Academic Grading Policy

Students must maintain a 75 percent or better grade point average in each course of the program. Students not satisfying the minimal academic requirements will be counseled and may be subject to academic probation and/or dismissal from the program.

Attendance, Semester Breaks, Personal Time Off, Holidays

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. During clinical rotation, students are required to report on time for their assignment and complete their 7.5 hour clinical day. Students are allowed 42 hours of personal time off the first year and 28 hours in the second year. The program consists of 5 semesters with a two (2) week break between each semester. There are two (2) additional break weeks each year, one in the spring semester and one in the fall semester. Students are off classes and clinicals for the following holidays: Christmas, New Year, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving (and the day after Thanksgiving). 

Clinical Obligation / Experience

All clinical assignments occur Monday through Friday during the day, with the exception of the trauma rotation, which consists of 2 weeks of evenings, from 3:30 pm - 11:00 pm. All academic classes are held during the day.

Students rotate to two (2) hospitals and at least one outpatient center for clinical education.  All hospital assignments are chosen using a lottery system. 

The following is the list of hospitals a student may be assigned.

• Akron General Hospital - 1 Akron General Ave., Akron, OH  44307
• Cleveland Clinic Main Campus - 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH  44195
• Euclid Hospital - 18901 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, OH  44119
• Fairview Hospital - 18101 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH  44111
• Hillcrest Hospital - 6780 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Heights, OH  44124
• Lutheran Hospital - 1730 W 25th St., Cleveland, OH  44113
• Medina Hospital - 1000 E Washington St., Medina, OH  44256
• South Pointe Hospital - 20000 Harvard Ave., Warrensville Heights, OH  44122

The following is the list of outpatient centers a student may be assigned:

• Beachwood FHC - 26900 Cedar Rd., Beachwood, OH  44122
• Brunswick FHC - 3574 Center Rd., Brunswick, OH  44212
• Lakwood FHC - 14601 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH  44107
• Strongsville FHC - 16761 Southpark Center, Strongsville, OH  44136
• Twinsburg FHC - 8701 Darrow Rd., Twinsburg, OH  44087
• Willoughby Hills FHC - 2570 Som Center Rd., Willoughby Hills, OH  44094
• Akron General Health & Wellness Center - Bath - 4125 Medina Rd., Akron, OH  44333
• Akron General Health & Wellness Center - Stow - 4300 allen Rd., Stow, OH  44224

Grading Scale

The following grading scale is used:

93 -100    A     4.0

84 - 92     B     3.0

75 - 83     C     2.0

67 - 74     D     1.0

0- 66        F      0.0

 

Course Sequence:

 

1st Semester - Fall: 16 weeks

RT 101          Patient Care in Radiography

TECH 101    Radiographic Technique I

POS101        Radiographic Positioning & Procedures I

CL 101         Introductory Clinical Experience I

 

2nd Semester - Spring: 16 weeks

PHY 102      Principles of Radiation Physics

TECH 102   Radiographic Technique II

POS 102      Radiographic Positioning & Procedures II

POSL 102    Radiographic Positioning II Lab

CL 102        Introductory Clinical Experience II Lab

 

3rd Semester - Summer: 12 weeks

BIO 201       Radiation Biology & Protection

POS 201      Advanced Radiographic Procedures

SP 201         Special Procedures in Radiologic Technology

CL 103        Intermediate Clinical Experience I

 

4th Semester - Fall: 16 weeks

PATH 201   Radiographic Pathology

ETH 101      Healthcare Ethics and Law

REG 201      Registry Review I

CL 201         Intermediate Clinical Experience II

 

5th Semester - Spring: 16 weeks

RT 201         Radiographic Analysis

CS 203         Introduction to Cross-Sectional Anatomy

REG 202      Registry Review II

CL 201         Advanced Clinical Experience I
 

Course Descriptions:

RT 101 - Patient Care in Radiography

This course provides an overview of radiography in addition to the basic concepts of patient care, infection control, and the role of the radiographer as a member of the health care team. Content includes pharmacology and administration of diagnostic contrast agents and/or intravenous medications, patient assessment, and vital signs. Topics include: critical thinking, history of radiography, professional roles and behavior, professional attitudes and communications. Also included will be hospital and departmental organization, and hospital and program affiliation.

Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program

TECH 101 - Radiographic Technique I

This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the exposure factors required to produce quality radiographs. The material presented will enable the student to vary factors to control density, contrast, visibility of detail, recorded detail, distortion, radiographic equipment, computed/digital radiography and the use of automatic exposure devices. Exposure compensation and technique calculations are emphasized.  

Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program

POS 101 - Radiographic Positioning and Procedures I

POSL 101– Radiographic Lab

This course serves as an introduction to the basics of diagnostic radiography.   The material presented will enable a student to interpret radiology requisitions, recognize the structure and organs visualized in a radiograph, and correctly position a patient for various radiologic examinations including pediatric and geriatric patients. A section on radiation protection will introduce the student to proper methods of protecting both the patient and themselves from ionizing radiation.   Radiographic Positioning and Procedures I also includes the preliminary steps to taking a radiograph, general radiographic anatomy and positioning terminology, and anatomy and radiography of the thoracic viscera, upper extremities, lower extremities, shoulder girdle, bony thorax, urinary system, abdomen, pelvis, femur and hip. The student will participate in corresponding radiographic positioning labs.

Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program

CL 101 – Introductory Clinical Experience I

Supervised sessions emphasizing development of medical imaging skills. Practical application of radiographic positioning with emphasis on the thoracic viscera, upper extremities, lower extremities and shoulder girdle. Designed to give the student an introduction to the basics of diagnostic radiography in the clinical setting. Clinical experience in hospital environment for 8 weeks, 2.5 days a week.  

Prerequisite: Admission to Radiography Program

TECH 102 - Radiographic Technique II

The course is designed to give an understanding of the components, principles, and operation of digital imaging systems found in diagnostic imaging. Factors that impact image acquisition, display, archiving and retrieval are discussed. Guidelines for selecting exposure factors and evaluating images within a digital system assist students to bridge between film-based and digital systems. Principles of digital quality assurance and maintenance are presented.

Prerequisite: TECH 102 - Radiographic Technique I

POS 102 - Radiographic Positioning and Procedures II

POS 102L - Radiographic Lab 

This course advances and increases the student’s knowledge of diagnostic radiographic positioning.   This course will cover the anatomy, positioning, and radiography of the vertebral column, sacroiliac joints, digestive system, biliary system, skull, facial bones and paranasal sinuses.   Trauma and surgical radiography will also be covered.   The students will also participate in corresponding radiographic positioning labs.

Prerequisites: POS 101 - Radiographic Positioning and Procedures I; POSL 101 - Radiographic Lab I

PHY 102 - Principles of Radiation Physics

This course is designed to present the student with the fundamentals of electrical and radiation physics and the basic principles underlying the operation of x-ray equipment and the circuit and tube components. Topics will include the radiation concepts of matter, energy, electricity, electromagnetism and the properties of x-rays. This course will also present the nature and characteristics of radiation, x-ray production, units of measure and the fundamentals of photon interactions with matter. Mammographic, fluoroscopic, and mobile equipment will be covered and tube rating charts and radiographic quality assurance and quality control will also be discussed.

Prerequisites: TECH 102 - Radiographic Technique I

CL 102 – Introductory Clinical Experience II

Supervised sessions emphasizing development of medical imaging skills. Practical application of radiographic positioning with emphasis on the vertebral column, scoliosis, spinal fusion, sacroiliac joints, bony thorax (sternum, sternoclavicular joints, ribs), digestive system, urinary system, biliary tract and gallbladder, abdomen, pelvis, femur, and hip radiography. Students are required to successfully complete 15 clinical competency examinations supervised by a registered radiographer or clinical instructor. Clinical experience in hospital environment for 16 weeks, 4 days a week.

Prerequisite: CL 101 - Introductory Clinical Experience I

ETH 101 - Healthcare Ethics and Law

This course is designed to provide the student with a fundamental background in healthcare ethics and law. The historical and philosophical bases of ethics as well as the elements of ethical behavior are discussed. The student will examine a variety of ethical issues and dilemmas that occur in clinical practice. An introduction to legal terminology, concepts and principles will also be presented. Topics include misconduct, malpractice, unintentional and intentional torts, HIPAA standards and compliance, legal and professional standards and the ASRT scope of practice. The importance of proper documentation and informed consent will be emphasized.

