Mammography Technical Standards

Clinical Requirements

The technical standards as stated here reflect performance abilities necessary for a student to successfully complete the requirements of the Mammography curriculum. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, "A qualified person with a disability is one who can perform the essential function of a job with or without reasonable accommodation." Please read the standards carefully and seek clarification if necessary. According to the nature of the work required in Mammography, the student must be able to meet the following standards:

Technical Standard

Examples of Activities/Behaviors (not all inclusive)
Physical Ability - the ability to perform some physical act    
  • Lift and carry at least 30 pounds of weight in order to safely transport and use ancillary aids (cassettes, sandbags, portable equipment, etc.) when performing mammographic procedures
  • Safely move standard wheelchairs and stretchers with patients from the emergency or waiting areas to radiologic examining rooms and safely assist mobile patients from the stretcher or wheelchair to the examining table and back, without assistance
  • Safely move immobile patients from stretcher to examining table and back with assistance from department personnel
  • Lift, manipulate and move patients as necessary for the performance of mammography procedures
Visual ability - sufficient to access patients, view monitors and patient positions and perform procedures in dim lighting    
  • Read various sizes of print located on equipment and computers
  • Visually monitor patient for retention of correct position, correct breathing, motion or evidence of physical or emotional distress during the performances of Mammography procedures, including in dimly-lighted environments and from across a room. Requirements for visual acuity are correctable near vision to 20/40 in both eyes and correctable far vision to 20/40 in both eyes
Cognitive ability - mental capability involving reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking and complex idea comprehension
  • Monitor and evaluate patients’ vital signs, including taking temperatures and reading standard thermometers, taking blood pressure and monitoring respiration and pulse rate
Auditory ability - sufficient to monitor and assess patient’s needs  
  • Monitor equipment and background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person
  • Understand and correctly carry out oral instructions given by instructors and clinical personnel
Communication ability - sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form  
  • Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the patient, patient’s family, clinical personnel and others to obtain or disseminate information relevant to patient care and work duties
Critical thinking ability - the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment
  • Understand anatomy and associated pathology when performing Mammography procedures
  • Correctly select proper technical factors at control consoles and make necessary adjustments as needed for performance of exams
  • Follow the correct procedures in case of an emergency in the scanning area (contrast reactions, fire emergency, code blue, etc.)
  • Read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes and other records
  • Evaluate Mammography images for technical quality, including visual perception of contrast, evidence of motion and evaluation of minute structural details for evidence of blur
Mental acuity and emotional stability  
  • Demonstrate emotional stability and mental alertness in day-to-day interactions with patients, visitors, staff and peers in high-stress/pressure situations that occur in the Imaging environment

Declaration:

I have read and understand the technical standards required for Mammography. I hereby declare that:

□ I am/the student is able to meet the above listed essential technical standards.

□ I am/the student is unable to meet the above listed essential technical standards based on the following: (please list standard that cannot be met and give rationale)

_______________________________________
Name of Applicant (Print or type)

_______________________________________
Signature of Applicant

_______________________________________
Date

**If a Mammography student believes that he or she cannot meet one or more of the standards without accommodation or modifications, the college must determine, on an individual basis, whether or not the necessary accommodations or modifications can be made reasonably.