Radiological Technology Exam Blueprint
Number of questions – 185 4 hour exam – computer-based delivery
Question type – Multiple choice / independent Knowledge / comprehension questions – 30%
Application / Critical thinking questions – 70%
Competencies tested on the Radiological Technology certification exam and percentage weighting for testing purposes
Section A Professional Practice 1-3%
A.1 Legal and Ethical Requirements
A.1.1 Practice in a manner that recognizes patient’s legal rights.
A.2 Use of Resources
A.2.1 Prioritize workflow to optimize patient care.
Section B Patient Management 9-13%
B.1 Patient Safety
B.1.1 Transfer patient safely.
B.1.2 Utilize immobilization devices.
B.1.3 Assess and respond to any changes in patient condition.
B.1.4 Recognize medical emergencies, and respond.
B.2 Patient Assessment and Care
B.2.1 Assess patient for contraindications to procedure and respond
B.2.2 Perform venipuncture
B.2.3 Adapt procedures based upon patient’s physical and cognitive condition.
B.2.4 Provide care for patient's physiological needs.
B.2.5 Provide patient interventions as listed in Appendix 1.
B.2.6 Advise patient of necessary post-procedure follow-up.
1
Section C Health and Safety 12-16%
C.1 Infection Control and Materials Handling
C.1.1 Employ routine practices for infection control
C.1.2 Employ transmission-based precautions
C.1.3 Follow standardized procedures for patients with compromised immunity
C.1.4 Use aseptic technique
C.1.5 Use sterile technique
C.1.6 Follow standardized procedures for handling and disposing of sharps, and contaminated and
biohazardous materials
Radiation Safety Practices
C.2.1 Apply ALARA principle.
C.2.2 Apply knowledge of radiation effects and risks
C.2.3 Use protective devices and apparel for personnel
C.2.4 Implement safe practices to minimize radiation dose to personnel and support persons
C.2.5 Implement safe practices to minimize radiation dose to patients
C.2.6 Monitor personal radiation exposure and respond
C.3 Radiation Safety Education
C.3.1 Provide information regarding radiation risks and safe practices
C.3.2 Provide education regarding organ sensitivities and safe practices
Section D Pharmaceutical Administration 1-5%
D.1 Pharmaceutical Administration
D.1.1 Assess patient for contraindications to contrast media and respond
D.1.2 Administer contrast media via appropriate route
D.1.3 Prepare and administer pharmaceutical agents
D.1.4 Perform rectal tube insertion
2
Section E Operation of Equipment – Radiographic, Computed Radiography (CR) & Direct radiography (DR) 6-10%
E.1 Principles of Radiologic, CR and DR Equipment
E.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of radiographic, CR and DR equipment
E.2 Image Acquisition and Management
E.2.1 Operate radiographic, CR and DR imaging systems
E.2.2 Select and optimize parameters for performing a procedure
E.2.3 Utilize common accessory equipment listed in Appendix 5 of profile
E.2.4 Activate, monitor and manage acquisition
E.2.5 Perform post-processing on acquired image data
E.2.6 Utilize digital networking and archiving system
E.2.7 Evaluate images for the purpose of reject analysis
E.3 Equipment Quality Control
E.3.1 Assess performance of radiographic, CR and DR imaging equipment as listed in Appendix 2 of profile
and respond
E.3.2 Assess performance of accessory equipment as listed in Appendix 5 of profile and respond
E.4 Image Quality
E.4.1 Apply knowledge of principles affecting image quality
E.4.2 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and respond
E.4.3 Evaluate image for artefacts and respond
Section F Operation of Equipment – Fluoroscopic (Radioscopic) 2-6%
F.1 Principles of Fluoroscopic (Radioscopic) Equipment
F.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of fluoroscopic(radioscopic) equipment
F.2 Image Acquisition and Management
F.2.1 Operate fluoroscopic (radioscopic) equipment
F.2.2 Select and optimize parameters for performing a procedure
F.2.3 Utilize common accessory equipment listed in Appendix 5 of profile
F.2.4 Activate, monitor and manage acquisition
3
F.2.5 Perform post-processing on acquired image data
F.2.6 Utilize digital networking and archiving system
F.2.7 Evaluate images for the purpose of reject analysis
F.3 Equipment Quality Control
F.3.1 Assess performance of fluoroscopic (radioscopic) imaging equipment as listed in Appendix 2 of
profile and respond
F.3.2 Assess performance of accessory equipment as listed in Appendix 5 of profile and respond
F.4 Image Quality
F.4.1 Apply knowledge of principles affecting image quality
F.4.2 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and respond
F.4.3 Evaluate image for artefacts and respond
Section G Operation of Equipment – Computed Tomography (CT) 4-8%
G.1 Principles of CT Equipment
G.1.1 Apply knowledge of operational components of CT equipment
G.2 Image Acquisition and Management
G2.1 Operate CT imaging equipment
G.2.2 Select and optimize parameters for performing a procedure
G.2.3 Utilize common accessory equipment listed in Appendix 5 of profile
G.2.4 Activate, monitor and manage acquisition
G.2.5 Perform post-processing on acquired image data
G.2.6 Utilize digital networking and archiving system
G.2.7 Evaluate images for the purpose of reject analysis
G.3 Equipment Quality Control
G.3.1 Assess performance of CT imaging equipment as listed in Appendix 2 of profile and respond
G.3.2 Assess performance of accessory equipment as listed in Appendix 5 of profile and respond
G.4 Image Quality
G.4.1 Apply knowledge of principles affecting image quality
G.4.2 Evaluate diagnostic quality of image and respond
G.4.3 Evaluate image for artefacts and respond
