Technical Procedures I Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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

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N/A

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N/A

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Course

RADT-1205-001 Technical Procedures I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Skill development in therapeutic practices relating to the field of radiation therapy with emphasis on basic patient set-up treatment techniques and port film evaluation.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(2 sem hrs; 1 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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\ Principles and Practices of Radation Therapy (most recent edition.) Leaver and Washington;

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\ Radiation Therapy Study Guide and Exam Review-Levy

Supplies

dosimeter badge, writing instruments, sharpie marker, centimeter ruler, computer and computer accessories (as described in AC online course web site and othe rpublished materials distributed to students)

Student Performance

 

PURPOSE:

A series of online lecture/lab courses that will include basic, intermediate and advanced equipment use, patient set ups, treatment and simulation techniques.

 

GOALS:

To give the radiotherapy student entry level technical skills directly relating to the clinical environment.  The student will have the opportunity to explore simulation and treatment principles using life-like phantoms.  The student will also experience techniques in equipment operations and discussions on treatment principles and their variations.

 

OBJECTIVES:

After studying the material presented in these courses, the student will be able to do the following with a minimum 80% academic accuracy and 100% clinical accuracy as evaluated by the faculty in the program:

1.         Operate all therapy treatment equipment according to operators manual.

2.         Warm-up treatment machines and record/perform all safety, QA checks as required.

3.         Record/identify all measurements and information necessary in treatment chart and plan.

4.         Reproduce patient set-ups/simulations as required by treatment plan for a wide variety of treatment sites and techniques.

5.         Set appropriate controls in console and activate treatment according to plan.

6.         Document/ verify accuracy of field alignment.

7.         Recognize treatment failures/faults and take appropriate actions to rectify.

8.         Acquire a basic knowledge of dosimetry calculation principles and other treatment planning data.

9.         Acquire simulation skills for a wide variety of treatment sites and techniques

10.       Demonstrate understanding of the function of equipment and accessories

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

 

Grading Criteria

 

GRADING POLICY:

A=93-100%                B=86-92%                  C=80-85%                  F=79 and below

A "D" is not possible in this class

Section Exams                     =40%

comprehensive final exam       =40%

Online Activities                      = 10%

participation*                           =10%

*Note: a failing participation grade will result in failing the course regardless of any other grades accrued in the course!

Note: Any use of lab equipment that results in the production of x-rays may only take place in the presence of Radiation Therapy program faculty. Faculty must be in the control room directly supervising any radiation exposures.

 

ALL FINAL EXAMS FOR ALL COURSES IN RADIATION THERAPY ARE COMPREHENSIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE COURSE AND MUST BE TAKEN IN PERSON ON CAMPUS.

 

Section 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. STUDENTS MUST TAKE ANY SECTION EXAMS UNDER THE DIRECT VISUAL SUPERVISION OF APPOINTED STAFF (AC faculty or Clinical site Supervisor) OR AN APPROVED EXAMINATION CENTER (Such as Pearson VUE {1-800-632-9055} or other pre-approved examination center).

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 Amarillo College computer labs.  I also recommend that you go to such an area well ahead of a scheduled examination, and try out the equipment so that you are used to it when you go into take your exam.

 

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.

Any student in this course who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the Office of ACcessibility Services at 371-5436 (L-101) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Note-the instructor would also appreciate hearing from you if you have a disability that may require some special academic accommodation.

Attendance

 

ATTENDANCE:

Regularly scheduled Activities and exams are described in the online course Content. This course is "synchronous", meaning that it is NOT self-paced, and all activities and exams are to be completed on a timely basis.  The student will be directed to meet with their Clinical Supervisor (typically) on a weekly basis to review assignments and demonstrate competency in technical areas.

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.

Calendar

Additional Information

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTES:

• Under no circumstances will any student be permitted to use any campus/clinical site equipment if a faculty member/approved cliical staff member is not available for assistance. Students cannot enter the clinical area without a faculty member/approved cliical staff member present.
• Each student shall be responsible for learning the proper procedures for turning on and off all equipment has been necessary and appropriate by the lab instructor.
• Under no circumstances will any student ever be allowed in any lab/clinical site simulator room/treatment during an exposure.
• Note: the treatment/simulator room will maintain Texas (or other state-prescribed) Department of Health state license/certification. An up-to-date certificate can be viewed by contacting the Radiation Safety Officer of the cliical facility.