NAC457.355. Program of instruction in mammography: General requirements.

     1. A program of instruction in mammography that is undertaken to meet the requirements for issuance of a mammographer’s certificate must be approved by the Health Division and comply with the provisions of this section.

     2. The program must include instruction in:

     (a) The anatomy and physiology of the female breast, with instruction in the following topics:

          (1) Mammary glands.

          (2) External anatomy.

          (3) Subdivision for localization.

          (4) Retromammary space.

          (5) Central portion.

          (6) Cooper’s ligament.

          (7) Vessels, nerves and lymphatics.

          (8) Breast tissue.

     (b) The classification of breast tissue.

     (c) The epidemiology of the breast, methods of detecting breast cancer and sources of information relating to epidemiology of the breast.

     (d) The effects of adjustments relating to the setting of the exposure timer, current and voltage.

     (e) The positioning of the breast for mammography, with instruction in:

          (1) The following positions:

               (I) Craniocaudal.

               (II) Medial lateral oblique.

               (III) Axillary.

               (IV) Lateral.

               (V) Mediolateral.

               (VI) Lateromedial.

               (VII) Exaggerated angled craniocaudal.

               (VIII) Craniocaudal without compression.

               (IX) “Cleopatra” or 30 degrees oblique.

               (X) Coned or spot compression.

               (XI) Lateral oblique.

               (XII) “Coathanger” or displaced.

               (XIII) Modified craniocaudal.

               (XIV) Modified mediolateral oblique.

               (XV) Other positions as required.

          (2) Magnification.

          (3) Errors in positioning.

          (4) Special techniques for mammography of the postoperative breast and the augmented breast.

          (5) Special radiographic techniques for breast localization and specimen radiography.

     (f) The evaluation and critique of mammograms, with instruction in the following topics:

          (1) Criteria for determining the quality of images.

          (2) The scanning of images.

          (3) The detection of pathology.

          (4) Benign and malignant lesions.

          (5) Mass lesion borders.

          (6) Calcifications.

     (g) The biological effects of radiation and protection from radiation.

     (h) The techniques and methods of quality assurance.

     (i) The methods of breast imaging other than mammography.

     3. A program of instruction in mammography must provide to each person who is enrolled in the program at least 40 contact hours of training specific to mammography.

     4. A person who is enrolled in a program of instruction in mammography pursuant to this section shall not operate a machine for mammography unless a mammographer is present while that person operates the machine and is able to stop the procedure for performing the mammogram at any time.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 1-24-92; A 7-7-94; R033-06, 6-28-2006)