Clinical Rotations
Describe the process for assigning students to the clinical arena.
Students are assigned to the clinical sites by the Clinical Coordinator with input from the Clinical Instructors and the Program Director (as needed).
Other contributing factors include:
- competencies achieved vs competencies needed
- distance from the site
Are you aware of the JRCERT? Is so, how was this done?
JRCERT is the accreditation body for Radiologic Technology programs across the nation. Information was shared (including how to reach the JRCERT with concerns) at orientation.
*I was provided the address and contact information should the need to contact them arise. This information can also be found in the Student Policy Summary link online: https://www.mville.edu/sites/default/files/snhs_student_summary_policy_3.pdf
When and how did you receive information concerning program policies and procedures?
Orientation, beginning of the semester
What resources are available to you as a student?
- library
- peer tutoring
- health center
- academic advising
- center for disabilities
- center for inclusion
Do you have a class representative that provides input into the program?
All student can provide input into the program at any given time. The class rep's for each are:
Seniors: Carly & Ezequiel
Juniors: Joseph M. and Layla
These 4 students attend Advisory Board meetings for the program 2/yr.
Describe the direct supervision policy.
Direct supervision is when:
- A licensed Radiographer reviews the request with the student before the examination.
- The radiographer evaluated the patient’s condition and supervised the procedure in the room with the student.
- The radiographer evaluates the radiographs with the student and instructs the student on the appropriate measures necessary to complete the exam.
- Students must be directly supervised during surgical and all mobile, including mobile fluoroscopy, procedures regardless of the level of competency.
General answer, they will dig deeper as necessary.
Describe the process for competency achievement.
4 steps a student must take BEFORE attempting a competency:
1. learned the procedure in class
2. been tested on the procedure in class
3. observed the procedure in the lab/clinical site
4. practiced the procedure at least 3 times
THEN, and only then - achieved competency in that particular exam
Does the program Rotates Students to More Than One Site?
Yes, one per semester. 4 sites in total.
Agency responsible for Rad Tech curriculum guidelines and continuing education credits?
American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT)
If you had an issue where you felt unjust, would you know how to resolve the issue?
- If it is a didactic issue I would first speak to the instructor, then my academic advisor, or finally the Program Director.
- If it is a clinical issue I would speak to my Clinical Instructor, then my Clinical Coordinator, or finally the Program Director.
*If none are able to help I would speak to the Dean of SNHS.
Does the program give assignments that necessitate the need to use the library?
Yes. In it I have access to peer reviewed medical journals, copies of textbooks, access to law libraries, etc.
How is student input provided?
Students will discuss matters and send questions with their respective representatives.
Describe the indirect supervision policy.
- Indirect Supervision provided by a licensed radiographer that is immediately available and near the room where the radiographic procedure is being performed.
- A student radiographer may be indirectly supervised after they have:
1. learned the procedure in class
2. been tested on the procedure in class
3. observed the procedure in the lab/clinical site
4. practiced the procedure at least 3 times
5. achieved competency in that particular exam
Who evaluates clinical competencies?
1. Staff Tech's on site
2. Clinical Instructors
Do you feel that sites provide a variety and volume of procedures to allow you to complete required competencies?
Over the course of 4 semesters the sites provide a great deal of variety and appropriate opportunities to complete the required competencies.
Agency responsible for accrediting the college?
Middle States
What is the Pregnancy Policy?
How often are policies and procedures reiterated in general?
- Should a student or faculty member become pregnant while employed/ enrolled in the Radiography Program, she is under NO requirement to declare her pregnancy status to any individual associated with the program.
- Should she voluntarily elect to declare her pregnancy status, she may do so by using the “Form letter for Declaring Pregnancy”, and submitting it to the Program Director.
- If the student or faculty member declares she is pregnant, she may at any time, undeclare her pregnancy status for any reason.
*She will do so by informing the Program Director in writing. At that time her status will revert to that in effect before her declaration.
Should she elect NOT to declare her pregnancy status, or undeclare her pregnancy, it is understood that the program is under no requirement to afford any measures with regards to radiation safety other than those, which are routinely afforded to all radiography students and faculty.
*Upon submitting the declaration form to the Program Director, the following measures will become effective for the duration of her pregnancy or declaration:
- student will receive counseling on methods to protect herself/fetus from ionizing radiation
- student must wear a radiation monitor at all times when working with ionizing radiation.
- an additional badge will be worn at waist level and must not leave the hospital property at any time except when being sent out for processing by institution.
- students will have the option to continue their clinical education without modification, during the entire gestational period.
- rotations evaluations, and/or clinic time missed because of pregnancy must be made up.
- the student will assume the responsibility of meeting with the Program Director and Clinical Coordinator to plan this make-up time.
- under no circumstance will a pregnant or any student hold or assist in holding a patient or image receptor during a radiographic exposure.
- the student must bring to the Program Director, as soon as possible, written permission from her physician permitting her to continue clinical assignments.
- the student will not be permitted to receive a cumulative radiation dose exceeding 0.5 rem (500 millimeters) during the gestation period.
