Tony: M-F 9:30-12:00 and other times as needed. Contact me when you need assistance via facebook group and email
Candy Contact: Wednesday half days (Changes every 4 weeks) either 8am-noon or 1pm to 5pm
Thursday 8am-5pm
Friday 8am-noon
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR TEXT CANDY ANYTIME 1-806-335-0630
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students. If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .
RADT-1191-001 ST - Ethics and Law in Radiation Therapy
Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledges and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(1 sem hrs; 1 lec)
Online Course
Computer/internet access, as per college policy
Course Description:
This course will introduce the student to aspects of ethical and legal issues that apply, generally, to the medical professions and, specifically, to the field of radiation therapy.
The student will be able to complete examination assessment of the following with a minimum 80% commutative accuracy:
Objectives:
1. Distinguish between philosophical theories that undergird principles of ethical decision making.
2. Identify principles that guide ethical decision making for practice situations.
3. Define practice situations that carry high potential for dilemmas which require ethical scrutiny.
4. Discuss basic ethical duties of health care providers.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to various cultural and ethnic differences among various client groups.
6. Discuss the concept of patient advocacy in support of patients’ rights.
7. Explain the principle of autonomy.
8. Discuss the radiation therapy scope of practice, code of ethics and practice standards.
9. Differentiate between nonmaleficence and beneficence.
10. Discuss the elements of an informed consent.
11. Discuss standards of disclosure.
12. Analyze issues related to the use and flow of patient information to determine confidentiality.
13. Identify current ethical issues in health care.
14. Demonstrate application of the doctrine of informed consent and other issues related to patient rights.
15. Explain ethical issues related to the profession.
16. Examine ethical issues arising in a radiation therapy department daily.
17. Apply concepts related to social, political, economic and historical issues to analyze the different sources of law.
Additionally:
1. Assess the role of effective communication skills.
2. Analyze negligence related to clinical practice issues of simulation, treatment delivery, patient assessment, patient education and quality assurance to determine if negligence is present.
3. Examine the role of the radiation therapist in the informed consent process, patient rights and practice standards.
4. Analyze the role of Code of Ethics, Radiation Therapy Scope of Practice and Radiation Therapy Practice Standards as guides to assess the appropriateness of professional actions.
5. Discuss the practice of lifelong learning in maintaining professional competence
Objectives:
1. Distinguish between philosophical theories that undergird principles of ethical decision making.
2. Identify principles that guide ethical decision making for practice situations.
3. Define practice situations that carry high potential for dilemmas which require ethical scrutiny.
4. Discuss basic ethical duties of health care providers.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to various cultural and ethnic differences among various client groups.
6. Discuss the concept of patient advocacy in support of patients’ rights.
7. Explain the principle of autonomy.
8. Discuss the radiation therapy scope of practice, code of ethics and practice standards.
9. Differentiate between nonmaleficence and beneficence.
10. Discuss the elements of an informed consent.
11. Discuss standards of disclosure.
12. Analyze issues related to the use and flow of patient information to determine confidentiality.
13. Identify current ethical issues in health care.
14. Demonstrate application of the doctrine of informed consent and other issues related to patient rights.
15. Explain ethical issues related to the profession.
16. Examine ethical issues arising in a radiation therapy department daily.
17. Apply concepts related to social, political, economic and historical issues to analyze the different sources of law.
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
Class Policies: note-these policies do not apply to any non RADT course, including teh sectional anatomy course in the Spring semester first year, which is taught through the radiography program, not the radiation therapy department.
If you have any questions about what constitutes your own work or cheating or unfair advantage, ask the instructor. Note: Radiation Therapy courses utilize “SafeAssign” plagiarism detection tools.. Plagiarism is considered as cheating.
