Organisation of the Study Programme and Teaching
The Professional Undergraduate Study Programme in Radiological Technology, with a duration of three years, educates highly competent healthcare professionals for work in medicine and related fields, including dentistry and veterinary medicine. Upon completion of the study, students acquire the professional title of Bachelor of Radiological Technology (baccalaureus) and obtain specific theoretical knowledge and practical skills that enable employment in hospital and out-of-hospital, public and private healthcare institutions.
The study programme prepares students for work in three key areas of modern medicine: diagnostic and interventional radiology, radiotherapy and oncology, and nuclear medicine. Radiological technologists participate in all segments of radiological diagnostics, interventional procedures and therapeutic procedures and, as equal and indispensable members of multidisciplinary teams, collaborate daily with specialists in radiology, radiotherapy and oncology, and nuclear medicine. In recent times, the need for this profession has been significantly increasing in the fields of invasive cardiology, vascular surgery, and advanced diagnostics in dentistry and veterinary medicine, where the application of modern radiological diagnostic and interventional procedures has become standard and necessary.
The profession of a radiological technologist implies an exceptionally high level of expertise, conscientiousness and professional responsibility. During education and later professional work, they daily and independently handle complex diagnostic and therapeutic devices of high technological and material value, while simultaneously implementing measures to protect patients, themselves and other staff from unnecessary exposure to ionising radiation. Such a level of responsibility requires precision, maturity, ethical conduct and constant focus on patient safety.
Furthermore, the fact that radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine are technologically and methodologically highly progressive disciplines, characterised by continuous development, rapid implementation of new technologies and constant innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, implies a permanent need for lifelong learning. Radiological technologists are expected to engage in continuous education, practical training and active monitoring of contemporary professional and scientific achievements.
The study programme is therefore content-rich, dynamic and interdisciplinary. It integrates thematic units from the fields of medicine, technology, physics and computer science, enabling students to acquire a wide range of professional competencies and to be prepared for independent and responsible work within the modern healthcare system.
Teaching is conducted through lectures, seminars, laboratory and clinical exercises, demonstrations and continuous practical work in a real clinical environment. Clinical exercises are organised in the teaching bases of the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka – at the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, the Clinic for Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the Department of Nuclear Medicine – where students gain direct experience working with patients and the most modern medical equipment.
For transparency and quality of teaching, all courses, course coordinators and detailed course plans are publicly available on the official faculty website, allowing students detailed insight into course content, learning outcomes, methods of knowledge assessment and grading systems.
At the end of the study programme, students prepare and defend a final thesis, an independent professional work through which, under the mentorship of a teacher, they demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge, critical thinking and solving concrete problems in the field of radiological technology.
General Information
Name of the Programme
Professional Undergraduate Study Programme in Radiological Technology
Institution and Provider
University of Rijeka, Faculty of Health Studies
Duration of Study
3 years
Admission Requirements
Completed four-year secondary school programme, success in the State Matura examination, and a medical examination
Qualification Awarded
Upon completion of the study, the professional title is awarded: Professional Bachelor of Radiological Technology (baccalaureus)
Abbreviation of the Professional Title
bacc. radiol. techn.
Curriculum
Curriculum for the Academic Year 2025/2026
Detailed Course Plans 2025/2026
After Graduation
Upon completion of the Professional Undergraduate Study Programme in Radiological Technology, radiological technologists in the Republic of Croatia continue their professional development through clearly defined steps prescribed by the Croatian Chamber of Health Professionals (HKZR) and the Professional Class for Radiological Technology Activity (SR ZRTD). Membership in HKZR, which includes entry into the register and the issuance of a licence for independent work, is a legal requirement for performing the profession. By joining the Chamber, access is provided to procedures for verifying knowledge and competence, which are carried out in accordance with applicable regulations and rules, and the right is obtained to receive a licence confirming competence for independent professional work.
Members of HKZR–SR ZRTD are obliged to participate in continuous professional development in accordance with the Chamber’s regulations. This includes planned accumulation of credits through various forms of educational and professional activities, such as seminars, congresses, workshops and online courses approved within the system of continuous education.
All activities are evaluated and recorded in an official register of credits and form the basis for licence renewal. Credits are obtained through participation in formal forms of education and professional-scientific activities, with particular emphasis on topics in radiological technology, professional ethics and new technological achievements.