Prerequisites: RT 101 - Patient Care in Radiography

POS 201 - Advanced Radiographic Procedures

Advanced Radiographic Procedures will include radiographic anatomy and positioning terminology that are relevant to the following: contrast arthrography, long bone measurement, and radiography of the mouth, salivary glands and anterior neck, reproductive systems, and mammography. Additional topics include radiation oncology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and bone densitometry.

Prerequisite: POS 102 - Radiographic Positioning and Procedures II

BIO 101 - Radiation Biology and Protection

This course provides the student with information on the fundamental principles of radiation protection and radiation biology.   Knowledge provided in this course is essential to understanding the biological effects of ionizing radiation and radiation protection at a basic scientific level and will serve as a standard for radiographers to promote the safe use of medical ionizing radiation. The course includes the study of legal and ethical radiation protection responsibilities of radiation workers, personnel monitoring devices, public and occupational dose limits, theory and operation of radiation detection devices, and state regulations governing radiation protection practices. Additional topics include the study of radiation sources, units of measure, effective dose limits, and biologic effects of radiation.

Prerequisite: PHY 102 - Principles of Radiation Physics

CL 103 – Intermediate Clinical Experience I

Supervised sessions emphasizing development of medical imaging skills. Practical application of radiographic positioning with emphasis on the skull, facial bones, and paranasal sinuses. Students are required to successfully complete 15 clinical competency examinations supervised by a registered radiographer or clinical instructor.

Clinical experience in hospital environment for 12 weeks, 4 days a week.

Prerequisite: CL 102 - Introductory Clinical Experience II 

SP 201 - Special Procedures

This course is designed to advance the student’s knowledge of specialized procedures in the imaging department. The material presented will enable a student to recognize the structure and organs visualized in a radiograph, and to correctly position a patient for various advanced and special radiologic examinations. Special Procedures will include vascular, cardiac and interventional radiography, the central nervous system, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography.

Prerequisite: POS 202 - Advanced Radiographic Procedures II

RT 202- Radiographic Analysis

This course is designed to provide a basis for analyzing the radiographic quality of the following procedures: chest, abdomen, upper extremities, shoulder girdle, lower extremities, hip and pelvis, spine, skull, facial bones, gastrointestinal tract, and pediatric radiography. The students will demonstrate patient assessment, proper positioning, exposure factors, and radiation protection. Included are the importance of minimum imaging standards, discussion of a problem-solving technique for image evaluation and the factors that can affect image quality.

Prerequisite: Radiographic Positioning & Procedures sequence, Radiographic Technique sequence

CL 201 – Intermediate Clinical Experience II

Supervised sessions emphasizing development of medical imaging skills. Practical application of radiographic positioning.   Students are required to successfully complete 20 clinical competency examinations supervised by a registered radiographer or clinical instructor. Students are required to successfully complete 20 clinical competency examinations supervised by a registered radiographer or clinical instructor. Clinical experience in hospital environment for 16 weeks, 4 days a week.

Prerequisite: CL 103 - Intermediate Clinical Experience I

PATH 201 - Radiographic Pathology

This course is designed to introduce concepts related to disease and etiological considerations with emphasis on radiographic appearance of disease and impact on exposure factor selection.   The material covered should enhance the students’ knowledge regarding interpretation of clinical information provided on the requisition and/or patient’s chart.   There will also be case studies and critical thinking exercises designed to allow the student the opportunity to consider the relevance of radiographic procedures with regards to technical and patient considerations.   The course also includes a written research paper on a chosen pathology with oral presentation.

Prerequisite: Anatomy and Physiology (Program Prerequisite)

CS 203 – Introduction to Cross-Sectional Anatomy

This course is designed to present students with fundamental anatomy and pathology associated with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.   The various structures will be demonstrated in the axial, sagittal and coronal imaging planes.

Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I & II

REG 201 - Registry Review I

This course provides a review of basic knowledge from previous courses and helps the student prepare for national certification examinations for radiographers. Topics include: image production and evaluation; radiographic procedures; anatomy, physiology, pathology, and terminology; equipment operation and quality control; radiation protection; and patient care and education.

Prerequisite: Departmental Approval

Please note: Classes may not transfer as credit courses to an institute of higher learning. Other courses may be added at the school's discretion. The Cleveland Clinic School of Diagnostic Imaging reserves the right to change course offerings or course content.