Nuclear Medicine Patient Care Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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.

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Course

NMTT-1311-001 Nuclear Medicine Patient Care

Prerequisites

Corequisite: NMTT 1266

Course Description

Introduction to medical terminology, health care ethics and legal issues, communication and patient interaction skills, patient assessment, and procedures involving transport, infection control, emergency, safety, phlebotomy and injections.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

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:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact 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.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Course Textbooks

Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT:  Technology and Techniques, 8th Edition, Christian

Practical Mathematics in Nuclear Medicine Technology, Wells

Review of Nuclear Medicine Technology, 5th Edition, 

Quick Reference Protocol Manual for Nuclear Medicine Technologists 1^st Edition

Medical Terminology Express, 2^nd ed.

Supplies

Calculator-Students need to use a basic scientific notation and be familiar with the keys. (recommend TI-36X Pro)

Ability to create/scan in to Blackboard documents: Google docs, Microsoft Word/PDF

Device with webcam for online testing

External webcam

Student Performance

WECM Course Description:

Introduction to medical terminology, health care ethics and legal issues, communication and patient interaction skills, patient assessment, and procedures involving transport, infection control, emergency, safety, phlebotomy and injections.

WECM End-of-Course Outcomes: Define medical terms; apply ethical and legal concepts to given health care situations; perform patient care and injection procedures; and determine responses to emergency situations.

Statements of Purpose: Designed to enlighten students about the radiologic science professions, specifically, Nuclear Medicine. Students will learn the basic aspects of the nuclear medicine imaging department, and the health care system, as well as develop a better understanding of the structure and function of healthcare agencies. Define medical terms; apply ethical and legal concepts to given health care situations; perform patient care and injection procedures; and determine responses to emergency situations.

Course Goals/Objectives as Outlined Within the Master Educational Plan for the NMTT Program:

Define Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Review the history of the development of Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Identify the different modalities involved in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Interpret abbreviations commonly used in Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Define Professionalism, Medical ethics, and Law.

Discuss practicing in accordance with ethical standards, legal statutes and published standards of practice.

Demonstrate professionalism befitting a health care provider and apply problem-solving, critical-thinking and decision-making strategies during mock procedures

Discuss collaborating as a member of an interprofessional team and participating in team building and leadership activities. 

Evaluate SNM scope of practice 

Evaluate patient care scenarios regarding the medical professional’s liability.

Discuss informed consent and written directives.  

State and evaluate the ‘Code of Ethics’ of the ARRT and the NMTCB.

Discuss importance of membership to national, state, and local organizations.

Identify means of maintaining credentials via continuing education mandates.

Evaluate Federal Regulations: FDA, USP, and NRC.

Evaluate regulatory mandates from OSHA, HIPAA, and Standard (Universal) Precautions.

Evaluate safe radiation safety measures using time/distance/shielding principles (ALARA).

Calculate mathematic equations in regard to T/D/S.

Identify normal/abnormal ranges for assessment of the patient’s vital signs.

Perform assessment of vital signs successfully.

Demonstrate proper IV and phlebotomy principles and skills.

Discuss proper routes of medication administration and clinical pharmacology.

Demonstrate competency in using proper body mechanics.

Identify and assess patient for emergency care.

Identify measures for proper oxygen administration.

Assess age-specific care of the patient-client.

Assess/interpret methods to manage a population that is culturally diverse.

Discuss healthcare administration and roles.

Discuss medical/healthcare informatics: Electronic Medical Records and Charting. 

Use ancillary equipment effectively.

Successfully complete required lab activities including hands on patient care activities.

Engage in group presentations.

Define medical terms.

Successfully complete a community service assignment.

Pass major exams and other assignments as given with final course grade of 79.5 (C) or better.

Lab:

Practice universal precautions

Practice aseptic technique

Assess patient status and vital signs

Establish, verify and maintain vascular access

Provide appropriate patient comfort, monitoring, and care before, during and after procedures

Recognize and respond appropriately to unexpected and emergency situations

Discuss compliance with institutional radioactive materials license under supervision of an authorized user or radiation safety officer

Discuss compliance with local, state and federal radiation safety regulations

Practice ALARA principles thereby limiting the radiation exposure of the patient, public, fellow workers, and self

Perform and document radiation surveys and when necessary, take appropriate action

Respond appropriately to a radioactive spill

Perform decontamination procedures in accordance with the radiation safety program

Participate in appropriate in-service programs to educate other personnel regarding radiation and principles of radiation protection: rad safety in-service

Prepare to participate in the management of radiation disasters: Pantex TBA

Discuss Department of Transportation (DOT) and institutional radiation safety guidelines in the transport, receipt and shipment of radioactive materials

Manage the disposal of radioactive materials

Identify room and patient monitoring and release criteria of therapy patients. 

