Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the field of veterinary radiography.  Whereas radiography is the science of taking and processing of x-ray films, radiology involves radiography plus the reading and interpretation of radiographs, which by law is the domain of the licensed veterinarian.  Therefore this course is solely devoted to teaching radiography.   

This is designed for second year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology.  Credits in this course are not transferable to a four-year school towards a baccalaureate degree.  

The required text for this course is Radiography in Veterinary Technology by Lavin. 

Upon successful completion of the course, the short term outcome will be that the student will have satisfactorily accomplished the goals and objectives of this course content guide and confirmed as provided in the assessment above.  The long-term outcome desired is for the student to gain sufficient skills and knowledge of veterinary radiography and ultrasound to successfully pass the National Veterinary Technician Board Examination and effectively utilize the knowledge gained in their Cooperative Education Experience and as a practicing veterinary technician upon graduation.  The course content guides are developed by college-wide subject area faculty and approved by the administration.  

Laboratory tasks with an asterisk indicate tasks the student must be able to perform since they are listed as “essential tasks,” and tasks with two (**) asterisks indicate tasks considered to be “recommended tasks” by the Accreditation Policies and Procedures of the Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities of the American Veterinary Medical Association.  Tasks with no asterisks are considered neither “essential” nor “recommended,” but are taught based on instructor, SAC, and/or advisory committee recommendations.  This course content and outcome guide specifies which tasks students are required to perform (as indicated in the task description) and the tasks on which they have been educated and have observed but individual performance is not required.

1.0  INTRODUCTION  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop knowledge and about the field of radiography.

2.0  THE X-RAY MACHINE

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL: 
The goal is for the student to develop a detailed understanding of the operation of the x-ray machine and its component parts.

3.0  PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHY  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the physics of radiography.

4.0  THE X-RAY BEAM

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of how the different electrical and physical properties of a x-ray machine affect the x-ray beam before it enters the subject.

5.0  IMAGE FORMATION  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL: 
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of how the factors that affect the x-ray beam affect the image formation, and to discuss the parameters that describes the quality of this image.

6.0  RECORDING THE IMAGE  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the importance of the screen and film preparation.

7.0 RADIOGRAPHIC DETAIL

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop and understanding of how the following variables affect changes of the radiographic detail.  

8.0  BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF RADIATION REVIEW  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is to review the hazards of x-radiation.

9.0  FORMULATION OF A RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE CHART  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the methods used for the development of a radiographic technique chart.

10.0  VARIABLE KILOVOLTAGE TECHNIQUE CHART AND VARIABLE mAs TECHNIQUE CHART

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the use of the variable KV and variable mAs technique charts.

11.0  LABORATORY COMPETENCIES

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop comprehensive knowledge of the positions and terminology used in the radiographic study of various animal parts.

12.0  INTERPRETATION OF DIAGNOSTIC QUALITY RADIOGRAPHS

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the concept of diagnostic quality radiographs for the various positional techniques, and be able to decide if it is a diagnostic quality radiograph.

13.0  SPECIAL RADIOGRAPHIC METHODS  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL: 
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of special radiographic technique methods.

14.0  QUALITY CONTROL

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of the principles of quality control of the x-ray machine, and to know the causes of failures.

15.0  THE DARKROOM AND RADIOGRAPHIC FILM PROCESSING  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:  
The goal is for the student to develop an understanding of proper processing and handling methods.

16.0  ULTRASONOGRAPHY  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:    
The goal is for the student to develop a working knowledge of the principles and diagnostic use of ultrasonography.

17.0  OTHER IMAGING AND TREATMENT MODALITIES  

INSTRUCTIONAL GOAL:
The goal is for the student to learn about methods employed to treat lesions utilizing radiation, and using other imaging techniques

This course is designed to be a lecture and laboratory course.  It is a three-credit-hour course that meets for two-lecture hours per week and three-lab hours per week.  There are two three-hour lab sections taught in order to accommodate the number of students in the class.  Each section is limited to 12 students per lab section.  

Lecture topics covered are a review of radiation safety principles, the x-ray machine and parts, x-ray production, imaging, processing, positioning, interpretation of diagnostic quality, contrast studies, and basics of ultrasonography.  In lab the student practices positioning, imaging techniques, learns how to make a technique chart, and assesses radiographic diagnostic quality.  

Each group of students in lab will turn in a laboratory project to be graded. It will consist of their technique charts, the best radiographs taken each lab, and their evaluation of their radiographs.