Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography

Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography (CDR) at Kantipur Academy of Health Science

The Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography at Kantipur Academy of Health Science is a three-year Proficiency Certificate Level health science program under the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). The curriculum follows a yearly system and prepares middle-level personnel for radiography and medical imaging services in hospitals, health institutions, and imaging centers.
At Kantipur Academy of Health Science (KAHS) in Tinkune, Kathmandu, the program is offered within the academy's CTEVT health sciences stream. KAHS is associated with Kantipur Hospital Pvt. Ltd., a 100-bed hospital at Subidhanagar, Tinkune, where X-ray is among the available clinical services.

College: Kantipur Academy of Health Science (KAHS)
Program: Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography
Academic Level: Proficiency Certificate Level
Academic Body: Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT)
Duration: 3 academic years
Academic System: Yearly system
Location: Tinkune, Kathmandu, Nepal
Medium of Instruction: English and/or Nepali

Course overview

Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography develops knowledge and practical skills for routine radiographic work and selected specialized imaging procedures. The curriculum covers patient positioning, radiographic techniques, imaging, equipment, radiation physics, anatomy, patient care, radiographic pathology, clinical practice, and professional ethics.
Students also learn radiation protection, patient handling, record keeping, radiographic equipment use, quality control, first aid, and procedures used in radiology departments. The curriculum places particular importance on practical exposure and supervised work in healthcare and imaging settings.

Eligibility and admission

Eligibility: Applicants must have either:

• Passed SLC with second division, or

• Passed SEE with GPA 2.0 with Compulsory Mathematics, English, and Science, or

• Met the applicable provisions of the admission guidelines issued by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, CTEVT.

Applicants must also pass the entrance examination administered by the Office of the Controller of Examinations, CTEVT.

The KAHS course information also states that selection follows the CTEVT entrance examination and merit order.

Duration and attendance

The program runs for three academic years on a yearly system. Each academic year consists of 35 academic weeks, with an academic week covering up to 40 hours excluding the evaluation period.

Attendance: A minimum of 90% attendance in each subject is required to appear in the respective final examination.

Curriculum structure

First year

The first year follows the separate common Health Science First Year curriculum. It establishes the basic science and foundational background required before students move into discipline-specific radiography subjects.

Second year

The second year introduces the major technical subjects in diagnostic radiography:

• Radiographic Technique

• Radiological Procedures

• Radiographic Imaging

• Radiographic Equipment

• Basic Radiation Physics

• Radiological Anatomy

• First Aid and Patient Care

Radiographic Technique covers routine and supplementary examinations of the upper and lower limbs, thoracic cage, abdomen, spine, pelvis, and skull. It also includes basic dental radiography, patient identification, registration, request forms, and radiographic record keeping.

Radiological Procedures moves into specialized examinations involving contrast media, gastrointestinal and urogenital investigations, vascular and neurological procedures, mammography, and portable or mobile radiography.

Third-year clinical preparation

The third year places greater emphasis on applied and supervised radiography practice. Its components are:

• Basic Radiographic Pathology

• Clinical Practice and Ethics

• Radiography Practical I

• Radiography Practical II

Clinical Practice and Ethics covers patient care in the radiology department, bedside radiography, workplace safety, patient transfer and positioning, communication, medical ethics, medico-legal issues, professional conduct, and the role of the radiographer.

The curriculum also introduces the role and functions of the Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC) within professional ethics and practice.

Radiography Practical I and II

Radiography Practical I is a 21-week field-based clinical component completed after the second year. Students apply radiographic knowledge in actual situations under trained professional supervision.

Practical activities include:

• Patient registration and handling of radiographic request forms

• Routine and supplementary radiography of different body regions

• Adjustment of techniques according to patient condition

• Radiation protection and patient-dose reduction

• Patient positioning

• Radiographic image-related procedures

• Application of clinical and departmental practices

Radiography Practical II adds a further nine-week practical component in the third-year curriculum. Together, Radiography Practical I and II make clinical application a major part of the final year.

