Clinical Education
Mary Washington Hospital
1001 Sam Perry Blvd.
Fredericksburg, Va.22401
Medical Imaging at Lee’s Hill
10401 Spotsylvania Ave., Suite 100-1
Fredericksburg, Va.22408
Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg
1201 Sam Perry Blvd, Suite 102
Fredericksburg, Va.22401
Stafford Hospital
101 Hospital Center Boulevard
Stafford, VA 22555
General Plan for Clinical Education
During the first three weeks of Clinical Education I students have orientations in areas that include CPR, radiation safety, fire safety, infection control, transfer techniques, and clinical site orientations. Students begin clinical rotations during the fourth week of the fall semester and rotate through the different diagnostic areas to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from theory to application of skills by performing diagnostic radiographic procedures.
During initial rotations, students will be primarily engaged in observation. Students will become proficient and gain competence through practice and experience. The clinical competencies that follow are designed to prepare the student for job entry-level competence upon graduation. Specific category competency requirements are listed in the respective clinical education course syllabus provided by the Clinical Coordinator.
Opportunities for attaining competence in pediatric radiographic procedures, trauma, surgical, and mobile procedures are provided. Simulation is utilized for infrequent or limited volume examinations and will comprise a minor component of clinical education. Opportunities are provided for observation in computed tomography, cardiovascular interventional, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, sonography, and radiation oncology.
Each clinical site affiliated with the education of radiography students has a clinical preceptor responsible for supervision. The clinical preceptor, or a designated technologist, supervises the student in the clinical education center. Supervision must be direct or indirect, depending on the progress of the student in the program.
Clinical Supervision Policy
Direct Supervision: Students must be directly supervised until competency is achieved. Students must be directly supervised during surgical and all mobile, including mobile fluoroscopy, procedures regardless of the level of competency. The JRCERT defines direct supervision as student supervision by a qualified 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 physically present during the conduct of the procedure
- reviews and approves the procedure and/or image
Indirect Supervision: Once students have achieved competency, they may work under indirect supervision. The JRCERT defines indirect supervision as student supervision provided by a qualified radiographer who is immediately available to assist students regardless of the level of student achievement.
- Example of inappropriate indirect supervision: A technologist is in one room with a patient and a student is in an adjacent room with a different patient.
- Example of appropriate indirect supervision: A student is in a room with a patient, and the technologist is within voice range of the student while completing paperwork or other duties that could be stopped immediately.
Supervision during Repeat Images: Repeat images must be completed under direct supervision. The presence of a qualified radiographer during the repeat of an unsatisfactory image assures patient safety and proper educational practices. The ARRT registered technologist:
- evaluates the previous image and discusses with the student how to correct the image
- is physically present during the procedure
- reviews and approves the repeat image(s)