Appendix A to Part 75 - Standards for Accreditation of Educational Programs for Radiographers
42:1.0.1.6.62.0.15.4.10 : Appendix A
Appendix A to Part 75 - Standards for Accreditation of Educational
Programs for Radiographers A. Description of the Profession
The radiographer shall perform effectively by:
1. Applying knowledge of the principles of radiation protection
for the patient, self, and others.
2. Applying knowledge of anatomy, positioning, and radiographic
techniques to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on a
radiograph.
3. Determining exposure factors to achieve optimum radiographic
technique with a minimum of radiation exposure to the patient.
4. Examining radiographs for the purpose of evaluating
technique, positioning, and other pertinent technical
qualities.
5. Exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of
medical imaging procedures.
6. Providing patient care essential to radiologic
procedures.
7. Recognizing emergency patient conditions and initiating
lifesaving first aid.
B. Sponsorship
1. Accreditation will be granted to the institution that assumes
primary responsibility for curriculum planning and selection of
course content; coordinates classroom teaching and supervised
clinical education; appoints faculty to the program; receives and
processes applications for admission; and grants the degree or
certificate documenting completion of the program.
2. Educational programs may be established in:
(a) Community and junior colleges, senior colleges, and
universities;
(b) Hospitals;
(c) Medical schools;
(d) Postsecondary vocational/technical schools and institutions;
and
(e) Other acceptable institutions which meet comparable
standards.
3. The sponsoring institutions and affiliate(s) must be
accredited by a recognized agency. When the sponsoring institution
and affilitate(s) are not so recognized, they may be considered as
meeting the requirements of accreditation if the institution meets
or exceeds established equivalent standards.
C. Instructional Facilities
1. General. Appropriate classroom and clinical space,
modern equipment, and supplies for supervised education shall be
provided.
2. Laboratory. Energized laboratories utilized for
teaching purposes shall be certified as required for compliance
with Federal and/or State radiation safety regulations. The use of
laboratories shall be governed by established educational
objectives.
3. Reference Materials. Adequate up-to-date scientific
books, periodicals, and other reference materials related to the
curriculum and profession shall be readily accessible to
students.
D. Clinical Education
1. The clinical phase of the educational program shall provide
an environment for supervised competency-based clinical education
and experience and offer a sufficient and well-balanced variety of
radiographic examinations and equipment.
2. An acceptable ratio of students to registered technologists
shall be maintained in the clinical teaching environment.
3. A clinical instructor(s), who shall be responsible for
supervising students according to objectives, shall be identified
for each primary clinical education center.
4. The maximum student enrollment shall not exceed the capacity
recommended on the basis of volume and variety of radiographic
procedures, resources, and personnel available for teaching
purposes.
5. In programs where didactic and clinical experience are not
provided in the same institution, accreditation shall be given only
to the institution responsible for admissions, curriculum, and
academic credit. The accredited institution shall be responsible
for coordinating the program and assuring that the activities
assigned to the students in the clinical setting are educational.
There shall be a uniform contract between the accredited
institution and each of its affiliate hospitals, clearly defining
the responsibilities and obligations of each.
E. Curriculum
1. The structure of the curriculum shall be based on not less
than two calendar years of full-time study or its equivalent.
2. Instruction shall follow a planned outline that includes:
(a) The assignment of appropriate instructional materials;
(b) Classroom presentations, discussions and demonstrations;
and
(c) Examinations in the didactic and clinical aspects of the
program.
3. All professional courses, including clinical education, must
include specific curriculum content that shall include, but shall
not be limited to:
(a) Introduction to radiologic technology;
(b) Medical ethics;
(c) Imaging;
(d) Radiographic processing technique;
(e) Human structure and function;
(f) Medical terminology;
(g) Principals of radiographic exposure;
(h) Radiographic procedures;
(i) Principles of radiation protection;
(j) Radiographic film evaluation;
(k) Methods of patient care;
(l) Pathology;
(m) Radiologic physics; and
(n) Radiation biology.
Related subjects added to the professional curriculum shall meet
the requirements of the degree-granting institution.
F. Finances
Financial resources for operation for the educational program
shall be assured through regular budgets, gifts, grants,
endowments, or fees.
G. Faculty
1. Program Director. A program director shall be
designated who is credentialed in radiography. The program
director's responsibilities in teaching, administration, and
coordination of the educational program in radiography shall not be
adversely affected by educationally unrelated functions.
(a) Minimum qualifications. A minimum of two years of
professional experience and proficiency in instructing, curriculum
design, program planning, and counseling.
(b) Responsibilities. (1) The program director, in
consultation with the medical director/advisor (G. 2.) shall be
responsible for the organization, administration, periodic review,
records, continued development, and general policy and
effectiveness of the program.
(2) Opportunities for continuing education shall be provided for
all faculty members.
2. Medical Director/Medical Advisor - (a) minimum
qualifications. The medical director/ medical advisor shall be
a qualified radiologist, certified by the American Board of
Radiology, or shall possess suitable equivalent qualifications.
(b) Responsibilities. The medical director/medical
advisor shall work in consultation with the program director in
developing the goals and objectives of the program and implementing
the standards for their achievement.
3. Instructors. All instructors shall be qualified
through academic preparation and experience to teach the assigned
subjects.
H. Students Admission
(a) Candidates for admission shall satisfy the following minimum
requirements: Completion of four years of high school; successful
completion of a standard equivalency test; or certification of
equivalent education by an organization recognized by the United
States Department of Education. Courses in physics, chemistry,
biology, algebra, and geometry are strongly recommended.
(b) The number of students enrolled in each class shall be
commensurate with the most effective learning and teaching
practices and should also be consistent with acceptable
student-teacher ratios.
I. Records
Records shall be maintained as dictated by good educational
practices.
Note:
Educational programs accredited by an organization recommended
by the United States Department of Education are considered to have
met these standards.