Athens Technical College

Transcription

1 Athens Technical College Radiography Program Addendum to the Student Handbook July

2 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION... 4 RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM PERSONNEL... 6 ACADEMIC STATUS... 7 A.R.R.T. CODE OF ETHICS... 7 ATTENDANCE POLICY... 8 CHANGE OF NAME/ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER CLINICAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY OF CLINICAL EDUCATION CLINICAL PLAN OF EDUCATION CLINICAL EDUCATION SUPERVISION PLAN OF CLINICAL COMPETENCY PROGRESSION SCHEDULING OF STUDENT'S CLINICAL EDUCATION ROTATION REGULATIONS GOVERNING CLINICAL ASSIGNMENTS EVALUATION OF CLINICAL PERFORMANCE CLINICAL COMPETENCY EVALUATION STUDENT CLINICAL ROTATION EVALUATION CLINICAL PARTICIPATION EVALUATION PROFESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS EVALUATION CLINIC CLASS EVALUATION CLINICAL EDUCATION POCKET NOTEBOOKS CLINICAL SCHEDULES AND WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY CURRICULUM COURSE CONTENT AND SEQUENCING CURRICULUM MONITORING DRESS CODE EVALUATION HAZARDOUS WEATHER POLICY HOLIDAY POLICY HOSPITAL POLICIES INFECTIOUS MATERIALS POLICY INSURANCE NAME BADGES PARKING POLICY PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT PREGNANCY POLICY PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAM MISSION PROGRAM GOALS AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

3 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES RADIATION MONITORING SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TELEPHONE POLICY VACATION POLICY VENIPUNCTURE POLICY APPENDIX A

4 INTRODUCTION The Athens Technical College Radiography Program was established, as an Associate Degree program, in The Radiography Program is accredited by the: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 Chicago, IL Phone: (312) Fax: (312) web site: If a student has an allegation of non-compliance with the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography, they may pursue those allegations by going to the JRCERT web site ( Select the Students tab. On the Student page, select Reporting Allegations and Reporting Process. Follow the directions on the reporting form. Students must complete all the steps of the Radiography Program s (Athens Technical College) grievance procedure before considering the filing of an allegation with the JRCERT of noncompliance with the JRCERT Standards. The mission of the Radiography Associate Degree Program is to prepare qualified radiographers who are compassionate, technically competent, ethical, professional, and who respond to the needs of the patient and the needs of the organization. Upon successful completion of all courses in the Radiography curriculum, the student is eligible to apply for the national registry examination offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). A two year (five semester) program leading to the Associate of Applied Science degree, the Radiography Program involves varied liberal arts courses, professional courses (related specifically to Radiography) and coordinated practice courses (providing hands-on education and experience in the clinical setting). Beginning with the first semester of the program, students are actively involved in the clinical setting, working directly with patients and learning from staff technologists as well as program faculty. The clinic sites are located in Athens-Clarke county and Walton county. Athens Orthopedic Clinic, Athens Orthopedic Clinic Urgent Care, Athens 4

5 Regional Medical Center, Inc., Clearview Regional Medical Center, St. Mary s Healthcare System, Inc., and The Urology Clinic serve as clinical affiliates for the students in this program. The staff and administration of these institutions provide enormous support and assistance in maintaining the quality of this educational program. More information concerning the courses can be found in the Athens Technical College Online Catalog at This Addendum to the Student Handbook has been designed specifically for students in the Radiography Program and is used in conjunction with the Athens Technical College Catalog and Student Handbook. The information contained in this publication provides specific information concerning college, program and hospital policies of which the student must be aware. The information in this handbook is subject to change, in which case the student will be notified of such in writing. It is the responsibility of each student to read both the College and Radiography Program Handbooks very closely and adhere to all policies. 5

6 RADIOGRAPHY PROGRAM PERSONNEL Program Director: Douglas A. Baker, R.T. (R) Clinical Coordinator: Donald L. Summers, R.T. (R) (CT) Faculty: Jill J. Drerup, R.T. (R) Clinical Instructors: Lynn Aaron, R.T. (R) Physician s Imaging Center Amanda Campbell, R.T. (R) Athens Regional Medical Center, Inc. Elaine Carter, R.T. (R) The Urology Clinic Lisa Cearley, R.T. (R) Athens Regional Medical Center, Inc. Bill Gregg, R.T. (R) St. Mary s Healthcare System, Inc. Laura Hamby, R.T. (R) Clearview Regional Medical Center Léland Karas, R.T. (R) Athens Orthopedic Clinic Heather Keating, R.T. (R) Athens Regional Medical Center, Inc. Kari King, R.T. (R) Athens Orthopedic Clinic Mark Weathersby, R.T. (R) St. Mary s Healthcare System, Inc. 6