4
Section H – Procedure Management – Skeletal System 22-26%
H.1 Clinical Principles
H.1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
H.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
H.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
H.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
H.2 Image Procedures
H.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
H.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
H.2.3 Adapt positioning in response to patient condition and clinical environment
H.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
H.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
H.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
H.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
H.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
H.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
Section I Procedure Management – Digestive System 2-6%
I.1 Clinical Principles
I.1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
I.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
I.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
5
I.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
I.2 Image Procedures
I.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
I.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
I.2.3 Adapt positioning I response to patient condition and clinical environment
I.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
I.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
I.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
I.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
I.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
I.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
Section J – Procedure Management – Respiratory System 6-10%
J.1 Clinical Principles
J.1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
J.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
J.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
J.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
J.2 Image Procedures
J.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
J.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
J.2.3 Adapt positioning in response to patient condition and clinical environment
J.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
6
J.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
J.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
J.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
J.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
J.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
Section K – Procedure Management – Urinary System 1-3%
K.1 Clinical Principles
K.1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
K.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
K.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
K.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
K.2 Image Procedures
K.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
K.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
K.2.3 Adapt positioning in response to patient condition and clinical environment
K.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
K.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
K.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
K.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
K.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
K.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
7
Section L Procedure Management – Reproductive System 1-3%
L.1 Clinical Principles
L.1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
L.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
L.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
L.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
L.2 Image Procedures
L.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
L.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
L.2.3 Adapt positioning in response to patient condition and clinical environment
L.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
L.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
L.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
L.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
L.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
L.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
Section M Procedure Management – Computed Tomography (CT) 10-14%
M.1 Clinical Principles
M1.1 Differentiate anatomical structures on images
M.1.2 Apply knowledge of pathologies, anomalies and condition listed in Appendix 3 of profile
M.1.3 Apply knowledge of imaging procedures and protocols listed in Appendix 4 of profile in various
clinical environments and modalities
M.1.4 Apply knowledge of the effects of pharmaceutical agents listed in Appendix 6 of profile as they relate
to procedures
8
M.2 Image Procedures
M.2.1 Plan imaging procedures utilizing data available from clinical information, reports and previous
diagnostic studies
M.2.2 Position patient for imaging procedures listed in Appendix 4 of profile utilizing anatomical landmarks
and relational anatomy
M.2.3 Adapt positioning in response to patient condition and clinical environment
M.2.4 Adapt protocol in response to patient condition and clinical environment
M.2.5 Align imaging system to demonstrate required anatomical structure(s)
M.2.6 Distinguish patterns consistent with normal results and normal variants
M.2.7 Recognize patterns consistent with abnormal results and pathologies included in Appendix 3 of
profile
M.2.8 Recognize conditions requiring urgent action and respond
M.2.9 Evaluate results to determine if further images are required
