HLTH3017 - Mammography for Radiologic Technologists

Course Description

This course will provide the comprehensive knowledge required to perform as technologists in the specialty of mammography. This course is intended for current radiographers pursuing basic training in mammography, but is also open to any Radiologic Technology student in their 2nd year of training. This course provides didactic instruction that fulfills the 16 hours of "structured education" by the ARRT. This course may also be used to fulfill a portion of the 40 hours of training required by the MQSA (a minimum of 28.5 hours will be provided by this course). This course does NOT include clinical experience.

Learner Outcomes

By the end of the course an attendee will be able to:

1. Educate patients on breast cancer risk factors, current ACS recommendations for breast health care, and general information regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis for common pathologies of the breast;
2. Identify and correlate mammographic anatomical structures with breast anatomy when presented with a mammographic image;
3. Recognize clinical and mammographic breast changes that may indicate common pathologies;
4. Document clinical findings according to the clockface, quadrant, or other acceptable documentation procedures;
5. Identify major common components of digital mammographic units and common ancillary equipment;
6. Explain benefits vs. risks of mammography;
7. Describe basic concepts of mammographic physics and radiation safety;
8. Identify the main differences between screen-film, digital, and digital breast tomosynthesis mammography;
9. Explain the purpose of the quality control tests monitored by the QC technologist and the frequency at which those tests are done;
10. Critique mammographic images for proper positioning, density, contrast, detail, and common artifacts;
11. Identify and analyze mammographic CC and MLO images using standard critique criteria;
12. Understand BIRADS reporting, and the implications of the BIRADS categories with regard to follow up imaging;
13. Explain the importance of MQSA with regard to mammographic quality, and be able to identify the key personnel responsible for ensuring mammographic quality.

Notes