Academic Catalogs

RADT A211: Advanced Clinical Mammography Lab

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 10/20/2021
Top Code 122500 - Radiologic Technology
Units 2 Total Units 
Hours 128 Total Hours (Lab Hours 128)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

Clinical experience in an affiliated radiology department under the supervision of certified radiology and health care personnel. Emphasis on independent radiography and decision making in clinical mammography. Professional growth and program exit skills are expected. Sixteen hours of clinical per week. Students will need to successfully pass the RADT A221 course before starting the RADT A211 course. PREREQUISITE: RADT A221. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Develop the critical thinking skills necessary to obtain high-quality mammography images.
  2. Demonstrate the QA/QC skills that comprise a typical Mammography Quality Assurance Program.
  3. Perform mammography examinations as enumerated in the ARRT Mammography Clinical Competencies guide in order to achieve clinical competency.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Demonstrate the equipment operation and quality assurance activities necessary to meet ARRT certification requirements.
  • 2. Perform the requisite skills necessary for adequate patient education and assessment required in the mammography arena.
  • 3. Demonstrate the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the proscribed ARRT required imaging procedures.
  • 4. Perform the required ARRT mammography specific special views and imaging procedures.
  • 5. Exercise appropriate critical thinking and interpersonal skills in an environment that includes varying and unpredictable circumstances.**

Lecture Content

This is a clinical lab course, therefore there is no lecture content.  Prior to beginning clinical training students will need to complete Rad T 221 and complete the required on-boarding activities outlined in Rad T 221.

Lab Content

Clinical training Perform under general supervision. All routine mammographer procedures as the outlined course syllabus. Quality Assurance functions detailed by the Mammography Quality Standards Act. Clinical training Identify anatomical detail on proscribed mamographic images.  Identify pathology on routine and specialized mammography images.  Assess students ability to image analysis and make modifications with 95% accuracy.  Continue with clinical training Complete all outstanding clinical exams as indicated on ARRT required mammography procedures/examinations. Clinical final assessment   Completion of evaluation sheets for competency check-off procedures. Observe with final evaluation students ability to perform routine mammography procedures. Verify completion of all clinical course documentation: clinical hours competencies Completion of all clinical objectives.  Verify completion of ARRT mammography competencies exam and patient care skills.  If all final clinical competencies as outlined are not completed then clinical education will be extended.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lab (04)
  • Work Experience (20)

Instructional Techniques

1.   Demonstration 2.   Clinical practice under direct and general supervision. 3.   Film analysis and critique by the clinical supervisor and staff. 4.   Return skill demonstration.

Reading Assignments

1.    Clinical logs-daily, weekly, monthly2.    Repeat analysis log3.    Clinical Objectives4.    Evaluation of clinical assignment/site5.    Skills demonstration of required exams to include ARRT Mammography Competencies.6.    Self evaluation.

Writing Assignments

1.    Clinical logs-daily, weekly, monthly2.    Repeat analysis log3.    Clinical Objectives4.    Evaluation of clinical assignment/site5.    Skills demonstration of required exams to include ARRT Mammography Competencies.6.    Self-evaluation.

Out-of-class Assignments

1.    Clinical logs-daily, weekly, monthly2.    Repeat analysis log3.    Clinical Objectives4.    Evaluation of clinical assignment/site5.    Skills demonstration of required exams to include ARRT Mammography Competencies.6.    Self-evaluation.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.    Performance evaluation sheet2.    Clinical practicum proficiency exams identified in the course outline.3.    Completion of clinical training documentation.4.    Mammography Clinical Objectives.5.    Attendance and appearance.6.    Clinical participation.7.    Completion of required clinical hours.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1.   Clinical logs-daily, weekly, monthly 2.   Clinical Objectives 3.   Evaluation of clinical assignment/site 4.   Skills demonstration of required exams to include ARRT Mammography Competencies. 5.    Self-evaluation.

Eligible Disciplines

Radiological technology: Any bachelors degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Alder, Arlene,. Introduction to Radiology and Patient Care, ed. Elsevier/Mosby , 2016 Rationale: - 2. Required Frank, Eugene.. Merrills Atlas of Radiographic Position and Procedures., 14 ed. Elsevier/Mosby,, 2020

Other Resources

1. Radiology Departments Procedure Manual. 2. ARRT Mammography Clinical Competency List