National Diploma in Computed Tomography
Extend CT-related learning through integrated image evaluation, professional reasoning and quality improvement.
About the course
Extend CT-related learning through integrated image evaluation, professional reasoning and quality improvement. The proposed diploma assumes an established radiography foundation and an approved clinical learning route. Southern African service cases should examine the balance between diagnostic information, patient experience and responsible use of imaging resources.
What you'll learn
Interpret CT teaching images in relation to anatomy, acquisition and artefacts.
Evaluate image-quality and patient-protection evidence within learner scope.
Analyse a CT workflow or quality problem using documented information.
Prepare a supervised service-improvement investigation and defensible report.
Requirements
This proposed specialist study assumes an appropriate existing diagnostic-radiography qualification, current professional registration and access to approved CT supervision. BMIT must confirm the actual entry route and scope with the relevant regulator. It is not presented as an initial route into radiographer registration.
Course content
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
3 learning stages 19 subjects
1Stage 1: Foundations6 subjects
2Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects8 subjects
3Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration5 subjects
Subjects in this programme
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
19 subjects are listed below with a short description of each. The Subject descriptions tab contains the learning outcomes, topics, practical tasks and assessments.
Stage 1: Foundations
- Human Anatomy. Examine body organisation, musculoskeletal structures and their relationship within human anatomy. The subject develops thoracic structures and abdominal structures, then examines nervous structures and anatomical relationships. Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
- Human Physiology. Develop your understanding of human physiology through homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The subject develops respiration and renal function, then examines endocrine regulation and nervous function. Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
- General Pathology. Study cell injury and inflammation as foundations for general pathology. The subject develops repair and neoplasia, then examines circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms. Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
- Diagnostic Imaging Physics. Examine radiation interactions, image formation and their relationship within diagnostic imaging physics. The subject develops equipment principles and digital imaging, then examines image quality and protection. Interpret approved teaching images and supervised equipment demonstrations.
- Health Ethics and Professional Practice. Develop your understanding of health ethics and professional practice through consent and confidentiality. The subject develops scope of practice and equity, then examines professional accountability and ethical reasoning. Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
- Clinical Communication. Study listening and plain language as foundations for clinical communication. The subject develops cultural context and shared information, then examines team handover and documentation. Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
- CT Physics and Image Formation. Examine acquisition principles, detectors and their relationship within ct physics and image formation. The subject develops reconstruction and image parameters, then examines artefacts and quality evaluation. Analyse de-identified images and approved simulator data.
- CT Cross-Sectional Anatomy. Develop your understanding of ct cross-sectional anatomy through orientation and brain. The subject develops thorax and abdomen, then examines pelvis and musculoskeletal landmarks. Annotate approved CT teaching cases under qualified supervision.
- CT Clinical Practice. Study patient assessment context and examination planning as foundations for ct clinical practice. The subject develops contrast responsibilities and clinical workflow, then examines image review and handover. Complete approved CT observation and supervised practice within existing radiography scope.
- Radiation Protection. Examine justification, optimisation and their relationship within radiation protection. The subject develops exposure concepts and staff protection, then examines quality responsibilities and incident reporting. Analyse an authorised radiation-protection teaching case.
- Imaging Informatics. Develop your understanding of imaging informatics through digital images and image archives. The subject develops data standards and display, then examines privacy and workflow reliability. Use de-identified teaching data to review an imaging information workflow.
- Clinical Reasoning and Evidence. Study problem representation and differential reasoning as foundations for clinical reasoning and evidence. The subject develops evidence appraisal and diagnostic uncertainty, then examines referral and reflective practice. Analyse de-identified cases within the approved professional learner role.
- Pharmacology. Examine drug action, pharmacokinetics and their relationship within pharmacology. The subject develops therapeutic classes and adverse effects, then examines interactions and responsible medicine use. Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
- Quality and Patient Safety. Develop your understanding of quality and patient safety through care quality and patient experience. The subject develops safety incidents and clinical governance, then examines improvement methods and measurement. Review a de-identified service-quality case using approved data.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
- CT Quality Assurance. Study quality indicators and equipment checks as foundations for ct quality assurance. The subject develops dose information and artefact review, then examines audit and improvement. Analyse approved CT quality data with the responsible imaging team.
