Practicum II Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>West Campus</p> <p>Allied Health</p> <p>Office&nbsp;164</p>

Office Hours

Office Hours Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 9AM - 1PM

OPEN AVAILABILITY TO CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO EMAIL/TEXT (806-335-0630) ME ANYTIME

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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 Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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.

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-1267-001 Practicum II

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RADT 1266

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 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

(2 sem hr; 15 practicum)

Class Type

Clinical

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 or as per described by your clinical facility), white tennis shoes, Amarillo College Student nametag, and Dosimeter badge--consult faculty for instructions regarding procurement of dosimeter badge

Specifics of dress code etc. are described in the Student Clinical Handbook

Student Performance

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Specified hours of clinical practice: Mondays adn Fridays all work day unless otheerwise described/negotiated and approved by clinical staff and college faculty

COURSE GOALS:

These courses will emphasize treatment procedures and equipment orientation, enhancement of clinical skills as outlined by ARRT. Included in Practicums I, II, III will be rotations to non radiation therapy areas (e.g. nursing, reception, etc.)

 

 COURSE OBJECTIVES

Each rotation, generally 4 weeks long, the student will be evaluated on and will be able to do the following with a minimum 80% accuracy as evaluated by the supervising clinical faculty:

1st Semester

Evaluated objectives include:

  • Team Participation

    • Displays Self-Motivation

    • Displayed Eagerness

    • Accepts Supervision

    • Appropriate and positive interactions with Patients/staff

    • observe dress code/hygiene standards

    • ethical use of sick leave, break time, arriving at clinic on time, etc.

  • Technical Applications

    • identify machine components

    • familiarize with treatment and immobilization devices

    • locate emergency off switches

    • familiarity with pendant switches

    • pendant control-- relative to experience

    • locate patient information in treatment chart

    • performance or identification of setup sheet parameters

 

2nd semester

  • Team Participation

    • displays self-motivation and initiative

    • assist patients to and from room and couch

    • displayed eagerness to learn and perfect skills

    • accepts supervision in a positive manner

    • demonstrates effective and professional communication with staff and patients

    • observe clinical dress standards and personal hygiene

    • ethical use of sick leave, break time, arrives at clinic on time, etc.

  • Technical Applications

    • familiarity with machine parameters

    • location of emergency off switches

    • setting treatment parameters on console

    • pendant control

    • interpretation of treatment parameters in chart

    • familiarity with other information available throughout chart

    • familiar with treatment and immobilization devices

    • demonstrates a basic understanding of patient positioning

 

3rd Semester

  • Initiative/Attitude/Dependability

    • demonstrate self-motivation and eagerness

    • initiate assignments

    • receive suggestions/corrections in a positive manner

    • respond to difficult verbal situations with self-control and patience

    • assist with or observe other treatments when appropriate

    • complete assignments on a timely basis

    • stay in or near assigned clinical area

    • ethical use of sick leave, vacation, brakes, etc.

  • Communication Skills

    • demonstrate effective and professional communication skills/rapport with staff and patients

    • perform patient education procedures

  • Team Participation/Professional and Ethical Judgment

    • provide appropriate patient care, to include universal precautions

    • recognize when to obtain help for clarification

    • maintains patient confidentiality

    • follow all department and hospital policies (including dress code, safe radiation protection practices, professional conduct) and safely apply principles of body mechanics

  • Psychomotor/Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Applications

    • position patient to accurately deliver therapeutic dose, relative to experience

    • demonstrate ability to use equipment and accessory devices during conditions of operation

    • demonstrate familiarity with all equipment and its proper usage, including computer technology

    • establish routines and develop consistent techniques

    • demonstrate fluid and efficient movements with pendant, console, patient positioning

    • understand the theory behind technical setups

    • demonstrate knowledge of human structure, function, and pathology

    • demonstrate appropriate understanding and skill, with respect to experience, using therapeutic computer technology

    • demonstrate ability to evaluate the performance of therapy equipment (morning QA, etc.) and report malfunctions

    • demonstrate adequate critical thinking/problem solving skills

  • Observational rotations to non-radiation therapy areas  (Practicum I & II, III)

Objectives for these observational rotations:

  • Initiative Attitude Dependability

    • demonstrate self-motivation and eagerness toward clinical experiences

    • ethical use of sick leave, brakes, etc.

 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES FOR CLINIC:

as listed in "CLINICAL COMPETENCIES GUIDELINE" document.

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  (found in the Orientations folder of the online course).

DIAA Title IX Policy

 https://www.actx.edu/president/dh-employee-conduct

 

An employee who witnesses or receives information regarding the occurrence of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking and is alleged to have been committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of the college at the time of the incident must promptly report the incident to the college’s Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, as identified herein.  Reporting is required regardless of when and where the alleged incident occurred and regardless of when and where the employee witnessed or received information about it.  A victim is not required to make a report concerning an incident.
 

