• Policies and Procedures

    These policies and procedures are not only required for the program to stay accredited but are also directly related to the consistency of quality patient care. They serve a crucial purpose by providing a framework for consistent, fair, and lawful practices, ensuring accountability, and defining acceptable behavior. They clarify student and program expectations by promoting ethical conduct, and decision-making in various situations. All policies and procedures are given to students through email prior to informational meetings. 
    All policies and procedures are given to the students the first day of classes in the the student handbook. This handbook is also available to the students electronically. 

     

    Student Supervision

    To provide clinical participation as a basis for an educational experience. To provide a means of assuring clinical competency of students before they are permitted to perform radiographic examinations.

     

    • During the first through fourth semesters of the program, the students shall perform radiographic procedures under direct supervision.
    • Direct Supervision is interpreted to mean the following:
    • Student supervision by a qualified practitioner (not another student), who reviews the procedure in relation to the student’s achievement, evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the student’s knowledge, is physically present during the conduct of the procedure and reviews and approves the procedure and/or image.
    • A qualified radiographer is physically present during the conduct of a repeat image and must approve the student’s procedure prior to re-exposure.
    • During semesters five and six of the program, students who have demonstrated clinical competency to the satisfaction of the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator or Faculty shall be under indirect supervision.
    • Indirect Supervision is interpreted to mean the following:
    • For radiography, that supervision provided by a qualified radiographer immediately available to assist students regardless of the level of student achievement. Immediately available is interpreted as the physical presence of a qualified practitioner adjacent to the room or location where a radiographic procedure is being performed.
    • This availability applies to all areas where ionizing radiation equipment is in use on patients.
    • Not able to perform exams in ER or portables by themselves.
    • Not able to do surgery by themselves.
    • A qualified radiographer is physically present during the conduct of a repeat image and must approve the student’s procedure prior to re-exposure.
    • A radiographic marker of the technologist and student must be present on the repeat image.
    • A registered radiographer shall check and approve all student radiographs prior to the dismissal of the patient.
    • Supervising radiographers shall be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist in diagnostic radiographic technology.
    • A first year student may not perform exams or be supervised by a second year student, even if this second year student is deemed competent.
    • A first year or second year student may not perform exams with students from another radiography program. During the 24 month program the presence of a registered radiographer is required when students are functioning in the operating room or when performing mobile radiographs on inpatient units.

    Student Schedules

    To establish a schedule of hours on a shift rotation that will accommodate the students’ clinical requirements at various stages of the program.

     

    • The student will be clinically assigned four, 10-hour days.
    • These assigned hours will be Monday – Thursday. There is no school on Fridays.
    • Students will be assigned forty hours per week.
    • Most shifts will be 7:30 am until 5:30 pm
    • There will be a 2nd shift rotation for 2 weeks in the 6th semester.

    Vacations

    To provide the students with a period of rest from program requirements.

     

    • The 1st year students will have six weeks of scheduled vacation:
    • Two weeks of vacation in December/January
    • One week of vacation in the Spring
    • The last week of June
    • The first week of July
    • The last week in August
    • The 2nd year students will have three weeks of scheduled vacation:
    • Two weeks of vacation in December/January.
    • One week of vacation in the Spring
    • Graduation is second week in July

    Release from Program Requirements

    To provide students with time away from clinical/academic assignments due to illness or in order to meet personal obligations.

     

