Credit Programs

Computed Tomography

Technical Standards

Students in the Computed Tomography program must meet the following technical standards. Please read the standards carefully and seek clarification if necessary.

Standard
Example
Physical ability
  • Lift and carry at least 30 pounds to safely transport and use ancillary aids (cassettes, sandbags, portable equipment, etc.) when performing CT procedures
  • Safely move standard wheelchairs and stretchers with patients from the emergency or waiting areas to radiologic examining rooms and safely assist mobile patients from a stretcher or wheelchair to the examining table and back, without assistance
  • Safely move immobile patients from a stretcher to the examining table and back with assistance from department personnel
  • Lift, manipulate and move patients as necessary for the performance of CT procedures
Visual ability (correctable vision to 20/40 in both eyes)
  • Read various sizes of print on equipment and computers
  • Visually monitor patient, even in dimly-lighted environments and from across a room, for retention of correct position, correct breathing, motion or evidence of physical or emotional distress during CT procedures
Cognitive ability
  • Monitor and evaluate patient vital signs, including taking temperatures and reading standard thermometers, taking blood pressure and monitoring respiration and pulse rate
Auditory ability
  • Monitor equipment and background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person
  • Understand and correctly carry out verbal instructions given by instructors and clinical personnel
Communication ability
  • Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, with the patient, the patient's family, clinical personnel and others to obtain or disseminate information relevant to patient care and work duties
Critical-thinking ability
  • Understand cross-sectional anatomy and associated pathology when performing CT procedures
  • Correctly select proper technical factors at control consoles and make necessary adjustments as needed for performance of exams
  • Follow the correct procedures in case of an emergency in the scanning area (contrast reactions, fire emergency, code blue, etc.)
  • Read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes and other records
  • Evaluate CT images for technical quality, including visual perception of window width and level, evidence of motion and evaluation of minute structural details for evidence of blur
Mental acuity and emotional stability
  • Demonstrate emotional stability and mental alertness in day-to-day interactions with patients, visitors, staff and peers in high-stress situations that occur in the imaging environment

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, "A qualified person with a disability is one who can perform the essential function of a job with or without reasonable accommodation." If a Computed Tomography student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodation or modifications, the college must determine, on an individual basis, whether the necessary accommodations or modifications can reasonably be made.