HomeMy WebLinkAboutRTT-121RTT 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I - pg. 1
Bergen Community College
Health Professions Division
Radiation Therapy Technology Program
Course Syllabus
RTT- 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I
Course Description:
This course serves as a clinical orientation to radiation therapy where students are
afforded an opportunity to develop professional skills and knowledge through structured
rotations and assignments in radiation therapy. Treatment competencies and related
objectives will be used to measure clinical outcomes. Students will be afforded 352
hours for this clinical experience.
Credits / Hours: 24 lab / 2 credits
Prerequisites: None
Co-requisites: RTT 110, RTT 120
Fall Semester
Narrative:
This course is an imperative component of the program as it provides a mechanism for
the student to apply theoretical principles to clinical practice. Furthermore, the clinical
experience is sufficient to afford students an opportunity to complete the required number
of clinical competency objectives.
Educational Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate behavior and attitudes congruent with the profession's standards
and ethics.
2. Perform and/or assist with the delivering of a prescribed course of treatment
adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and
professional standards.
3. Demonstrate critical thinking and patient assessment skills in order to deliver a
prescribed course of radiation therapy.
4. Demonstrate standardized radiation safety practices and radiation protection
for each treatment procedure performed.
5. Demonstrate appropriate and effective communication amongst colleagues,
health care professionals and patients.
RTT 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I - pg. 2
6. Interpret patient treatment charts and treatment plans for proper
implementation.
7. Utilize appropriate principles regarding safety, patient transfer and
immobilization devices.
8. Demonstrate basic skill in simulation and localization procedures, including
the preparation of immobilization and beam modification devices.
9. Demonstrate proper documentation, including errors and discrepancies.
Grading/Course Evaluations:
The final course grade for RTT 121 will be delivered from the following evaluations;
Treatment Competencies 40%
Simulation Procedures 20%
Patient Care, Treatment Accessory Devices 20%
Student Assessment 20%
100%
Clinical Competency Evaluations:
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 3(three) and a maximum of 5
(five) treatment related competency evaluations this semester. If three treatment related
competencies are not successfully completed, the student will receive a zero grade for
each evaluation not completed. The student must follow the steps and guidelines for the
clinical competency evaluations as outlined in the Student Handbook and Radiotherapy
Clinical Education Manuals. The student must demonstrate proficiency in the preparation
and delivery of the prescribed treatment while adhering to acceptable departmental,
institutional, governmental and professional standards. Students are expected to
complete their clinical competency evaluations in a timely manner. All clinical
competencies will be submitted electronically by a designated clinical supervisor.
The student is required to submit to the Clinical Coordinator, a Treatment Concept
Evaluation form for every Treatment Machine Procedure completed. The Treatment
Concept Evaluation form will be reviewed with the student and assigned a numeric grade.
This grade will represent 50% of the Treatment Machine Procedure grade.
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 1(one) and a maximum of 3
(three) simulation procedure competency evaluations this semester. If this competency is
not successfully completed, the student will receive a zero grade in this area. The student
must follow the steps and guidelines for the clinical competency evaluations as outlined
in the Student Handbook and Radiotherapy Clinical Education Manuals. The student
must demonstrate proficiency by performing, discussing and reviewing the preparation
and delivery of the prescribed simulation procedure while adhering to acceptable
departmental, institutional, governmental and professional standards. Students are
RTT 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I - pg. 3
expected to complete their simulation procedure competency evaluation in a timely
manner. All clinical competencies will be done by a designated clinical supervisor.
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 3 (three) and a maximum of 5
(five) competencies in the area of treatment accessory devices and/or patient care. If a
total of three competencies from one or two of these areas are not successfully
completed, the student will receive a zero grade for each competency not completed. The
student must follow the steps and guidelines for the clinical competency evaluations as
outlined in the Student Handbook and Radiotherapy Clinical Education Manuals. The
student must demonstrate proficiency in the preparation, delivery and evaluation of
patient protocols /care and treatment accessory device fabrication while adhering to
acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and professional standards.
Students are expected to complete their treatment accessory device / patient care
competency evaluation in a timely manner. All clinical competencies will be submitted
electronically by a designated clinical supervisor.
Clinical Profiles / Anecdotal Notes:
An appointed clinical supervisor will electronically submit a Student Assessment Form
for each student at the end of each clinical rotation (3 per semester). Anecdotal notes
may be utilized to document performance during the semester. The profile will include
the student's performance in demonstrating dependability, professional attire,
communication skills, professional skills, record keeping tasks, radiation safety practices,
safety practices, and critical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving skills. The
numerical average of all of the assessments will be worth twenty percent of the students'
final clinical grade. The student must follow the steps and guidelines for the student
assessment as outlined in the Student Handbook and Radiotherapy Clinical Education
Manual. The student must demonstrate proficiency in professional and ethical skills
while adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and professional
standards. Upon request, a student / faculty conference will be scheduled to review each
graded profile.