    • The students will be allowed 16 release days (160 hours) during the two years of the program.
    • Release days may be used as full days or half days (five hours). A “Time Off/Schedule Change Request” must be filled out and submitted to the Clinical Coordinator/Instructor as soon as possible.
    • Time away from scheduled assignments will be recorded as follows:
    • Scheduled Release – Absence scheduled with at least one day prior notice to the Program Coordinator or Clinical Coordinator/Instructor.
    • Unscheduled Release/Sick – Any absence not scheduled as above. In the event of illness or injury requiring unscheduled release from clinical/academic assignments, the student must notify the Program Director or Clinical Coordinator/ Instructor before the start of their scheduled assignment by messaging the instructor or leaving a message at 414-874-6410.
    • A release/OK to return to clinical/academic assignments will be required for sick days or three consecutive days or more.
    • Students will be released from clinical/academic assignments in lieu of the above for the following:
    • Interviews and physical for radiography positions or the following educational programs: Ultrasound, Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine.
    • Funeral of immediate family, three days outside of release day policy 
    • Student seeking special need accommodation. This will be reviewed by the Program Director on an individual basis
    • Students are responsible for all clinical/academic information presented during their absence. Make-up tests and quizzes must be arranged with the instructor prior to release day(s) or when student returns. In the event a student exceeds the 16 allotted release days, assignments may be rescheduled.
    • The students may also bank time obtained from educational seminars attended outside the clinical assignments – this time may be taken in increments of 30 minutes or more and known as comp-time.
    • Make-up time must be completed before additional comp-time may be earned.
    • In the case of a student voluntarily staying later than their scheduled time, this comp-time must be taken in that same week.
    • If a student has gone beyond the sixteen release days and has to make-up time, comp time may not be earned until make-up time is complete.
    • If a student has gone beyond the sixteen release days and has time to make-up, that student may not leave early if the class has been dismissed. That student must stay and make-up time until the end of scheduled time.

    Pregnancy

    In the event that a student should become pregnant and voluntarily declares pregnancy while enrolled in the program.

     

    • The student is to submit written confirmation of the pregnancy signed by her physician within one (1) month of diagnosis of the pregnancy. This confirmation should state an approximate due date and approximate date of Maternity Leave to begin. The physician should also note any limitations placed on her activity.
    • Students will meet with the Radiation Safety Officer as soon as possible and review all radiation safety policies.
    • An additional dosimeter will be issued to monitor the fetal dose; this dosimeter will be worn at the level of the abdomen under the lead apron.
    • The student must meet with the Program Director to discuss attendance issues surrounding a maternity leave.
    • Following the maternity leave, the student is responsible for any missed course work.
    • The clinical rotations missed due to the leave of absence will be made up and a new graduation date will be determined if necessary.
    • The student has the option of continuing in the educational program without modifications and also has the option to submit written withdrawal of declaration.
    • The student has the option to submit written withdrawal of declaration

    Radiation Safety

    The purpose of this policy is to specify the requirements for personnel radiation monitoring for the enrolled students.

     

    • All students are instructed to implement the ALARA principle – As Low As Reasonably Achievable during orientation and Radiation Protection class in the first semester.
    • All students are educated about the three Cardinal Principles of utilizing radiation: Time, Distance and Shielding during orientation and Radiation Protection class in the first semester.
    • A dosimeter will be furnished by the Hospital to all enrolled students.
    • A student’s dosimeter will be processed immediately when it is suspected that he/she might have received a single exposure greater than 100 mSv or an accumulated exposure greater than 300 mSv in one week.
    • A record of the individual's radiation exposure status will be kept by the Radiation Safety Officer.
    • These records will comply with 10CFR 19 and 20 and the State Radiation Protection Code.
    • The personnel exposure readings will be available for the student’s inspection online.
    • Yearly totals of an individual's exposure are available from the Radiation Safety Officer.
    • The RSO will review monthly records and will document any students receiving a high reading. If there is a high reading, it is categorized into 2 categories: Level 1 and Level 2.
    • The Level 1: > 1.25 mSv/quarter category involves the student getting a notification letter with no response needed from said student.
    • The Level 2: > 3.75 mSv/quarter category involves an investigation into the high exposure. A notification is given to the student and the student signs the notification acknowledging the dose.
    • The RSO interviews the student and together they come up with a reasoning of why and how it happened and how to prevent further exposure.
    • Documentation will be placed in their personal file. A cumulative deep, lens and shallow total is located on their final transcript.
    • At no time will a dosimeter be exposed to radiation unless worn by the individual to whom it is issued.
    • Any infraction of this rule may result in termination from the program.
    • Collection and distribution of all dosimeters for routine processing will be the responsibility of the Radiation Safety Officer.
    • However, it is the responsibility of the school’s faculty to aide in this process.
    • If a pregnant student chooses to declare her pregnancy, she must submit this in writing to the Radiation Safety Officer so that a separate waist-level  dosimeter can be provided to estimate the fetal exposure.
    • Students are not to hold patients or image receptors during exposures to the patient.
    • The estimate of radiation exposure made from the monitoring devices will only be correct if these rules regarding the wearing of the dosimeters are observed:
    • The dosimeter shall be worn at all times while working at assigned clinical campuses.
    • Wear the dosimeter at collar level outside the lead apron.
    • Leave the dosimeter in a safe place.
    • Never wear a dosimeter issued to another person.
    • The dosimeter issued to you is your responsibility.
    • Turn it in at the right time in exchange for a like one and take care of it.
    • Do not tamper with the  dosimeter.
    • Report loss of the dosimeter immediately to a member of the faculty.
    • Report any other incident relative to the wearing of the dosimeter (such as possible accidental exposure when the dosimeter is not worn) to a member of the faculty.
    • The hospital's dosimeter is not to be worn while on duty at facilities not assigned by the program.
    • The dosimeter is the property of the hospital and meant to indicate the efficiency of this hospital's radiation safety program.
    • It is the responsibility of the faculty to see that the above rules are observed and to report radiation protection problems to the Radiation Safety Officer.

