Clinical Education
Students complete five semesters of clinical education during the program. Clinical hours are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays during Clinical Education I and II and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during Clinical Education III, IV, and V. Clinical shifts are an eight (8) hour period between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
During the first three weeks of Clinical Education I, students complete inservices that include, but are not limited to CPR, radiation safety, infection control, transfer techniques, and clinical site orientations. Students begin clinical rotations during the fourth week of that semester and begin rotate through the clinical education sites to facilitate the transfer of learning from the classroom and lab to real world experiences by observing, assisting, and performing diagnostic radiographic procedures.
Students are evaluated based on rotational objectives, performance evaluations, and clinical competencies while rotating through the following clinical sites:
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
Medical Imaging of North Stafford
125 Woodstream Blvd, Suite 109
Stafford, VA 22556
Stafford Hospital
101 Hospital Center Boulevard
Stafford, VA 22554
Clinical Supervision
Students are supervised during clinical education by registered radiologic technologists. Types of supervision include:
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 can 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)