Such a system of continuous professional development ensures that radiological technologists maintain high standards of quality and safety of work, follow modern technological and scientific challenges and actively contribute to improving patient healthcare.
Competencies
General Competencies
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology is qualified to:
- independently operate all types of conventional and digital radiology equipment
- independently operate equipment in the field of radiotherapy
- independently operate equipment in the field of nuclear medicine
- independently operate equipment in the field of dental radiology
- independently operate computer systems for communication, processing and archiving of digital radiological images – PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)
- effectively apply all measures of protection against ionising radiation
- participate responsibly and professionally in teamwork
Competencies in Diagnostic Radiology
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology is qualified for independent performance of diagnostic procedures and for teamwork with a radiology specialist in performing:
- conventional and digital radiography
- conventional contrast radiological examinations
- fluoroscopy (radioscopy) with targeted radiographic imaging
- radiological procedures during ERCP
- digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
- digital coronarography and ventriculography (CDSA)
- fluoroscopy and radiography using mobile radiological devices
- mammography, including digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM/CESM), and assistance in interventional breast procedures
- computed tomography (CT), including dynamic CT and CTA examinations
- ultrasound diagnostics (US)
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- dental radiography
Competencies in Interventional Radiology
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology is qualified to work in a multidisciplinary team in performing interventional radiological procedures, including:
- percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA)
- embolotherapy and therapy of vascular occlusions using coils and other embolisation materials
- vascular stenting
- transcatheter application of cytostatics and other therapeutic agents
- CT-guided percutaneous biopsies
- ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsies
- percutaneous drainage of cysts, abscesses, pleural empyema and other pathological collections
Competencies in Radiotherapy and Oncology
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology is qualified for independent work and teamwork with a radiation oncology specialist and a medical physicist in conducting radiotherapy procedures, including:
- work on a linear accelerator
- work on devices for superficial and contact therapy
- work on CT devices for radiation planning (CT simulator)
- preparation of patients and assistance in radiotherapy planning
- implementation of simulation, verification and imaging of radiation fields
The graduate is also qualified to:
- participate in quality assurance and control (QA/QC) and maintenance of equipment in radiotherapy
- produce individual immobilisation devices (masks, splints, vacuum mattresses, etc.)
- produce shielding blocks and compensators
- produce applicators and moulds for brachytherapy (intracavitary and interstitial procedures)
- produce bolus materials and other accessories for dose adjustment
- mark reference points and tattoo radiation fields
- maintain and record therapeutic documentation and enter data into therapeutic protocols
Competencies in Nuclear Medicine
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology is qualified for independent work and teamwork with a nuclear medicine specialist and a medical physicist in conducting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in nuclear medicine, including:
- preparation and handling of radiopharmaceuticals and participation in labelling procedures
- separation of individual doses of radiopharmaceuticals and measurement of activity using dose calibrators
- preparation of patients for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
- work on gamma cameras and performing static, dynamic and SPECT imaging
- work on hybrid devices PET/CT and SPECT/CT
- control of acquisition, reconstruction and image processing and assessment of image quality
- adjustment of imaging parameters, selection of collimators and optimisation of protocols
- conducting in vitro measurements using scintillation counters and other detectors
- preparation of conditions and participation in radionuclide therapy
- participation in quality assurance and control (QA/QC) of work and equipment
- active implementation of radiation protection measures for patients and staff
- conducting decontamination procedures and disposal of radioactive waste in accordance with regulations
Specific (Transversal) Competencies
The Bachelor of Radiological Technology develops and applies the following competencies:
- critical thinking and professional decision-making in clinical practice
- professional, ethical and responsible behaviour towards patients, colleagues and the community
- active participation in the advancement of the profession and continuous professional development
- rational management of available resources and work organisation
- ensuring a safe working environment to prevent adverse events for patients and healthcare professionals
- effective communication and interpersonal skills in working with patients and multidisciplinary teams
- implementation of measures for prevention of infection occurrence and spread
- application of principles of protection against ionising radiation
- implementation of quality assurance and control procedures (QA/QC)
- use of healthcare information systems (OIS, RIS and PACS)
- monitoring professional and scientific research and participation in research activities