    Affected Domain

    The Affective domain may be thought of as comprising behaviors related to attitudes, emotions and values. Affective behaviors usually must be inferred from specific, but indirect behaviors rather than measured directly. Inferences are drawn from choices that a person makes and from approach and avoidance behaviors exhibited.

    Five areas will be observed with documentation made to help evaluate the affective domain.

    Uniform/Appearance: Name tag, dosimeter, radiographic markers, clean, neat uniform and appearance in accordance with the dress code will be evaluated. This includes misuse of cell phones and other electronic devices. Compliance with uniform/appearance standards demonstrates an ability to care for one’s self and shows attention to detail. This translates to those who you are in contact with the manner in which you may care for them and how you may attend to the details of their examination.

    Punctuality: Being on time and ready to begin assignments. Punctuality demonstrates an interest in duties and shows responsibility. Being punctual translates to dependability and respect for those who rely in your presence in the clinical environment. Punctuality also reinforces your efforts to provide timely care for those who you serve. (It is considered a tardy up to 30 minutes after scheduled start time, anything beyond 30 minutes is considered Release Time.)

    Evaluation: One weekly evaluation must be handed in for each week of clinical rotation. Evaluation provides the students with information as to how Radiographers view their clinical performance. The ability to accept evaluation – both positive and negative – as well as the act of requesting, obtaining and handing in evaluations demonstrates maturity and an ability to take assignments independently.

    Professional Development/Continuing Education: Evidence of participation in three activities must be submitted each Fall and Spring semesters in a form of certificate of attendance or completed post quiz from directed readings. Attendance at professional society meetings and/or participation in continuing education activities beyond School requirements demonstrates a responsibility to obtain and maintain competence and prevent future obsolescence. Participation in professional societies and continuing education further demonstrates accountability to peers, physicians, health care facilities and the public.

    Stewardship: A one page paper submitted yearly describing a fulfilled stewardship opportunity and the impact it had on the student. We value our responsibility to use human, financial, and natural resources entrusted to us for the common good, with special concern for those who are poor. Seek out opportunities to contribute resources of time, services or money to help those in need

     

    • Each student begins each semester with a point for each week in that semester in each of the following areas: Uniform/Appearance, Punctuality, and Evaluation
    • Three points are given in the area of Professional Development/Continuing Education. One point is deducted for each instance of deviation.
    • Five points are given in the area of Stewardship. This area will only appear on the 3rd and 6th semester Affective Domain Worksheet, documenting completion for each year. Five points will be deducted for failure to turn in paper.
    • Students will receive a semester score for these behaviors.
    • Evaluation of the Affective Domain will be averaged with simulations/competencies and cumulative exam for the final clinical grade.
    • Failure to achieve an 85% average will necessitate Clinical Probation.  Probation and policies relating to termination will be in effect.