7 ACADMEIC STATUS As described in Athens Technical College Student Handbook. All radiography courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Readmission Policy: If a student has to withdraw for any reason, they must follow the steps detailed under Life Sciences Programs Readmission. In addition, students seeking readmission will abide by all policies and procedures in place at the time of their request for readmission. Students who have been dismissed or have elected to withdraw from the Radiography Program after having successfully completed at least one semester of professional coursework may request reinstatement. There must be space available in the Radiography Program. In addition, the student must be in good academic standing at the time of the request for reinstatement. Good academic standing means that the student s last term and cumulative G.P.A. must be 2.0 or above. If a student elects to petition for reinstatement, the request must be made for the succeeding school year to avoid retaking professional courses which were previously completed. Student will be expected to demonstrate competency in previously successful program coursework. If students delay a request for reinstatement beyond the immediately succeeding school year, they are no longer eligible for reinstatement and must follow the readmission process. Students, who have been provided a second opportunity through the reinstatement or readmission process, will not be considered for a third opportunity in the event of a second dismissal or withdrawal. A.R.R.T. CODE OF ETHICS 1. The Radiologic Technologist conducts himself/herself in a professional manner, responds to patients needs and supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care. 2. The Radiologic Technologist acts to advance the principal objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind. 3. The Radiologic Technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by the concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination regardless of sex, race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status. 7

8 4. The Radiologic Technologist practices technology founded upon theoretical knowledge and concepts, utilizes equipment and accessories consistent with the purposes for which they have been designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately. 5. The Radiologic Technologist assesses situations, exercises care, discretion and judgment, assumes responsibility for professional decisions, and acts in the best interest of the patient. 6. The Radiologic Technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment management of the patient, and recognizes that interpretation and diagnosis are outside the scope of practice for the profession. 7. The Radiologic Technologist utilizes equipment and accessories, employs techniques and procedures, performs services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice, and demonstrates expertise in limiting the radiation exposure to the patient, self, and other members of the health care team. 8. The Radiologic Technologist practices ethical conduct appropriate to the profession and protects the patient's right to quality radiologic technology care. 9. The Radiologic Technologist respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice, respects the patient's right to privacy, and reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community. 10. The Radiologic Technologist continually strives to improve knowledge and skills by participating in educational and professional activities, sharing knowledge with colleagues and investigating new and innovative aspects of professional practice. One means available to improve knowledge and skill is through professional continuing education. ATTENDANCE POLICY Classroom: As described in the Athens Technical College Student Handbook. Clinical: Students are expected to be present and on time for all clinical assignments. Any absence from the hospital setting will affect the student's clinical education and may affect his/her grade. Students are required to check "in" and "out" of their clinical assignment areas. 8

9 ABSENCE DUE TO ILLNESS: The student must notify the clinical instructor or a Radiology Department supervisor prior to the beginning of the scheduled assignment. When on modalities rotation, if it necessary for the student to be absent or tardy, the student must call the Radiography Program office prior to the clinical shift starting. Absences may be excused if the student presents an excuse from a qualified medical practitioner to a faculty member immediately upon his/her return. Immediately is defined as no later than the close of business on the first day the student returns to campus. Any routine medical or dental appointments should be scheduled during non-clinical/class times. TARDINESS: If a student arrives more than 5 minutes late to a clinical assignment, or leaves early from a clinical assignment, he/she will be considered tardy. Two tardies equal one absence. Failure to clock in or out of a clinic site is considered a tardy. If a student knows that they will be late, they must notify the clinic site and speak with a clinical instructor or supervisor. The student must notify the clinical instructor or a Radiology Department supervisor prior to the beginning of the scheduled assignment. If a tardy results in an excessive amount of time being missed from the student s clinical rotation, the tardy may be recorded as an absence. The following absences/tardies will be considered excused from clinic/classroom: 1. Illness or injury accompanied by an excuse from a qualified medical practitioner 2. Illness or injury to a member of the immediate family accompanied by an excuse from a qualified medical practitioner 3. Military duty 4. Jury duty or court hearing (a copy of summons must be provided) 5. Death of immediate family 6. Approved job interview 7. Religious holiday 9

10 Make-up time may be required if clinical time is missed during the term or if students miss a clinical rotation. This may result in an Incomplete grade for the term and will require time to be made-up during the break. If there is an excessive amount of absenteeism, the student may be administratively withdrawn. Phone Numbers: Athens Orthopedic Clinic AOC Urgent Care Clinic Athens Regional Medical Center Physician's Imaging Center St. Mary s Healthcare System, Inc The Urology Clinic elaine@urologyclinic.com Clearview Regional Medical Center Doug Baker dbaker@athenstech.edu Jill Drerup jdrerup@athenstech.edu Don Summers dsummers@athenstech.edu CHANGE OF NAME/ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER Whenever there is a change of name, address, or phone number, it is the student's responsibility to immediately notify the Registrar's Office and the Radiography Program Director. CLINICAL EDUCATION Philosophy of Clinical Education The role of the Radiographer has grown in complexity with the development of more sophisticated procedures and equipment in the field of Radiologic Technology. It is the philosophy of the Athens Technical College Radiography Associate Degree program to provide 10