Mandatory proctoring of exams/Quizzes: All major section exams and regular quizzes will be given online and these graded activities must be proctored (typically by utilizing Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor security software, as will be described within teh course itself). Therefore, students will be required to either 1) use webcam software that records them while taking exams, 2) or other approved testing site (not applicable for typical situations). For either of these options, students will be required to show official picture identification prior to the start of the exam/quiz. Note: Final Exams MUST be taken at an approved testing site, NOT via webcam on a personal computer (exception: Final “Exit Exams” at the end of the program will be in-person in class only, over a two day period).
Following the mid-semester break (Fall and Spring semesters only) the student will schedule their Final Exams. All Final Exams must be completed by the end of the day on the Wednesday of Final Exams week (note: Summer semester has only a Final Exams day). Final Exams will be scheduled by the student and must be approved by the instructor before confirmation of exam time/date/place. Final Exams may NOT be scheduled prior to Final Exams week. Exception, Final Exam for Labs may take place during the week before final exams (as is customary with “lab practicals”). Local/Area students may take their final exams on campus at the West Campus testing center.
*Unless there is documentation of an extraordinary circumstance (e.g. extreme illness /hospitalization etc. Matters of scheduling convenience, in particular, will never be considered as an exception.
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Exam conduct requirement |
Consequence for violation of exam conduct |
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Valid photo ID shown |
A zero will be given for the exam until student identity is confirmed by a valid photo ID (not required Spring 2016). |
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Correct placement of webcam |
A 30 percentage point penalty will be given for incorrect webcam placement. See the instructional video in the course website for a demonstration of correct webcam placement. |
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Complete environment scan |
A 30 percentage point penalty will be given for an incomplete or insufficient scan of the testing environment. See the instructional video in the course website for a demonstration of how to completely scan your testing environment. |
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Microphone turned on and recording |
A 30 percentage point penalty will be given for an exam taken without the microphone being turned on and recording throughout the entire exam. |
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Sufficient lighting of the testing environment |
A 30 percentage point penalty will be given for an exam taken without enough lighting for the instructor to assess the testing environment. |
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Student remains in webcam view during exam |
A student who leaves the webcam view during an exam for any reason will receive a zero for that exam. Take care of any restroom or other business ahead of time. Ensure that you will not be interrupted for the duration of the exam. Exams can last as long as two hours (typically a little over an hour). |
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No unauthorized materials near desk area |
A student who has any unauthorized materials (books, notes, blank paper, phone, another computer, etc.) near the testing area will receive a zero for that exam. |
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No talking with others during the exam or playing of music or other audio recordings. |
A student who has any music or audio recordings playing during exams, or who talks with anyone for any reason during the exam, will receive a zero for that exam. |
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The exam is taken in an approved proctored environment |
Any exam taken without either the webcam software or in the Amarillo College Science Testing Center will receive a zero. |
Consequences for violating the above requirements will be suspended on the syllabus quiz (if applicable), so that instructors can educate students about proper testing behavior. AND/OR students will be given a “mock quiz” that will be used as a “practice session” to ensure that all testing requirements are met prior to actual testing begins (during the first semester of online course delivery only) This practice quiz twill help identify unintentional or honest mistakes and feedback will be given to any student where potential violations are identified.
Any student who thinks that a penalty was misapplied can request that the penalty be reviewed according to the grievance procedure listed below.
Also See Attendance policy.
Also see Amarillo College students rights and responsibility document. Link to that document is found elsewhere in this syllabus.
Also see the student grievance procedure found in the Student Handbook that was handed out at the beginning of the program (during the first practicum/clinical course, and is available in all PRacitcum online courses).
Inappropriate behavior that is disruptive to the learning experience for the class will not be tolerated.
The instructor will make arrangements via online course email to have at least one “one-to-one” live conversation (phone or in-course live“Chat”) during the semester
The purpose of the contact is to check with the student to see how they are doing and address any questions or concerns on the part of either the student or the faculty. Of course, aside from this scheduled communication, the student can feel free to contact the instructor at any time the student has any questions or concerns. The instructor will send an email via the online course email tool to each student within the first three weeks of the course to set up the telephone visit, which will typically take place close to mid-term (about 8 weeks into the course, 6 weeks into a summer course). Note: Fall and Spring semesters are 16 weeks of classwork (with a week break halfway through), summer term is 12 straight weeks.
