Practicum IV Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

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 .

Course

RADT-2367-001 Practicum IV

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RADT 2266

Course Description

Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college and student. Students perform related duties in the clinical setting under direct supervision.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 22 practicum)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ None. Students need the Student Handbook and Student Clinical Handbook and clinical documents/forms  (purchased as a single large handout from West Campus Bookstore)

Supplies

Black pens, dark Sharpie markers, a centimeter ruler, pocket calculator, scrubs (solid Navy Blue), white tennis shoes, Amarillo College cloth patch, Amarillo College Student nametag, and Dosimeter badge*

*Dosimeter badge to be purchased by stud

Student Performance

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Consists of directed clinical practice in affiliated medical institutions.

 

COURSE GOALS

This course will emphasize patient care, treatment procedures, hand and computer dosimetric principles and safe, effective equipment usage.  An enhancement of clinical skills established in the 1st year level clinical application courses.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND COMPETENCIES

Each rotation, generally 3-4 weeks long, the student will be evaluated on the following objectives:

1. Practicum Objectives:
2. The Initiative/Attitude/Dependability
   • self-motivation and eagerness
   • initiates assignments
   • receives suggestions in a positive manner
   • recognizes limitations of knowledge and experience
   • response to difficult verbal situations with self-control and patience
   • assist with or observes other treatments when appropriate
   • ethical use of sick leave, vacation, breaks, etc.
   • confidence
3. Communication Skills
   • expresses effective professional communication/rapport with staff and patients
   • effectively performs patient education procedures
4. Team Participation/Professional and Ethical Judgment
   • teamwork
   • provide appropriate patient care, two to include Universal Precautions
   • recognizes when to obtain help for clarification
   • maintains patient confidentiality
   • follows department and hospital policies (dress code, safe radiation protection practices, professional conduct, sound body mechanics, etc.
5. Psychomotor/Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Applications
   • accurately delivers therapeutic dose relative to experience
   • demonstrated ability to use equipment and accessory devices, ability to perform QA routines and report malfunctions
   • demonstrate a coordinated understanding of equipment and equipment usage, including computer technology
   • establish sound routines and develop consistent techniques
   • demonstrate fluid and efficient movements was equipment and patient positioning
   • integrates an understanding of the theory behind the techniques
   • demonstrate an understanding of human structure, function, pathology, and can assess and predict typical side effects and can judge when treatment should probably be withheld until a physician is consulted
   • demonstrate appropriate understanding and skill, with respect to experience, in using therapeutic computer technology
   • demonstrate ability to evaluate the performance of therapy equipment
   • demonstrate adequate critical thinking/problem solving skills

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

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".

Expected Student Behavior

\ Detailed student clinical behavior policies are described in the Student Clinical handbook document (provided to all students at the beginning of Practicum I)

Grading Criteria

 

GRADES ARE DETERMINED ON A POINT BASIS. 

Regular evaluations will be conducted by staff and clinical supervisor in accordance with the specific rotational assignments.

Technical skill competencies, based on ARRT criteria,will be held regularly to assess the student’s competency in individual treatment and QA skills. No grade will be assigned to these competencies other than Pass or Fail.  Grades marked as Fail will be repeated by the student until such time that the competency is passed (which, under normal circumstances, should be able to be done during the semester).  Repeated competencies may have an effect on the student’s grade as detailed in the Student Clinical Handbook.  

The student is allowed to repeat each competency twice, after which a 2% per repeat overall semester grade reduction will occur. If a student fails a competency three times or more, he/she will be required to set up remediation with the clinical supervisor. When remediation Is deemed complete, the student may then, and only then, attempt the same type of set-up once again for a competency.  

The student must pass all of these laboratory/clinical competencies in order to successfully complete the clinical course.  An incomplete "I" will be given until all competencies are passed for a given semester.  (evaluations from rotations other than therapy will vary in points)

 

During all semesters, the students will be performing competencies on live patients in the clinic for which they will be graded using a form commonly referred to as the “Blue sheet.”  A guideline for performing blue sheet evaluations will be given to the student at the beginning of each appropriate semester.  Failure to complete the appropriate number of blue sheet competencies in a given semester will result in a letter grade reduction for that student for each occurrence.

 

End of the month evals result in typical overall rotation grade

Blue sheets: as described in the previous two paragraphs above

Lab skills and other sources-as determined by Clinical Supervisor/Clinical Coordinator

 

Total points will be added up at the end of the semester and divided by the number of points available to determine semester grade.

 

A= average of 1.7-2.0

C=average of 1.3-1.6 (Fall), 1.5-1.6 (during final Practium semester only)

F=average below 1.3 (1.5 during final Practium semester only)

*there is no "B" or "D" in this course (unless a mandatory letter grade penalty reduction occurs   e.g. and "A" would be reduced to a "B").