11 the student with optimum clinical experience and to insure that the student has the opportunity to perform all types of routine radiographic procedures in the appropriate proportions. Furthermore, the philosophy of the Radiography Program is to provide observation, demonstration, supervision, counseling and evaluation in the clinical setting by which the student will effectively: o Apply knowledge of the principles of radiation protection for the patient, self and others. o Apply knowledge of anatomy, positioning and radiographic technique to accurately demonstrate anatomical structures on a radiograph. o Determine exposure factors to achieve optimum radiographic quality with a minimum of radiation exposure to the patient. o Examine radiographs for the purpose of evaluating technique, positioning and other pertinent technical and pathological qualities. o Exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of radiographic procedures. o Provide patient care essential to radiographic procedures. o Establish interpersonal communications with the patient and the other members of the health care team. Clinical Plan of Education The clinical experience is sequenced to correlate with didactic objectives of clinical education. At the beginning of each term, the student is presented with a syllabus describing objectives for that course. Clinical evaluation forms allow the faculty to determine the progression rate of the student during his/her clinical education as to whether he/she can meet specified, predefined clinical performance objectives. These forms also enable the faculty and the student to identify the student's strengths and weaknesses. Psychomotor: an area of learning, "which includes behaviors involving physical actions, neuromuscular manipulations, and coordination."* The student's psychomotor skills are evaluated by clinical rotation experience, simulated laboratory conditions, and competencies. Affective: an area of learning, "which includes behaviors guided by feelings and emotions that are influenced by ones interests, values, and beliefs."* The student's affective skills 11

12 are evaluated during all aspects of his/her Radiography training (see professional characteristics in this handbook). Cognitive: an area of learning, "which includes various levels of thought such as knowledge, understanding, reason, and judgment."* The student's cognitive skills are directly evaluated in the classroom and indirectly evaluated throughout his/her training in the clinical setting. It is of utmost importance that all knowledge and skills are reinforced and evaluated in the clinical setting to allow the student to achieve maximum clinical effectiveness. Information is provided to the staff technologists concerning the student clinical objectives and the need for the staff technologist to supervise, observe and evaluate the student's performance of those clinical objectives. Staff technologists play an integral role in the student's clinical experience by directly supervising and giving initial and reinforced clinical instruction in the following areas: 1. Patient care 2. Professionalism 3. Radiation protection 4. Radiographic procedures 5. Equipment manipulation and technique Competency: "the observable, successful achievement of the performance objectives."* * From: Adler, A.M. & Carlton, R.R. Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care. Saunders: New York. The primary goal of the Athens Technical College Radiography Associate Degree Program's clinical phase of education is to design a program by which the student can correlate his/her clinical experience with the didactic portion of the Radiography Program. This correlation is based on a solid foundation of fundamental principles and procedures developing into superior performance and knowledge as well rounded, proficient radiographers. Clinical Education Supervision The Clinical Coordinator arranges for the supervision of students in all clinical rotation areas. Supervision of student performance is provided for by an A.R.R.T. certified Radiologic Technologist. 12

13 The supervising technologists are provided information regarding: 1. Role of the supervising technologist to demonstrate, assist and instruct the student in accomplishing the objectives of the individual rotation assignments. 2. Expected performance level of the student during different stages of the Radiography Program. 3. Need for constructive evaluation of the student's clinical performance concerning: 1. Patient care 2. Professionalism 3. Radiation protection 4. Radiographic Procedures 5. Equipment manipulation and technique 4. Methods available to communicate areas of performance difficulty to the student in a constructive and remedial manner. 5. Need to communicate a student's unsatisfactory clinical performance to the Clinical Coordinator. The student is under the direct supervision of a staff technologist until he/she can prove competent in a specific radiographic procedure. The parameters of direct supervision require the qualified radiographer to (1) review the request for examination in relation to the student's achievement, (2) evaluate the condition of the patient in relation to the student's knowledge, (3) be present during the conduct of the examination, and (4) review and approve the radiographs. After having proven competent in a specific radiographic procedure, the student may perform that procedure with indirect supervision. Indirect supervision means that the qualified radiographer to (1) review the request for examination in relation to the student's achievement, (2) evaluate the condition of the patient in relation to the student's knowledge, (3) be immediately available during the conduct of the examination, and (4) review and approve the radiographs. Immediately available is interpreted as the presence of a qualified radiographer adjacent to the room or location where a radiographic procedure is being performed. 13