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

Please refer to the Students Rights and Responsibilities information by clicking the link under "Students Rights and Responsibilities" section at actx.edu.

Cell phones, smart watches and other electronic devices detract from the learning environment.  For this reason, they will be turned off and put away out of view upon entering the classroom away from the student desk.

Students may use lap tops/notebooks/tablets to take notes only.

Use of electronic devices, such as: cell phones and smart watches, etc. will not be allowed in the classroom.  You may, however, use an audio only recording device. 

Grading Criteria

Required Assignments

The course will consist of the following activities to be scored for course credit.  NO ROUNDING of Grades for this course.

*Please note copying and pasting the notes the instructor provides to you is considered plagiarism. You may utilize the notes provided, but all assignments and discussion boards (quizzes and journal if applicable) must be answered in your own words. 

NOTE on Plagiarism. Copying my notes word for word or the text book is plagiarism, you must paraphrase it in your own words. Copying another students assignment, even if you worked together is cheating and plagiarism. Self-plagiarism is also considered cheating. If you are repeating this course, you may not turn in the same work from the course you failed. This is self-plagiarism and is not allowed. Self-plagiarism is grounds for removal from the class with a final grade of an F. The course cannot be repeated, so you are then removed from the program. In order to avoid self plagiarism, all assignments in repeated courses must be hand written if they were originally typed, and typed if they were originally hand written. 

Grading Criteria:

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS
The course will consist of the following activities to be scored for course credit:
1.       Major Exams-may contain previous semester content (70%)

A passing grade for each exam is expected.  If a student does not pass an exam, the student is assigned an "at risk score". Mandatory remediation occurs on a score of 80 or below for the exam and is due within 48 hours. See below.  

The final exam counts as one exam. 

2.       Lab Activities/Quizzes/Assignments/discussion board/Journal-30%

NOTE:  Chapter summary (may include chapter worksheets), objectives, key terms, and a study guide will be completed and will be used to prepare for exams (utilizing textbooks and PowerPoint notes, as well as any class discussion/lecture).  The study guide (one question per slide), summary (may include worksheets), chapter objectives, and key terms will be turned in by each student prior to each exam through Blackboard.  Failure to turn this in will result in a drop in a letter grade  (10 points) for each exam. Incomplete/unfinished will result in 10 points off the exam. Key terms and objectives that do not meet the benchmark example sent via email will be returned to the student to be redone. If they do not meet the benchmark a second time, they will have to be redone AND 10 points taken off the exam.

If any required lab or off campus assignment is missed the student will be required to write three pages over the topic missed. 

Any assignment or exam with a score below an 80 requires mandatory remediation. ALL remediation must be turned in to the instructor within 48 hours OR if remediation on an exam is done on campus, it is due at that time. For each remediation, each day it is late, 2% per day per remediation will be taken off the total course grade. Remediation is elaborating on why the correct answer is correct, you may not just submit the question and the answer. 

Any assignments to include quizzes, discussion board, and journal that are not turned in will be recorded as a zero in the grade book. The student must communicate extenuating circumstances to the instructor if they are unable to complete and assignment on time. Late assignments may be given partial credit up to 80, however the assignment must be completed prior to taking exams and proceeding to the next semester. Missed quizzes are recorded as a zero in the grade book. When information is missing from an assignment and feedback is left in the grade book for what needs to be corrected, the student has 48 hours to email the missing information to the instructor or the grade will be changed to a zero. It is the students responsibility to check Blackboard everyday. For example if you log on on Tuesday and there is in no bubble indicating feedback, but there is a bubble on Wednesday indicating feedback was left, you have until Friday at midnight to submit the missing information. 

NOTE any math (time, distance, and shielding) assignments, quizzes, or exams scoring below an 80 requires one hour math tutoring with the tutor.

If this course is selected to participate in community service (canned meal donations) to have the lowest exam grade dropped, this is only applicable to students passing the course. Community service cannot be used to take a student from failing to passing. 

MAKE-UP POLICY

If a student is absent on the day of a major exam, the work will be graded as follows:

1. In order to be fair to students who take scheduled exams at the designated time, makeup exams will lose 15% of the original value. The next missed exam is 20% off, the next 25% off, and so on. 