    Personal Appearance and Dress Code

    To reflect professionalism, cleanliness, safety and good judgment through general appearance and dress.

    Students are required to wear uniforms to assure a neat appearance, to help identify students connected with a given function or work area, and to project a positive image of the hospital. The students shall wear the following:

     

    • Scrub Dress Code
    • Solid or print colored scrub pants, tops and scrub jackets may be worn.
    • Fleece jackets are permitted only with the Ascension logo.
    • T-shirts are permitted with the Ascension logo
    • General Appearance & Safety
    • Earrings shall be of conservative post type, no larger than one inch and no hoops, gauges no larger than 4mm.Hair must be tied back entirely or shorter than shoulder length.
    • Wrist watch is optional, during clinical time, smartwatch notifications must be turned off. Notifications are considered a cell phone and no cell phones are allowed in clinical use. Any other jewelry shall not be hazardous to patients, i.e., sharp or protruding edges that may cut or scratch patients
    • The use of perfumes and colognes should be kept to a minimum.
    • Students may have a trimmed beard or mustache.
    • All students shall wear a hospital name badge and personal radiation monitoring device.
    • Gum chewing shall not be allowed
    • Fingernails should be clean, neatly manicured and less than 1⁄4 inch in length. Colored nail polish shall be allowed. Nail polish, if worn, cannot be chipped, cracked or peeling.
    • Students may not: Wear artificial fingernails or fingernail products. Artificial fingernails are defined as any material applied to the nail for the purpose of strengthening, lengthening or decorating the nails. Examples include: artificial nails, silk wraps, acrylic overlays, tips, extenders, gels, tapes, appliques and nail-piercing jewelry of any kind.
    • Visible facial piercing is allowed but only small post/stud earrings are permitted, no hoops.
    • Appropriate shoes must be worn and must be in good, clean repair. Heel height should not pose a safety risk. Shoes shall not have open toes, elevated heels or be of clog type. Shoes must be all enclosed including the heel. Athletic type shoes may be worn.
    • During the scheduled portable/surgical and IR rotation the student shall:
    • Before the start of the assigned clinical start time, the student will change into blue surgical scrubs.
    • Upon completion of the surgical observation the student may remain dressed in surgical scrub suit; shoe covers, mask and head covering must be removed.  The student returns to the radiology department to continue their portable rotation.
    • Never should BLUE surgery scrubs be worn home unless personal scrubs are soiled.

    Graduation Requirements

    To establish minimum standards for satisfactory completion of the didactic and clinical portions of the School of Radiologic Technology to fulfill graduation requirements.

    • Students are eligible for graduation when they have fulfilled the following:
    • Successful completion of all mandatory and elective clinical competencies with an 85% or higher. This includes the terminal competency positioning exam performed after both the first & second year. It also includes completion of all assigned modality rotations.
    • Completion of all didactic assignments / tests.
    • Received an overall average of 80% on the final exams. These final exams are in the 6th semester.   If a student does not achieve a cumulative grade of 80% or better on the final examinations during the normal course of the program he/she will not be awarded a certificate of completion for the program and will not be allowed to write the ARRT registry examination. After August 1st, a student who has not successfully completed the program will be allowed to retake all the final examinations.  If the student achieves a cumulative grade of 80% or better, he/she will be awarded a certificate of completion and will be allowed to write the ARRT registry examination.
    • All make-up time is complete.
    • Student has fulfilled all financial obligations to the school/hospital.
    Academic Grades

    To establish criteria of acceptable performance for all didactic assignments.

    Students must maintain an academic average of 85% in each class. 