14 Further considerations are: 1. Any repeat radiographic examinations must be performed while in the presence of a staff technologist. 2. Mobile examinations will always be performed under direct supervision. 3. At the facility s discretion, direct supervision may be required for all examinations, regardless of the level of the student s competency. 4. When a student is assigned a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) at any facility, the following procedure will be followed. At a minimum, a qualified radiographer will accompany the student to pick up the patient from the ED. This will allow the radiographer to review the requisition and evaluate the condition of the patient, as required by the JRCERT. Upon completion of the exam, the student may or may not be accompanied when returning the patient. This will be left to the discretion of the radiographer and/or the facility policy. Plan of Clinical Competency Progression The Radiography student's clinical progress is based on demonstrating competency by means of the following mechanisms: 1. Staff evaluation/performance objectives 2. Faculty evaluation 3. Competency/Image critique evaluation The student progresses in the clinical setting from a passive mode of observation in his/her first term to a student radiographer capable of performing radiographic procedures independently while developing efficiency and proficiency. In preparing the student for entry level competency as a staff technologist, the following steps are used: 1. Observation 2. Demonstration 3. Assistance/Participation 4. Demonstration of minimal competency 5. Continued practice 14

15 7. Reinforcement of competency 8. Demonstration of increased proficiency Using the preceding methods, the student can achieve competence in specific radiographic procedures. Clinical practice allows for reinforcement of a competency. As the student achieves competency in supplemental radiographic studies, he/she is allowed to perform in a larger capacity with increased independence and self-confidence. Gradually, the student develops efficiency and judgmental decision making. Ultimately, the result is a student who possesses the entry level competency of a staff technologist thereby prepared to assume the responsibilities of employment. Scheduling of Student's Clinical Education Rotation The clinical education room rotation schedule is arranged in a logical progression of clinical experience. The scheduling allows the student to experience a variety of clinical education with in-department and out-of-department rotations. Attention to assignments of various clinical areas are arranged to allow for an educationally sound progression of clinical education and to avoid unnecessary repetition. Students requiring remediation will be assigned additional clinic experience. All clinical rotations are performed at the following sites: Athens Orthopedic Clinic, Athens Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinic, Athens Regional Medical Center, Inc., Clearview Regional Medical Center, St. Mary s Healthcare System, Inc., and The Urology Clinic. A profile of the Radiography Program's clinical plan of education is as follows: During the first two semesters the student is assigned to clinic two days per week. Weekly rotations during the first semester include radiographic rooms and patient transportation. This enables the student to acquaint his/her self with a general overview of the Radiology department and the basic procedures performed in each area. These one-week rotations serve as an observation and equipment familiarity period. Additionally, the student is expected to begin to observe, assist, and practice radiographic procedures. During the remainder of the Radiography Program, the amount of time the student spends in clinic increases. The student will not be scheduled for more than ten hours per day or 40 15

16 hours per week of combined clinic and classroom time. The student is expected to observe, assist, practice and become proficient in all radiographic procedures. Some clinical rotations will include evenings and weekends. These rotations will allow the student to receive a comprehensive view of the operation of the radiology department. His/her progress is evaluated by competencies and faculty and staff evaluations. Removal from Clinical/Practicum Site The college s agreements with its affiliates that provide opportunities for internship, clinical, practicum, or similar experiences stipulate that the college remove immediately any student who violates host site policies or procedures or who fails to observe all rules, regulations, dress codes, and other requirements or expectations of the affiliate at its request. Students are hereby informed that such removal may result in their inability to complete required portions of the curriculum (and thus to graduate) and in consequences up to and including dismissal from the Radiography Program and/or college according to the policies and procedures outlined in the Athens Technical College Student Handbook. College faculty are not required to find alternate locations to complete assignments. Regulations Governing Clinical Assignments 1. The student will be supervised by a qualified technologist certified by the ARRT. 2. Clinical rotation assignments are posted in the clinical sites and are issued to each student. 3. The student is expected to report promptly at designated times to the staff technologist in his/her assigned clinical area. 4. The student will be assigned a ½ hour lunch period by their staff technologist or the clinical instructor. If students wish to leave the clinic site for their lunch break, they must sign out when leaving and sign in when they return. Failure to clock in or out of a clinic site is considered a tardy. Two tardies equal one absence. 5. The student must remain in his/her assigned clinical area and may not leave the area or department without notification and permission of the supervising staff technologist. 16

