KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FAIRFIELD, MAINE
Department of Allied Health
COURSE NUMBER:
COURSE TITLE:
RAD236
Clinical Practicum I
CREDIT HOURS: 4
CLOCK HOURS: 192
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Karen Berry
Room 126A King Hall
kberry@kvcc.me.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
VOICE MAIL:
As posted
453- xxxx
TEXTS:
July 2008 –June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials, St. Paul MN:
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, 2008
PREREQUISITES: Students must be enrolled in the Advanced Certificate in Computed Tomography
Program at Kennebec Valley Community College
CO-REQUISITES: RAD232, RAD230, RAD234
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a competency based clinical experience that develops the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor
skill level of students in the performance of Computed Tomography (CT) procedures. Emphasis will be placed
on procedures of the Head, Neck, thorax and Musculoskeletal. Candidates for certification in Computed
Tomography are required to perform clinical procedures to establish eligibility for certification. Students will be
required to complete and document their performance as required as established in the ARRT Computed
Tomography Clinical Experience Requirements.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Apply their knowledge to demonstrate the skills required to perform CT procedure/s while employing
professional behavior of a competent CT technologist.
Prepare, position and explain the aspects of the CT procedure to patients from pre to post examination
Determine appropriate protocols and scan parameters of the head, neck, thorax (chest) and
musculoskeletal for CT procedures based on patient history, symptomology, and assessment Prepare the
CT room
Operate CT equipment safely
Practice radiation safety and protection to assure minimum radiation exposure
Prepare and administer contrast media utilizing aseptic technique
Evaluate CT images for quality, optimal demonstration of anatomic region, and exam completeness
Document clinical experience requirements in order to achieve compliance with the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
9.
Categorize and document performance of CT competency repetitions in accordance to ARRT July2008
–June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials to comply with
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Determine if they have fulfilled the requirements in accordance to ARRT July2008 –June 2009
Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials to establish eligibility for
certification to apply for ARRT post primary certification examination in computed tomography.
10.
COURSE OUTLINE (Topical):
The following competencies are the suggested competencies to be completed during this course:
 Head
o Routine
o Sinuses
o Facial orbit
o Temporal bones
o Trauma head
o Vascular head (CTA)
 Neck
o Soft tissue neck
o Larynx and vocal chords
o Vascular neck (CTA)
 Thorax(Chest)
o Routine
o HRCT (High Resolution CT)
o Vascular chest
o Chest trauma
o Airway-(trachea, bronchus)
o Heart ( cardiac scoring, angiography)
 Spine
o Cervical
o Thoracic
o Lumbar
o Spinal trauma
 Musculoskeletal
o Upper extremity
o Lower extremity
o Bony pelvis/ hips
o Musculoskeletal trauma
o CT arthrography
o Vascular extremity (CTA)



Competencies will be chosen to fulfill the requirements established in the ARRT July2008 –June 2009
Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials
Successful demonstration of clinical experience requirements for Competency of CT procedures will be
based on the general requirements as suggested in ARRT July2008 –June 2009 Computed Tomography
Certification Handbook and Application Materials
Successful completion of CT Procedure competencies will be documented as per ARRT July2008 –June
2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials
COURSE ACTIVITIES:
• On Campus Workshops
• Documentation
• Clinical Competency Evaluations • Student Clinical Performance Evaluations
• Discussions
• Homework
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Student Requirements And Expectations:

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Attend all scheduled clinical assignments.
Arrive and be ready to start on time
Notify the clinical preceptor of their absence prior to the scheduled start time
Take responsibility for your own learning by checking the course every week and complete the
assigned reading and homework posted by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to devote as
much time as necessary to meet the course requirements.
A great deal of material will be covered. It is expected that students will meet their obligations to the
class and their peers by completing all assignments on time. Please adhere to the due dates in the course
schedule.
Students are expected to contribute/communicate in electronic discussions for some assignments.
It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with their assigned clinical preceptor with any questions
or concerns of the clinical experience.
It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor with any questions or concerns of the
course.
Dress Code
o Students must wear a name tag at all times.
o All students will wear a radiation monitoring device.
o The student is expected to be neat, clean and professional looking at all times. They will wear the
accepted professional attire for the clinical environment they are attending.
o Due to the possibility of student or patient injury excessive jewelry will not be permitted.
o Only studded earrings, watches and wedding rings shall be worn.
o Students will not hold patients for Imaging/ CT exams.
o Students will report any accidental exposure to primary radiation to the CT instructor/Clinical
preceptor immediately
Radiation Monitoring and Safety - A dosimeter is a device used to measure the amount of radiation exposure
to that particular individual.
o Dosimeters are to be worn at the collar level (outside of a lead apron if you are wearing one) at
all times while on duty.
o When not on duty the dosimeter is to remain in the control area of the participating clinical site.
o Dosimeters will be changed on a monthly basis.
o Dosimeters will need to be dropped off at the school’s office on or a few days before the 15th of
each month. Students at that time will pick up their new dosimeters. Measurements will be
recorded and posted in the school office.
o A summarization of the yearly radiation exposure is provided.
o Students will not hold patients for radiographic/ CT exams.
o Students will report any accidental exposure to primary radiation to the CT instructor
immediately.
Grading:
 All assignments must be completed and turned in by the due dates listed in the course schedule.