     

    • Students must achieve an 85% minimum on all examinations.
    • All examinations with a score lower than 85% will be rewritten until an 85% is achieved. Regardless of the grade achieved on the retake examination the original grade will stand as the score for that examination. The retake score will be recorded.
    • Quizzes reflect preparation for classroom assignments and will be weighted as examinations in averaging final grades. All quizzes will be announced.
    • Academic grades will be averaged each semester, recorded and reviewed with the student. Academic averages can be viewed at anytime.
    • All corrected quizzes and tests will be returned to the student within a reasonable time frame for their review.

    Grading Scale:

    A 93 – 100%

    B 85 – 92%

    C 84 – 77%

    D 76 – 69%

    Grades are rounded:

    5 and greater rounded up. Example: 88.6 = 89%4 and lower rounded down. Example: 92.4 - 92

    Incompletes:

    The School of Radiologic Technology does not give a grade of incomplete for any academic or clinical course.

    Auditing:

    The School of Radiologic Technology does not allow students to audit any classes.

    Transfer Credits:

    Transfer Credits are not accepted from other colleges and/or universities due to the highly specialized nature of the program. In addition, the program does not accept transfer students form other JRCERT accredited certificate programs.

     

    Semester Exams

    A cumulative exam is one that tests a student on all of the material since the beginning of the Program; it covers all the topics as they build on one another, just as the ARRT registry exam.

     

    • At the end of each semester an examination covering material taught in the previous semesters is given.
    • The test will consist of 100 multiple choice questions for the first year and 200 multiple choice questions for the second year.
    • Questions will cover material that the student has been tested on prior to the examination.
    • The test question break-down by subject will be posted prior to the examination
    • Three of the five cumulative exams must be of a passing score in order to qualify for Early Release.
    • A passing score is 80% or better.
    • If an 80% is not achieved, the student will re-write the cumulative until 80% is achieved and all scores will be recorded.
    • The cumulative exam score will be averaged with the affective domain, simulations/competencies and cumulative grade for the final clinical grade each semester.
    Evaluations
    Evaluation is a process that critically examines a student. It involves collecting and analyzing information about a student’s academic and clinical outcomes.

     

    • The student is responsible to give the evaluation to a technologist weekly.
    • All technologists are encouraged to report both good as well as poor progress of the student.
    • This evaluation will be returned to the student via the Clinical Coordinator  to read and sign.
    • A student’s refusal to sign an evaluation indicates that the student and technologist did not agree on the comments made. In this case, the parties involved will be asked to speak with the Program Director about the remarks made.
    • At mid-semester, an informal discussion with each student and the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator and Faculty member is performed concerning both academic and clinical performance.
    • At the end of each semester the clinical evaluations are reviewed by the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator and Faculty member.
    • Each student is personally evaluated by the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator and Faculty member.
    • At this time a report concerning performance both academically and clinically is discussed with the student.  A report of competencies and release days are also discussed.
    • At the end of each semester, beside evaluating the clinical sites, the student also evaluates the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, Faculty members and classes.

    Probation

     

    • A student will be put on probationary status when academic or clinical performance is unsatisfactory or a lack of responsibility has been demonstrated.
    • Probationary period will be one semester in length.
    • If the student does not satisfactorily meet requirements designated at the onset of the probationary period he/she may be terminated from the program.
    • A student will be placed on academic probation if, during the previous semester, his or her cumulative academic average falls below the required 85% in each class. Two consecutive semesters of academic performance necessitating probationary status in the may result in the student’s termination from the program.
    • Two consecutive semesters of clinical performance necessitating probationary status may result in the student’s termination from the program.
    • Failure to obtain an 85% on the Clinical Terminal Competency I will result in automatic clinical probation and the student will repeat this competency within 2 months.
    • Failure to pass this competency on the second try will result in termination from the program. ‘
    • If the student did not receive a 70% or higher on the initial practical exam, the student will be terminated with no option to repeat.

    Student Records

    To outline a procedure whereby student records are maintained confidential in accordance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act – Buckley Amendment.