17 6. The student is responsible for achieving the clinical performance objectives outlined in the course syllabus. 7. The supervising staff technologist will evaluate the student's clinical performance by means of the staff evaluation form. The completed form may be returned to the student or deposited in the secure mailbox. These forms are a part of the student's records and are to be considered confidential. 8. A student s combined clinical assignment and academic instruction will not exceed ten hours per day or forty hours per week. Students will not be scheduled for clinic during school holidays. Students requesting voluntary, additional clinical hours must obtain pre-approval from the Radiography Program. Approval is contingent upon the following: 1. There is at a minimum a 1:1 technologist/student ratio. 2. Imaging procedures are performed under direct supervision of a qualified radiographer until the student achieves competency. 3. Imaging procedures are performed under indirect supervision of a qualified radiographer after a student achieves competency. 4. Students are directly supervised by a qualified radiographer when repeating unsatisfactory images. 9. Students will be assigned weekend clinical hours as part of their clinical education that will be compensated by time off during the week. 10. The student is not allowed to accept gratuities from patients. 11. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) states that any information that is learned regarding the diagnosis, prognosis or personal life of any patient is confidential information and must not be shared with anyone that does not have a need to know. 12. Photography is prohibited (including cell phone camera use). 13. The student is to refrain from inappropriate language or personal conversations while in the patient areas. 14. A student who is involved in or witness to any variance is to report the incident to a Radiography Program faculty member. 17

18 15. The student will question all female patients of childbearing age if there is any chance they could be pregnant. This will be documented according to the policy in the clinic sites. If there is a question of a possible pregnancy, the student is to consult the supervising technologist before taking any radiographs. 16. The student must complete all radiographic procedures that he/she participates in. 17. The student must never leave a patient unattended without permission from the supervising technologist. 18. The student may not chew gum while on duty in his/her clinical assignment. 19. Student smoking: Students must adhere to the policies of the clinical facilities to which they are assigned. 20. Exposure Techniques: During the course of the Radiography Program the student must become competent in both manual and automatic exposure techniques. 21. Students are not allowed to hold patients for radiographic procedures. 22. Electronic Devices Policy: Electronic devices may only be used for approved educational purposes with the approval of the clinic site. Electronic devices must not be visible in patient care areas. 23. Expectations of students while in clinic when not performing patient exams: The following activities should be completed first: 1. Cleaning of rooms and equipment. 2. Restocking linen. 3. Checking room supplies and restocking, as needed. 4. Quality control tasks, as assigned by clinical staff. Once these items have been completed, the student should ask the staff if there is any other way in which they can be of assistance. If not, the student may then move to the following activities: 1. Practice equipment manipulation (detent, locks, tube movement, etc.) 2. If a technologist is available, competency simulations may be performed. At this point, the student may move to the next level of activities: 1. Review of clinical handbook, notes, textbook, procedure books, etc. 18

19 2. Studying of classroom notes and/or textbooks. 3. Studying of registry review materials. 4. Reading of Professional Journals. If a patient is to be done while the student is engaging in any of the above activities, then the activity should be stopped and the patient s exam performed immediately. If an exam is being done in the student s room, then the student is expected to be a part of that exam. In addition, the student should always be mindful of where they leave textbooks, study materials, etc. Do not leave them out and obstructing work areas. The following activities are never appropriate in the clinical setting. 1. Reading of magazines. 2. Reading of novels. 3. Reading of other items of a personal (non-educational) nature. 4. Accessing the internet for personal use. 5. Use of cell phone (voice, text messaging or ) Evaluation of Clinical Performance The clinical progress of the Radiography student is evaluated by the faculty and staff technologists through a planned system of: A) Observation B) Demonstration C) Supervision D) Counseling E) Evaluation F) Documentation The evaluation tools implemented to monitor the student's clinical performance include clinical competencies, faculty and staff evaluations and professional characteristics. 19

20 Clinical Competency Evaluation The clinical competency evaluation system is a standardized method of measuring the student s ability to optimally produce a diagnostic radiograph for a specific anatomical part. It checks for proper positioning, patient care, anatomy, technique, radiation protection and equipment manipulation. There are core clinical competencies that all individuals must demonstrate to establish eligibility for The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification. Students must demonstrate competency in 36 mandatory and 16 elective radiographic procedures. One of the electives must be from the fluoroscopy list. Procedures should be performed on patients; however, up to eight mandatory competency procedures may be simulated. Competency demonstration should incorporate patient-specific variations such as age and pathology. Elective procedures should be performed on patients; however, some electives may be simulated if demonstration on patients is not feasible. The following steps are taken in evaluating the student's clinical performance: 1. Radiographic positioning and anatomy are taught by the faculty in the didactic setting using texts and audiovisual aids. The student is tested frequently for evaluation of retained knowledge. Performance objectives are given to the student at the beginning of the semester. 2. A small group demonstration is performed by the faculty in the energized lab at Athens Technical College during a scheduled lab. 3. Following the demonstration, the student will practice the skills learned in the classroom and observed in the lab. 4. At the beginning of the next lab, the student will be tested on the skills he/she practiced during the previous lab. This is accomplished via a role-playing situation. The instructor will evaluate the student's performance competency according to prescribed criteria. 5. Successful performance in the role-playing situation allows the student to document/practice those areas in the radiology department under the direct supervision of a staff technologist. 20

