Radiologic Technology (RTEC), AAS
At Dunwoody College of Technology, the Radiologic Technology program prepares graduates who oversee X-rays, CT scans, and other radiologic procedures. They also manage radiology support staff in hospitals, clinics, and specialized imaging centers.
Students learn to work directly with patients and physicians to create images of internal organs, bones, and tissues that are used to diagnose medical problems.
Working in both classroom and lab settings, students gain the skills to use the latest in imaging technologies, including digital X-rays and CT scans. They also complete rotations in clinical settings.
Arts & Sciences curriculum supports the technical coursework by enhancing the students’ communication, mathematics, and critical thinking skills.
Length of Program: 2 years (4 semesters + 2 summer sessions)
Classes Offered: Day
Available Starts: Fall Semester; Spring Semester
Accreditation: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
- Explain the importance of patient interactions that include ethics, interpersonal communication, physical assistance and monitoring, medical emergencies, infection control and pharmacology in the field of medical imaging
- Explain how the principles of radiation physics and the biological aspects of radiation apply to patient safety
- Explain the various ways to minimize patient exposure to radiation
- Explain the various ways to minimize occupational exposure to radiation
- Compare how the various technical factors affecting radiographic quality to receptor exposure, contrast, spatial resolution and distortion
- Explain how the following concepts affect image production: technique charts, Automatic Exposure Control and Digital Imaging, Equipment
- Explain how equipment operation and quality assurance affects image production
- Apply knowledge of positioning, anatomy, procedure adaptation and evaluation of displayed anatomical structures to include; head, spine and pelvis procedures, thorax and abdomen procedures, and extremity procedures
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| BIOL1230 | Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL1310 | Physiology I | 2 |
| BIOL1320 | Physiology II | 2 |
| BIOL1400 | Human Disease | 4 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Technical Requirements | ||
| RTEC1111 | Introduction to Radiography | 1 |
| RTEC1121 | Patient Care | 1 |
| RTEC1131 | Radiographic Procedures I | 2 |
| RTEC1151 | Clinical I | 2 |
| RTEC1200 | Radiographic Procedures | 1 |
| RTEC1221 | Radiographic Procedures II | 2 |
| RTEC1231 | Radiographic Procedures III | 2 |
| RTEC1241 | Clinical II | 2 |
| RTEC1251 | Clinical III | 2 |
| RTEC1140 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| RTEC1210 | Radiologic Exposure | 1 |
| RTEC1311 | Radiographic Procedures IV | 2 |
| RTEC1321 | Clinical IV | 2 |
| RTEC2110 | Radiologic Science | 1 |
| RTEC2121 | Advanced Imaging | 1 |
| RTEC2130 | Clinical V | 6 |
| RTEC2200 | Radiographic Clinicals | 1 |
| RTEC2221 | Radiologic Topics I | 3 |
| RTEC2250 | Clinical VI | 3 |
| RTEC2260 | Clinical VII | 3 |
| RTEC2231 | Radiologic Topics II | 3 |
| RTEC2320 | Clinical VIII | 3 |
| Total Credits | 66 | |
The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which General Education courses and electives you take and when you take them.
The sample academic plan is for informational purposes only. To determine your academic plan, please meet with an academic advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| RTEC1111 | Introduction to Radiography | 1 |
| RTEC1121 | Patient Care | 1 |
| RTEC1131 | Radiographic Procedures I | 2 |
| RTEC1151 | Clinical I | 2 |
| BIOL1230 | Anatomy | 4 |
| BIOL1310 | Physiology I | 2 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| Jterm | ||
| RTEC1200 | Radiographic Procedures | 1 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| RTEC1221 | Radiographic Procedures II | 2 |
| RTEC1231 | Radiographic Procedures III | 2 |
| RTEC1241 | Clinical II | 2 |
| RTEC1251 | Clinical III | 2 |
| BIOL1320 | Physiology II | 2 |
| BIOL1400 | Human Disease | 4 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| RTEC1140 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| RTEC1210 | Radiologic Exposure | 1 |
| RTEC1311 | Radiographic Procedures IV | 2 |
| RTEC1321 | Clinical IV | 2 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| RTEC2110 | Radiologic Science | 1 |
| RTEC2121 | Advanced Imaging | 1 |
| RTEC2130 | Clinical V | 6 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 8 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| Jterm | ||
| RTEC2200 | Radiographic Clinicals | 1 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| RTEC2221 | Radiologic Topics I | 3 |
| RTEC2250 | Clinical VI | 3 |
| RTEC2260 | Clinical VII | 3 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Credits | |
| RTEC2231 | Radiologic Topics II | 3 |
| RTEC2320 | Clinical VIII | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Descriptions
RTEC1111 | Introduction to Radiography | Lecture (1 Credit)
Introduction to the profession of radiologic technology. An overview of the structure of the healthcare environment, imaging equipment, radiation protection, and surgery.
RTEC1121 | Patient Care | Lecture (1 Credit)
Examine the basic concepts of patient care. Routine and emergency patient care procedures are explained, as well as infection control procedures utilizing standard precautions.
RTEC1131 | Radiographic Procedures I | Lecture (2 Credits)
Develop the knowledge required to perform radiographic procedures. Topics include: anatomy, routine projections of the abdomen, upper and lower extremities, and the shoulder girdle.
RTEC1151 | Clinical I | Clinical (2 Credits)
Provides opportunities to apply basic theoretical principles of radiography and patient care to practical experience in an imaging department. Observe and participate in radiographic procedures in a hospital or clinical setting . Execution of radiographic procedures is conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC1200 | Radiographic Procedures | Lecture (1 Credit)
Develop the knowledge required to perform radiographic procedures.
