The Stamford Hospital

STAMFORD HOSPITAL

PROGRAM IN RADIOGRAPHY

STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

AND COMPETENCY HANDBOOK

STAMFORD HOSPITAL

PROGRAM IN RADIOGRAPHY

STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

AND COMPETENCY HANDBOOK

2010-2012

Issued to: ______

Date: ______

It is the student radiographer’s responsibility to review and familiarize him/herself with the policies in this handbook, for which he/she will be held accountable. The program director reserves the right of final decision in questions of interpretation.

Revised: 5/94.5/96.4/97.3/99.3/00.4/02/03.7/03.1/04/05.4/06.6/06,3/07,4/08, 6/09; 2/10

Table of contents

69

Stamford Hospital 5

Professional Standards 5

GENERAL CLINICAL OBJECTIVES 8

Honor Code Violations 10

CODE OF ETHICS 13

Program Description 14

Course Description 15

Program Accreditation 19

Philosophy and Mission Statement 20

Program Goals 21

Learning Outcomes 22

“Buckley Amendment” 23

Orientation 24

Admission Requirements 26

Policy number: 001 26

Advanced Placement 27

Policy Number: 002 27

Alcohol and Drug 29

Policy Number: 003 29

Grievance and Appeals Process 30

Policy Number: 004 30

Appearance/Dress Code 32

Policy Number: 005 32

Code of Conduct 34

Policy Number: 006 34

Bonus/Debit point system 35

Policy Number: 008 35

BONUS FORM 37

BONUS FORM DOCUMENTATION 38

DEBIT FORM 40

Certification Eligibility 41

Policy number: 009 41

Classroom hours 42

Policy number: 010 42

Conference Forms 43

POLICY NUMBER: 011 43

Clinical Recognition 44

Policy Number: 012 44

CLINICAL RECOGNITION DOCUMENTATION FORM 45

Communications – Telephone & Cell Phones 46

Policy Number: 014 46

Communication- Computer & Internet Usage 47

Policy Number 015 47

Competency Testing 48

Policy Number: 016 48

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 54

Policy Number: 017 54

CPR/AED Certification 55

Policy Number: 018 55

Conduct/Discipline 56

Policy Number 019 56

Evaluations - Clinical 57

Policy Number: 020 57

Clinical Evaluation 58

Academic and Clinical Progress 59

Policy Number: 021 59

Failure to attend – Clinical/Didactic 61

Policy Number: 022 61

Graduation Eligibility 62

Policy number: 023 62

Clinical Standards 63

Policy Number: 024 63

Incident Report 65

Policy Number: 025 65

Testing/Examination Integrity 66

POLICY NUMBER: 026 66

International Rotation 67

Policy Number: 027 67

Lunch 68

Policy Number: 028 68

Make-up examinations and Missed Assignments 69

Policy number: 029 69

National Honor Society 70

Policy number: 030 70

Pregnancy 71

Policy Number: 031 71

Progress reports and evaluations 72

Policy number: 033 72

Radiation Monitoring and Protection 78

Policy Number: 034 78

Repeat Radiographs 79

Policy Number: 035 79

Room and board 80

Policy number: 036 80

Selection of Applicants 81

Policy number: 037 81

Locker & Mail Box Policy 82

Policy number: 038 82

Snow / Inclement Weather 83

Policy number: 039 83

Standard Precautions 84

Policy Number: 040 84

Student Employment 85

Policy Number: 041 85

STUDENT’S RECORDS - Access 86

Policy Number: 042 86

Supervision/Supervisor- Clinical 87

Policy Number: 043 87

Tardiness 88

Policy Number: 044 88

Transportation 90

Policy number: 045 90

Trauma Elective 91

“Off-Hours” Trauma Elective 91

Policy Number: 046 91

Tuition 93

Policy number: 047 93

PTO – Personal & Sick 94

Policy Number: 049 94

Bereavement 96

Policy Number: 050 96

Sick Time 97

Policy Number: 051 97

Jury Duty 98

Policy Number: 052 98

Vacation 99

Policy Number: 053 99

TIME OFF DOCUMENTATION FORM 100

Variable Completion 101

POLICY NUMBER: 054 101

Veterans Affairs Benefits – U.S. Department of 102

Policy Number: 055 102

Video and Audio Recording 103

Policy Number: 056 103

Withdrawal from the program 104

Policy number: 057 104

Organization Charts 105

Table 1- Stamford Hospital 105

Table 2 – Tully Imaging Center 106

Table 3- Darien Imaging Center 107

Appendix 108

Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiologic Sciences (“The Standards”) 108

INDEX 2

69

Stamford Hospital

Program in Radiography

Professional Standards

Students entering the profession of Radiologic Technology must understand that they are entering a field of medicine that requires certain professional standards that other career choices may not.