21 6. Practices: Students are required to have three documented practices on actual adult patients prior to being allowed to test for competency in an area. The technical factors and the modified accession number for the examination (if available) must be recorded in the student s competency book. The accession number is not used at AOC and the Urology Clinic. At these sites, the student may record the date of the exam and the clinic site location. This information is verified by the signature of the supervising technologist. Exceptions: A. Mobile: Mobile practices and competencies are only valid if they are ordered to be performed as mobile examinations. a. Mobile Chest: Three practices and a competency on a mobile chest procedure will allow the student to be tested for competency in the following procedures: i. Mobile Abdomen: The student must have also demonstrated competency in a routine abdomen procedure, prior to attempting a mobile abdomen. No additional practices are required. ii. Mobile Orthopedic: The student must have demonstrated competency in the chosen orthopedic procedure prior to attempting the mobile orthopedic competency. No additional practices are required. b. Mobile Pediatric: The patient must be six years of age or younger. The student must have three documented practices on the same mobile pediatric procedure to be allowed to test for competency. B. Pediatric extremities: In order for students to gain more patient care and pediatric experience, students will not attempt pediatric extremity competencies until the 4 th semester of the program. The student must have demonstrated competency in the extremity procedure on an adult (non-pediatric) patient. No other documented practices will be required. C. Trauma Procedures: Trauma shoulder: 1. Documented competency in a basic or routine shoulder procedure. 21

22 2. Three documented practices in any one or combination of Scapular Y, Transthoracic, or Axillary positions/projections. 3. A documented competency in one of the acceptable positions/projections. Trauma hip: Three practices and a competency of a cross-table hip (Danelius-Miller Method). Trauma cervical spine: Three practices and a competency of a horizontal beam lateral cervical spine. Trauma upper and lower extremities: 1. Documented competency in the specific procedure in a non-trauma patient. 2. Three documented practices will not be required for trauma upper and lower extremities 7. Competency: Initial demonstration of competency on an exam must be performed on a non-pediatric patient (> 6 years of age). When a student is ready to be evaluated for competency, he/she will present their competency book to the evaluator prior to beginning the exam. After the student has informed the supervising technologist that they wish to perform an exam for a competency, they may no longer refer to any notes, textbooks, or clinical handbooks, other than to determine technique. The technical factors and the modified accession number for the examination (if available) must be recorded in the student s competency book. The accession number is not used at AOC and the Urology Clinic. At these sites, the student may record the date of the exam and the clinic site location. This information is verified by the signature of the supervising technologist. The evaluator (staff technologist, clinical instructor, or faculty) completes only the positioning and technical skills section of the form. Only a faculty member may complete the image evaluation section, in the presence of the student. Upon completion of the competency and image evaluation, the competency book must be turned in to one 22

23 of the three primary faculty members to have the grade recorded. Successful completion of the competency evaluation allows a student to perform the exam with only indirect supervision. Satisfactory completion of all radiographic procedure competencies is critical to the knowledge and skills required by the student to practice radiography. Students must have a score of 70% or better on all procedure competencies. Failing to achieve 70% on a competency evaluation, the student must complete three (3) additional documented practices. On the repeat competency evaluation the highest score will be an 85. If the student fails to score a 70% or better on the repeat competency evaluation, the student is not progressing satisfactorily in the program. If the student fails to satisfactorily complete a competency evaluation after two attempts he/she may be administratively withdrawn from the class. If administratively withdrawn from a class, the student should refer to the Life Sciences Program s Readmission policy and the Radiography Program s readmission policy. 8. Image Evaluation: This system requires the student to present a faculty member radiographic examinations that he/she has performed as a clinical competency. The student arranges a prescheduled session with the faculty member to evaluate the radiographs. The image evaluation must be completed within one week after the competency attempt. After the one week period, if the image evaluation has not been completed, the competency exam score will be reduced by 10 points. Requests for exceptions will be evaluated on an individual basis. The student is evaluated using the image evaluation section of the competency book. The clinical instructor will question the student on technical factors, anatomy, positioning, collimation, radiation protection, artifacts and marker placement. As the student's knowledge becomes more complete via didactic education, the student will be expected to evaluate the radiographs in greater detail. By the end of the Radiography Program the student must be able to critique, with competency, any routine radiographic examination. Image evaluation and anatomy for C-ARM and CT competencies will be completed by the supervising technologist. 9. Continued Competency: Continued competency evaluations will be performed in the third and fourth semester. In a continued competency evaluation, a faculty member 23

