Prerequisites for admission.

Admission to the degree programme is subject to the possession of a secondary school diploma or equivalent suitable qualification obtained abroad.
Admission to the programme is subject to the passing of an entrance exam set in line with the laws in force concerning health professions and and the nationally programmed access (Law 264/99) and the relative call for admissions issued by UNIMORE.
Knowledge required for admission is deemed to be appropriate for all candidates obtaining a minimum of 20 points in the entrance exam, as laid down in Ministerial Decree no. 85 of 5 February 2014.
Candidates not achieving this score shall be assigned additional learning requirements (OFA) to be completed by attending the remedial courses indicated by the degree programme.

Skills associated with the function

Medical radiology technician
Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques are qualified to perform all tasks using natural and artificial ionising radiation thermal energy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance techniques and interventions for physical and dosimetric protection autonomously or in cooperation with other health professionals. Graduates provide their services in:
- Diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and medical physics departments and wards, in hospitals and other national health service facilities and similar private structures, scientific clinics and institutions;
- production industries and sales agencies working in diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy;
- university and non-university biomedical research centres;
- universities and training departments of national health boards providing training in diagnostic techniques.
Specifically, graduates will have methodological and technical competences in basic and special radiological projections of the skeleton, chest, gastrointestinal and uro-genital systems.
Management skills in the organisation of radiology for the correct use of conventional radiology equipment and techniques. They will work in compliance with radiation protection and safety regulations applicable to users and operators. Developing interpersonal skills to use with users and the team, they will be able to gather and interpret data and situations characterising the professional activity of the Radiologist.
They will competently apply senological diagnostic techniques, scans, computed tomography, angiography, haemodynamics and magnetic resonance techniques and the techniques applied to nuclear medicine and radiotherapy, also using professional judgement.
Ability to identify problems and take decisions on problems and techniques concerning radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy and medical physics.
They will be able to identify the priorities and most appropriate techniques for each patient, planning interventions and deciding on the most appropriate evidence-based techniques
available. Will act safely also considering the ethical and legal dimensions of the Radiologist profession.

Function in a work context

Medical radiology technician
In the technical profession of medical radiology, imaging and radiotherapy, graduates are healthcare workers with duties attributed by decree of the Ministry of Health no. 746 of 26 September 1994 and amendments; they are responsible for the assigned duties and authorised to carry out imaging and radiological services, in compliance with radio-protection regulations. In compliance with the provisions of Italian law no. 25 of 31 January 1983, technicians in medical radiology are qualified to work autonomously or in cooperation with other health professionals, or following medical prescription, performing all the activities which entail the use of ionising radiation sources, both artificial and natural, of thermal, ultrasonic, nuclear magnetic resonance, as well as all work for physical or dosimetry protection; they participate in the planning and organisation of their work within their organisation, according to their own competencies; they deliver the services in direct collaboration with the radio diagnostic physician, nuclear physician, radiotherapist or health physicist, following diagnostic and treatment protocols defined in advance with the facility manager; they are responsible for their own activities, monitoring the correct functioning of the equipment they are in charge of, eliminating any minor problems and implementing monitoring programmes to guarantee quality according to pre-set indicators and standards; they work in public and private health facilities, as employees or on a freelance basis; they contribute to the training of support staff and proactively work to develop their own professional skills and research work.
The university provides appropriate training in protection from ionising radiations as part of this professional study programme.