Professional dress, appearance, and modes of conduct and communication must be of certain standards in order to maintain the confidence and care of the patient.

Patients under the care of a radiographer present themselves in all ages, cultures, and ethnic origins; therefore trendy modes of dress and appearance, and less than professional caring manner are not allowed.

The Stamford Hospital Program in Radiography has an established dress code, a code of conduct, and a student policy and procedure manual for your review before final acceptance is granted. Your signing of this Professional Standards form indicates that you understand the requirements of the program and that you agree to abide by these standards.

______

Applicant Date

______

Program Director Clinical Instructor Date

Rev 5/98, 5/99, 5/03, 6/07; 2/10

PREFACE

This handbook is designed to help the student radiographer understand the Program policies, competency system, and policies regarding levels of supervision, competency, repeat radiographs, etc. It also serves to identify all the student component parts of the student’s academic and clinical grades.

Acquisition of knowledge and clinical skill as well as affective behavior (attitude, interpersonal skills etc) contribute to the clinical and competency grading system. Interpersonal skills do not apply only to patients, although that is who we ultimately serve, but toward each other as well, i.e.: staff, students, faculty, physicians, transporters, volunteers etc.

An important part of your education is observation. You must sort through that which you observe. You must learn to recognize and emulate the best of what you observe and make it part of your professional being, while discarding that which you find unprofessional or otherwise undesirable.

It is exceedingly important for you to realize that you are really the one in charge of your education. Your faculty and the staff will direct and guide you, but do not have the time or responsibility to prod, push or constantly try to motivate you. Your motivation must come from within, and it will ultimately determine your success or failure as a student or graduate radiographer. The best advice we can give you is to study and work hard. Get as much clinical experience as you can. Do as much as you can. Practice, practice practice!! Your faculty, the Program Director and Clinical Instructors, are always available for guidance, support, advice, and help. Do not hesitate to seek them out.

You have chosen to invest two years of your life here, recognizing that it will require a great deal of commitment and work. Try to maintain the energy and enthusiasm that brought you here, or that you may experience as you embark on your new career

Good Luck!

Computer Access

Students can access information on the Radiography Program from any computer on site. Most of the information is also accessible from remote locations such as from home:

Available are:

q  Program’s policy manual – including rotation objectives, evaluations forms and competency forms.

q  Objectives and Lessons Plans – including handout and other required readings.

q  Memos to students

q  Student’s Competency records

q  Student’s Completed Evaluations and Objectives

TO ACCESS INFORMATION:

From Trajecsys (an online reporting system)

o  Open Internet Explorer

o  Access site: https://www.trajecsys.com/programs/rt/login.aspx

o  If you have not yet done so click on ‘Registration’

o  Input the required information

o  If you have already registered enter ‘login’ and ‘password’

o  Access files as needed

From Rad School Folder (information on the SH network)

q  Log in using your SH Internet login and password.

q  Click on:

q  START

q  SH shortcuts

q  SH directory

q  RADIOLOGY

q  COMMON

q  SCHOOL OF RADIOGRAPHY

q  Open your file as needed

TO PRINT information while on site

– If printing for the first time you must set up a printer.

The printer for the radiography program is: SOR01WB02

Location: 1351/GR; Model: RICOH Aficio MP 2550 PCL 5e

If you need help setting up your printer or for any related computer problem please contact the help desk, telephone extension: HELP (4357)

DO NOT PRINT THE ENTIRE FILES WHEN PRINTING!!!

ALWAYS CLOSE FILES AFTER USE

GENERAL CLINICAL OBJECTIVES

While enrolled in the radiography program, each student radiographer will:

q  Be required to produce radiographs of given anatomical regions, under the guidance of the radiographers/instructors, according to techniques demonstrated in the classroom and lab settings according to individual competency level.

q  Produce optimum quality radiographs

q  Perform necessary diagnostic and patient care procedures will a minimum of discomfort to the patient while utilizing accurate radiation protective measures applicable to each procedure

q  Be evaluated on his/her performance of a specified number of radiographic examinations in accordance with competency grading requirements

q  Be required to adhere to and master the clinical objectives for each clinical rotation

q  Determine exposure factors to achieve optimum radiographic results with minimum radiation exposure to the patient.

