NMT-264 Clinical Practicum IV

Spring 2006 Semester - 17 credits

Louis M. Izzo, MS, CNMT; Course Coordinator

version: January 3, 2006

INTRODUCTION

NMT-264 is a 17-week clinical internship course for senior Nuclear Medicine Technology students.

CALENDAR - 2006

NOTE: When a hospital celebrates a holiday during the above time, the student can take that day off, assuming the department is closed on that day.

UVM PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

COMMUNICATIONS - The Program Director will contact students weekly, either via e-mail, telephone, teleconferencing, or an on-site visit, and will maintain a record of each communication. Contact will also be made at least once per month with the affiliate Student Coordinator.

GRADING - The Program Director will compute the course grade based on the grading system below:

FINAL COURSE GRADE

points	final grade
90 - 100	A
80 - 89	B
70 - 79	C
< 70	F

After consultation with the clinical student supervisor, "+" or "-" may be attached to the final grade.

REGISTRY REVIEW - The Program Director will assist the seniors in preparing for the national certifying exams, either through online exercises using WebCT or a 2-3 day review session at the end of the semester. This will be announced later.

RADIATION MONITORS - The UVM Radiation Safety Office (RSO) will provide students with monthly whole body and ring monitors. Students will be responsible for their prompt return to the UVM RSO.

CLINICAL AFFILIATE RESPONSIBILITIES

CLINIC ACCESS - The affiliate will allow students to access all areas of the Nuclear Medicine Department, and will provide supervision by certified and/or registered technologists. Technologists must also be state licensed (if appropriate).

ROTATIONS - prior to the start of the affiliation, each affiliate will set up a rotation schedule for each student, and will send a copy to the Program Director for review and approval. Any changes in the schedule will be communicated to the Program Director by the Student Coordinator.

The length of the affiliation is normally 17 weeks (1st workday of January until the final workday of April). The first week is used for general orientation to the hospital and department and the final week is used as an "elective" according to student interest. One week will be "spring break" vacation. That leaves 14 actual weeks for rotations during which the students must be tested for clinical competency. In general, the rotations will involve cardiology, QC, general imaging, pharmacy, and PET. A rotation in PET/CT may be included, if available.

Students can opt to experience "on call" situations by wearing a pager for at least 15 assigned times or until actually experiencing and responding to one emergency call with a staff technologist (whichever comes first). Compensatory time off should be given when the student is actually called in.

The last week or two is for electives selected by the student and approved by the Student Coordinator.

ORIENTATION - The affiliate will orient the students to the department and hospital in the first week of the assignment, including informing the student about specific departmental policies and procedures.

STUDENT EVALUATION - the Student Coordinator will evaluate students using the evaluation forms provided by the University. The affiliate will fax the completed form to the Program Director so that the Program Director can monitor student progress.

a. 4 Personal and Professional Evaluation (1 at the end of every month).

b. 14 different clinical competencies.

c. final written summary of the entire internship

d. students must make a 30 - 45 minute oral presentation on a pre-approved topic. The presentation will be given to the Nuclear Medicine technical and medical staff at the end of the internship. The presentation will include Powerpoint slides.

COMPUTERS - the clinic will make internet-connencted computers available so that students can access their UVM e-mail account and to submit the online clinical reports.

COMMUNICATIONS - the Student Coordinator will communicate with the Program Director as soon as possible when an emergency or clinical problem occurs.

EXPENSES - Affiliates are encouraged to provide meal tickets, parking permits, stipends, etc. to students. Click here for summary of each clinical affiliate

IDENTIFICATION BADGES - students will wear their UVM / FAHC identification badge unless the affiliate provides an identification badge.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

DRESS CODE - Students will adhere to the dress code set by the affiliate, to include wearing a full-length lab coat and whole body monitor and ring badge. Any changes must be approved by the Program Director.

Students are expected to promptly return the monitor and ring badge to the UVM Radiation Safety Office each month.

ATTENDANCE - students will be in attendance for 40 hours per week for the entire semester except for University recesses and holidays. Any changes must be approved by the Program Director.

TIME OFF - in addition to the UVM holidays listed in the calendar, students are allowed a total of 4 personal days off during the affiliation period. These days can be used for sick days OR personal time off. With the prior approval of the Student Coordinator, students are allowed time off for job interviews or professional meetings. In all cases, students must inform the Student Coordinator at least one week in advance.

If students are ill, they must call the department prior to the scheduled start of work. Any missed time in excess of the 4 personal days must be made up in order to complete the course and to graduate. Any changes must be approved by the Program Director.

DAILY CLINICAL REPORTS - Students must send a DAILY web-based report to the Program Director via the internet. NOTE: students have the option to give less frequent reports but all work days must be reported.

ATTEND REGISTRY REVIEW - Students are required to participate in the registry review sessions (whether online or on-site) to help prepare for the national certifying examinations.

PROJECT - Students are required to do a final project which will be presented to the Student Coordinator and the clinical staff. The project will be on a topic approved by the Student Coordinator, and will consist of an oral presentation of at 30 - 45 minutes.

HEALTH INSURANCE - students must have their own health insurance to cover any hospital and physician expenses which might occur while on affiliation.

EXPENSES - students are responsible for their own housing, meals, transportation, lab coats, and personal expenses.

CPR - all students must have a current American Red Cross CPR certification at the time of the clinical assignment.

PHYSICAL EXAMS - prior to the start of the affiliation, the student must check with Universty Student Health to ensure that he/she is current with all vaccinations.

CLINICAL COMPETENCIES - 14 competencies must be achieved during the assigned period. Students should plan on completing a competency on the average of one every week so that there will not be a large number of competencies to be achieved at the end of the assignment. Waiting until the end will put an undue burden on the clinical affiliate.

COMMUNICATIONS - contact the Program Director as soon as possible when an emergency or clinical problem occurs.

CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) - Each student assigned to Massachusetts General must have a CORI check prior to the affiliation. This link has more information about the requirements in the state of Massachusetts.