EMAIL: For questions related to this particular class, please use the online course email. For any other email contact (program in general or clinical questions or any other concern/question that needs more immediate attention), please contact me via my office email (which I typically check multiple times each day) at: tmtackitt@actx.edu Please make sure that the subject heading includes “RTT” and something specific about your inquiry.
The instructor will be in communication (email, discussion boards, phone, exam review forums, facebook. etc.) with all students during the semester.
see Amarillo College students rights and responsibility document
Radiation Therapy courses
Each student will be required to prepare written assignments for credit in various courses, and take written examinations typically as a routine part of each course. As such, students should be fully aware of the instructor's policies relative to the ethics regarding copying the work of others and any unethical act that may occur during a quiz or examination or other assignment.
PLAGIARISM is the theft of another person's work or thinking. Words, as well as ideas, or intellectual property and can be stolen from another person as easily as money or some other item. As such, plagiarism can be a violation of the law, and is certainly a violation of ethics. Even in those cases where the law may not be violated, plagiarism is unethical and does the wrong thing to do and can carry severe consequences for the perpetrator.
In a college credit course, it is considered plagiarism to copy the work of another student, even with the permission of that student, since the copied work violates course ethics. Under the circumstances associated with a course assignment for credit, a student would also need the permission of the course instructor before it is considered ethical to copy the work of a peer. Obviously, that permission is not likely to be given, for it totally defeats the purpose of the assignment, which is to measure or demonstrate the knowledge and ability of the student -- not the ability of someone else. Stated another way, and these courses, a student WILL NOT COPY ANOTHER STUDENTS WORK on any assignment for credit!
Likewise, unethical conduct during a quiz or examination is also the wrong thing to do. For a student pursuing a career in a health occupation, test dishonesty can be seen as a reliable predictor of unacceptable job performance following graduation. This instructor takes the position that the dishonest student is probably also unethical in other ways and is a threat to the safety of any patient who comes in contact with that student. Employers likely take a similar position. The healthcare industry cannot tolerate such conduct.
At Amarillo college, there are grave academic penalties for any unethical conduct on the part of any student. The policy and penalty for such conduct is provided in the General Catalog as follows:
"A high standard of conduct is expected of all students. It is assumed that obedience to the law, respect for properly constituted authority, personal honor, integrity and common sense will guide the actions of each member of the college community both in and out of the classroom. Any student who fails to perform according to expected standards may be disciplined."
It should be concluded from this statement that unethical course conduct is absolutely prohibited by Amarillo College policy. To be more specific, in radiation therapy courses, plagiarism, dishonesty, or any other unethical course conduct, is reason for a final course grade of "F" regardless of other grades earned in the course.
This ethics policy is STRICTLY enforced, with ZERO tolerance, for ALL RADT courses! A student should not risk his or her final grade in his course, and any future enrollment privileges at Amarillo College, as the result of an unethical act related to a course assignment or examination. If in doubt about a particular assignment or testing practice, contact the course instructor FIRST!
GRADING POLICY:
Regular homework assignments, and module exams will be given during the semester. Grading will be on a total point basis.
Assignments (“Activities”)= various points, described as the activity is assigned.
Exams=100 pts typical (unless announced otherwise. and typically 50 questions
Final exam=300 points
There will be approximately four major exams (module exams) during the semester followed by a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester.
STUDENTS MUST SCORE AT LEAST A 72% ON THE FINAL EXAM IN ORDER TO PASS THE COURSE. SCORES BELOW 72% ON THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILING THE COURSE NO MATTER WHAT THE COURSE AVERAGE IS FOR THE OTHER GRADED ACTIVITIES DURING THE SEMESTER.
