Clinical Policies

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Student Safety in Magnetic Resonance Clinical – BSRS / BSRT

Because of the nature of the medical, magnetic resonance (MR) environment, it is required that students, faculty, and staff demonstrate medical proof of her/his personal MR safe condition. It is the individual’s responsibility to show acceptable proof to the Program Director. Acceptable proof should consist of a formal medical report from a licensed practitioner. No student will be allowed to participate in any MR clinical experiences without demonstration of this proof.

Student Supervision in Clinical Setting – BSRS

Students will be supervised within the clinical setting according to defined student supervision parameters. A necessary part of student learning in radiologic sciences warrants actual experiences in “real-word” clinical environments. These interactions will involve scheduled rotations in affiliated clinical agencies. The degree of student supervision will vary depending upon the documented proficiency of the student as he/she progresses through the radiologic sciences curriculum. The rules of supervision, whether direct or indirect, must be strictly adhered to by all students, clinical faculty, and contracted agency staff. The two levels of student supervision are as follows:

Direct Supervision

Student supervision by a qualified practitioner (ARRT radiographer), who reviews the procedure in relation to the student’s achievement, evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the student’s knowledge, is present during the procedure, and reviews and approves the procedure.  A qualified radiographer is present during student performance of a repeat or any unsatisfactory radiographic or medical image. Students must be directly supervised during surgical and all mobile, including all mobile and fluoroscopy procedures regardless of the level of competency.

Indirect Supervision

Student supervision is provided by a qualified practitioner (ARRT radiographer) immediately available to assist students, regardless of the level of student achievement.  Immediately available is interpreted as the physical presence of a qualified practitioner adjacent to the room or location where a radiographic procedure is being performed.  This availability applies to all areas where ionizing radiation equipment is in use.

Student Supervision in Clinical Setting – BSDMS

Students are required to adhere to the sonography student supervision in clinical setting policy. Students may scan patients without direct supervision as long as an appropriately credentialed registered sonographer back scans the student to ensure the images were adequate and no pathology was missed. The back scanning can take place prior to or after student scanning. If competency has not been shown in the specific exam, the sonographer must be present for the history taking and exam explanation.

Student Supervision in Clinical Setting – BSRT

Students will be supervised within the clinical setting according to defined student supervision parameters. A necessary part of student learning in radiation therapy warrants actual experiences in “real-world” clinical environments. These interactions will involve scheduled internships at affiliated clinical agencies. The rules of supervision must be strictly adhered to by all students, clinical faculty, and contracted agency staff. In the radiation therapy setting students must always work under direct supervision. Students are not permitted to work under indirect supervision at any time during clinical internship.

Direct Supervision: Student supervision by a qualified practitioner (ARRT radiation therapist), who reviews the procedure in relation to the student’s achievement, evaluates the condition of the patient in relation of the student’s knowledge, is present during the procedure, and reviews and approves the procedures. A qualified radiation therapist must oversee the student at all times. Supervision of students over closed-circuit monitor(s) is not acceptable.

Student Supervision in Clinical Setting – BSSA

Students will be assigned to various clinical rotations. The student will be classified as a learner at the clinical site and will not be used to replace clinic staff. Students must be supervised within the clinical setting by a designated clinical instructor at all times. The rules of supervision must be strictly adhered to by all students, clinical faculty, and contracted agency staff.

Holding Patients during Examinations - BSRS

  • Students will NOT, under any circumstance, be expected to or asked to hold a patient or radiographic accessory during an exposure.
  • In instances where patient restraining must be used, the student is encouraged to employ restraining devices such as tape, sponges, sandbags, sheets, papoose boards or Pigg-O-Stat. In the event these devices fail, students are encouraged to solicit assistance from non-radiology workers such as healthcare professions or members of the patient’s family. Such persons shall be provided with a protective apron and gloves and be instructed to position themselves away from the primary beam.
  • Students should practice radiation exposures that are kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).

Students must understand basic safety practices prior to assignment to clinical settings. As students

progress in the program, they must become increasingly proficient in the application of radiation safety practices.

Image Quality Assessment and Identification – BSRS

All student images/radiographs must be assessed by a qualified practitioner (ARRT radiographer) to ensure quality.

  • All students must receive approval from a qualified practitioner on the quality of his/her images before they are sent to the radiologist to be read.
    • The student must place his/her own initials/mnemonics in the computer system, as well as the technologist who has approved the radiographs.
    • The qualified practitioner must approve explanation and be present whenever unsatisfactory images/radiographs are repeated.
  • Proper identification must be recorded photographically on all images/radiographs.
    • Lead markers should be used and located in an area on the image receptor that does not obscure radiographic detail.
    • Proper identification is imperative. If the resultant image lacks correct markings, they may be computer generated.

Repeat Imaging – BSRS

Any student regardless of clinical experience must have a qualified practitioner (ARRT radiographer) present whenever unsatisfactory images are repeated. The student is responsible for completing a Repeat Form while the qualified practitioner is responsible for initialing the Form after the observation of the repeat.

There is zero tolerance for allowing an image to be repeated without observation from a qualified practitioner. Any student repeating an image without an image without proper supervision will automatically be placed on probation with probation terms at the discretion of College officials.

On a monthly basis, College officials will randomly review Repeat Forms to confirm compliance. This policy supports professional responsibility for provision of quality care and radiation protection. It complies with the Standards for an Accredited Educational Program.

Communicable/Infectious Disease

The surgical assisting participates in various procedures therefore, it is imperative that techniques be observed to prevent the spread of any infectious disease process from patient to patient, patient to student, or student to patient. “Standard Precautions” must always be adhered to when providing patient care. Additionally, specific policies outlined during orientation at clinical affiliates must be followed. Students must report communicable illnesses/infections to the Program Director. The student must provide recommended time restrictions from school outlined by his/her physician. Medical clearance is mandatory before returning to school. An illness requiring an extended absence and preventing the completion of course work may inhibit the student from meeting all requirements for completion of the program.

Sharps and Biohazard

It is the policy of the surgical assisting program that all students who sustain a sharp (needle stick, glass, blade, etc.) or other exposure to blood or bodily fluids while engaged in a college sponsored education program should receive prompt medical attention, including counseling, prophylactic drug treatment, and baseline and follow up laboratory values, as necessary. In accordance with this policy, students who have been exposed to blood and/or body fluids must follow the following procedures. Please keep in mind that drug prophylaxis is time sensitive (2-24 hours), and patients leave the hospital quickly, therefore the student must immediately seek help from the appropriate supervising personnel.

 Immediately after exposure first aid steps should be taken.

  1. Announce to your preceptor that you have had a sharps injury/exposure.
  2. Remove the item that punctured your skin from the sterile field. 
  3. Break scrub.
  4. Clean the wound with soap and water.
  5. If a splash exposure, flush mucous membranes with water or saline.
  6. Contact your instructor

It is recommended that appropriate medical follow-up be obtained. Students who incurred a sharp puncture or exposure will follow clinical sites policy to gain appropriate counseling and testing. Testing of the source patient’s blood will be done according to the facility’s policy. The student is NOT to ask the source patient for permission for blood testing. The student will be counseled and advised regarding the post-exposure prophylaxis, if necessary. Baseline blood tests will be administered on the student. Retesting occurs at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure (or as indicated by facility policy). All procedures, testing, and results will remain confidential. The clinical preceptor should be notified as soon as possible after the incident. The instructor will initiate the incident/injury report and evaluate the circumstances of the incident.