F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
About this Unit
This Unit is concerned with the use of x-rays to produce radiographic images of the chest and
thorax for diagnostic purposes.
Scope
The scope is here to give you guidance on possible areas to be covered in this Unit. The terms
in this section give you a list of options linked with items in the performance criteria. You
need to provide evidence for any option related to your work area.
Standard precautions and health and safety measures - a series of interventions which will
minimise or prevent infection and cross infection, including:

handwashing/cleansing before during and after the activity

the use of personal protective clothing and additional protective equipment when
appropriate
It also includes:

handling contaminated items

disposing of waste and untoward incident procedures
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
1
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
SPECIFIC EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS UNIT
Simulation:
 Simulation is NOT permitted for any part of this unit.
The following forms of evidence ARE mandatory:
 Direct observation: Your assessor must observe you in real work activities which
provide a significant amount of the performance criteria for most elements in this
unit. For example how you communicate with the individual to gain the information
required, the steps you would take to ensure all the required safety procedures are
followed.
 Reflective Accounts/professional discussion: These are recordings of your real
work practice, which show your understanding of the principles and process of image
collection and how you ensure that the image is checked and verified. You will need
to describe and explain the methods you use to gain information record it and verify
its accuracy.
Competence of performance and knowledge could also be demonstrated using a variety
of evidence from the following:
 Questioning/professional discussion: May be used to provide evidence of
knowledge, legislation, policies and procedures which cannot be fully evidenced
through direct observation or reflective accounts. In addition the assessor or expert
witness may also ask questions to clarify aspects of your practice.
 Expert Witness testimony: Can be a confirmation/authentication of the activities
described in your evidence which your assessor has not seen. This could be provided
by a work colleague or an external individual you deal with on a regular basis.
 Products: For this unit, products may include records and reports related to the
treatment of an individual. You need not put confidential records in your portfolio;
they can remain where they are normally stored and be checked by your assessor and
internal verifier. If you do include them in your portfolio they should be anonymised
to ensure confidentiality
 Assignments/projects: you may have studied some anatomy or health and safety
related to your job role. You may have completed some formally assessed work as
part of an in service or external course, this may provide evidence of some parts of
the knowledge and understanding which your assessor can use.
GENERAL GUIDANCE




Prior to commencing this unit you should agree and complete an assessment plan with
your assessor which details the assessment methods you will be using, and the tasks
you will be undertaking to demonstrate your competence.
Evidence must be provided for ALL of the performance criteria, ALL of the
knowledge and the parts of the scope that are relevant to your job role.
The evidence must reflect the policies and procedures of your workplace and be
linked to current legislation, values and the principles of best practice within the
Health Sector. This will include the National Service Standards for your areas of
work and the individuals you care for.
All evidence must relate to your own work practice.
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
2
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
KNOWLEDGE SPECIFICATION FOR THIS UNIT
Competent practice is a combination of the application of skills and knowledge informed by
values and ethics. This specification details the knowledge and understanding required to
carry out competent practice in the performance described in this Unit.
When using this specification it is important to read the knowledge requirements in
relation to expectations and requirements of your job role.
You need to provide evidence for ALL knowledge points listed below. There are a
variety of ways this can be achieved so it is essential that you read the ‘knowledge
evidence’ section of the Assessment Guidance.
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
Legislation, policy and good practice
1. A factual knowledge of the current European and national legislation,
national guidelines and local policies and protocols which affect your
work practice in relation to the use of ionising radiation, including:

health and safety at work

safe working methods

control of infection

use of hazardous materials (COSHH)

waste disposal

use of medical devices and product liability

security within the workplace

consent to radiological examinations

patient identification

data entry, utilisation, recording and transfer
Enter Evidence
Numbers
2. A working knowledge of your responsibilities and accountability
under the current European and national legislation and local policies
and protocols
3. A working knowledge of limitations of own knowledge and
experience and the importance of not operating beyond this
4. A working knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of other team
members
5. A working knowledge of clinical justification of the examination
request
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
3
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
6. A working knowledge of the information that should be given to
patients:

before commencing the examination

during the examination

on completion of the examination
Enter Evidence
Numbers
Clinical knowledge
1. A working knowledge of gross anatomy of the human skeleton
2. A working knowledge of anatomical landmarks on the body that are
relevant to radiographic imaging e.g centring points including detailed
knowledge of those relevant to the spine and pelvis
3. A working knowledge of bones forming the pelvic girdle and the
difference in structures and function between the male and female
pelvis and the individual vertebrae forming the spinal column
4. A working knowledge of joints in the body and their movements,
including detailed knowledge of those pertaining to the spine and
pelvis
5. A working knowledge of gross anatomy structures of the neck
6. A working knowledge of normal and abnormal curvatures of the spine
7. A working knowledge of functions of the spinal column and pelvis
and the relationships with the spinal cord, and a knowledge of the
organs of the chest, abdominal cavities and pelvic contents that have a
close relationship with the spine and pelvis
8. A working knowledge of common pathologies of the spine and pelvis
and normal variants
9. A working knowledge of medical terminology relevant to the
examination including abbreviations
10. A working knowledge of positioning terminology including
abbreviations
11. A working knowledge of when additional views are required to aid
diagnosis and to enhance the examination
12. A working knowledge of manifestations of patients’ physical and
emotional status
Technical knowledge
1. A working knowledge of production, interactions and properties of xrays
2. A working knowledge of process involved in the formation of
radiographic images
3. A working knowledge of harmful effects of radiation to the human
body
4. A working knowledge of ways in which images can be captured,
processed and permanently stored relevant to the local department
5. A working knowledge of inter-relationship between kVp and mAs
6. A working knowledge of variables affecting exposure factors
7. A working knowledge of automatic exposure controls
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
4
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
You need to show that you know, understand and can apply in
practice:
8. A working knowledge of technical and diagnostic quality
requirements of the image
Enter Evidence
Numbers
9. A working knowledge of recognition of artefacts and their impact
10. A working knowledge of factors which influence the decision to
repeat films or take additional views
Materials and equipment
1. A working knowledge of the importance of timely equipment fault
recognition and local procedures for reporting these
2. A working knowledge of equipment capabilities, limitations and
routine maintenance including the quality control processes required
by the operator
3. A working knowledge of types of x-ray equipment, films, film/screen
combinations and receptor systems that are suitable for imaging the
spine and pelvis
Examination procedures
1. A working knowledge of patient’s positioning relevant to the
examination
2. A working knowledge of patient orientation and appropriate use of
anatomical legends
Records and documentation
1. A working knowledge of local procedures and procedures pertaining
to recording, collating and preparing appropriate patient
documentation and images for transfer or storage according to local
protocols
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
5
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
Performance criteria
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
1. apply standard precautions for infection
control and other appropriate health and
safety measures
2. receive the patient and check his/her
identification details in accordance with
local protocols
3. check females of child-bearing age for
pregnancy or potential pregnancy, if
appropriate to the examination, and take
action in accordance with local protocols
4. confirm the status of carers before the
examination and, where their presence is
required, adhere to local guidelines and rules
5. position the patient and adjust their clothing
according to the protocols for the
examination to be performed in a manner
which allows an optimal outcome to be
achieved while:

recognising the patient’s need to retain
their dignity and self respect

ensuring his/her comfort as far as
possible

preventing the appearance of artefacts
6. align the correct tube and image receptor
according to the appropriate examination
technique, with anatomical legends correctly
placed
7. apply, check and adjust appropriate
exposure factors, collimation and radiation
protection devices to minimise patient
exposure whilst optimising diagnostic image
quality
8. check the room prior to making the exposure
to ensure that only essential, protected
persons remain with the patient and that all
local rules have been adhered to and take
appropriate action if this does not occur
9. seek confirmation that the patient is ready
before the exposure is made and maintain
communication with the patient/carer to
facilitate their understanding and cooperation throughout the examination
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
6
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
Performance criteria
DO
RA
EW
Q
P
WT
10. observe the patient’s condition and wellbeing at all times and take appropriate action
11. process the image, correctly labelled and
identified and inspect it for satisfactory
technical and diagnostic quality according to
local guidelines and criteria
12. make a decision with regard to the need to
repeat any images, take additional images or
undertake image post-processing to enhance
the examination, in accordance with local
policy and protocols
13. refer to the referring clinician if an
abnormality is observed on the image which
is likely to require further investigation or
treatment, following departmental protocols
14. inform the patient/carer of the results
procedure and answer or refer any questions
appropriately
15. check the identification of the images
against associated documents
16. record, collate and prepare appropriate
patient documentation and images for
transfer or storage according to local
protocols
17. recognise where help/advice is required and
seek it from appropriate sources.
DO = Direct Observation
EW = Expert Witness
RA = Reflective Account
P = Product (Work)
Q = Questions
WT = Witness Testimony
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
7
F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for
diagnostic purposes
To be completed by the Candidate
I SUBMIT THIS AS A COMPLETE UNIT
Candidate’s name: ……………………………………………
Candidate’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: …………………………………………………………..
To be completed by the Assessor
It is a shared responsibility of both the candidate and assessor to claim evidence, however, it
is the responsibility of the assessor to ensure the accuracy/validity of each evidence claim and
make the final decision.
I CERTIFY THAT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRODUCED TO MEET
ALL THE ELEMENTS, PCS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS UNIT.
Assessor’s name: …………………………………………….
Assessor’s signature: ………………………………………....
Date: …………………………………………………………..
Assessor/Internal Verifier Feedback
To be completed by the Internal Verifier if applicable
This section only needs to be completed if the Unit is sampled by the Internal Verifier
Internal Verifier’s name: ……………………………………………
Internal Verifier’s signature: ………………………………………..
Date: ……………………………………..…………………………..
Unit: F06V 04 (CI.A3) Produce plain radiographic images of the spine and pelvis for diagnostic purposes
8