- Research Methods. Examine research questions, literature review and their relationship within research methods. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
- Integrated Supervised Clinical Practice. Develop your understanding of integrated supervised clinical practice through approved clinical roles and care coordination. The subject develops case reasoning and observed competence, then examines professional feedback and reflection. Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
- Project Development and Feasibility. Study problem definition and evidence review as foundations for project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
- Integrated Project and Technical Report. Examine implementation, evidence collection and their relationship within integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment and practical learning
- Proposed assessment: written case analyses, knowledge assessments and discussion of evidence and professional responsibilities.
- Observed simulation followed by assessed practice at an approved clinical site, with an authenticated competence portfolio.
- An applied service or evidence-review project. Clinical and final assessment requirements must be approved by the education provider and relevant regulator.
Practical application
Clinical practice requires authorised CT facilities, qualified supervision and formal assessment. Students must follow approved local protocols and remain within their professional registration. Any dose or protocol review requires the responsible imaging team. The outline does not confer independent diagnostic reporting or a new clinical licence.
Subject descriptions
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Stage 1: Foundations
Human Anatomy
Examine body organisation, musculoskeletal structures and their relationship within human anatomy. The subject develops thoracic structures and abdominal structures, then examines nervous structures and anatomical relationships. Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
Learning outcomes
- Explain body organisation and musculoskeletal structures using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving thoracic structures and abdominal structures.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing nervous structures and anatomical relationships.
Main topics
- Body organisation
- Musculoskeletal structures
- Thoracic structures
- Abdominal structures
- Nervous structures
- Anatomical relationships
Practical task
Study approved anatomical models and images in a supervised setting.
Assessment
Submit an annotated anatomy portfolio and identification assessment.
Human Physiology
Develop your understanding of human physiology through homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The subject develops respiration and renal function, then examines endocrine regulation and nervous function. Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain homeostasis and cardiovascular function using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving respiration and renal function.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing endocrine regulation and nervous function.
Main topics
- Homeostasis
- Cardiovascular function
- Respiration
- Renal function
- Endocrine regulation
- Nervous function
Practical task
Interpret physiological teaching data and supervised non-invasive demonstrations.
Assessment
Submit a function-based case analysis and data interpretation.
General Pathology
Study cell injury and inflammation as foundations for general pathology. The subject develops repair and neoplasia, then examines circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms. Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
Learning outcomes
- Explain cell injury and inflammation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving repair and neoplasia.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing circulatory disturbances and disease mechanisms.
Main topics
- Cell injury
- Inflammation
- Repair
- Neoplasia
- Circulatory disturbances
- Disease mechanisms
Practical task
Analyse de-identified teaching cases using approved pathology images.
Assessment
Submit a mechanism-based pathology report.
Diagnostic Imaging Physics
Examine radiation interactions, image formation and their relationship within diagnostic imaging physics. The subject develops equipment principles and digital imaging, then examines image quality and protection. Interpret approved teaching images and supervised equipment demonstrations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain radiation interactions and image formation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving equipment principles and digital imaging.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing image quality and protection.
Main topics
- Radiation interactions
- Image formation
- Equipment principles
- Digital imaging
- Image quality
- Protection
Practical task
Interpret approved teaching images and supervised equipment demonstrations.
Assessment
Submit an image-physics and quality-analysis portfolio.
Health Ethics and Professional Practice
Develop your understanding of health ethics and professional practice through consent and confidentiality. The subject develops scope of practice and equity, then examines professional accountability and ethical reasoning. Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
Learning outcomes
- Explain consent and confidentiality using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving scope of practice and equity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing professional accountability and ethical reasoning.
Main topics
- Consent
- Confidentiality
- Scope of practice
- Equity
- Professional accountability
- Ethical reasoning
Practical task
Discuss a simulated ethical dilemma with attention to patient rights.