*all policies are review with students each Fall in advance of the start of the academic year
Do you feel that the program has adequate resources to help students comprehend difficult concepts?
What type of resources is available for students that are struggling with coursework?
Yes.
- Peer tutoring paid for by the college
- Additional help from course instructors
- Additional lab support with qualified instructors (didactic and clinical)
Can you give examples of changes that have been made thanks to student feedback?
Open ended answers...
Describe the repeat exam policy.
ANY radiographs that must be repeated must be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed radiographer, regardless of the student’s level of competency.
Where can you find a log of completed competencies?
Trajecsys
*Updates are also emailed to students monthly
What are the days and hours of your clinical rotations?
Seniors: Monday/Thursday 8:00-4:00
Juniors: Wednesday/Friday 8:00-4:00
Agency responsible for issuing the licensure examination AKA the Registry? Also issue the licensure exams for post-primary studies (Mammo, CT, MRI, Bone Densitometry).
American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT)
If a change is made in a policy or procedure, how are students apprised?
Changes in policy are communicated to students immediately. Changes that take place over summer are communicated at the orientation.
*Students can always find the most recent version of the Student Policy Summary on the web: https://www.mville.edu/programs/radiologic-technology
Do you feel that you have an adequate radiation protection knowledge-base prior to being assigned to the clinical arena?
- Which class prepared you to protect your self and patients from the effects of radiation??
*all courses have some aspect of radiation protection woven into the curriculum.
Radiation Protection is covered in detail in:
Year 1:
- Principles Rad Protection (RAD 2270)
- Concepts of Radiation Exposure (RAD 1260)
Year 2:
- Radiation Biology (RAD 3280)
- Radiographic Physics (RAD 3300)
Describe the faculty and their role.
Faculty are responsible to teach in the program. All serve as academic advisors and some where administrative hats.
TCG - faculty and program director
IC - faculty and clinical coordinator
JH - faculty and lab coordinator
CS - faculty and accreditation specialist
SF - didactic adjunct faculty
What is the supervision policy applicable for mobile, surgical and emergency examinations?
DIRECT Supervision, ALWAYS!
*Policy states students must be directly supervised during surgical and all mobile, including mobile fluoroscopy, procedures regardless of the level of competency.
Unfair grades are addressed with the technologist. If no resolution is found then it is escalated to the CI then the CC and finally the PD.
*Clinical Instructors are responsible for entering the completed competency.
Do you ever complete more than 40 hours per week? (includes both clinical and didactic class time)
NO
Agency responsible for protecting the general welfare of radiologic science professionals in New York State?
New York State Society of Radiologic Sciences (NYSSRS)
Describe the consequences of failing to comply with a policy or procedure.
Consequences vary depending on the policy that was broken. The Student Policy Summary advises of the consequences for each, up to removal from the program.
Guidelines include, academic probation and dismissal, violations of academic code, disruptive student conduct, progressive disciplinary system.
Have you reviewed your radiation dose report recently?
Radiation doses are tracked through Landauer. Dosimeters are issued for 90 day periods and reports are posted within 30 days of being received by the college.
Reports are hung in the Rad lab for students to evaluate.
How did classroom/lab instruction prepared you for the clinical arena?
open ended answers
How often do you see/work with your clinical instructor/ supervision/preceptor?
Clinical Instructors are assigned to the sites for 8 hour periods per week. The rest of the time students work with qualified Staff Technologist.
How often do program faculty visit the clinical education setting?
Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions clinical settings are mostly limited to Clinical Instructors and Students.
Do you rotate through the specialty areas (CT, MR, Mammography, Angiography, Bone Densitometry, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine, Tomotherapy, Gamma Knife, Proton Therapy)?
Juniors - no
Seniors - yes. There are NO required competencies during these rotations.
Agency Responsible for accreditation of Medical centers such as hospitals, nursing homes, etc.?
The Joint Commission (JCO)
If you have an issue with a policy or procedure, what are the process/steps that you would take?
1. Question the policy at Orientation. Plenty of opportunities are given at orientation to openly discuss issues.
- If it is a didactic issue I would first speak to the instructor, then my academic advisor, or finally the Program Director.
- If it is a clinical issue I would speak to my Clinical Instructor, then my Clinical Coordinator, or finally the Program Director.
*If none are able to help I would speak to the Dean of SNHS.
Who serves as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for the program?
Professor J. Hall, he together with the clinical affiliates RSO will counsel students should a report indicate the student has been exposed.
Do you have the opportunity to evaluate your on-campus and clinical instructors? Describe the process.
Evaluations are done for the college as well as the program each semester. Program evaluations are done on:
- specific courses
- clinical instructors
- clinical sites
Do you feel that the clinical instructor is readily available if needed?
Clinical Instructors can be reached via:
Teams - chat feature that allows you to connect instantaneously.
CI email Inbox (reaches ALL CI's, teh CC, and PD)
RadTechClinicalInstructors@mville.edu
Does the program provide information about additional degrees or subspecialty areas with the imaging arena in which you can also seek employment?
Not currently