Technical Standards

Radiographers and students in training are expected to be able to meet the mental, physical, and professional standards essential to the profession. Below are examples of standards common to the radiography profession. If a student has a known disability, it should be brought to the attention of the program director.

Radiography students must be able to meet the following physical and mental requirements to perform essential functions of a radiography student:

1. Demonstrate manual dexterity and adeptness in using the hands to manipulate x-ray equipment and adjust the x-ray tube, which is at a height of 76-80 inches from the floor.

 

2. Lift, handle and carry x-ray accessories and up to 5 radiographic cassettes which weigh up to 40 or 50 pounds.

 

3. Transfer and skillfully position patients who may weigh up to 300 pounds or more.

 

4. Safely operate a mobile radiography machine for bedside radiographs.

 

5. Give clear verbal commands to the patient who is positioned for the radiograph at a distance 6 to 10 feet from the technologist control area.

 

6. Read and apply appropriate instructions in charts, records, and from requisitions and other forms of communication.

 

7. Must have sight corrected, so as to be able to read and adjust the x-ray control panel, to be able to correctly position the patient, and observe them from a distance of 6 to 20 feet.

 

8. Hearing must be corrected, so as to be able to hear and understand the patient or other health care professionals at a distance of 6 to 10 feet.

 

9. Visually monitor patients in dim light and/or in noisy conditions. Visually monitor patients via video screens during routine fluoroscopic/surgical imaging; 14 inch screen at a distance of up to 15 feet.

 

10. Must not be highly allergic to developer or fixer chemicals, contrast media and/or latex gloves.

 

11. Must not be chemically dependent.

 

12. Must react rapidly and appropriately in emergency situations.

 

13. Be poised, neat and well groomed, tactful, diplomatic, discreet, flexible, versatile, ethical, professional, reliable and dependable.

 

14. Be able to understand and follow verbal and written instructions completely in academic setting and in routine and emergency clinical health care setting.

 

15. Demonstrate the capacity for calm and reasoned judgment in a health care environment.

 

16. Be free from health or medical disorders (physical or mental) that limit the ability to completely and efficiently perform the duties of a student radiographer.

 

17. Be emotionally stable in an environment that involves life and death situations.

 

18. Demonstrate integrity and honesty in all matters as expected in a health care professional.

 

19. Enjoy patient contact and enjoy working with people.

 

20. Be able to stand for extended periods of time.