Download Computed Tomography Task Inventory - ARRT

TASK INVENTORY FOR
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
ARRT® Board Approved: January 2011
Implementation Date: July 2011
Certification requirements for Computed Tomography (CT) are based on the results of a
comprehensive practice analysis conducted by ARRT staff and the Practice Analysis Advisory
Committee. In 2010, the ARRT surveyed a large national sample of radiographers who perform
computed tomography to identify their job responsibilities. This document reflects the results of
that survey. The attached task inventory is the foundation for both the clinical experience
requirements and the content specifications.
Basis of Task Inventory
The practice analysis survey was used to identify the responsibilities typically required of staff
technologists who perform CT. When evaluating survey results, the advisory committee applied
a 40% guideline. That is, to be included on the task inventory, an activity must have been the
responsibility of at least 40% of staff technologists who perform CT. The advisory committee
could include an activity that did not meet the 40% criterion if there was a compelling rationale
to do so (e.g., a task that falls below the 40% guideline but is expected to rise above the 40%
guideline in the near future.
Application to Clinical Experience Requirements
The purpose of the clinical experience requirements is to verify that candidates have completed
fundamental clinical procedures in CT. Successful performance of these fundamental
procedures, in combination with mastery of the cognitive knowledge and skills covered by the
CT examination, provides the basis for acquisition of the full range of clinical skills required in a
variety of settings. An activity must appear on the task inventory to be considered for inclusion
in the clinical experience requirements. For an activity to be designated as a mandatory
requirement, survey results had to indicate that the vast majority of technologists who perform
CT performed that activity. The advisory committee designated clinical activities performed by
fewer technologists, or which are carried out only in selected settings, as elective. The clinical
experience requirements are available from ARRT’s website (www.arrt.org) and appear in the
Computed Tomography Certification Handbook.
Application to Content Specifications
The purpose of the ARRT Examination in CT is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills
underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of staff technologists who
perform CT. The content specifications identify the knowledge areas underlying performance of
the tasks on the task inventory. Every content category can be linked to one or more activities
on the task inventory. Note that each activity on the task inventory is followed by a content
category that identifies the section of the content specifications corresponding to that activity.
The content specifications are available from ARRT’s website (www.arrt.org) and appear in the
Computed Tomography Certification Handbook.
Copyright © 2011 by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists“. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without the written consent of the ARRT
Activity
Content Categories
1.
Make arrangements with other departments for ancillary patient services
(e.g., transportation, anesthesia)
A.1.B.
2.
Assist with scheduling patients and coordinating exams to assure smooth
work flow
A.1.B.
3.
Instruct patient regarding preparation prior to imaging procedures (e.g., oral
or bowel prep., allergy prep.)
A.1.C.
4.
Orient patient and family to requirements necessary to achieve an exam of
diagnostic quality
A.1.C.
5.
Provide information regarding CT procedures and safety to patients and
family members
A.1.C.
6.
Provide reassurance to patients who are anxious about CT
A.1.C.
7.
Obtain patient’s history prior to procedure
A.2.A.
8.
Determine if patient has had previous contrast studies that may interfere
with CT studies
A.1.B.
9.
Evaluate for contraindications to IV or oral contrast
A.3.B.1.
10.
Obtain prior studies for comparison
A.1.B.
11.
Review patient’s chart and physician’s request to determine appropriate
scan parameters for suspected pathology
A.2.A.
12.
Assure that artifact-producing objects have been removed from patient
(e.g., dentures, chest leads, jewelry)
A.1.B.
13.
Adjust patient position or imaging parameters to minimize artifacts
B.~.3.
14.
Assist patient on and off the scanning table
B.~.3.
15.
Monitor patient’s level of consciousness during scanning procedure and
prior to discharge from the scanning procedure
A.2.B.1.
16.
Monitor patient’s respiration during scanning procedure and prior to
discharge from the scanning procedure
A.2.B.2.
17.
Monitor patient’s blood pressure
A.2.B.2.
18.