Assessment
Submit a justified ethical decision and professional reflection.
Clinical Communication
Study listening and plain language as foundations for clinical communication. The subject develops cultural context and shared information, then examines team handover and documentation. Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Learning outcomes
- Explain listening and plain language using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving cultural context and shared information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing team handover and documentation.
Main topics
- Listening
- Plain language
- Cultural context
- Shared information
- Team handover
- Documentation
Practical task
Practise communication in supervised simulation using fictional cases.
Assessment
Complete an observed communication exercise and reflective record.
Stage 2: Technical and applied subjects
CT Physics and Image Formation
Examine acquisition principles, detectors and their relationship within ct physics and image formation. The subject develops reconstruction and image parameters, then examines artefacts and quality evaluation. Analyse de-identified images and approved simulator data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain acquisition principles and detectors using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving reconstruction and image parameters.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing artefacts and quality evaluation.
Main topics
- Acquisition principles
- Detectors
- Reconstruction
- Image parameters
- Artefacts
- Quality evaluation
Practical task
Analyse de-identified images and approved simulator data.
Assessment
Submit a CT physics and image-quality report.
CT Cross-Sectional Anatomy
Develop your understanding of ct cross-sectional anatomy through orientation and brain. The subject develops thorax and abdomen, then examines pelvis and musculoskeletal landmarks. Annotate approved CT teaching cases under qualified supervision.
Learning outcomes
- Explain orientation and brain using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving thorax and abdomen.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing pelvis and musculoskeletal landmarks.
Main topics
- Orientation
- Brain
- Thorax
- Abdomen
- Pelvis
- Musculoskeletal landmarks
Practical task
Annotate approved CT teaching cases under qualified supervision.
Assessment
Complete an image-based anatomy assessment.
CT Clinical Practice
Study patient assessment context and examination planning as foundations for ct clinical practice. The subject develops contrast responsibilities and clinical workflow, then examines image review and handover. Complete approved CT observation and supervised practice within existing radiography scope.
Learning outcomes
- Explain patient assessment context and examination planning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving contrast responsibilities and clinical workflow.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing image review and handover.
Main topics
- Patient assessment context
- Examination planning
- Contrast responsibilities
- Clinical workflow
- Image review
- Handover
Practical task
Complete approved CT observation and supervised practice within existing radiography scope.
Assessment
Submit an authenticated CT competence portfolio and case discussion.
Radiation Protection
Examine justification, optimisation and their relationship within radiation protection. The subject develops exposure concepts and staff protection, then examines quality responsibilities and incident reporting. Analyse an authorised radiation-protection teaching case.
Learning outcomes
- Explain justification and optimisation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving exposure concepts and staff protection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing quality responsibilities and incident reporting.
Main topics
- Justification
- Optimisation
- Exposure concepts
- Staff protection
- Quality responsibilities
- Incident reporting
Practical task
Analyse an authorised radiation-protection teaching case.
Assessment
Submit a protection review within the approved professional role.
Imaging Informatics
Develop your understanding of imaging informatics through digital images and image archives. The subject develops data standards and display, then examines privacy and workflow reliability. Use de-identified teaching data to review an imaging information workflow.
Learning outcomes
- Explain digital images and image archives using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving data standards and display.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing privacy and workflow reliability.
Main topics
- Digital images
- Image archives
- Data standards
- Display
- Privacy
- Workflow reliability
Practical task
Use de-identified teaching data to review an imaging information workflow.
Assessment
Submit a data-governance and workflow report.
Clinical Reasoning and Evidence
Study problem representation and differential reasoning as foundations for clinical reasoning and evidence. The subject develops evidence appraisal and diagnostic uncertainty, then examines referral and reflective practice. Analyse de-identified cases within the approved professional learner role.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem representation and differential reasoning using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving evidence appraisal and diagnostic uncertainty.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing referral and reflective practice.