Educational goals

Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques must have acquired the knowledge, skills and aptitudes for exercising the Medical Radiologist profession as described in the specific professional profile.
Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques are qualified to perform all tasks using natural and artificial ionising radiation thermal energy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance techniques and interventions for physical and dosimetric protection autonomously or in cooperation with other health professionals.
They must have appropriate training in the protection from ionising and non-ionising radiation.
These skills must be immediately exploitable at work.
To achieve these purposes graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques must be able to:
• use control instruments and methodologies, evaluation and review of the quality of equipment and technical procedures;
• implement the provisions concerning safety and protection from ionising, non-ionising radiation and biological risk, using personal protective equipment;
• establish professional and empathic communication with users and colleagues;
• ensure the comfort, safety and privacy of the patients during diagnostic investigations and interventions and radiotherapy treatments;
• act competently and responsibly towards patients, the work team, the institutions and civil society, adopting professional behaviour in line with ethical principles;
• guarantee the required assistance to patients during the execution of the radiological procedures;
• welcome and manage patients during preparation for diagnostic investigation or radiotherapy, acquiring their informed consent, for the activities under their responsibility;
• be able to use first aid techniques in the event of an emergency;
• collaborate with other health professions, colleagues and all staff to assure the optimal operation of the service, helping to solve problems;
• use the information systems in the health services to gather and analyse data and manage information;
• research the best scientific evidence to study areas of uncertainty or improve their own professional practice;
• be open to lifelong learning, guaranteeing the highest professional levels;
• contribute to training health staff in their field of competence:
• contribute to research in the health field:
• be proficient in the English language, to acquire and exchange instructions and information in scientific and professional fields;
• In particular graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques must be able to:
Radiology
• autonomously perform radiological exams prescribed medically
on the skeleton, chest, abdomen, breast and
dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, CT and MR without contrasting means, in
compliance with protocols and guidelines set nationally and
internationally;
• cooperate with the health team to perform radiological procedures
in emergencies and urgent situations, in the operating theatre, on
patients in bed, in CT, MR and angiography;
• cooperate directly with the radiology doctor for all remaining
diagnostic investigations and interventions using ionising
and non-ionising radiations, thermal energy and ultrasound;
• manage the procedures for acquisition, processing, archiving and transmission
of radiological exams using HIS, RIS, PACS systems;
Radiotherapy
• cooperate with the radiotherapy doctor and health physician to
set and perform radiotherapy, including all
collateral radiological investigations and dosimetric operations that are
complementary to this;
• prepare and use auxiliary shielding, centring and
patient immobilisation means;
• prepare and position the patient for the
radiotherapy treatment and check they are correctly centred;
• implement the procedures guaranteeing quality assurance of the
radiotherapy equipment;
• perform the dosimetric control of the radiotherapy equipment;
• cooperate with the radiotherapy doctor and health physician to
establish and perform Brachytherapy, IMRT,
stereotaxy, tomotherapy, TBI and IORT;
• manage the technical component of the radiotherapy records under their responsibility;
• acquire specific skills in the assessment, management and
control of cancer patients, also in cooperation with other
health professionals.
Nuclear Medicine
• receive the radioactive sources managing their
registration, storage and disposal of radioactive waste
and relative registrations;
• perform the operations necessary for the production of isotopes by
Ciclotrone and the preparation of radioactive doses to be administered to
patients and handled in vitro and all other operations
concerning the hot chamber;
• implement the procedures guaranteeing quality assurance of the
Nuclear Medicine equipment and the control of
environmental and staff contamination;
• cooperate with the nuclear physician in performing
diagnostic investigations and radiometabolic procedures;
• cooperate with the nuclear physician in studies and in vitro examinations using
equipment to measure the presence of radionuclides in samples;
• perform all static and dynamic scintigraphic exams,
SPECT, PET and MOC investigations and any other exams using hybrid technologies;
• ensure the decontamination of contaminated objects and environments and
perform all radiation protection operations in line with the
regulations in force;
• manage the procedures for the acquisition, processing and archiving of
diagnostic exams;
• cooperate with the nuclear physician in studies and in vivo/vitro examinations
concerning the research, development and use of new
generation radio-drugs;
Health Physics
• have in-depth knowledge of national and international legislation
concerning the protection from ionising and non-ionising radiation and
the referred institutions;
• apply the Principles and procedures of radiation protection and safety in MR;
• collaborate with qualified experts in physical surveillance for
protection against ionising radiation;
• use specific equipment for measuring
ionising radiation (ionisation chambers, Geiger-Muller counters and dosimeters) and
the qualitative and quantitative analysis of radioactive isotopes (dose calibrators,
sodium hydroxide and germanium detectors and multi-channel
analysers);
• take dosimetric measurements and environmental and staff contamination
measurements, both internal and external.