     

    • All student records kept in the personnel file shall remain confidential.
    • The student may have access to his/her records at any time.
    • The Program Director may give appropriate faculty access to student personnel files.
    • Student records will be released upon request of the student.
    • Student personnel files will be kept permanently.
    • Student transcripts will be released upon request to the Program Director by the student filling out a transcript request form and forwarding this request.
    • The Student’s radiation monitoring reports are available online.
    • Students are notified of their FERPA rights annually by publication in the Ascension – St. Joseph Campus, School of Radiologic Technology Student Handbook.
    • Right of School to Refuse Access: the Program reserves the right to refuse to permit a student to inspect the following records: The financial statement of the student’s parents. Letters and statements of recommendation for which the student has waived his or her right of access or those documents placed in files before January 1, 1975. Records associated with a denied application to attend the Program. Records excluded from the FERPA definition of educational records.
    • Refusal to Provide Copies: the Program reserves the right to deny transcripts or copies of records not required to be made available by the FERPA, in any of the following situations: The student lives within commuting distance of the School of Radiologic Technology and can, therefore, inspect the records on site. The student has an outstanding financial obligation to a partner College or the Program.
    Student Grievance Procedure
    A step-by-step process a student will follow when there is a difference of opinion and/or feelings of unfair treatment, real or alleged, can be promptly addressed satisfactorily and fairly resolved.
    All students are insured the opportunity to express grievances in a manner intended to afford a fair hearing with members of the school’s staff in a successive order, as summarized below, without fear of reprisal or prejudice.
    Program Director - Whenever a student feels he/she has a grievance the student should discuss the matter fully with the Program Director within 2 business days of occurrence. The Program Director will make every effort to resolve the grievance in a fair and amiable manner within 7 business days.
    Department Manager - Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Department Manager within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the grievance. The Department Manager will make every effort to resolve the grievance in a fair and amiable manner within 7 business days.
    Department Director - Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Department Director within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the grievance. The Department Director will make every effort to resolve the grievance in a fair and amiable manner within 7 business days.
    Chief Admin Officer, AW South - Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Chief Admin Officer within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the grievance. The Chief Admin Officer will make every effort to resolve the grievance in a fair and amiable manner within 7 business days, this decision will be final.
     
    JRCERT Standards
    A procedure whereby a student believes the program is in non-compliance of JRCERT standard(s). The JRCERT standards are posted at every clinical site and located in the student handbook.
    Whenever a student feels there has been a non-compliance of the JRCERT standard(s) the student should discuss the matter fully with the Program Director within 2 business days of occurrence. 
    Program Director: The Program Director will make every effort to resolve the non-compliance within 7 business days.
    Department Manager: Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Department Manager within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the non-compliance. The Department Manager will make every effort to resolve the non-compliance within 7 business days.
    Department Director: Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Department Director within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the non-compliance. The Department Director will make every effort to resolve the non-compliance within 7 business days.
    Chief Admin Officer, AW South: Failing a resolution, the student may request a meeting with the Chief Admin Officer within 2 business days to review all facts and resolve the non-compliance. The Chief Admin Officer will make every effort to resolve the non-compliance within 7 business days.
    JRCERT: Failing a resolution, the student may contact the JRCERT within 5 business days to resolve / report the non-compliance.
    JRCERT: 20 North Wacker Drive Suite 2850, Chicago, Illinois 60606-3182 (312) 704-5300, email: www.jrcert.org
    Any records of such non-compliance and their resolutions will be kept permanently in the radiology school file.
     