This course follows the campus-wide grading scale. In order to successfully pass this course, students must
achieve a “C” or better. If he/she does not receive a satisfactory grade they will be unable enroll in other
courses required for the Advanced Certificate in Computed Tomography Program at Kennebec Valley
Community College.

Students will be evaluated in:
o
Competency evaluation
 will be verified by the Registered Technologist clinical preceptor or a licensed Radiologist and
will be based on

Successful demonstration of clinical experience requirements for Competency of CT
procedures will be based on the general requirements as suggested in ARRT July2008 –
June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application Materials

Competencies will be chosen to fulfill the requirements established in the ARRT
July2008 –June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application
Materials

Successful completion of CT Procedure competencies will be documented as per ARRT
July2008 –June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and Application
Materials
o Student Clinical performance
 This is a biweekly evaluation that is completed by the clinical preceptor and technologists
working with the student during the clinical experience. It will focus on the student’s progression
of knowledge, skills and behaviors typically required to become a competent CT technologist.
Assignments/homework (minimum 5) .................................................................... 10%
Class participation/Online discussions .................................................................... 10%
Competency evaluation ............................................................................................ 50%
Student clinical performance ................................................................................... 30%
Grading Scale:
This course uses the standard KVCC Grading Scale which can be found in the KVCC College Catalog.
Clinical Practicum Site:
Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) will co-ordinate clinical practicum sites for the Advanced
Certificate in Computed Tomography Program at KVCC. Clinical sites must have a current affiliation
agreement with KVCC to be considered as a clinical site. All clinical sites must meet ARRT requirements for it
to be a clinical site.
The course is designed with the working professional in mind allowing for the student to work independently
while fulfilling the requirements of the course. If you are already employed in a site that will assist you in
meeting your Clinical practicum experience requirements then your employer can submit a letter indicating that
they will assist you. The letter would need to identify the clinical preceptor and their qualifications. It needs to
be signed by the employer, the clinical preceptor and a board certified radiologist indicating that they have an
active role in helping you to meet the clinical practicum competency documentation to fulfill the requirements
as established in the ARRT July2008 –June 2009 Computed Tomography Certification Handbook and
Application Materials during your employment with them. A current affiliation agreement with KVCC would
also need to be established if one is not currently in existence
The didactic requirements of the course would still need to be met by the student.
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ATTENDANCE POLICY:
 Attend all scheduled clinical assignments.
 Arrive and be ready to start on time
 Notify the clinical preceptor of their absence prior to the scheduled start time
 Attendance at scheduled on campus workshops is required.
 Assignments and course information will be posted in Blackboard. All students are required to check the
course via Blackboard on a regular basis. A minimum of once a week is required.
 Students are expected to contribute/communicate in electronic discussions for some assignments.

The course is designed with the working professional in mind allowing for the student to work
independently while fulfilling the requirements of the course. All material assigned in class is the
student’s responsibility to study and complete on time.

Instructor will not accept any late coursework/assignments beyond the due dates. It is the
student’s responsibility to devote as much time as necessary to meet the course requirements.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990, this College is committed to assisting qualified students with disabilities achieve their educational
goals.
If you are in need of academic accommodations in this course, you MUST contact the Coordinator of
Disabilities Services in the Marden Center, King Hall, Room 130, 453-5084. You MUST provide appropriate
documentation of your disability and make a timely request for accommodation to the Coordinator of
Disabilities Services. Request for accommodation must be renewed each semester for each course.
This syllabus is available in enlarged print and on audio tape. Please contact the Coordinator of Disabilities
Services in the Marden Center, Room 130, King Hall, to obtain these.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION:
Kennebec Valley Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For
more information, please call John Delile, the Affirmative Action Officer, at 453-5123.
Revision Date: September 23, 2008