Albany Technical College cuts ribbon on new Energized Radiological lab

ALBANY — Albany Technical College celebrated National Radiologic Technology Week Thursday by cutting a ribbon on its newly energized radiologic technology lab.

Inside an 18-foot by 16-foot room with a fully functional x-ray machine, the newly energized lab has a patient table capable of moving up and down and a floating tabletop capable of moving in four directions. It also has an upright image receptor holder that is adjustable in height to accommodate the different types of upright exams.

There is also an observation window so that students can observe procedures from the outside of the room, as well as a spacious control area inside the room that can accommodate additional students.

The x-ray tube is mounted on a rolling track suspended from the ceiling to give students a wide range of motion to move the x-ray tube into most any position needed for x-ray studies. The radiographs (x-ray images) are performed on two real bone phantoms and processed in a device called a reader and are then processed and ready for viewing on a computer monitor in about 45 seconds.

One body phantom is on the x-ray table, the second on a rolling cart and is used to simulate an upright patient and used with the upright image holder.

“The equipment is very similar to what the students use in their clinical sites here in Albany and Cordele and should help them to gain a better understanding of the use of the equipment and the skills necessary to properly position the patients they encounter,” said Richard Parker, Chair of the Radiologic Technology program at Albany Technical College.

Students will be tested throughout the length of the program on their ability to use the equipment in what is called a performance test. The test will simulate the conditions encountered by the students in their clinical training and is necessary for them to move on to the next stage, which is radiographing an actual patient.