• perform gamma spectrometries on food and other samples;
• use control and quality assessment tools on
RX, MR and ultrasonic equipment and display monitors,
processing and reporting on radiological exams;
• express their technical opinion during acquisition, testing and
installation of new equipment, also after any
repairs;
• collaborate with the health physician in performing
acceptance tests and operating tests on equipment;
• collaborate with the health physician in the periodic checking of LDRs;
• check the calibration of instrumentation for
quality assurance of equipment;
• collaborate with the health physician in dosimetric operations on
radiotherapy equipment;
• establish radiotherapy and
stereotaxic radio surgery care plans;
• perform quality controls on radio-drugs;
• contribute to training health staff in radiation protection and physical research in the health field;
CURRICULUM
Year 1
Aiming to ensure solid knowledge of essential theoretical disciplines deriving from basic sciences with a view to their subsequent professional use. The foundations of the key disciplines of the Radiology Technician profession and the concepts of radiation protection and safety as prerequisites for tackling the first internships, guiding students in the referred professional fields for the acquisition of basic skills.
The internship of at least 250 hours will take place in conventional bone and visceral radio diagnostics, operating theatres and the accident and emergency department.
The minimum standards defining the number of activities in which the students must have participated or completed using technical and professional autonomy, in direct collaboration with radio diagnostic physicians, nuclear physicians, radiotherapists and health physicians, are described in (D.M. 746/94 Professional Profile).
Learning outcomes:
Main components of portable, remote controlled RX equipment and Computed Radiography and Direct Radiography.
RX projections - basic level (see annex to exam in TRAD-7).
Visceral exams (see annex to exam in TRAD-7).
Description of an HIS, RIS and PACS.
General description of a RIS-PACS system.
Description of a radiological request procedure in RIS-PACS.
Information control systems
Main procedures and use of PPE for biological risk in the hospital (accident and emergency and operating theatre)
Procedures and use of PPE against ionising radiation in diagnostics, operating theatre and bedside exams. Special radiation protection procedures for fertile women and minors
Safety procedures for Magnetic Resonance
Main radiation protection laws and decontamination procedures in Nuclear Medicine The professional profile of the radiologist and the code of ethics.
Organisation and professional figures in a radiology department
Rights, duties and responsibilities of public employees and health professionals
Privacy and professional secrecy in health
Interpersonal methods and empathy with patients.
Year 2
Aiming to further study, specific sectors, procedures and diagnostic imaging techniques including CR and DR equipment, senology, scans, computed tomography, angiography and magnetic resonance as well as the basic techniques of nuclear medicine in radiotherapy and oncology.
Interpersonal and communication skills will also be developed.
Internships offer practical experience of different contexts, in which students are able to experiment the acquired knowledge, methodologies and techniques.
The internship of at least 500 hours will be done in the radio-diagnostic areas of computed tomography, nuclear magnetic resonance, angiography, haemodynamics, MOC and scans and specialist areas of radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and medical physics.
The minimum standards defining the number of activities in which the students must have participated or completed using technical and professional autonomy, in direct collaboration with radio diagnostic physicians, nuclear physicians, radiotherapists and health physicians, are described in (D.M. 746/94 Professional Profile).
Learning outcomes:
Acquire practical competences in basic senologic diagnostic techniques, scans,
computed tomography, angiography, haemodynamics and magnetic resonance as well as basic
techniques applied to nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Develop interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to gather and
interpret data and situations characterising the professional activity of the Radiologist.
Year 3
Specialist study of radiology, with particular reference to interventional radiology, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Studies will also focus on the acquisition of knowledge and methodologies for exercising the profession, health legislation and the organisation of services, as well as legal, bioethical and ethical principles inspiring the profession.
The relevance of the internship performed increases, and students are able to experiment the gradual assumption of autonomy and responsibility with the supervision of tutors. This logic is confirmed by the choice of credits allocated to the internship, which increase gradually from year 1 to year 3.
The internship of at least 750 hours will cover all specific area of the professional profile: radio diagnostics, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and medical physics.
The minimum standards defining the number of activities in which the students must have participated or completed using technical and professional autonomy, in direct collaboration with radio diagnostic physicians, nuclear physicians, radiotherapists and health physicians, are described in (D.M. 746/94 Professional Profile).
Learning outcomes
Acquire competence and the ability to make judgements applied to computed tomography and
magnetic resonance. Acquire the ability to make judgements and skills applied to basic and
advanced techniques of nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Acquire the ability to identify problems and take decisions on problems and techniques,
in radiology, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy.
Ability to identify the most appropriate priorities and techniques for each patient, ability to plan
interventions and decide on the most appropriate techniques based on the available scientific evidence.
Acquire the ability to act safely also considering the
ethical and legal dimensions marking the Radiologist profession.