Monitor patient’s pulse
A.2.B.2.
19.
Monitor patient’s O2 saturation
A.2.B.4.
20.
Monitor patient’s comfort level during procedure
A.2.
21.
Alert physician or other medical staff of change in patient’s condition
A.2.B.
22.
Evaluate renal function prior to administration of IV contrast agent
A.2.C.1.
23.
Evaluate blood coagulation prior to interventional procedures
A.2.C.2.
24.
Verify completion of documentation for procedure requiring informed
consent
A.1.A.
25.
Document sentinel events
A.3.G.3.
26.
Provide post procedure information to patient according to department
guidelines
A.2.D.3.
27.
Administer first aid or basic life support in emergency situation
A.3.G.2.
Activity
Content Categories
28.
Instruct physicians, staff technologists, ancillary staff, and students
regarding CT safety
A.4.
29.
Assist physician with interventional procedures
B.~.4.
30.
Localize region of interest for interventional procedure
B.~.4.
31.
Assist the physician in collection, documentation, and delivery of specimen
B.~.4.
32.
Maintain controlled access to restricted area during radiation exposure to
ensure safety of patients, visitors, and hospital personnel
A.4.B.
33.
Screen female patients for the possibility of pregnancy
A.2.A.
34.
Ensure appropriate radiation protection during procedure
A.4.B.
35.
Select and use appropriate patient immobilization devices
A.1.D.
36.
Inspect equipment to make sure it is operable and safe (e.g., cable, cords,
table, attachments, straps)
C.2.G.
37.
Notify appropriate personnel for equipment malfunction
C.2.G.
38.
Perform tube warm-up
C.2.A.3.
39.
Perform phantom QC test’s (contrast, linearity, noise)
C.6.E.
40.
Clean, disinfect, or sterilize work area as needed
A.1.
41.
Maintain adequate supplies
A.1.
42.
Electronically transmit image data to long-term storage (e.g., PACs)
C.5.C.
43.
Archive images to local data storage devices
C.5.B.
44.
Retrieve information from data storage devices
C.5.
45.
Electronically transmit image data to other workstations (e.g., teleradiology,
3D workstation)
C.5.E.
46.
Perform deletion of data from disk
C.5.A.
47.
Enter/edit patient data necessary to initiate scan
C.5.D.
48.
Evaluate quality of images
C.6.
49.
Perform retrospective reconstruction using raw data to create images with
change to slice thickness, kernel/algorithm and DFOV
C.3.A.
50.
Reformat images in alternate planes (e.g., sagittal, coronal)
C.3.B.1.
51.
Troubleshoot problems with computer equipment
C.2.G.
52.
Perform “booting” techniques
C.2.
53.
Review patient’s chart and physician’s request to determine
appropriateness of exam
A.2.A.
54.
Position patient according to type of study indicated
B.~.3.
55.
Perform non-spiral/helical scanning techniques
B.~.3.
56.
Perform multi-row detector scanning techniques
B.~.3.
57.
Perform acute trauma CT scans
B.~.3.
58.
Differentiate between normal and abnormal images to assess completion
of procedure
B.~.3.
Activity
Content Categories
59.
Alert physician or other medical staff of life threatening conditions
(e.g., hemorrhage, pneumothorax)
B.~.1.
60.
Monitor image production and discriminate between technically acceptable
and unacceptable images
B.~.3.
61.
Explain precautions regarding contrast agent to nursing mother
A.3.B.4.
62.
Determine appropriate dose of contrast agent to be administered based
on patient’s age, weight, and renal function
A.3.C.
63.
Administer oral contrast agent
A.3.C.2.
64.
Prepare medication for administration including contrast
A.3.C.
65.
Perform venipuncture
A.3.D.
66.
Access existing:
a. peripheral IV
A.3.C.5.
b. Power port
A.3.C.5.
c. Power PICC
A.3.C.5.
d. PICC line
A.3.C.5.
e. central line
A.3.C.5.
67.
Select appropriate flow rate for contrast delivery according to imaging
protocols
A.3.E.2.D.
