General Information

The Certificate in X-Ray Technician program at Mahatma Gandhi Ayurvigyan Vidyapeeth prepares students with foundational technical knowledge and practical skills required in diagnostic radiography. Over one year, learners study human anatomy, radiographic imaging principles, radiation safety, equipment maintenance, and patient positioning. Through structured theoretical instruction and clinical practicum, the course emphasizes accurate imaging protocols and safety standards within clinical environments.

1. Course Duration: 1 Year
2. Minimum Qualification: 10+2 passed in Science stream
3. Course Category: PARAMEDICAL
4. Total Marks: 600 (Theory 600, 6 subjects)

Course Objectives

• Teach human anatomy and foundational principles of radiographic imaging for accurate diagnostic support.
• Develop practical competence in operating, maintaining, and calibrating various diagnostic X-ray machines and tools.
• Train learners in proper patient positioning, care, and preparation for diverse radiological examinations.
• Instill strict adherence to standard radiation safety measures, protocols, and protective equipment guidelines.

Learning Outcomes

• Operate diagnostic X-ray equipment safely and effectively in clinical settings.
• Position patients accurately for standard radiographic examinations and procedures.
• Apply radiation safety protocols to protect patients, staff, and self.
• Process and assess radiographic images for diagnostic clarity and technical quality.
• Demonstrate professional ethics, communication, and basic patient care during radiological procedures.

Pass & Division Criteria

The maximum marks and minimum pass marks of Theory and Practical of each subject are given in the Mark Distribution table below. To pass, a candidate must score the minimum pass marks separately in both Theory and Practical of every subject.

The division is decided on the aggregate percentage of marks obtained, as follows —

Mark Distribution

Total marks of the course : 600

Detailed Syllabus

1. Introduction to Human Body Systems — Study the anatomical organization of the human body, cell structures, primary tissues, and standard anatomical terms used in positioning.
2. Skeletal System and Bone Structure — Learn classifications of bones, axial and appendicular skeleton frameworks, joint types, and basic anatomical landmarks for radiological examination.
3. Respiratory and Circulatory Systems — Understand anatomy of lungs, trachea, heart, and major blood vessels to evaluate routine chest radiographs and mediastinal structures properly.
4. Digestive and Abdominal Anatomy — Explore the alimentary tract, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen, detailing organ locations for plain abdominal radiographic assessments.
5. Urinary and Reproductive Systems — Study kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and male and female reproductive organs relevant to specialized abdominal radiographic examinations.
6. Basic Physics of Radiography — Understand matter, atomic structure, electromagnetic radiation principles, X-ray discovery, and properties of diagnostic X-rays used in imaging.
7. Production and Properties of X-Rays — Learn continuous and characteristic radiation generation, interactions of X-rays with matter, and attenuation processes within human tissues.
8. Radiographic Image Formation and Factors — Examine beam geometry, focal spot size, optical density, image contrast, sharpness, magnification, and factors governing final radiographic quality.
9. Radiographic Exposure Factors — Understand peak kilovoltage, milliampere-seconds, exposure time, source-to-image distance, and their clinical adjustments for different body habitus.
10. Radiographic Grids and Scattered Radiation — Learn grid types, grid ratios, scatter reduction techniques, collimation principles, and beam restricting devices used in image acquisition.