Prior to each exam (not including labs), there will be a Discussion Board where students can ask questions prior to taking the exam. The discussion board will close at 9:00AM (CST) on the day of the exam. At that time, the instructor will enter the discussion and begin to address questions so the student can have access to better understand the material before taking the exam. It is expected that questions from students will be answered by 10:00AM CST. So if you ask a question before an exam, check in on the discussion thread after 10:00AM on test day. It is recommended that all students check this discussion board prior to starting their exam. Before you ask a question on the discussion thread, check to see if any other student has already asked that question, so as to avoid repetition.
Similarly, a discussion board will open the morning AFTER an exam wherein students can ask questions about test questions (at that time, tests will re-open so you can go back and see the questions. When asking about a test question PLEASE ALWAYS REFER TO THE TEST QUESTION NUMBER AS THE FIRST THING YOU WRITE. Again, before you ask a question, check the other questions on the thread to see if that question has already been asked.
When taking an exam, expect mostly multiple choice questions with some fill in blank, true false questions and even matching. .
Exams will frequently be set so that you will see just one question at a time, and must answer that question BEFORE being allowed to move on to the next question (exception: exams that involve math). Some tests/quizzes will allow you to see all of the questions and answer ion any order by scrolling up and down. IT will be obvious which format is used once you enter the quiz/exam. Expect exams/quizzes not containing math to not allow you to backtrack on questions.
Tests typically allow an AVERAGE of about 30 seconds per question (ex: about 50 minutes total will be allowed for taking a 100 question exam). More time is allotted for exams containing math. There is no time limit per question, just an overall time limit for the exam. Once the exam time allowed has elapsed, if you have not completed the exam, the exam will automatically submit even if you are not finished. Pacing is important in taking exams/quizzes. Even though you have a large window of time to start the exam, once you click in to “begin” the test/quiz your official time allowed for the test/quiz begins.
Make-ups are not possible for quizzes or other non-exam graded activities. If they are submitted late (after the due date) they will be recorded as a grade of 0%. Exams may be made up only under extraordinary circumstances (this is why the lowest exam grade is dropped). If a student has received approval to take a make-up, this will likely result in the exam questions discussion board not opening until AFTER all students have completed the exam. A make-up exam will result in a 20% grade reduction for the exam. Make-up exams will be the exception rather than the rule! Do not expect to be able to take any make-up exams for a class.
Remediation Requirements:
Any time a student does not pass a regular exam (worth 100 or more points), the student will be required to meet with the instructor for grade discussion. Students will have the opportunity to review all exams with the instructor. Repeat exams will be scheduled and taken through the West Campus Testing Center. Any exam not passed must be repeated prior to the next exam for that course. The repeat exam must receive a grade of at least 90% (85% if there is any substantial mathematics in the exam. Student must show all work on any mathematics or the question will be counted as incorrect). Failure to receive the required grade on the repeat exam will result in a 3% course grade reduction for each occurrence. Failure to take the repeat exam prior to the next regular exam (or Final Exam, in the case of the last regular exam of the semester) will result in a 10% course grade reduction.
NOTE-THE
All points earned during the semester will be added together and divided into the total amount of points possible to determine a percentage grade. This includes grades from labs and any outside assignments.
A=93-100% B=85-92% C=80-84% F=79 and below
A "D" is not possible in this course
Example of grades:
A student has the following grades:
module exams: 100,90,80,100,90,80
final exam: 90
activity assignments: 15/20, 14/15,9/10, 10/10,9/10,18/20
grade would be calculated as follows:
100+90+80+100+90+80+(90x3)+15+14+9+10+9+18=
885 (pts earned) / 995 (total pts available)= .889=88.9% ="B"
(Note: to convert a decimal into a percent, multiply it by 100)
Final grade="B”
ALL FINAL EXAMS FOR ALL COURSES IN RADIATION THERAPY ARE COMPREHENSIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE COURSE AND MUST BE TAKEN IN PERSON ON CAMPUS.