Communication skills

1st cycle graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques:
- communicate ideas, information, problems and solutions effectively and comprehensibly
to a general and specialist audience, motivating their
work and the decisions taken;
- demonstrate the ability to listen and understand users, colleagues, doctors and
other professional figures;
- communicate with users fully respecting cultural or
ethnic differences;
- adapt the language, where necessary also using the English language,
checking that the audience has understood the information provided;
- use different information and computing technologies in their
working environment.
Learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes:
- Videos and critical analysis of films, simulations, narration and testimonials;
- Discussion of case studies and paradigmatic relations in small groups
and presentations in plenary sessions;
- Group and individual work in the computer laboratory on specific
applications;
- Internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts and
debriefing sessions to reflect on and process the interpersonal experiences
with users and the team.
Assessment tools for verifying the achieved results
- Examination of film frames, documents and dialogues using
structured grids;
- Feedback during the internship (using portfolios,
structured evaluation sheets and clinical reports);

Making Judgements

1st cycle graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques are able to:
- gather and interpret data and situations characterising their
professional activity in order to develop autonomous thought and
judgement skills, including thought on key practices and issues of a
social, scientific or ethical nature;
- use critical thought to perform effective
diagnostic and therapeutic services;
- take responsibility for their own actions according to the objectives
and priorities of the work activity;
- identify criticalities in the organisation or
diagnostic/therapeutic techniques, proposing solutions and applying
the best possible evidence in full compliance with ethical standards.
Learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes:
- Discussion of case studies in small groups and presentations to the class;
- Internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts and
progressively assuming autonomy and responsibility;
- Debriefing sessions to reflect on and process the experience of professional practice.
professional profile.
Assessment tools for verifying the achieved results:
- Written and oral exams, case studies;
- Feedback during the internship (using structured assessment sheets).
structured evaluation and clinical reports on professional practice);

Learning skills

Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques have developed the ability, strategies, learning methods and practical competencies required to continue with further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
In particular:
- they demonstrate their self-assessment skills and identify their
own learning and development needs;
- they demonstrate the ability to study independently;
- they demonstrate autonomy in searching for the information necessary to solve
problems and uncertainties in their professional practice, critically selecting
literature;
- they promote their knowledge in academic and professional contexts.
Learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the learning outcomes:
- Problem-based learning (PBL);
- Use of self-learning plans and contracts to
make students responsible for planning
and self-assessing their own internship;
- Workshops on methodologies of paper and electronic bibliographic research;
- Guided reading for the critical assessment of scientific and
professional literature in both Italian and English.
Assessment tools for verifying the achieved results
- Project work, reports on specific research projects;
- Tutor supervision of the internship;
- Active participation in project work and debriefing sessions.

Knowledge and understanding

BASIC PREPARATORY SCIENCES
Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques possess knowledge and understanding in the following fields:
- PREPARATORY SCIENCES promoting learning of constructive concepts
and methods of using the typical equipment of the
Medical radiology technician profession;
- BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES to understand human anatomy and physiological
and pathological processes linked to health and
disease;
- HYGIENE AND PREVENTION SCIENCES for understanding the determinants of health,
hazards and risk factors, prevention strategies,
collective and individual protection systems and interventions for
protection of health and safety of workers and users;
- DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TECHNICAL SCIENCES to guarantee the use of
appropriate methods and technologies, ensuring the required radiation protection
and safety measures;
- PSYCHO-SOCIAL, ETHICAL, LEGAL AND ORGANISATIONAL SCIENCES for understanding
the organisational complexity of the National Health System and
the importance and utility of working in compliance with regulations and
directives. These aim to facilitate the understanding of professional autonomy,
working relations and areas of integration and
interdependence with other health workers;
- COMPUTER STUDIES AND LANGUAGES to know and understand the
English language and computerised information management processes and
clinical-radiological images.
Learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the
learning outcomes:
- Lectures;
- Guided reading and application;
- Videos, slides, diagrams and graphs;
- Seminars;
- Self-study;
- Discussion of case studies.

Applying knowledge and understanding

BASIC PREPARATORY SCIENCES
Graduates in Imaging and Radiotherapy Techniques apply knowledge and understanding in the radiological sciences field in order to:
- demonstrate a professional approach to work, with appropriate competences
and the ability to support reasoned ideas and solve
even interdisciplinary problems and issues linked to their field of study;
- develop reasoning in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques
guaranteeing the use of appropriate methods and technologies and ensuring the
necessary measures radiation protection and safety measures;
- integrate knowledge and skills, cooperating to maintain high quality standards
in different contexts of Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy
of Nuclear Medicine and Medical Physics.
Learning methods and activities, teaching tools to develop the
learning outcomes:
- Lectures;
- Demonstrations, diagrams and graphs;
- Discussion of case studies and presentations to the class;
- Exercises and simulations;
- Internship with experiences supervised by tutors in different contexts and
progressively assuming autonomy and responsibility.
Assessment tools for verifying the achieved results:
- Written and oral exams, case studies, project work, reports;
- Feedback during the internship (using portfolios,
structured evaluation and reports on professional practice);