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Program Technical Standards

Listed here are the technical standards identified for students in Radiologic Science programs. Review each standard and think about your ability to meet the standard 100% or if you are unable to meet the standard, what accommodation may be required. For questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate Program Director.

Physical Requirements

  • Bending – Bend at the waist, crouch, or stoop 20 times per hour.  Stoop to position patients for exams, assist patients into and out of wheelchairs, move or adjust equipment, among other tasks.
  • Carrying – Carry various medical equipment, up to 20 pounds throughout the clinical setting.
  • Lifting – Move loads of up to 45 pounds, 25 times per hour.  Lift and move a maximum of a 290-pound patient in a two-person/three-person transfer.
  • Reaching – Reach above shoulders up to six hours throughout an eight-hour shift.  Reach forward 18 inches holding an object up to 15 pounds, while maintaining balance.  Frequently work with arms overhead.
  • Standing/Walking – Stand and walk for up to 8-10 hours.  Stand unassisted for long periods. Walk without assistance for long distances through the hospital.  Transport patients via wheelchair, stretcher or bed, and assist patients into dressing/exam rooms. Walk to other areas of the department and hospital to do exams.
  • Pushing/Pulling – Push heavy mobile radiographic equipment throughout a hospital.  Push and pull (Transfer) patients to and from a radiographic table while utilizing good body mechanics.  Push and move stretchers and wheelchairs with patients from patient areas to procedure room.

Sensory Requirements

  • Hearing – To perceive the nature of sounds at normal range.  Respond to patient questions, concerns, and needs.  Hear faint or muffled sounds when the use of surgical masks is required.  Monitor equipment operation or dysfunction which may be indicated by low sounding buzzers or bells.  Hear through a stethoscope or augmented listening device.
  • Smell – Perceive abnormal smells, such as burning linens or wiring.
  • Speech & Communication – Provide clear verbal instructions to patients face to face and from the radiography control area, which is a distance away from the patient.  To speak clearly and concisely with patients, co-workers, and physicians in English when applicable using standard medical terminology.  The ability to provide effective written, oral, nonverbal communication with patients and their families, colleagues, health care providers, and the public.
  • Vision – The ability to see fine lines and distinguish gradual changes in blacks, grays, and whites is necessary to:  distinguish clear liquid levels in a container and be able to read numbers on a small dial,  Able to see computer monitors and x-ray control panels.  Be able to see indicator lights and distinguish when lights are turned off or on.

Application Requirements

  • Motor Coordination – Good manual dexterity, gross and fine motor skills, and eye-hand coordination to manipulate equipment and respond to patient needs.  Perform repetitive motions with any part of the body: to enter computer data, move equipment back and forth/up and down. Grasp: To position patients for exams and procedures, lift and place imaging plates behind or underneath patients.
  • Comprehension – The ability to 1) understand and follow basic instructions and guidelines, 2) understand, remember, and communicate routine factual information, 3) understand complex problems and to collaborate and explore alternative solutions and 4) calculate technical factors using algebra.