q  Evaluate the radiographic images for appropriate positioning and image quality

q  Apply principles of radiation protection for the patient

q  Provide patient care and comfort

q  Evaluate the performance the performance of radiologic systems, in regard to the safe limits of operation: report any malfunctions

q  Exercise independent judgment and discretion in the technical performance of medical imaging procedures, according to individual competency level.

q  Participate in radiologic quality assurance programs

q  Use proper oral and written medical communication

q  Demonstrate knowledge of human structure, function, and pathology

q  Apply correct principles of body mechanics

q  Perform basic mathematical functions

q  Process radiographs

q  Adapt exposure factors for various patient conditions, equipment, accessories, contrast media, etc.

q  Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior and uphold the patient’s rights under all situations

Notice:

Candidates for the Class of 2011 and after

Re:

·  ARRT certification

·  Continued Qualifications requirement

·  Degree requirement

Policy

·  ARRT certifications awarded January 1, 2011, and thereafter will be time-limited to 10 years.

·  All graduates of accredited radiography programs who become ARRT certified beginning January 2011 will have to demonstrate Continued Qualifications every 10 years – that is, they will have to pass an ARRT recertification examination every 10 years in order to remain certified.

·  Additionally, eligibility requirements for ARRT certification will — effective January 1, 2015 — call for candidates to have earned an associate degree (or more advanced degree) from an appropriately accredited institution. This degree requirement will apply to those who graduate, or take their certification examination, on or after January 1, 2015.

Honor Code Violations

Have you ever been suspended, dismissed, or expelled from an educational program that you have attended in order to meet ARRT certification requirements?
This is a question every primary-pathway candidate for certification must answer on the application, in addition to reading and signing the "Written Consent under FERPA," which allows ARRT to obtain specific parts of their educational records concerning violations to an honor code. If a student has ever been suspended, dismissed, or expelled from an educational program attended in order to meet ARRT certification requirements, he or she should answer "Yes" to the question above and include an explanation and documentation of the situation with the completed application for certification.
A list of some of the violations ARRT is concerned about is provided below, but when in doubt contact the ARRT Ethics Requirements Department at (651) 687-0048, ext. 8580.
Reportable Honor Code Violations
Note: this list does not include all reportable infractions. If you are unsure of whether something should be reported, contact a member of the Ethics staff at (651) 687-0048, ext. 8580.
·  Cheating and/or plagiarism;
·  Falsification of eligibility requirements (e.g., clinical competency information);
·  Forgery or alteration of any document related to qualifications or patient care;
·  Abuse, neglect, or abandonment of patients;
·  Sexual contact without consent or harassment to any member of the community, including patients;
·  Conduct that is seriously obscene or offensive;
·  Practicing in an unsafe manner or outside the scope of professional training;
·  Violating patient confidentiality (HIPAA);
·  Attempted or actual theft of any item not belonging to the student (including patients’ property); and/or
·  Attending class or clinical setting while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances.

COMPETENCY BASED CLINICAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

Competency based testing is a means of checking the progress of students during their clinical education by determining whether or not they are able to meet specified objectives, thus demonstrating competency. The clinical evaluation system is a uniform and structured and progressive approach to the clinical development of a student.

Students begin this process by observing an examination or group of examinations. After didactic instruction, laboratory instruction, and student demonstration of positioning skills (as described below), the student proceeds to the participatory stage of the competency based clinical education system.

In the participatory stage, the student may now assume a more active role in his/her clinical responsibilities. However, the students may only perform those radiographic procedures previously taught in the classroom and laboratory. Students shall perform these examinations under direct supervision.

The final stage in the competency based clinical education system is the ability of the student to perform radiographic examinations under indirect supervision. Before the student advances to this level, he/she must demonstrate competency.

To summarize, the competency-based clinical education system is a step-by-step process as outlined below:

q  Observation

q  Didactic instruction

q  Laboratory instruction

q  Student demonstration in the laboratory

q  Student participation in the department under direct supervision

q  Practice competencies as required

q  Competency examination

q  Student participation in the department under indirect supervision

q  Re-checks done throughout the 24 months at the discretion of Program Director/Clinical Instructor

Policy and Procedure regarding the supervision of radiography students must be strictly adhered to. The terms of supervision are defined as follows:

DIRECT SUPERVISION

Supervision is provided by a certified radiographer/clinical instructor. It is the responsibility of the radiographer/clinical instructor to: