Technical Standards

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

The Sonoma County Junior College District is committed to an environment in which all employees and students are treated with respect and dignity.  Each employee and student has the right to work/learn in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal opportunity and is free from unlawful discriminatory practices. For guidance on specific policies and procedures related to non-discrimination (Policy 8.2.1) and access for students with disabilities (Policy 8.1.1) please refer to the Santa Rosa Junior College Board Policy Manual.

NECESSARY SKILLS

The Radiologic Technology curriculum requires students to engage in diverse, complex, and specific experiences essential to the acquisition and practice of essential healthcare skills and functions. Unique combinations of cognitive, affective, psychomotor, physical, and social abilities are required to satisfactorily perform these functions. In addition to being essential to the successful completion of the requirements of the Radiologic Technology program, these technical standards are necessary to ensure the health and safety of patients, fellow candidates, faculty and other healthcare providers.

Students must be able to perform the essential functions of a radiologic technologist in any facility/department in which they are attending clinical training. These functions include:

  • Ability to distinguish colors
  • Ability to see within 20 inches or as far as 20 feet (corrective lenses acceptable).
  • Accurately document patient care on paper and/or in the electronic health record in a timely manner.
  • Adapt to unexpected changes and stressful situations.
  • Assemble and transport a wide range of equipment and supplies to and from patient rooms and other clinical care areas. 
  • Assist patients with mobility, which may include turning, sitting up, moving patients in and out of beds, gurneys, chairs and x-ray examination tables.
  • Communicate effectively with the patient or health care team including the ability to communicate with a patient from outside the room or with the patient facing away from you during radiographic examinations.
  • Communicate with patients, caregivers, family members, and other healthcare personnel in a manner that is clear, articulate, accurate, and ensures that the plan of care is understood.
  • Empathize with the feelings and situations of others.
  • Establish and maintain professional relationships with faculty, other students, staff of affiliating agencies, and members of the community.
  • Express feelings and ideas in a professional manner.
  • Hand/finger dexterity to accomplish duties requiring repetitive motions/actions such as manipulating radiographic and medical equipment and accessories by reaching, pulling, extending, flipping switches, rotating knobs and activating buttons.
  • Exercise critical thinking and good judgment in stressful situations related to technical and procedural standards and patient care situations.
  • Kneeling/crouching for extended periods of time.
  • Maintain self-control during difficult situations.
  • Move radiographic equipment and manipulate patient body parts to maximize efficiency and visibility of radiographic examinations.
  • Perform emergency care in a safe and timely manner including the initiation of life saving interventions such as CPR when indicated.
  • Possess adequate sense of hearing (i/e/ ability to hear alarms, patients/patients’ families, instructions from physicians/department staff, etc.)
  • Provide and accept feedback respectfully.
  • Provide physical and emotional support to the patients during radiographic procedures.
  • Pushing/pulling (i.e. wheelchairs, gurneys, medical equipment)
  • Reaching with both arms: up, down, side to side
  • Respond quickly and appropriately to emergency situation using the English language.
  • Safely work in all levels of hospital or radiology department lighting that varies from low levels of illumination to bright light levels.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Solve problems and plan care within reasonable time frames in complex environments.
  • Standing for extended periods of time.
  • Tolerate strong, unpleasant odors.
  • Walking (to and from patient areas, assisting patients to walk, etc.)
  • Wear a N-95 respirator when interacting with a patient in respiratory precautions.
  • Work and move safely in tight spaces already crowded with other patient care apparatus.

 

Process of Reasonable Accommodation

The Radiologic Technology Program is committed to ensuring that otherwise qualified students with disabilities are given reasonable accommodations. Students with disabilities who wish to request these accommodations are encouraged to contact the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to determine eligibility for services prior to the start of the program. While the process can be initiated at any time, reasonable accommodations cannot be implemented until eligibility has been formally established with DRD. The Disability Resources Department can be reached at 707-527-4278. Information about the department can be found on their web page at: https://drd.santarosa.edu/.

If unable to perform any of these functions, notify the program director upon acceptance to the Radiologic Technology program. Since degrees of ability vary widely among individuals, the Radiologic Technology Program is committed to creating access to qualified individuals with a disability using a case-by-case analysis. The program remains flexible with regard to the types of reasonable accommodations that can be made in the college’s classroom and clinical settings. Students with disabilities are invited to offer suggestions for accommodations that have worked in the past. Accommodations made will specifically address the limitations of the disability. Our belief is that accommodation should be tailored to individual situations. The process for determining the type of reasonable accommodation in the clinical setting shall be determined by the Disability Resources Department and Radiologic Technology program director.

 

Still Have Questions? 

Email to (healthsciences@santarosa.edu ) with your name, preferred email address, program with which you're inquiring and/or faculty member you're trying to reach.  We will then respond to your email or route it to the appropriate staff/faculty.

The Health Sciences Team is here to support you during this time so please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Be well,

Your Health Sciences Administrative Team