68.
Administer IV contrast agent
A.3.C.1.
69.
Utilize bolus tracking to ensure peak enhancement
B.~.2.
70.
Document amount, rate, and location for successful IV contrast
administration
A.3.D.3.
71.
Document IV attempts (number of attempts and location)
A.3.D.3.
72.
Document IV contrast extravasation
A.3.F.3.
73.
Treat contrast extravasation and provide post procedural care instructions
A.3.F.
74.
Monitor patient for reactions to contrast agent
A.3.G.1.
75.
Administer rectal contrast agent
A.3.C.3.
76.
Determine and set imaging parameters for each study (DFOV, kVp, mA,
slice thickness, spacing, pitch, etc.)
B.~.3.
77.
Set or adjust image display functions (magnification, filters, windowing,
annotation, etc.)
C.4.C., D., E.
78.
Perform image evaluation (e.g., distance measurement, ROI)
C.4.H.
Perform the following type of scans or procedures with specific
protocols for:
Head
79.
head
B.1.
80.
trauma head
B.1.
81.
internal auditory canal
B.1.B.
Activity
Content Categories
82.
temporal bones
B.1.C.
83.
pituitary
B.1.D.
84.
orbits
B.1.E.
85.
cranial nerves
B.1.A.
86.
vascular head
B.1.L.
87.
sinuses
B.1.F.
88.
maxillofacial
B.1.G.
89.
TMJ
B.1.H.
90.
posterior fossa
B.1.I.
Neck
91.
larynx
B.2.A.
92.
soft tissue neck
B.2.B.
93.
vascular neck
B.2.C.
Spine
94.
cervical
B.6.C.
95.
thoracic
B.6.C.
96.
lumbosacral
B.6.C.
97.
post myelography
B.6.H.
98.
spinal trauma
B.6.C.
99.
diskography
B.6.J.
Chest
100.
chest
B.3.
101.
vascular chest
B.3.E.
102.
calcium scoring
B.3.C.
103.
cardiac gated studies
B.3.C.
104.
coronary artery angiogram
B.3.C.
105.
pulmonary embolus (PE) study
B.3.E.
106.
lung nodule study
B.3.B.
107.
high resolution computed tomography (HRCT)
B.3.B.
108.
chest trauma
B.3.
Abdomen
109.
abdomen
B.4.
110.
liver
B.4.A.
111.
biliary
B.4.B.
112.
spleen
B.4.C.
113.
enterography study
B.4.
Activity
Content Categories
114.
pancreas
B.4.D.
115.
adrenals
B.4.E.
116.
kidneys
B.4.F.
117.
CT urogram/IVP
B.4.F.3.
118.
renal stone protocol
B.4.F.3.
119.
appendicitis study
B.4.G.3.
120.
vascular abdomen
B.4.H.
121.
abdominal trauma
B.4.
Pelvis
122.
pelvis
B.5.
123.
bladder
B.5.A.
124.
CT cystogram (retrograde)
B.5.A.
125.
vascular pelvis
B.5.D.
126.
colorectal studies (with rectal contrast)
B.5.B.
127.
pelvic trauma
B.5.
Musculoskeletal
128.
upper extremity
B.6.A.
129.
lower extremity
B.6.B.
130.
CT arthrography
B.6.I.
131.
sternum
B.6.F.
132.
pelvic girdle
B.6.D.
133.
hips
B.6.D.
134.
SI joints
B.6.D.
135.
vascular extremity
B.6.G.
136.
run-off
B.6.D.
Special Procedures
137.
radiation therapy planning
B.~.4.
138.
biopsies
B.~.4.
139.
drainage
B.~.4.
140.
aspirations
B.~.4.
141.
3D rendering (surface shaded display (SSD), maximum intensity projection
(MIP), volume rendering (VR)
B.~.4.
142.
colonography or virtual colonoscopy scan
B.~.4.
143.
transplant studies
B.~.4.
144.
brain perfusion
B.~.4.