Associated Programs/Certificates

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Pregnancy Policy

During the first semester in the medical imaging program, all students will be taught basic radiation protection procedures. These instructions will include enough background so that students will be able to understand the possible biological risks of ionizing radiation to the embryo and fetus. In addition, any perspective student attending a Medical Imaging information session receives the NRC guide #8.29 and #8.13 with a brief overview.

Information is available through the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guide #8.13 on instruction concerning prenatal radiation exposure. The NRC guide and forms are available in the appendices of the MIM handbook or at https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0037/ML003739505.pdf

A student may voluntarily inform the department chair and the radiation safety officer in writing using the form in the back of guide #8.13 should a pregnancy occur during the educational period. The pregnancy then becomes declared and a fetal dosimeter will be issued to the student to monitor radiation exposure. The signed NRC 8.13 form letter for declaring pregnancy will be placed in the student’s CLC file. A student may rescind pregnancy declaration at any time in writing to the department chair.

Once the student declares their pregnancy, the possible risks to the embryo and fetus shall be reviewed and the review documented and signed by the radiation safety officer and the student. The student will then be referred to the department chair for discussion and documentation of the student’s pregnancy options.

The student will choose one of the following pregnancy options:

The student may continue in the program without modification. In this case, two dosimeters will be used, one worn at the collar and on top of the apron during fluoroscopy and one worn on the belt and under the apron during fluoroscopy to record the student exposure and the fetal exposure respectively. Should recorded fetal exposure increase to 500 mrem or be received at a rate greater than 50 mrem per month at any time during pregnancy, the student will be required to take a leave of absence [see (b) below]. All course objectives and rotations shall be equivalent to any and all students enrolled in those particular courses. Adherence to radiation protection policies should eliminate almost all fetal exposure. Other counseling on radiation protection procedures shall be done as needed.
A leave of absence may be taken until the birth of the child. All medical imaging grades will be recorded as withdrawn (W) if the student grades are acceptable at the time. This will permit the student to return with no penalty. Student acceptance to clinical facilities depends upon the availability of sites.
The student may terminate the program. All medical imaging grades will be recorded as withdrawn (W) if the student grades are acceptable at the time.

The Medical Imaging Programs Sets Forth the Following Goals and Outcomes:

Goal 1: Students will use critical thinking skills.

Students will calculate technical factors.
Students will demonstrate their ability to modify routine procedures.

Goal 2: Students will be clinically competent.

Students will differentiate between pathological processes.
Students will modify exams based upon patient history, condition, or diversity of populations.

Goal 3: Students will be able to communicate.

Students will compose accurate communication for fluoroscopy examinations.
Students will demonstrate effective communication.

Medical Imaging Technical Performance Standards

Medical Imaging is a practice of discipline with cognitive, sensory, aﬀective, and psychomotor performance requirements. Based on those requirements [and the State of Illinois licensing requirements], a list of “Performance Standards” has been developed. Each standard has an example of an activity or activities that a potential student will be required to perform while enrolled in the radiography program. Please note that these examples are not all inclusive.

Issue	Standard	Examples of Required Activities (Not all inclusive)
Visual	Visual ability suﬃcient for observation and assessment necessary in the operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Visualize x-ray collimator centering light and identify its center. • Observe the patient in order to assess the patient’s condition and/or needs from a distance of at least 20 feet. • Can see numbers, letters, calibrations, etc., of varying sizes located on equipment utilized by a radiographer.
Hearing	Auditory abilities suﬃcient to monitor and assess patient needs, and to provide a safe environment.	• Hear a patient talk in a normal tone from a distance of 20 feet • Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, and cries for help.
Tactile	Tactile ability suﬃcient for patient assessment and operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Perform palpatation, tactile assessment and manipulation o body parts to ensure proper body placement and alignment. • Manipulate dials, buttons and switches of various sizes.
Mental	Mental ability suﬃcient for patient assessment and operation of equipment and care of patients.	• Be able to visually concentrate and focus attention, thoughts, and eﬀorts on patients and equipment for varying periods of time. • Be able to respond to patients’ changing physical conditions.
Environmental Requirements	Physical health suﬃcient enough to be able to tolerate certain conditions present in the clinical setting.	• Be able to tolerate risks of discomforts in the clinical setting that require special safety precautions, additional safety education, and health risk monitoring (i.e., ionizing radiation), working with sharps, chemicals, and infectious dis- ease. Students may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, goggles, gloves, and lead aprons.
Communication	Communication abilities suﬃcient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.	• Eﬀectively communicate to the patient in order to converse, instruct the patient, relieve anxiety, gain their cooperation during procedures, understand the patient when they are communicating symptoms of medical emergency.
Mobility	Physical abilities suﬃcient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.	• Assist all patients, according to individual needs and abilities, in moving, turning, transferring from transportation devices to x-ray table, etc. • Be able to push, pull, and lift a minimum 50 lbs. • Push a stretcher and/or wheelchair without injury to self, patient, and others. • Push a mobile x-ray machines from one location to another, including turning corners, getting on and oﬀ an elevator, and manipulating it in a patient’s room or surgery.
Motor Skills	Gross and ﬁne motor abilities suﬃcient to provide safe eﬀective patient care.	• Manually move the x-ray tube and position the tube at various angles and heights up to 7 feet. • Accurately draw up sterile contrast media and other solutions without contaminating the syringe and/or needles, etc. • Physically be able to administer emergency care including performing CPR. • Place cassettes (image receptors) in Bucky trays and properly manipulate all locks. • Be able to stand for periods as long as 2-hours wearing lead aprons and to walk a distance of 5 miles during a normal work day.
Critical Thinking	Critical thinking ability suﬃcient for safe, clinical judgment.	• Identify cause-eﬀect relationships in clinical situations. • Evaluate radiographs to ascertain that they contain proper identiﬁcation and are of diagnostic value. • Select exposure factors and accessory devices for all radiographic procedures with consideration of patient size, age, and extent of disease. • Assess patient’s condition and needs from a distance of at least 20 feet. • Initiate proper emergency care protocols, including CPR, based on assessment data.
Interpersonal Behavioral and Social Skills	Interpersonal abilities suﬃcient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.	• Establish rapport with patients, families, and colleagues. • Allow mature, sensitive, and eﬀective relationships with patients and fellow workers (interpersonal skills). • Tolerate physically taxing workload. • Function eﬀectively under stress. • Adapt to changing environments (ﬂexible schedules, emergency conditions). • Display compassion, professionalism, empathy, integrity, concern for others, and interest and motivation.

Developed by St. Petersburg College Radiography Program: Permission granted to CLC.

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and College of Lake County policy prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. One of the purposes of this document is to ensure that students are aware of the requirements of this program and acknowledge their understanding of the program requirements. Students who have a disability and are in need of accommodations or modiﬁcations must contact the Oﬃce for Students with Disabilities (“OSD”). The OSD will determine whether or not any reasonable accommodations or modiﬁcations can be provided.

Medical Imaging A.A.S. (Plan 21MI)

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