24 will select an exam on which the student has successfully completed a competency and present the requisition to the student to perform the exam. The student's performance will be evaluated to ensure that they continue to demonstrate competency. The student will also be required to complete the image evaluation and identify related anatomy for the exam. 10. Terminal Competency: Terminal competency evaluations will be performed in the final semester. In a terminal competency evaluation, a faculty member will select an exam on which the student has successfully completed a competency. The student's performance will be evaluated to ensure that they continue to demonstrate competency. The student will also be required to complete the image evaluation and identify related anatomy for the exam. 11. Pediatric Competency: Pediatric Chest: The patient must be six years of age or younger. The student must have three documented practices on pediatric chest procedures to be allowed to test for competency. Pediatric Abdomen: The patient must be six years of age or younger. The student must have three documented practices on pediatric abdomen procedures to be allowed to test for competency. 12. Fluoroscopic Procedures: Procedures will be performed with actual patients, however, A. Esophogram RAO: If not requested, the student must simulate this for both practices and competency demonstration. B. U.G.I.: AP or PA, RAO, and Right Lateral. If not requested, the student must simulate this for both practices and competency demonstration. C. BE: All practices and competency must be performed on actual patients. Any combination of single and double contrast procedures, which total three practices and a competency, is acceptable. Students must perform all of the facility s routine post-fluoroscopy projections. Any routine projections not performed will be simulated after the completion of the exam. A minimum of five projections will be required to demonstrate competency. 24

25 13. Minimum projections for radiographic exams are listed in Appendix A. 14. Simulations: If any practices/competency are simulations, then the competency will be recorded as a simulation. Documented simulations should be as close to the actual procedure as possible excluding making an exposure. In order to facilitate learning, simulations should be spaced over time to include variation in exam conditions (different person, different equipment, etc.). Documentation of a simulation should include technical factors, room location, name of simulated patient, and the date of exam. The following criteria will be used for the grading of Competency, Continued Competency and Terminal Competency evaluations: Deduction of 5 points per occurrence from competency grade: 1. No shielding during positioning (5 points/exam) 2. No evidence of collimation on radiograph(s) (5 points/exam) 3. Improper use/placement of a right or left marker (5 points/radiograph) 4. Repeat radiograph(s) due to student error (positioning, technique, etc.) (5 points/radiograph) 5. Placement of images with incorrect accession number (5 points/exam) Automatic failure of competency: 1. Failure to check patient wristband resulting in wrong patient being radiographed. 2. Inability to operate equipment safely 3. Evidence of incompetence - student is stopped while attempting to perform exam 4. Marked anatomically incorrect (i.e. Left marked as Right side) Student Clinical Rotation Evaluation The Radiography Program faculty has developed behavioral objectives concerning the clinical performance expected of each student. These objectives are designed to direct the performance of the student in the following areas: patient care, equipment manipulation, positioning skills, radiation protection and professionalism. 25

26 The evaluation is received by a Radiography Program faculty member who then reviews and evaluates the report. Should there be any deficiencies noted, the Radiography Program faculty member privately discusses it with the student and makes recommendations on how the student may improve their performance. All evaluations are returned to the student for their review. The student then signs the evaluation to indicate they have read it. The evaluations are made available to the student to encourage improvement in needed areas. All evaluations are documented and filed in the student's permanent record. Should the student feel that the evaluation is not truly representative of his/her performance, the student may write comments concerning the evaluation and those comments will remain with the evaluation as long as it exists. Clinical Participation Evaluation In order to gain the necessary skills to become a qualified radiographer, it is essential the student participate in the clinical experience. Clinical participation is evaluated as a part of the clinical grade and will be calculated as follows: First Year 0 unexcused absences = 100% of points 1 unexcused absence = 80% of points 2 unexcused absences = 60% of points 3 unexcused absences = 0% of points Second Year 0 unexcused absences = 100% of points 1 unexcused absence = 80% of points 2 unexcused absences = 60% of points 3 unexcused absences = 40% of points 4 unexcused absences = 0% of points Differences between the first and second year requirements are based on the weekly amount of clinical time required. 26

27 Professional Characteristics Evaluation Points are earned by the student s demonstration of the nine professional characteristics as described in this Addendum to the Student Handbook. A deduction of 25% will be made for each incident of failing to demonstrate these professional characteristics. The student will be counseled regarding each incident in which the student fails to demonstrate professional characteristics. If corrective action requires the student to be sent home or absent from clinic for any reason, this will be reflected in the participation portion of their grade. Professional Characteristics: 1. Empathy - Responds to the patient s physical and psychological needs; supports the patient s family and care givers; responds to the patient s spiritual needs; educates and informs the patient concerning the exam and procedure; is sensitive to other health care professionals. 2. Ethical - Maintains patient confidentiality; treats all patients without prejudice; refrains from making diagnoses; reports unethical behavior; follows the ALARA principle; follows the ASRT Code of Ethics; displays loyalty, honesty, trustworthiness, dependability. 3. Initiative - Seeks out learning experiences; recognizes and accomplishes unassigned tasks; volunteers to help staff and patients; reads unassigned articles; contributes to class discussion; seeks advice in problem solving; demonstrates a positive outlook; demonstrates mannerly behavior; follows chain of command. 4. Integrity - Adheres to and abides by all rules, regulations and policies of the Radiography Program; reports errors immediately; completes all forms accurately; operates as a team player; works collaboratively with others toward a common goal in a respectful and cooperative manner; accepts constructive criticism; takes personal pride in all professional tasks; is accountable for ones actions; displays self-discipline and self-responsibility; handles criticism, conflicts and complaints appropriately; works well with others. 5. Reliability Attends class; arrives/leaves on time; reports to assigned clinic areas on time; completes all tasks within the designated time frame; reports absence 27