    Tuition, Fees and Reimbursement
    Payment outline of tuition and fees related to the School of Radiologic Technology.
    Tuition fee is $12,000.00 for the two-year period.
    Students will be notified in July of the year of enrollment, a time-table for payment of tuition, cost for books and related materials which will be purchased by the Program.
    A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is required.
    Full payment of book fees and tuition for one year less deposit must be made prior to the first day of class.
    Second year tuition will be due on the first Monday of September beginning the final year of school.
    Tuition will be reimbursed to students who voluntarily terminate their enrollment, using the following schedule:
    Termination prior to start or during the first week of school – 80% Reimbursement
    Termination during week 2 or 3 – 60% Reimbursement
    Termination during week 4 – 40% Reimbursement
    Termination during week 5 or 6 – 20% Reimbursement
    No reimbursement will be made following termination after the sixth week of school
    The same reimbursement schedule will be followed if a student voluntarily terminates enrollment after paying second year tuition. Book fees are non-refundable.
     
    Misconduct and Suggestive Degrees of Corrective Actions

    To explain the use of systematic corrective action necessary to insure compliance with school rules, policies and procedures, to maintain proper conduct and to insure uniformity when selecting corrective action. All corrective action will be documented in the student’s personnel file.

    All depending on the offense, the Program Director would normally use the following sequence:

       Verbal Warning - Verbal counseling is the least severe type of corrective action. The student will be made aware that failure to comply with the rules and procedures in the future will result in more severe action.

    Written Reprimand - This action will be taken when verbal counseling has not corrected the student’s conduct or where the seriousness of the violation for the first time warrants a formal reprimand. An offense necessitating a written warning may carry with it a one to three-day suspension or a semester probationary period in which the student must demonstrate improvement. (time taken from student’s release time). The student and the Program Director will sign the letter. The student will receive a copy of the letter and a copy will be kept in the student’s file.

    Discharge - Before a student is discharged the facts must be presented to the faculty. A decision will be made whether to discharge the student or take other corrective action by the faculty. Each case will be decided on an individual basis.

    There may be possible extenuating circumstances to any situation. Students charged with a criminal act may, depending on the nature of the crime, be suspended until a trial of the case. If found not guilty, a student so suspended shall be eligible for return to school. It is also possible to administer a more strict disciplinary sequence, i.e., verbal warning followed by immediate discharge if the “material” is considered damaging, immoral, malicious, hostile, etc., depending on the facts.

     

    • Dishonesty, deliberate deception, fraud, theft, deliberate damage to hospital, employee or student property, using hospital equipment or materials for commercial use or personal gain 
    • Coming to school under the influence of alcohol and/or drinking alcoholic beverages on hospital property.  Alcoholic beverages consumed within reason in conjunction with hospital sponsored activities is not an act of misconduct as long as you are off duty.
    • Illegally obtaining, possessing, selling or using narcotics, barbiturates, marijuana and other dangerous drugs on hospital property or grounds.
    • Taking a repeat exposure without a technologist present.
    • Electronic device utilization is restricted during tests, quizzes and during classroom instruction and will remain inside of a case/backpack.  This includes small electronic devices such as smart watches as well as larger computer/tablet devices.  Calculators will be provided to the student by the school; personal calculators will not be allowed. During clinical time, smartwatch notifications must be turned off. Notifications are considered a cell phone and no cell phones are allowed in clinical use.
    • Altering or changing a time record in any way, writing on the time record of another student, giving false time records.
    • Falsifying the employment and/or medical history forms or willfully omitting pertinent information from these forms.
    • Fighting, threatening bodily injury, engaging in immoral conduct on hospital property.
    • Willful violation of basic safety or health rules or making inoperative any safety device.  Smoking in restricted safety areas.
    • Possessing firearms, illegal knives or other types of weapons on hospital property.
    • Conviction or sentencing by civil authorities for a criminal act which is patient care related
    • Failure to notify the program director or clinical coordinator when absent for 3 consecutive scheduled days, without authorization.
    • Disclosing medical, financial or other confidential information about patients or the hospital without authorization.
    • Refusing to promote and practice hospital-wide “Guest Relations"
    • Negligence or deliberate abuse of equipment, wasting of materials or supplies.
    • Failure to follow safety practices, including the wearing of personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, lab coats, face shields, masks, eye protection, mouth pieces, etc.)
    • Using abusive, obscene or threatening language but not directed toward any person.
    • Giving false or misleading information, circulating false or malicious rumors.
    • Students exhibit a pattern of being absent on Thursdays, Mondays, following scheduled days off, etc., overstaying a leave of absence or vacation without notification or stopping clinical assignment  before lunch period/quitting time.
    • Failure to carry out supervisor’s specific instruction.
    • Failure to call in daily absence as cited in the Student Handbook.
    • Soliciting of memberships, contributions, pledges or subscriptions and conducting anything other than hospital business on hospital time or property.
    • Posting unapproved literature on bulletin boards or elsewhere.
    • Inattention to duties. Idling or sleeping during school elsewhere during clinically assigned hours. Using the internet for personal, unrelated to school purposes (i.e.: personal email, surfing the web, on-line shopping etc.)
    • Failure to remain in one’s assigned area during clinically assigned hours.
    • Any action considered detrimental to the welfare of the patient or which results in disruption of Hospital routine.
    • Outside employment or activities which adversely affect school performance or reputation of the hospital.
    • Loitering in the hospital or on hospital grounds when you are not clinically assigned hours.

    MRI Safety

    To ensure the safety of student radiographers in the MRI Department

     

    • Students will be provided an overview of MRI safety during student orientation on the first day of school.  
    • During orientation week the faculty will review MRI safety in part VI of the student handbook along with the Ascension MRI safety policy.
    • Students will follow all safety protocols set forth in the Ascension safety policy.
    • Students will complete an MRI safety screening form at the end of their 4th semester before their MRI rotation in the 5th semester, an MRI faculty member will review the safety screening form and will discuss any student safety concerns with the lead MRI technologist, who will determine if the student may enter the scan room.
    • Students with contraindications may complete their MRI rotation, but will not be allowed to enter the MRI scan room.
    • Student screening forms shall be kept on file in the students personnel file.
    • Declared Pregnant Students:
    • The pregnant student may rotate thru MRI, but will be unable to occupy the magnet room during the acquisition of the image.
    • There currently are no established regulatory guidelines for occupational utilization of magnetic resonance imaging systems by pregnant women. A survey of female MR operators by Kanal, et. al., did not find a substantial increase in common adverse reproductive outcomes 

    Contingency Plan

    Whenever an emergency affecting the education of students enrolled in the radiography program reaches proportions that cannot be handled by routine measures, the following contingency guidelines may be implemented by the program director, clinical coordinator or a faculty member.

     

    • Since an emergency may be sudden and without warning, these procedures are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate contingencies of various types and magnitudes.
    • Unable to continue with in-classroom didactic teaching
    • Unable to participate in patients exams in the clinical sites
    • Provide an extension for graduation dates until students are able to fulfill their didactic and clinical courses.
    • Consider delaying admissions to enable the currently enrolled students the opportunity to matriculate.
    • Classroom Learning
    • Students will be notified immediately that classroom instruction has to be altered or discontinued.
    • Faculty will adjust lesson plans to accommodate distance education delivery or smaller class sizes.
    • Verification of student emails outside of the organization is obtained so not to disrupt continued and frequent communication.
    • Students will return to didactic learning when the faculty deems it safe.
    • Clinical Learning
    • If possible, clinical labs may continue in a controlled environment under the supervision of the clinical coordinator or a faculty member.
    • Students will return to clinical sites when the faculty deems it safe.
    • This may mean that students could be reassigned to a different facility or to a nontraditional shift, such as evenings and weekends in order to accommodate the student.
    • The program will adhere to supervision policies
    • The program will assure adequate PPE is provided for student safety.
    • The program will review and possibly revise the clinical plan to assure that all students are provided equitable learning activities regardless of the type of facility, i.e., trauma or outpatient center."
    • The School of Radiologic Technology will work with its affiliate universities to assure they are aware of the steps being taken to ensure student safety and to keep them apprised of the program’s plan for the students' education.
    • Students are given a probationary period to demonstrate that they can indeed make successful academic or clinical progress.