Module examinations and activities may not be made up. Students will be given a timeframe described on the course calendar in which to complete each activity or examination. If a student experiences problems with their computer or Internet provider, or if the student is out of town, they can access AC Online from ANY computer equipped with Internet service, including public libraries, Internet cafés, or at any of the student accessible Amarillo College computer labs located both on West campus and Washington Street campus (open hours vary for each facility). Students are advised not to wait until the last minute to take their exams or complete their activities.
Once a student logs into an exam on AC Online, the timer for that exam begins and continues until the maximum allowable time for that exam has expired, regardless of whether the student is online or off-line! As a result, students are strongly advised not to log off and on during an exam.
If your Internet service is not reliable, I recommend that you take your examinations at a computer area where there are multiple computers and reliable service -- such as the
The final exam cannot be made up, unless an incomplete has been granted by the instructor prior to the examination. Missing the exam will automatically result in a grade of “0” for the final exam. Arrangements to receive an “I” (incomplete) grade for the course must be made prior to the date of the final exam. Incompletes are granted only for emergency situations such as hospitalization of the student just prior to the exam, serious injury to the students on the day of the exam, etc—i.e. an extraordinary circumstance. Incompletes will NOT be granted for students involving vacation plans, transportation difficulties, appointments, etc.. Students who need to request an incomplete must do so prior to the scheduled time of the final exam with appropriate documentation given to the instructor.
Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Attendance will be noted on line in this course. Students should plan to sign on and access course materials a minimum of three times per week. Each time the student logs onto the course, they must begin by accessing and noting calendar, e-mail, and discussion board areas of the course before proceeding to the course content. Important information and assignment deadlines from the instructor (or other students) will be communicated via calendar, e-mail, or discussion board.
It should be noted by the students that online courses often involve quite a bit more time commitment on the part of the student then do face-to-face classes. The student should be prepared for the extra time necessary for online coursework.
There will be approximately 4 regular examinations referred to as "Module Exams " and other graded activities
EXAMS WILL BE DUE OPENED ON TUESDAYS OF EXAM WEEK AND DUE ON THURSDAYS END OF DAY(11:59PM Central Standard Time!). Exams will typically stagger between this class and the other Academic class(es) in the RADT department during the semester.
There will be a comprehensive Final Examination covering content from every aspect of the course.
Course Outline (See Intro Syllabus for detailed quiz/exam calendar for Ethics & Law and Intro class:
Weeks 1 Orientation Activities
Weeks 2-3 Module 1: Legal Issues/Health Care Law Pt 1
Week 4 Exam Module 1
Week 4-6 Module 2 Legal Issues/Health Care Law Pt 2
Week 6 Exam Module 2
Week 6-8 Module 3 : Health Care Ethical Issues Pt 1
Week 8 Exam Module 3
Week 8-10 Module 4 : Health Care Ethical Issues Pt 2
Week 10 Exam Module 4
Week 11-15: Module 4 activities continued
Week 16 Final Exam
IMPORTANT NOTE: IF AN RADT CLASS IS REPEATED FOR ANY REASON, THE STUDENT REPEATING THE CLASS WILL TAKE ALL QUIZZES AND SECTION EXAMS (but no homework or other assignments), AND THE FINAL EXAM. THE ONLY GRADE THAT WILL COUNT TOWARDS THE OVERALL REPEAT COURSE GRADE IS THE GRADE EARNED ON THE FINAL EXAM! AGAIN, WHILE THE STUDENT WILL TAKE QUIZZES AND SECTION EXAMS, AS THOSE WILL HELP PREPARE THE STUDENT FOR THE FINAL EXAM, THE ONLY GRADE THAT WILL COUNT TOWARDS TEH OVERALL GRADE IS THE FINAL EXAM GRADE!
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