RTEC1221 | Radiographic Procedures II | Lecture (2 Credits)
Develop the knowledge required to perform radiographic procedures. Topics include: anatomy, routine projections of the pelvis and femur, as well as fluoroscopic procedures.
RTEC1231 | Radiographic Procedures III | Lecture (2 Credits)
Develop the knowledge required to perform radiographic procedures. Topics include: anatomy, and routine projections of the spine and the bony thorax.
RTEC1241 | Clinical II | Clinical (2 Credits)
Continue development of skills required to become a radiologic technologist. Participate in routine radiographic procedures and observe in many of the specialty areas of a radiology department. Execution of radiographic procedures is conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC1251 | Clinical III | Clinical (2 Credits)
Continue development of skills required to become a radiologic technologist. Participate in routine radiographic procedures and observe in many of the specialty areas of a radiology department. Execution of radiographic procedures is conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC1140 | Medical Terminology | Lecture (1 Credit)
Develop a medical vocabulary. Skills in spelling, pronunciation, and defining medical terms is emphasized.
RTEC1210 | Radiologic Exposure | Lecture (1 Credit)
Examine the factors that govern and influence the production of the radiographic image, includes exposure calculations.
RTEC1311 | Radiographic Procedures IV | Lecture (2 Credits)
Develop the knowledge required to perform radiographic procedures. Topics include: anatomy, and routine projections of the cranium, facial bones, sinuses and the genitourinary. Venipuncture is introduced.
RTEC1321 | Clinical IV | Clinical (2 Credits)
Continue development of skills required to become a radiologic technologist. Participate in routine radiographic procedures and observe in many of the specialty areas of a radiology department. Execution of radiographic procedures is conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC2110 | Radiologic Science | Lecture (1 Credit)
Concepts of basic radiographic physics and the basics of x-ray generating equipment.
Prerequisite(s): RTEC1210
RTEC2121 | Advanced Imaging | Lecture (1 Credit)
Equipment routinely utilized to produce diagnostic images, as well as various recording media and techniques. Topics include: Venipuncture; Image production in CT, MRI, IR, and other imaging modalities; special imaging considerations for geriatric, pediatric, trauma, and mobile imaging procedures; and sectional anatomy of the head, thorax, and abdomen.
Prerequisite(s): RTEC1311
RTEC2130 | Clinical V | Clinical (6 Credits)
Continues student learning experiences in the clinic or hospital setting; build on skills learned and competencies achieved in the previous semester. Topics include: common fluoroscopic, surgery, and portable radiography procedures. Execution of radiographic procedures will be conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC2200 | Radiographic Clinicals | Clinical (1 Credit)
Apply the concepts learned in the classroom/lab in a radiology department. Execution of radiographic procedures is conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC2221 | Radiologic Topics I | Lecture (3 Credits)
Prepare for the national certification examination with a review of basic knowledge from previous courses. Examine a variety of topics and practice for the registry exam with frequent testing.
RTEC2250 | Clinical VI | Clinical (3 Credits)
Continues student learning experiences in the clinic or hospital setting; build on skills learned and competencies achieved in the previous semester. Topics include: advanced radiographic anatomy; equipment utilization; exposure techniques; sterile techniques; participation in and/or observation of angiographic, interventional and specialty rotations including MRI and CT. Execution of radiographic procedures will be conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC2260 | Clinical VII | Clinical (3 Credits)
Continues student learning experiences in the clinic or hospital setting; build on skills learned and competencies achieved in the previous semester. Topics include: advanced radiographic anatomy; equipment utilization; exposure techniques; sterile techniques; participation in and/or observation of angiographic, interventional and specialty rotations including MRI and CT. Execution of radiographic procedures will be conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
RTEC2231 | Radiologic Topics II | Lecture (3 Credits)
Prepare for the national certification examination with a review of basic knowledge from previous courses. Examine a variety of topics and practice for the registry exam with frequent testing.
RTEC2320 | Clinical VIII | Clinical (3 Credits)
Continues student learning experiences in the clinic or hospital setting; build on skills learned and competencies achieved in the previous semester. Includes participation in and/or observation of routine and special radiographic procedures. Execution of radiographic procedures will be conducted under direct and indirect supervision of experienced registered technologists.
BIOL1230 | Anatomy | Lecture/Laboratory (4 Credits)
Analyze the structure of the human body, molecular, cellular to organism level. Examine cell biology, integumentary, muscular, skeletal, neurological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, cardiovascular, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive body systems and the correlation/integration of the various systems to construct the human organism.
General Education: Natural Sciences
BIOL1310 | Physiology I | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Analyze the functioning of the human body, molecular, cellular to organism level. Examine body systems, such as cell biology, muscular, skeletal, neurological, digestive and respiratory and the correlation/integration of the various systems in impacting the functioning of the human organism.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL1230
General Education: Natural Sciences
BIOL1320 | Physiology II | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Analyze the functioning of the human body, molecular, cellular to organism level. Examine body systems such as urinary, body defenses, cardiovascular, endocrine, lymphatic, and reproductive and the correlation/integration of the various systems in impacting the functioning of the human organism.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL1310
General Education: Natural Sciences
BIOL1400 | Human Disease | Lecture/Laboratory (4 Credits)
Analysis of the disease conditions affecting the human body, including their pathological origin, signs and symptoms, pathological process, diagnostics, and treatment modalities.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL1320
General Education: Natural Sciences