Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A. Demonstrate knowledge of Computed Tomography concepts in preparation for the ARRT certification exam in Computed Tomography.
B. Sit for the ARRT certification exam.
C. Model the professional ethics and behaviors of Imaging Professionals.

Review all concepts and previously presented materials during lecture and on-line Camtasia Units. The student will take a minimum of two (2) Mock Certification Exams.

A. Successful completion of on-line study units
B. Completed classroom exercises and homework.
C. Successful completion of mock CT Registry Exams.

COURSE CONTENT:
The student will demonstrate understanding of the following themes, issues, concepts,
and develop the following skills:
THEMES, CONCEPTS, ISSUES
A. Patient Care
1. Legal and Ethical Principles
? confirmation of exam requisition
? legal issues
? patient’s rights
? ARRT Standard of Ethics
2. CT Screening and Safety
? screening
? ALARA
? reducing dose with parameters
? biological considerations
3. Patient Assessment, Monitoring and Management
? routine monitoring
? emergency response
? patient transfer and body mechanics
? assisting patient’s with medical equipment
4. Interpersonal Communication
? modes of communication
? challenges of communication
? patient education
? medical terminology
5. Infection Control
? terminology and basic concepts
? cycle of infection
? standard precautions
? additional or transmission-based precautions
? disposal of contaminated materials
B. Imaging Procedures
1. Head and Neck
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
2. Spine
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
3. Thorax
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
4. Abdomen
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
5. Pelvis
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
6. Musculoskeletal
? anatomy and physiology
? contrast
? patient positioning
? scan parameters
7. CT Angiography
? pressure injector use
? contrast types
? contrast amounts
? scan parameters
8. Special Imaging
? Virtual CT
? PET/CT
? Radiation Therapy
C. Data Acquisition and Processing
1. scouts , sequential and cine
2. tube, detector configurations
3. protocol parameters
4. ALARA, radiation safety
D. Physical Principles of Image Formation
1. slice thickness, reconstruction thickness
2. DFOV, SFOV
3. artifacts
4. quality control
COMPETENCIES OR PROCESS SKILLS
A. Watch unit presentations, complete worksheets, on-line unit quizzes and
mock CT Registry Exam.