1. Components of Modern X-Ray Tube — Study anode, cathode, filament construction, focusing cup, target material, glass envelope, and housing design of diagnostic X-ray tubes.
2. Heat Dissipation and Tube Ratings — Learn heat loading factors, anode cooling charts, tube rating charts, and operational steps to prevent thermal damage to tubes.
3. High-Voltage Generators and Transformers — Examine step-up and step-down transformers, auto-transformers, rectification systems, and high-frequency generator circuits used in diagnostic radiography.
4. X-Ray Control Console Operations — Understand setting exposure parameters, kVp and mAs selection, timer circuits, line voltage compensation, and exposure switch handling procedures.
5. X-Ray Tables and Tube Stands — Learn construction, movement mechanisms, floating tabletops, vertical Bucky stands, tube suspension systems, and mechanical safety locks.
6. Mobile and Portable X-Ray Units — Study structural features, battery operation, capacitor discharge units, transport protocols, and bedside radiographic handling in intensive care wards.
7. Fluoroscopy and C-Arm Equipment — Understand fluoroscopy fundamentals, image intensifiers, mobile C-arm positioning, flat-panel fluoroscopy systems, and operational controls during surgeries.
8. Routine Equipment Maintenance and Care — Learn daily inspection protocols, electrical safety, cable inspections, mechanical checks, and scheduled cleaning to maintain diagnostic equipment performance.
9. Equipment Troubleshooting and Fault Detection — Identify common technical faults, exposure errors, error codes on consoles, mechanical jamming, and proper escalation procedures for technical repairs.

1. Radiography of the Upper Limb — Learn positioning, beam centering, and technical projections for fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humerus, and shoulder girdle.
2. Radiography of the Lower Limb — Study routine and supplementary positioning for toes, foot, ankle, tibia, fibula, knee, patella, femur, and hip joints.
3. Chest and Thoracic Radiography — Understand posteroanterior, anteroposterior, lateral, decubitus, and lordotic views of the chest, ribs, and sternum for clear visualization.
4. Abdominal and Pelvic Radiography — Master supine and erect plain abdominal projections, KUB views, pelvic bone positioning, and sacroiliac joint radiographic demonstrations.
5. Vertebral Column Radiography — Cover positioning techniques for cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal spine, including flexion, extension, and oblique projections.
6. Skull and Facial Bone Radiography — Learn standard skull views, Water's projection for paranasal sinuses, Townes view, orbits, and mandible positioning methods.
7. Pediatric and Geriatric Imaging Techniques — Understand modified immobilization methods, exposure factor adjustments, communication strategies, and gentle positioning protocols for vulnerable patient groups.
8. Conventional Contrast Media Procedures — Study basic principles, patient preparation, and technical assistance for barium swallow, barium meal, IVU, and hysterosalpingography examinations.
9. Computed Radiography and Digital Systems — Learn handling of imaging plates, cassette readers, flat panel detectors, digital processing, PACS storage, and direct radiography systems.

1. Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation — Understand somatic and genetic effects, deterministic and stochastic radiation outcomes, cellular damage mechanisms, and radiosensitivity of human tissues.
2. Radiation Quantities and Measurement Units — Study exposure, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, and effective dose, along with legacy and modern SI radiation units of measurement.
3. Regulatory Bodies and Radiation Standards — Learn roles of AERB, ICRP, and national regulatory bodies governing radiological installations, safety rules, and statutory dose limits.
4. Principles of Radiation Protection — Understand time, distance, and shielding principles, inverse square law applications, and the ALARA concept for reducing occupational exposure.
5. Personnel Monitoring and Dosimetry Devices — Study operation, wearing rules, and evaluation of thermo-luminescent dosimeter badges, pocket dosimeters, and personal radiation monitoring records.
6. Protective Barriers and Shielding Materials — Learn lead equivalence standards, structural shielding design, primary and secondary protective barriers, lead aprons, thyroid shields, and goggles.
7. Patient Radiation Protection Practices — Understand collimation, gonad shielding, fast image receptors, pregnancy verification protocols, and pediatric dose optimization methods during diagnostic procedures.
8. Radiation Monitoring Instruments in Clinics — Study survey meters, Geiger-Muller counters, ionization chambers, and procedures for measuring leakage radiation and scatter in X-ray departments.
9. Emergency Procedures and Waste Management — Learn protocols for radiation accidents, tube housing ruptures, AERB reporting procedures, and disposal methods for spent radiological items.

