Advanced Medical Imaging

Course Description

RTE2563C – Advanced Medical Imaging is an advanced radiography course covering specialized imaging procedures beyond routine diagnostic radiography. It is normally taken late in a Radiography A.S. program, after the student has completed positioning, image production, and several clinical rotations.

This number carries unusually wide variation across Florida institutions, and students should read the caution in Special Information before assuming equivalency. The same SCNS number appears under at least four titles: Advanced Medical Imaging in the statewide inventory, Advanced Image Modalities, Procedures and Pathologies at Broward College, Principles of Radiography III at Valencia College, and Selected Radiographic Special Procedures I at Daytona State College — where it carries 5 credits rather than the 3 common elsewhere.

The content shared across those versions covers specialized radiographic procedures — arthrography, hysterosalpingography, myelography, sialography, orthoroentgenography, and venography; angiography and interventional radiology including catheterization, contrast injection, and the imaging suite; surgical radiography and C-arm operation; mammography and its distinct regulatory environment; bone densitometry; and advanced modalities — computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine — at the level a radiographer needs to understand referral, patient preparation, and cross-modality correlation.

Most versions also address pathology as it presents radiographically across body systems, cross-sectional anatomy, and contrast media including reaction recognition and emergency response.

Offered at approximately 15 Florida institutions with JRCERT-accredited radiography programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

• Describe specialized radiographic procedures and the clinical indications for each.
• Describe patient preparation, positioning, and imaging sequence for arthrography, myelography, and hysterosalpingography.
• Describe contrast media types, routes, dosing considerations, and contraindications.
• Recognize contrast reactions and describe the appropriate emergency response.
• Describe angiographic and interventional procedures, equipment, and the radiographer's role.
• Describe sterile technique and the radiographer's responsibilities in the interventional suite.
• Operate or describe operation of mobile and C-arm fluoroscopy in the surgical setting.
• Describe radiation protection considerations specific to fluoroscopy and surgical imaging.
• Describe mammographic imaging and the regulatory requirements governing it.
• Describe bone densitometry and the interpretation of its output.
• Describe the physical principles, indications, and limitations of CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine.
• Identify anatomy on cross-sectional images in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes.
• Describe MRI safety zones, screening, and ferromagnetic hazards.
• Correlate common pathologies with their radiographic appearance and adjust technique accordingly.
• Evaluate advanced images for diagnostic quality and identify causes of suboptimal results.
• Describe the advanced-modality certification pathways available after ARRT primary certification.

Optional Outcomes

• Describe pediatric imaging modifications and dose reduction strategies.
• Describe trauma imaging protocols and modified positioning.
• Describe cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology imaging.
• Describe PACS, DICOM, and image management workflow.
• Describe radiation therapy imaging and simulation.
• Describe quality assurance and quality control programs for advanced equipment.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Contrast media — ionic and non-ionic, osmolality, routes, and reaction management.
• Arthrography — indications, joints imaged, and procedure sequence.
• Myelography — indications, positioning, and post-procedure care.
• Hysterosalpingography and sialography — indications and technique.
• Orthoroentgenography and long bone measurement.
• Angiography — vascular anatomy, catheterization, injectors, and digital subtraction.
• Interventional radiology — angioplasty, stenting, embolization, and drainage.
• Sterile technique — the sterile field, gowning, and the radiographer's role.
• Surgical and mobile radiography — C-arm operation, orientation, and OR protocol.
• Mammography — positioning, equipment, and MQSA requirements.
• Bone densitometry — DXA technique and reporting.
• Computed tomography — principles, protocols, reconstruction, and dose.
• Magnetic resonance imaging — principles, sequences, and MRI safety zones.
• Ultrasound and nuclear medicine — principles, indications, and correlation.
• Cross-sectional anatomy — axial, sagittal, and coronal identification.
• Pathology and radiographic appearance — by body system, with technique implications.

Optional Topics

• Pediatric imaging and dose optimization.
• Trauma imaging protocols.
• Cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology.
• PACS, DICOM, and informatics.
• Radiation therapy simulation.
• Quality assurance programs.

Resources & Tools

• Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, Volume 3 (Elsevier) — the standard reference for special procedures.
• Radiographic Pathology (Kowalczyk) or Introduction to Radiologic Sciences and Patient Care (Adler & Carlton), Elsevier.
• Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Professionals (Kelley & Petersen) — where cross-sectional anatomy is emphasized.
• ARRT — content specifications for the Radiography examination and for post-primary certification in CT, MR, mammography, and vascular-interventional radiography.
• ASRT — practice standards, continuing education, and student membership.
• JRCERT — the accrediting body for Florida radiography programs.
• Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control — state licensure requirements and rules.
• ACR appropriateness criteria — freely available, and useful for understanding why a modality is chosen.
• Clinical affiliate facilities, C-arm and fluoroscopy laboratories, and PACS workstations.

Career Pathways

• Radiologic Technologist (SOC 29-2034) — the base credential this course supports.
• CT Technologist — the most common post-primary specialization and a strong Florida hiring area.
• MRI Technologist (SOC 29-2035) — typically higher compensation, requires post-primary certification.
• Interventional / Cardiovascular Radiographer — specialized and well compensated.
• Mammographer — requires MQSA-compliant training and ARRT post-primary certification.
• Bone Densitometry Technologist.
• Surgical Radiographer — operating room imaging.
• Applications Specialist and PACS Administrator — vendor and health-system roles.
• Lead Technologist and Radiology Manager — with a bachelor's degree.

Florida's large and older population sustains high imaging volume, and the major systems — AdventHealth, Orlando Health, BayCare, HCA Florida, Baptist Health — hire radiographers continuously, with advanced-modality credentials commanding the strongest offers.

Special Information

⚠ This number varies more than almost any other in the inventory

RTE2563 and RTE2563C appear under at least four distinct titles in Florida catalogs, with credit values from 3 to 5:

The values given at the top of this guide reflect the most common configuration. Students must verify credits, content, and the C suffix with their own institution, and anyone evaluating transfer credit should compare syllabi rather than titles. Radiography programs are cohort-based and sequential, so transferring mid-program is difficult regardless of how the numbers line up.

Florida requires state licensure in addition to ARRT certification

This trips up graduates who assume national certification is sufficient. To practice in Florida a radiographer must hold a Florida Department of Health certification issued by the Bureau of Radiation Control — a state credential separate from ARRT registration. Both are required, they renew on different schedules, and the state credential is what actually authorizes practice in Florida. Apply for both before the job start date.

Advanced modality certification is a post-primary pathway

This course introduces CT, MRI, and mammography; it does not certify anyone in them. ARRT post-primary certification requires primary certification in radiography first, plus documented clinical experience in the specialty and a separate examination. Most technologists earn CT within a year or two of entering practice, and it is the single most reliable way to raise earnings early.

MRI safety is not a classroom abstraction

The magnet is always on. Ferromagnetic objects brought into Zone IV become projectiles, and people have been killed. Any radiographer who may enter an MRI environment — including to transport a patient — needs screening discipline and zone awareness, and this is one topic where the course content maps directly onto physical safety.

Position in the program

Normally taken in the final year, after positioning, image production, radiation biology, and several clinical rotations. Prerequisites vary and are enforced with minimum grades — Broward requires RTE2112, RTE2112L, RTE2763, and RTE2844 at a C or better, with RTE2061 and RTE2854 as pre- or corequisites. Verify locally.