2. Major exams must be made up within one school day.

NOTE:  Other arrangements may be made with instructor's permission on a case-by-case basis.  It is the sole responsibility of the student to communicate the need for other options regarding make-up policies. Students must not wait until after an exam failure to alert the instructor of extenuating circumstances, communication is key. 

FINAL GRADE EVALUATION (NO ROUNDING of grade)

A= 94.5-100            C=80-84.4

B=84.5-94.4            F=less than 80

*Note: To continue in the program, a student may repeat a NMTT course only one time and may repeat no more than two NMTT courses while enrolled in the program. The term "repeat" shall be interpreted to mean re-enrollment following withdrawal, drop, or unsatisfactory grade. The student must complete the program within 36 months.

Note: Video proctored exams are only allowed to be reviewed on campus with the instructor or if instructor has allowed it to be reviewed at home. If an exam is turned on for a student to review, a report will be run from Blackboard that shows if any student accessed the exam from home while it was turned on. If this happens, the student will be immediately expelled from the program. 

Note: most assignments are handwritten. 

** Any quizzes or exams that give you two attempts, you may not have any scratch paper out to avoid the temptation of writing down the exam and looking up the answers before the second attempt. 

Exams are available for review and remediation ON CAMPUS. Review of online exams at home while a student is on campus reviewing the exam will result in immediate expulsion from the program. Taking pictures of an exam or writing the whole exam down during remediation will result in immediate expulsion from the program. All phones and smart watches must be put away during remediation or any exam review. Reviewing exams from home is not permitted and is considered cheating. There is a zero tolerance for viewing exams at home. BB reports are run to verify. Taking pictures of an exam, writing an entire exam down, asking for answers during an exam, copying and pasting an exam, screen shots of an exam, are all considered cheating. Passing information from an exam to a student (first or second year) that has not taken the exam is cheating. There is zero tolerance for cheating and you will be removed immediately. You may not wear a hat or cap during an exam and arms and palms of hands must be visible. You may not leave during an exam. You must have an adequate environment scan if testing online. If it looks suspicious it is considered cheating. Simply don't risk it.

Attendance

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  It is the responsibility of the student to attend class so that learning objectives are met successfully.  Prompt arrival is expected. 

To be successful and your attendance is critical to your success.  In order to be fair, there is no distinction between an excused and an unexcused absence.  If/when you do miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain notes from your classmates. Do not ask the instructor for notes.

HOWEVER, if you are ill please provide a positive COVID or COVID quarantine note, flu, or strep test and stay home. If these are negative and you feel that you must attend class and are coughing, running fever, vomiting, etc... get a mask and sit away from other students.  Another option is to get a digital recorder and have a classmate record the lecture if you must miss class.

Attendance will be recorded.

MAKE-UP POLICY

If a student is absent on the day of a major exam,  the work will be graded as follows:

1. In order to be fair to students who take scheduled exams at the designated time, makeup exams will lose 15% of the original value. The next missed exam is 20% off, the next is 25% off, and so on. 
2. Major exams must be made up within one school day.
3. NOTE:  Other arrangements may be made with instructor’s permission on a case-by-case basis.  It is the sole responsibility of the student to communicate the need for other options regarding make-up policies. The student should not wait until after a failed test to inform instructor of extenuating circumstances. 

Calendar

Additional Information

The course content is aligned with the Master Educational Plan of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program at Amarillo College.
In addition, the lecture content aligns with the task analysis of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board and The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program at Amarillo College is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology.
Additional Information:
AC-Connect Online (BlackBoard)) Communication-www.actx.edu

This is the major source for program communication.

Students will use the AC Online personal account to check grades, e-mails, etc.  Students are responsible for checking their accounts daily so that communication about program/course information is current.

Student Resources

            https://www.actx.edu/resources/

This website was created to assist Amarillo College employees and students. Many times, students come to us with individual concerns/situations that need to be addressed in order for the student to be successful in school.

This website can be used to find those needed resources for our students and their families. Feel free to copy any of this information for a student and to refer students as needed.

Our goal is to provide as much information as possible for employees and students to be able to access campus and community resources when needed. There are many more resources in this community that are not listed on these pages. Some of these agencies and programs will change; so if you call and cannot get assistance or cannot access a broken link, please contact me for more updated information.

This website will be updated as often as possible; therefore, most will be current. If the resources listed do not serve the needs you have or if you have any questions concerning this website, please call or email:  Jordan Fajardo, LMSW, Coordinator of Social Services, 806-371-5439, j0333462@actx.edu.

Student Injuries Information (class and clinical)

https://www.actx.edu/allied_health/index.php?module=article&id=33