Writing in the Discipline - Medical Imaging

Radiologic Technology (RT)

RADT 201 – Orientation to Medical Imaging

All medical imaging intended majors are required to take RADT 201. In RADT 201, the student begins exploring medical imaging and the many disciplines associated with the field.

Modality review – informal writing assignments. The student practices writing skills (a paragraph) exploring five disciplines they may be interested in. This informal assignment is graded on content ensuring the student is able to communicate the difference between the many medical imaging disciplines. The student receives feedback after each review to help understand the discipline.
Modality assignment – formal writing assignment. This assignment is given after the modality reviews and open houses are complete. The student is expected to write a brief explanation of the discipline as well as why they think they might be interested in this discipline. The assignment is graded on content as well as format, grammar and spelling, and organization. A rubric is available to help the student with expectations of the assignment. The student is able to submit the assignment for review and feedback to improve writing skills.
Open House assignment – formal writing assignment. The student explores various medical imaging disciplines at an open house. The assignment ensures the student is able to communicate the various medical imaging disciplines as well as the role of a health care provider. The assignment is graded on content as well as format, grammar and spelling, and organization. A rubric is available to help the student with expectations of the assignment. The student is able to submit the assignment for review and feedback to improve writing skills.
Grade
- Modality Review and Assignment will count toward 25% of the final grade.
- Open house assignment will count toward 40% of the final grade.

RT majors do not formally document in the clinical environment, but must have the ability to communicate with many clients (various patient types, families, and other health care providers) to help the client make informed decisions. Writing assignments are an integral part of RT courses. The program uses writing assignments to help the student learn effective communication tools as well as to ensure the student is prepared for their career as a radiographer.

Program faculty has designated the following courses as fulfilling the Writing in the Discipline competency of the General Education program. Forms of writing include informal and formal writing assignments and oral presentations.

All enrolled RT medical imaging students are required to take the courses listed below:

RADT 301 – Introduction to Radiologic Technology

RADT 255 – Patient Care Interventions for Allied Health

These courses are introductory courses to introduce the student to the field of Radiologic Technology and the clinical environment. Informal writing assignments are given to prepare the student to communicate effectively. Writing assignments include basic communication skills including non-verbal and Requisition Review – the initial communication process with patients.

RADT 309, RADT 310, RADT 411, RADT 412 – Clinical Education I-IV

Journaling – reflective informal writing assignments. These assignments are given throughout the program to assess student learning in the clinical environment. The student is expected to reflect on their clinical experiences – how they or others handled various situations. Program faculty utilizes these assignments to ensure that the student is able to work effectively in the healthcare environment. Examples include positive patient experience or negative teamwork experience and how the experience was handled; student strengths and challenges. A simple rubric is available to help the student with expectations of the assignment and feedback is given after every assignment to learn from that experience.
Requisition Review – formal writing assignment. This assignment is given throughout the program to ensure that the student is able to communicate effectively with the patient (i.e., reviewing protocols; performing the correct procedure on the correct patient; explaining the exam to adult and pediatric patient).
Grade
- Journal assignment will count for 5% of each Clinical Education final grade.
- Requisition review will count for 5% of each Clinical Education final grade.

RADT 308 – Radiographic Procedures III

First Year Project: Film Critique – formal writing assignment. Throughout the first two semesters, the student receives instruction on critiquing their images. This assignment, given at the completion of the first year, assures faculty that the student is able to critique an image and correct for any mistake. A series of informal writing assignments are given to prepare the student for the content portion of the freshmen project. The assignment is graded on content as well as format, grammar and spelling, and organization. A rubric is available to help the student with expectations of the assignment. The student is able to submit the assignment for review and feedback to improve writing skills.
Grading: The informal writing assignment will count for 15% of the RADT 308 grade.

RADT 425 – Ethics/Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Informal writing assignments are given throughout the program to prepare the student for their final projects in RADT 425. The assignments are graded on content as well as format, grammar and spelling, and organization. A rubric is available to help the student with expectations of the assignment. The student is able to submit the assignments for review and feedback to improve writing skills.
Final projects:
- Critical thinking project – formal oral and writing assignment. Throughout the program, clinical scenarios are discussed to assess student learning in the clinical environment. The student is taught to critically think through various scenarios to prepare them for their future as a radiographer. During RADT 425, the student is given an informal assignment (oral and writing) to prepare as a group. This informal assignment prepares them for their Critical Thinking Project. The student prepares and presents their scenario to the class to access student learning.
- Professional development plan – formal writing assignment. RT graduates must maintain competency throughout their career. During the program, the student is given informal writing assignments to prepare the student for their development plan including professional societies review, modality reviews, resume class and workshop, and interview class and workshop. This final writing assignment ensures that the student is prepared to maintain their professional status throughout their career.
Grade
- Critical Thinking Project and Professional Development Plan assignments will count for 30% of RADT 425 final grade throughout the program