1. Introduction to Patient Care and Ethics — Learn professional ethics, patient rights, empathetic communication, handling diverse patient populations, and legal responsibilities of an X-ray technician in a hospital setting.
2. Infection Control and Hospital Safety Protocols — Understand standard precautions, hand hygiene, sterilization methods, safe handling of biomedical waste, and personal protective equipment usage to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Patient Assessment and Vital Signs Monitoring — Study techniques for measuring temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure, along with assessing patient consciousness and general physical condition before imaging procedures.
4. Handling Emergencies and First Aid Procedures — Cover recognition of medical emergencies, basic first aid, CPR principles, managing shock, fainting, seizures, and contrast media adverse reactions in radiology departments.
5. Transfer and Positioning Principles for Patients — Learn safe body mechanics, stretcher and wheelchair transfer techniques, immobilization aids, and maintaining patient comfort without causing secondary injury or discomfort.
6. Radiographic Positioning for Upper Limb — Study standard radiographic views and centering points for fingers, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humerus, and shoulder joint in routine clinical practice.
7. Radiographic Positioning for Lower Limb — Understand positioning techniques, central ray orientation, and anatomical landmarks for imaging toes, foot, ankle, tibia, fibula, knee, and femur examinations.
8. Chest and Bony Thorax Positioning — Master patient positioning for posteroanterior, anteroposterior, lateral chest views, sternum, and ribs, emphasizing respiration instructions and radiation protection.
9. Abdomen and Pelvic Girdle Positioning — Learn supine, erect, and decubitus abdomen projections, alongside standard positioning protocols for pelvis, hip joints, and sacroiliac joints examinations.
10. Vertebral Column Radiographic Positioning — Study positioning methods, tube angulations, and landmark identification for cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx imaging in various projections.
11. Skull and Facial Bones Positioning — Cover routine projections for cranium, paranasal sinuses, orbits, and mandible, focusing on baseline alignments, central ray angulation, and precise immobilization.
12. Care of Pediatric and Geriatric Patients — Understand specialized care, psychological approaches, customized immobilization, and technical modifications necessary for pediatric, geriatric, and trauma patients during radiography.

1. Orientation to Radiology Department Workflow — Learn departmental hierarchy, registration procedures, requisition verification, interdepartmental communication, patient scheduling, and maintenance of digital and physical radiology logbooks.
2. Hospital Safety and Disaster Management — Understand institutional fire safety, chemical spill management, electrical hazard prevention, radiation emergency protocols, and evacuation procedures during critical hospital incidents.
3. Clinical Radiation Protection Practices — Study workplace radiation monitoring using TLD badges, lead apron inspections, protective barrier usage, and ALARA implementation during routine hospital radiological procedures.
4. Preparation and Calibration of X-Ray Equipment — Observe routine machine checks, collimator alignment, tube warm-up protocols, generator parameter selection, and operational inspection of mobile and stationary units.
5. Darkroom and Digital Image Processing Practice — Gain clinical exposure to CR cassette handling, image plate erasure, laser printer maintenance, PACS operation, and digital image post-processing protocols.
6. Bedside and Mobile Radiography Training — Understand operational protocols for mobile X-ray units in intensive care units, emergency wards, and operation theatres while ensuring proper radiation safety.
7. Assisting in Contrast Media Investigations — Observe preparation of contrast agents, patient consent verification, vital sign surveillance, and post-procedure observation for barium and intravenous urography studies.
8. Specialized Trauma and Emergency Patient Handling — Learn practical workflows for managing non-ambulatory trauma patients, modifying standard radiographic projections, and working collaboratively under emergency room clinical conditions.
9. Quality Assurance and Reject Analysis — Study clinical image evaluation, identification of artifacts, causes of repeated exposures, equipment fault reporting, and continuous department quality improvement measures.
10. Biomedical Waste Disposal and Sanitation Protocols — Master routine disposal of contaminated items, linen management, disinfection of examination tables, cassettes, lead aprons, and maintaining hygienic hospital clinical environments.