28 from assigned clinic area prior to assigned starting time; stays in assigned area for duration of assignment; turns in assignments by due date; abides by absentee policy. 6. Respect - Calls patient by last name; protects patient s modesty; cleans and restocks work area; uses proper phone etiquette; maintains patient confidentiality; treats all individuals without bias (supports patient cultural values); tolerates other points of view; acknowledges and appreciates rights of others; has regard for diversity. 7. Self Esteem Demonstrates assertive behavior; demonstrates appropriate posture as discussed in patient care; displays good patient communication skills; employs good communication skills with peers; displays appropriate nonverbal, verbal, and written skills; dresses professionally; displays appropriate dress, grooming and hygiene. 8. Organizational Skills - Prioritizes and manages time and resources effectively; demonstrates flexibility in handling change; follows directions and procedures for the work environment. 9. Productivity - Completes tasks assigned efficiently, effectively, and timely; demonstrates problem-solving capabilities. Clinic Class Evaluation A variety of formal and informal activities may be planned for the student during the semester. These include discussions and demonstrations by the staff technologists and faculty, as well as skills training like venipuncture. Evaluation will be based on the student s participation in the activities and written quizzes or tests. Clinical Education Pocket Notebooks The student is required to keep a clinical pocket notebook in which miscellaneous information, such as, techniques, departmental routines, room preparations, patient preparations, room idiosyncrasies, daily warm-up procedures, etc. is to be recorded. This clinical pocket 28

29 notebook is periodically reviewed by the Radiography Program faculty for accuracy and completeness. Failure to keep an accurate and complete clinical pocket notebook may result in a loss of professional characteristics points. Clinical Schedules and Weekly Assignments At least one week prior to the start of a term, a clinical schedule will be distributed to all students. The schedule will indicate all day, evening, and weekend hours and assignments. A similar schedule will be posted at each clinical facility. It is the policy of the Radiography Program to limit student clinical assignments to no more than 10 hours per day and the total didactic and clinical involvement to not more than 40 hours per week. This limitation is to ensure that students are treated ethically and for the safety of students and patients. The Radiography Program recognizes that some students may wish to volunteer for additional clinical hours to observe, participate, and/or demonstrate competency in procedures less frequently performed. To attend additional clinical hours, students must obtain pre-approval from the Radiography Program. If approved, the student must comply with all program policies, rules and regulations. The following is the procedure students must follow to obtain approval for additional clinical hours. 1. Submit a written request for additional hours using the Radiography Program form. 2. The student may not attend the requested additional hours until they have received approval from the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, or designated faculty. 3. Approval will be contingent upon verification of adequate available supervision. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE POLICY If a student knows or suspects that he/she has a communicable disease or other illness which may affect patients, students or staff, then he/she must not report to the clinical site and must follow the procedure for an absence due to illness. A student may reenter clinical education after consultation and clearance from his/her family physician, as well as, appropriate hospital personnel. 29

30 CURRICULUM Athens Technical College offers a two year Radiography Program leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree. It requires full-time attendance. The student attends academic classes and clinical education only when Athens Technical College is in session. The curriculum of the Radiography Associate Degree Program includes three categories of instruction: general education courses, radiography core courses, and radiography major courses. The Radiography Associate Degree Program requires student completion of general education courses in the areas of: Area I: Language Arts/Communication Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts It requires student completion of all Radiography Program courses in introductory concepts, principles and technologies that provide the foundations for the occupation. The curriculum follows a structured plan to include all the content areas listed in the TCSG Standards and the ASRT curriculum guide. COURSE CONTENT AND SEQUENCING The Radiography Associate Degree Program has a comprehensive educational plan that includes course syllabi, course objectives, unit objectives, lecture outlines, sample tests, laboratory exercises and various other instructional materials. The curriculum includes 93 semester hours for an Associate in Applied Science degree. Of the 93 hours needed for graduation, 65 hours are radiography major courses and 28 hours are general education and radiography core courses. The Master Plan contains all the course syllabi to include course outline, grading scale, texts and objectives. The courses are sequenced in a method that allows the student to progress from the less difficult to more difficult material. The course descriptions may be reviewed in the Athens Technical College Online Catalog. 30