Dress Code / Professionalism:
This category reflects the student's professional appearance, attire and ethical practice at
the clinical site. All students are expected to comply with the regulations found in the
course syllabus, student handbook, as well as the rules and policies in the College
Catalog.
Regardless of the students’ competency levels, they must always work under the direct
supervision of a licensed Radiation Therapist.
Attendance:
The students are expected to familiarize themselves with, and adhere to, the attendance-
related policies that are published in the Student Handbook and Radiotherapy Clinical
Education Manual.
RTT 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I - pg. 4
Radiation Therapy Clinical Practice I – III involves a total of 9 clinical rotations. The
student will spend approximately one month in each rotation. A total of at least 1152
clinical hours are recommended to each student.
Students must be at their assignment at 8:00am unless otherwise stated by the program
(as per the designated clinical site clock). Students are considered late to clinical when
they arrive 15 minutes after the required start time. Students are afforded one excused
absence and/or late event each semester. Students who will be late or absent from clinic
must call the college appointed clinical educator within one-half hour of scheduled start
time. Failure to call will result in a loss of three (3) points from the students’ final grade.
Students are required to document attendance electronically. Extended absences due to
extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on an individual basis. All clinical time must
be performed during the assigned hours. Students are not permitted in the clinical setting
during off-hours without permission of the program and the clinical education center.
Required Text: None
Bergen Community College Radiation Therapy Program
Competency Requirements – Course Distribution Table
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
The Radiation Therapy Program adheres to all Bergen Community College policies, including
drug and alcohol use and smoking on campus, discrimination and harassment, rules and
regulations governing conduct, rules governing academic integrity and acceptable use of
information technology resources as stated in the BCC College Catalog – Policies. These policies
apply to student conduct at the clinical education center.
The Bergen Community College Radiation Therapy Program adheres to a no cell phone policy in
the classroom, laboratory and clinic.
(Maximum
Cumulative Totals)
Treatment
Procedures
Participatory
Procedures
Simulation
Procedures
Quality
Control
Procedures
Treatment
Accessory
Devices
Patient
Care
Dosimetry
RTT 121 (Fall) 3 – 5 (5) 0 1 – 3 (3) 0 3 – 5 (5) 0
RTT 221 (Spring) 5 – 9 (14)
3 2 – 3 (5) 1 - 2 (2) 4 – 6 (11)
RTT 222(Summer) 4 – 10 (18) 2 – 4 (7) 1 – 2 (3) 6 – 10 (17)
Total 48 18 3 7 3 17
4 7 6
RTT 121 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum I - pg. 5
Topics/Activities
Acquire clinical experience:
1. Observe and assist on all clinical set-ups.
2. Perform basic set-ups under the supervision of the therapist.
3. Assist therapist with advanced set-ups as your level of expertise increases.
4. Review daily treatment chart for patient’s prescription and set-up information.
5. Record daily treatment information in the chart of those patients the student has set up.
The chart must then be given to the supervising therapist to be checked and signed.
Assist the therapist in:
1. Preparing the treatment room for each patient.
2. Preparing the treatment machine for each patient.
3. Preparing the appropriate accessory equipment for each patient.
Assist in patient care:
1. Become familiar with the patient’s name, face, medical history, and plan for treatment.
2. Observe the general condition of the patient and report any obvious changes to the
appropriate team member.
3. Provide supportive care of the patient.
4. Refer all questions concerning the patient’s plan for treatment to the therapist responsible
for treatment.
5. Engage the patient in conversation on topics unrelated to treatment to establish
professional rapport.
Professional ethics and conduct:
1. Display appropriate behavior in the student/patient (patient’s family) relationship.
2. Display appropriate behavior in the student/health care team relationship.
3. Display professional behavior by asking appropriate questions at the appropriate time – the
care of the patient always takes precedence.
Professional rapport:
1. Work side by side with the staff therapists.
2. Develop communication with all members of the staff.
3. Develop comradeship with peers.
Student goals:
1. Demonstrate thoroughness and accuracy in clinical activities.
2. Grasp directions and act on them quickly.
3. Utilize time efficiently.
4. Apply and relate theory to clinical practice.
Expectations and attitude:
1. Ensure confidentiality of patient information.
2. Respond attentively to patients.
3. Show enthusiasm and initiative in performing tasks.
4. Communicate easily with patients and staff.
5. Assume responsibility for actions.
6. Cooperate with supervisors and therapists to maximize learning.