 

GRADING POLICY ADDENDUM FOR 2nd YEAR END OF ROTATION EVALUATION FORM:

 

The grading part of the end of the rotation form consists of two parts, an affective part which deals with subjective matter such as initiative, attitude, rapport with patients, etc. and a technical part, which deals with the student’s technical expertise in the clinic. The affective part (part I) is worth approximately 25% of the evaluation form grade. The technical part is worth 75% of the evaluation grade. This is all stated on the form itself.

 

In addition to the weighting of grades according to each section, the following policies apply to second year students regarding grading of the technical portion of the evaluation form (part II):

           

Grades for a rotation will be averaged between the therapists for an overall rotation score rotation.

If the overall score for the rotation is failing from at least 2 of the therapists on the rotation then the student will have failed the rotation. In order for a student to fail a rotation, the student must receive a failing grade average from at least two RTT’​s.        

Failing 2 or more regular rotations during any semester will result in an “F” for the course (only exception: if both failing grades were on the same machine with at least one of the same RTT’s). Failing 2 rotations during a semester and/or 3 rotations over the course of the program will result in expulsion from the program. Details are found in the program Student Clinical Handbook

REMEDIATION: Any clinical rotation that does not receive a passing grade will result in the student reporting the grade first to the affilate’s Clinical Supervisor and also the the Clinical Coordinator of the program. The Clinical Supervisor and Clinical Coordinator will discuss, with the student, a remediation strategy appropriate to the circumsntaces.

If a failing grade occurs for an overall rotation, The Clinical Coordinator will also have the option of restructuring the clinic rotation schedule so that the student might immediately return to (or avoid) the rotation of concern, if that is logistically feasible. Re-scheduling would likely not be feasible for sim and Dosimetry rotations or for students located at a single distance site.

*Note: any extra assigned clinical time, should that be deemed appropriate and necessary and feasible, should be scheduled on the same equipment as the rotation in question if at all possible. This includes rotations in Lubbock. If a student must make up ANY time from their rotations in Lubbock, the student will be responsible for scheduling and providing their own transportation to make up such time (this goes for absences as well as extra assigned time).

Reminder, if a student is dismissed from clinic (a clinic does not allow that student access to their facilities), it may be impossible for the student to complete rotations on a timely basis and the student will likely have to make up any missed rotations between semesters in the same manner as a make-up rotation. If such is the case, the rules regarding make-up rotations would apply (a student cannot make-up more than one rotation for a semester, so such a student could not fail any rotations during the semester or the resultant grade will be an “F”).

 

Additionally, If a student is not granted access to more than one clinic, for whatever reasons, that student will not be allowed to continue in the program. And, due to the integral nature of the Harrington Cancer Center environment (and its multiple treatment machines), if a student is not granted access to HCC for ANY reason, they will not be allowed to continue in the program.

 

All scheduling of extra assigned time and make-up time must be scheduled through the affiliate’s Clinical Supervisor.

 

 

Attendance

 

It is the sole responsibility of each student to always be present at his/her assigned affiliate site on the days and times designated in the schedule.  There can be no substitute for the role of clinical experience in the Radiation Therapy program educational plan.  Therefore, attendance and tardy policies are rigid and strictly enforced. 

 

At the end of each semester of clinic, the student’s total time will be added up and compared to the required time (note-clinic is not in session during final exam periods).  Any extra hours accrued can not be carried over to the next semester.  Any shortcomings in hours on the last day of clinic (BEFORE finals begin) will result in the student being required to make up time and may result in a grade of "I" (incomplete) until that time is made up (with grade penalty)

 

Every absence from clinic must be cleared through the clinical supervisor and arrangements for make up time must be made on the first day the student returns to the clinic after the absence or when the student calls in the absence!  A Make-up contract must be completed with the clinical supervisor (which can be obtained from the clinical supervisor—a calendar schedule may take the place of a formal contract). If the conditions set forth in the make-up contract are not completely fulfilled as written,  particularly with respect to the date/time of the make-up, the result will be a 5% overall reduction in grade. Note: make-up time can be re-negotiated prior to the make-up time, but if the student fails to show up for the scheduled make-up time, the grade penalty will be enforced.

Dependability in being present at your scheduled clinical time is of paramount importance!!

 

Clinical Make-up days will be described at or near the beginning of each semester. Make-up days are days during which students may make up full days missed. These days will typically occur at or near final exams and at times during the regular semester when students are not scheduled in the clinic (ex. Spring break)

 

If the student misses a portion of a day (no more than 5 hours) the student may make up that time during the semester (preferably on that same rotation). Note: if the student stays in the clinic past scheduled times, initials from a supervising therapist on the time-sheet directly above the time in question is required or the extra time will not be counted. If a student misses a whole day (5 hours or more of a scheduled day) make-up time must be scheduled through the clinical supervisor during one of the pre-determined clinical make-up days.

 

If clinic time is not made up by the end of Final Exams, the student will receive a grade of "I" (incomplete) until all clinical time has been made up. The student will also receive a one letter grade penalty.

 

NOTE:            Special circumstances merit special considerations on an individual basis (i.e., pregnancies, long term illness/accident) and will be the exception rather than the rule.