 

An employee who is required to make a report and knowingly fails to do so, or knowingly makes a false report, will be terminated in accordance with Texas Education Code § 51.255.

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—typically 3 graded rotations per semester..

Technical skill competencies. Some non-direct competencies begin during teh first semester. Most technical skill competencies start in teh 2nd semester and are described in detail in the Student Clinical Handbook 

The student must pass all of these laboratory/clinical competencies in order to successfully complete the clinical curriculum.  An incomplete "I" will be given until all required 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 and charted using an online student tracking system   A guideline for performing competencies will be given to the student at the beginning of teh program (during clinical orientations) and at 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.

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 2.7-3.0

C=average of 2.3-2.6 (Fall), 2.5-2.6 (during final Practicum only)

F=average below 2.3 (2.5 during final Practicum 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:

During the final three semesters of practicum the grading part of the end of the rotation form is more distinctly seen as consisting 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 approximately 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 (all graded evaluations) for an overall rotation score rotation.

If the overall score for the rotation is failing from at least 2 of the evaluators 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 evaluators.        

Failing 2 or more regular rotations during any semester will result in an “F” for the course. 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.

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

More details regarding grading and overall clinical expectations can be found in the Syllabus addendum document as well as in the Student Clinical Handbook posted in the online course

Attendance

Practicum attendance rules are stated in detail in the Student Clinical Handbook (found in the Orientations folder of the online course)

Calendar

Week 1-5 Rotation 1 See online course rotation folders for details (forms, timetables, requirements, tutorials, etc.

Week 6-10 Rotation 2 See online course rotation folders for details (forms, timetables, requirements, tutorials, etc.

Weeks 11-15 Rotation 3 See online course rotation folders for details (forms, timetables, requirements, tutorials, etc.

Week 16 Make-ups and Final Exam week

Additional Information

All rules and regulations/policies and procedures for the clinical environment can be found in the STUDENT HANDBOOK and Student Clinical Handbook document and reviewed with students at the beginning of the program (with overview each semester)

Note:

*Students should know that each affiliate reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to refuse its facilities and services to any student who does not meet professional or other requirements of the facility or any appropriate authority controlling and directing said facility. The clinical facilities can refuse student admission to their institutions for any number of reasons—including behavioral, attitudinal, technical competency, attendance, suspected substance abuse, etc. and at any time.

Amarillo College has no authority whatsoever over the actions of the staff and administration who work in these affiliates with respect to their decisions about student access to their clinics.

If a student is refused admission to ANY clinical affiliate for any reasons related to or attributable to real or perceived student conduct or clinical performance, the student will NOT be able to continue in the program! In such case, the student will receive a Practicum grade of “F” and will be dropped from the program with NO option to re-enroll.

Since there are very limited clinical resources, students cannot repeat an entire clinical semester (or even a rotation) if they receive a failing grade. Therefore, a student receiving a failing grade for any Practicum course (semester) will automatically (and immediately) be dismissed from the program.

Additionally, a student will receive a failing grade for their Practicum course AND be dismissed from the program if they:

  • Receive a failing grade from any 3 RTT treatment area rotations (any linac, sim, dosimetry) over the entirety of the Practicum course curriculum, 5 semesters for teh full-length program, 4 semesters for Advanced Standing, if available. This applies even if the 3rd failing grade occurs in the very last rotation of the very last semester!
  • Receive a failing grade in 2 (or more) RTT treatment area rotations in any given semester

 

Exception:

  1. The student can continue in the program if they have received rotation grades of an “A” from end-of-rotation evals from all other clinical rotations during the concurrent and previous two semesters (or from the start of the program, if they have not yet had two previous semesters—minimum 4 other rotations), at which they will be allowed to continue in their clinical experience under “Probationary Status.” The student will be on probationary status for the remainder of the curriculum.  Any other failing rotations will result in a clinical grade of “F”, and automatic dismissal from the program.

Note: any time a student receives a failing grade for a rotation, the Clinical Supervisor and the Clinical Coordinator (as well as involving the Program Director) will discuss the situation. The Program Director will also meet with the student to discuss the situation. A meeting with all affected parties (student, clinic, faculty) may be necessary.

Unless extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances arise, students may not make requests regarding clinical rotation schedule preferences.  Students must recognize that personality conflicts can occasionally occur at various sites, and that such conflicts occur when students graduate and enter into the workplace as well.  Clinical rotation schedules are usually such that changes (especially once a semester has started) are not workable. 

Syllabus Created on:

01/17/22 12:55 PM

Last Edited on:

08/20/23 8:53 AM