally exposed workers. Applies protection principles to populations with heightened radiosensitivity.

Lesson 4 • Principles of Radiation Protection

Introduces justification, optimization, and dose limitation as the three pillars of radiation protection. Establishes the conceptual framework applied in every clinical imaging decision.

Lesson 1 • X-Ray Generator Systems

Examines single-phase, three-phase, and high-frequency generator designs and their effect on beam output. Provides the technical basis for selecting optimal generator settings per examination.

Lesson 2 • X-Ray Tube Design and Care

Details anode types, focal spot sizes, tube rating charts, and heat dissipation mechanisms. Enables students to prevent tube damage and select appropriate focal spots for each exam.

Lesson 3 • Quality Assurance and Equipment Testing

Introduces QA test protocols for kVp accuracy, timer accuracy, focal spot size, and collimator alignment. Students perform and document routine QA tests to maintain equipment standards.

Lesson 4 • Image Receptors and Detectors

Compares film-screen systems, computed radiography (CR) plates, and digital radiography (DR) flat-panel detectors. Connects receptor choice to image quality and patient dose outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Emergency Response in the Imaging Suite

Prepares students to recognize and respond to contrast reactions, syncope, cardiac arrest, and respiratory distress. Integrates emergency protocols into routine radiographic practice.

Lesson 2 • Patient Assessment Before Imaging

Covers medical history review, allergy screening, pregnancy status, and mobility assessment prior to imaging. Ensures students identify contraindications and modify procedures accordingly.

Lesson 3 • Patient Positioning Assistance and Transfers

Teaches safe patient transfer, immobilization, and positioning assistance techniques for ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients. Reduces injury risk for both patients and radiographers.

Lesson 4 • Infection Control and Sterile Technique

Establishes hand hygiene, standard precautions, and equipment disinfection protocols for the imaging environment. Prevents cross-contamination between patients and protects staff from exposure.

Lesson 1 • Exposure Factors and Their Effects

Analyzes how kVp, mAs, and SID interact to determine image density, contrast, and patient dose. Enables systematic exposure selection for varied anatomical regions and patient sizes.

Lesson 2 • Digital Image Processing and Display

Covers histogram analysis, look-up tables, window and level adjustments, and post-processing algorithms. Connects digital processing tools to diagnostic image optimization in clinical workflows.

Lesson 3 • Geometric Factors Affecting Image Quality

Examines magnification, distortion, recorded detail, and the impact of OID and SID on image geometry. Students apply geometric principles to minimize distortion in clinical projections.

Lesson 4 • Image Evaluation and Critique

Establishes systematic criteria for evaluating positioning accuracy, exposure adequacy, and diagnostic acceptability. Builds the critical eye needed for self-assessment and peer review.

Lesson 1 • Lower Extremity and Pelvis Positioning

Details projections of the toes, foot, ankle, tibia-fibula, knee, femur, and pelvis including hip joints. Emphasizes weight-bearing views and trauma modifications for lower limb imaging.

Lesson 2 • Spine and Thoracic Cage Positioning

Covers cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spine projections plus ribs and sternum. Students apply breathing techniques and angulations to optimize spinal visualization.

Lesson 3 • Chest and Abdomen Positioning

Establishes standard and modified projections for the chest, heart, lungs, and abdomen including decubitus views. Connects respiratory phase and patient position to diagnostic image quality.

Lesson 4 • Positioning Terminology and Body Planes

Defines anatomical planes, directional terms, and standard radiographic positions as the language of positioning. Provides the vocabulary required for accurate projection description and documentation.

Lesson 5 • Upper Extremity Positioning

Covers projections of the fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humerus, and shoulder girdle. Students apply correct central ray angles and image receptor placement for each projection.

Lesson 1 • Gastrointestinal Contrast Procedures

Covers upper GI series, small bowel follow-through, barium enema, and esophagram technique and positioning. Students prepare patients, mix contrast, and assist radiologists during fluoroscopic GI studies.

Lesson 2 • Urinary Tract Contrast Procedures

Details intravenous urography, retrograde pyelography, and cystography including timing sequences and positioning. Connects renal function assessment to safe contrast administration decisions.

Lesson 3 • Contrast Media Pharmacology

Classifies iodinated and barium contrast agents by osmolality, viscosity, and clinical indication. Enables informed contrast selection and patient preparation for each examination type.

Lesson 4 • Fluoroscopy Principles and Radiation Management

Explains image intensifier and flat-panel fluoroscopy systems, pulsed fluoroscopy, and dose reduction strategies. Students apply fluoroscopy time management and last-image-hold techniques in practice.

Lesson 1 • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Principles

Explains proton precession, pulse sequences, T1 and T2 weighting, and MRI safety screening requirements. Enables students to screen patients for MRI contraindications and explain the procedure accurately.

Lesson 2 • Modality Selection and Clinical Decision Support

Applies evidence-based imaging referral guidelines to match clinical questions with the most appropriate modality. Develops the radiographer's advisory role in multidisciplinary imaging discussions.

Lesson 3 • Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Covers radiopharmaceutical uptake, gamma camera imaging, PET scanning, and radiation safety in nuclear medicine. Distinguishes functional imaging from anatomical imaging and identifies referral indications.

Lesson 4 • Computed Tomography Fundamentals

Covers CT scanner generations, helical acquisition, multiplanar reconstruction, and Hounsfield unit interpretation. Prepares students to assist with CT procedures and understand protocol selection rationale.