 

A "leave of absence"may be arranged if the student misses clinical time of 4 or more consecutive scheduled clinical days. This may be used in cases of illness, injury, pregnancy, or other special circumstances. The student will contact the Program Director and request a leave of absence. The leave will be negotiated between the student and the program director.

 

Lubbock Rotations (commuting rotations):

 

If a student commuting to Lubbock misses a whole day, unlike with Amarillo rotations, that day can be made up during the (typical) time available at the end of the rotation. Caution should be used to not schedule make-ups for days that there are too many students from the other class in that particular clinic. Be sure to clear any make-ups with the clinical supervisor for the facility, not just a supervising radiation therapist.

 

The same goes for any ancillary rotations. If, for example, a student misses a day in Chemotherapy, the student can (and should) make up that time during that same rotation if possible, or as soon as possible after that rotation has been completed. If a student waits until a subsequent rotation for that make-up, there may already be another student on the rotation, which could prohibit the initial student from making up that day (until one of the designated make-up days).

 

When missing a day on an ancillary rotation, the supervisor on that rotation must approve of the make-up time as well as the clinical supervisor.

 

Note: Any time a rotation is failed, the entire rotation must be repeated.

 

REPORTING TO THE CLINIC AREA WHILE FEELING ILL:

There are times when a student may report to clinic while not feeling optimal.  Students are responsible for reporting illness, communicable disease and other conditions which may affect the health of the student, other students, staff and patients.  Any time the student reports to the clinical area with knowledge of such a disorder, the student must fill out a STUDENT HEALTH FORM (forms are placed in various clinical areas). The student must also inform the supervising therapist in the rotation area of the condition so that the therapist may take appropriate action regarding the student’s participation in the clinical area for that day.  Such action may include careful monitoring of student aseptic procedures (primarily hand washing).  The supervising therapist must review the STUDENT HEALTH FORM with the student to discuss what interventions, if any, might be necessary for maintaining optimal asepsis while maintaining a quality educational experience for the student.  If the supervising therapist feels that the student's presence in the clinic may pose an unreasonable risk to others at the clinical facility, the supervising therapist must report the condition to the Clinical Supervisor.  If both the supervising therapist and Clinical Supervisor both concur that the students condition poses an unreasonable risk, the student will be sent home until such time that the student no longer presents with the condition of concern.  The time missed from clinic will be counted as absent.  Cancer treatment often involves work with patients that are immuno-compromised.  Careful monitoring of student health as it affects patient interactions is both reasonable and necessary. . As a rule, if a student presents with a fever, they will be sent home. A copy of the Student Health form is placed in the forms appendix at the end of this document

 

IMPORTANT: Re: Absence Notification

When a student is going to be absent from a scheduled regular or make-up clinical assignment (for any reason) the student must notify the clinical facility as soon as possible.  The notification must be made to the clinical student supervisor and supervising therapist (at whatever rotation the student is scheduled at) and must include a reason for the absence.  This notification procedure is required as a courtesy to the medical institutions that provide the use of their facilities and equipment and no charge.

 

If a student is absent from a clinical assignment, and does not notify the proper authority no later than 4 hours after the beginning of the scheduled clinic time (and even that is really waaaaay too late!), or if the student receives an UNEXCUSED absence (e.g. “playing hooky”, the following penalty will be strictly enforced:

 

*FIRST OFFENSE - A reduction of 3% from the student's semester grade.

 

*SECOND OFFENSE - Automatic (additional) letter grade reduction for clinical course

 

*THIRD OFFENSE -             Automatic clinical course grade of "F"

 

            * During the entire clinical training period of 5 semesters of clinical duty, not during a single semester.

 

Proper notification must occur in all cases.  Even if:

 

            The student must call long distance

            The student does not have a telephone

 

Many students often work beyond their assigned times and in doing so accumulate extra duty time.  Working extra time provides for additional experience and is certainly encouraged and applauded by all concerned.  However, any extra duty time cannot be used to make-up a future absence or tardiness.  Likewise, any extra time earned in one practicum course cannot be carried over into a succeeding practicum course. 

 

TARDIES:

Any tardiness must be highlighted in yellow on the student's time sheet when turned in to the program director.

The following grade penalties are consequences that will result for tardy and/or unexcused absences (per semester):       

 

            2 Tardy’s         Oral warning and immediate loss of  5 points from the semester practicum grade

 

 

            3 Tardy’s         Written warning and an additional 5 percentage point reduction from the semester practicum grade (total of 10 points reduction)

 

 

            4 Tardy’s         Final practicum course grade of “F”

 

 

It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that the student develop the habit of ALWAYS being at his/her designated clinical site several minutes BEFORE the start of the work shift as an insurance against tardiness. 

 

Shift hours may vary depending on location and type of rotation. It is the student’s responsibility to know the assigned work hours.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ All rules and regulations/policies and procedures for the clinical environment can be found in the Student Clinical Handbook document