Radiation protection and patient care

Radiation protection is integrated throughout the technical and practical curriculum. Students study measures used to protect patients and staff, reduce unnecessary exposure, and apply appropriate protection during examinations of the extremities, chest, abdomen, spine, pelvis, skull, and dental region.

Patient care is also addressed through vital-sign measurement, informed consent, bedside radiography, patient transfer, positioning, workplace safety, communication, and ethical conduct.

Teaching and learning

Teaching uses a combination of theory and applied learning. Methods include lectures, tutorials, group discussion, demonstrations, simulation, guided practice, practical experience, fieldwork, report writing, presentations, case analysis, role-playing, assignments, observation, self-practice, and clinical practice.

At KAHS, the wider academic environment includes laboratory facilities, computer and internet access, an e-library, continuous assessments, and practical exposure. Its association with Kantipur Hospital places the program within a healthcare setting where X-ray and other diagnostic and clinical services are available.

Assessment and examination

The evaluation system includes internal assessment and final examinations. Theory and practical work are assessed separately according to the mark distribution assigned to each subject. Students receive internal assessments at regular intervals and feedback on their performance.

The second-year curriculum gives each major radiography subject its own theory and, where applicable, practical assessment. The third year combines assessment in Basic Radiographic Pathology and Clinical Practice and Ethics with extensive evaluation of Radiography Practical I and II.
Final written examinations use long-answer, short-answer, very-short-answer, and multiple-choice questions. The curriculum specifies separate question patterns for papers carrying 80 and 40 final marks.

Grading and certification

The CTEVT grading structure for the program is:

• Distinction: 80% and above

• First Division: 65% to below 80%

• Second Division: 50% to below 65%

• Pass Division: pass marks to below 50%

Students who successfully complete all components of all subjects across the three years are awarded the Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography.

Skills developed through the program

The curriculum supports the development of practical abilities in:

• Routine radiographic examinations

• Assistance with special X-ray examinations

• Patient positioning and care

• Radiation protection

• Radiographic equipment handling

• Imaging procedures

• Record keeping and radiograph filing

• Radiographic department organization

• Quality-control practices

• First aid

• Communication and professional conduct

These competencies are developed progressively through technical subjects, demonstrations, practical classes, and supervised clinical work.

Professional registration and career scope

The curriculum states that graduates are eligible for registration with the related professional council in the grade provided under the applicable council provisions. It also identifies eligibility for positions equivalent to Non-Gazetted First Class/Level 5 (Technical), or positions prescribed by the Public Service Commission of Nepal and other related agencies.

The program prepares graduates for radiography-related work in hospitals, health institutions, and imaging centers. Employment depends on professional registration requirements, recruitment criteria, practical competence, experience, and available positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CDR?

CDR refers to Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography, a Proficiency Certificate Level program under CTEVT.

How long is Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography?

The program lasts three academic years and follows a yearly system.

What is the eligibility for CDR?

Applicants need SLC with second division or SEE with GPA 2.0 with Compulsory Mathematics, English, and Science, subject to the applicable CTEVT admission provisions. They must also pass the CTEVT entrance examination.

What are the main radiography subjects?

The second year includes Radiographic Technique, Radiological Procedures, Radiographic Imaging, Radiographic Equipment, Basic Radiation Physics, Radiological Anatomy, and First Aid and Patient Care.

Does the program include clinical practice?

Yes. The third year includes Clinical Practice and Ethics, a 21-week Radiography Practical I component, and a nine-week Radiography Practical II component.

What attendance is required?

Students must maintain at least 90% attendance in each subject to appear in the respective final examination.

Which professional council is relevant to radiography?

The curriculum specifically covers the Nepal Health Professional Council within the professional ethics component and provides for registration with the related council under applicable provisions.