The Radiologic Technologists at the clinical affiliates will act as the students' immediate supervisors. Any concerns with the clinical schedule or rotation should be discussed with the Clinical Coordinator. The Clinical Coordinator, clinical preceptors, staff technologists, medical imaging supervisors, and Dean serve as student resources. The student is responsible for performing exams under the appropriate level of supervision. The supervising technologist determines what level of supervision is required for each student, following the guidelines of direct and indirect supervision below and based upon observation of the student's performance. Regardless of the level of supervision, all student images must be approved by a technologist before the patient leaves the medical imaging department. The supervising technologist may take over the performance of the exam at any point, regardless of the student's competency level, if the technologist determines the patient's care is compromised.
Direct supervision: A Radiologic Technologist (R.T.) must be able to observe the student at all times and assist or intercede immediately in the radiographic examination if, in their opinion, the examination is being performed improperly or the continuation of the exam will be potentially harmful to the patient or student. The R.T. must:
- Witness the student's performance of the procedure,
- Evaluate the condition of the patient in relation to the student's knowledge,
- Be physically present during the entire procedure and
- Review and approve the completion of the procedure with associated images.
Students must be under direct supervision when performing the following radiographic exams:
- Examinations before successful demonstration of clinical competency
- Repeat projections of an examination, despite competency level
- Critical care examinations
- Surgical procedures
- Mobile Procedures, including mobile fluoroscopy
- Exams involving the use of iodinated contrast media
Indirect Supervision: A Radiologic Technologist must be in the adjacent area, within shouting distance of the student. The R.T. must be able to free themselves from any other responsibilities to offer immediate consultation or direct supervision to a student who, after re-evaluating the tasks involved in the radiographic examination, requires additional assistance.
Students are permitted to perform radiographic examinations under indirect supervision if:
- The exam is not restricted by the preceding paragraph dealing with direct supervision.
- The student has passed a clinical competency evaluation on the body part under examination.
- The patient's condition is non-critical.
Students assigned to clinical rotations in the following areas will act primarily as observers and may perform basic tasks assigned by the supervisor of the clinical area. Students shall be under direct supervision when performing all assigned tasks in these clinical areas.
- Computed Tomography
- Mammography
- Interventional Radiography
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Therapy
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac and Vascular Imaging
Students should not be required to change clinical assignments due to the absence of medical imaging department personnel or other students. However, the student may be required to change clinical assignments to provide appropriate clinical education and supervision. The Clinical Coordinator, Dean, or clinical preceptor, in consultation with the medical imaging supervisor, may make changes in clinical assignments.