Main topics
- Problem representation
- Differential reasoning
- Evidence appraisal
- Diagnostic uncertainty
- Referral
- Reflective practice
Practical task
Analyse de-identified cases within the approved professional learner role.
Assessment
Submit case analyses and an oral reasoning assessment.
Pharmacology
Examine drug action, pharmacokinetics and their relationship within pharmacology. The subject develops therapeutic classes and adverse effects, then examines interactions and responsible medicine use. Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
Learning outcomes
- Explain drug action and pharmacokinetics using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving therapeutic classes and adverse effects.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing interactions and responsible medicine use.
Main topics
- Drug action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Therapeutic classes
- Adverse effects
- Interactions
- Responsible medicine use
Practical task
Analyse de-identified medicine teaching cases within authorised learner scope.
Assessment
Submit a pharmacological reasoning report and knowledge assessment.
Quality and Patient Safety
Develop your understanding of quality and patient safety through care quality and patient experience. The subject develops safety incidents and clinical governance, then examines improvement methods and measurement. Review a de-identified service-quality case using approved data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain care quality and patient experience using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving safety incidents and clinical governance.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing improvement methods and measurement.
Main topics
- Care quality
- Patient experience
- Safety incidents
- Clinical governance
- Improvement methods
- Measurement
Practical task
Review a de-identified service-quality case using approved data.
Assessment
Submit a measurable quality-improvement proposal.
Stage 3: Supervised practice and integration
CT Quality Assurance
Study quality indicators and equipment checks as foundations for ct quality assurance. The subject develops dose information and artefact review, then examines audit and improvement. Analyse approved CT quality data with the responsible imaging team.
Learning outcomes
- Explain quality indicators and equipment checks using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving dose information and artefact review.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing audit and improvement.
Main topics
- Quality indicators
- Equipment checks
- Dose information
- Artefact review
- Audit
- Improvement
Practical task
Analyse approved CT quality data with the responsible imaging team.
Assessment
Submit a quality-assurance investigation and justified improvement plan.
Research Methods
Examine research questions, literature review and their relationship within research methods. The subject develops study design and data collection, then examines ethics and interpretation. Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Learning outcomes
- Explain research questions and literature review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving study design and data collection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing ethics and interpretation.
Main topics
- Research questions
- Literature review
- Study design
- Data collection
- Ethics
- Interpretation
Practical task
Prepare a feasible investigation proposal with a defined evidence need.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, methods rationale and ethics considerations.
Integrated Supervised Clinical Practice
Develop your understanding of integrated supervised clinical practice through approved clinical roles and care coordination. The subject develops case reasoning and observed competence, then examines professional feedback and reflection. Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
Learning outcomes
- Explain approved clinical roles and care coordination using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving case reasoning and observed competence.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing professional feedback and reflection.
Main topics
- Approved clinical roles
- Care coordination
- Case reasoning
- Observed competence
- Professional feedback
- Reflection
Practical task
Complete an approved placement with qualified clinical supervision and authenticated records.
Assessment
Pass direct clinical assessments and submit a reflective competence portfolio.
Project Development and Feasibility
Study problem definition and evidence review as foundations for project development and feasibility. The subject develops requirements and method selection, then examines feasibility and evaluation criteria. Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem definition and evidence review using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving requirements and method selection.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing feasibility and evaluation criteria.
Main topics
- Problem definition
- Evidence review
- Requirements
- Method selection
- Feasibility
- Evaluation criteria
Practical task
Develop an approved discipline-specific project proposal with a supervisor.
Assessment
Submit a proposal, evidence review and evaluation plan.
Integrated Project and Technical Report
Examine implementation, evidence collection and their relationship within integrated project and technical report. The subject develops analysis and verification, then examines limitations and communication. Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Learning outcomes
- Explain implementation and evidence collection using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving analysis and verification.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing limitations and communication.
Main topics
- Implementation
- Evidence collection
- Analysis
- Verification
- Limitations
- Communication
Practical task
Complete the approved project and maintain an auditable evidence record.
Assessment
Submit the final project, report and individual oral defence.
Instructors
