HomeMy WebLinkAboutRTT-221RTT 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - pg. 1
Bergen Community College
Health Professions Division
Radiation Therapy Technology Program
Course Syllabus
RTT- 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II
Course Description:
This course provides the student radiation therapist with an avenue to continue their
development of professional skills through rotations in treatment delivery, simulation,
treatment accessory devices, and patient care. Objectives and treatment competencies
will be used to assess outcomes. The student will be afforded 352 hours for this clinical
experience.
Credits / Hours: 24 lab / 2 credits
Prerequisites: RTT 121
Co-requisites: RTT 210, RTT 220, RTT 230
Spring 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. The designated length of
time required for this course allows the student sufficient time to meet clinical objectives
and ARRT competency-based requirements.
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 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - 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. Understand, evaluate and validate treatment plans and dosimetric calculations.
9. Demonstrate proficiency in simulation and localization procedures, including
the preparation of immobilization and beam modification devices.
10. Demonstrate proper documentation, including errors and discrepancies.
11. Utilize and demonstrate professional resume writing techniques
Grading/Course Evaluations:
The final course grade for RTT 221 will be delivered from the following evaluations;
Treatment Competencies 25%
Simulation Procedures 25%
Patient Care, Treatment Accessory Devices, Dosimetry 20%
Resume 10%
Student Assessment 20%
100%
Clinical Competency Evaluations:
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 5 (five) and a maximum of 9
(nine) treatment related competency evaluations this semester. If five 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.
RTT 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - pg. 3
Additionally, 3 (three) participatory procedure competencies are required for successfully
completion of the program. Participation means that the candidate takes an active role in
the procedure and understands the critical concepts vital to the success of the procedure.
These three participatory procedures may be completed during the spring and/or summer
semester.
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 2 (two) and a maximum of
3(three) simulation procedure competency evaluations this semester. If two simulation
procedure 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 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 expected to complete their
simulation procedure competency evaluation in a timely manner. All clinical
competencies will be submitted electronically by a designated clinical supervisor.
The student will be required to complete a minimum of 4 (four) and a maximum of 6
(six) competencies in the area of treatment accessory devices, patient care, and/or
dosimetry. If a total of four competencies from any 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 the
treatment planning procedures and patient protocols while adhering to acceptable
departmental, institutional, governmental and professional standards. Students are
expected to complete their treatment accessory device /dosimetry/ patient care
competency evaluations in a timely manner. All clinical competencies will be submitted
electronically by a designated clinical supervisor.
The student will be required to complete (1) one or (2) two quality control procedure on
either the linear accelerator or simulator. If one competencies from this area is not
successfully completed, the student will receive a zero grade for the 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 performing the quality control
procedure while adhering to acceptable departmental, institutional, governmental and
professional standards. Students are expected to complete their quality control procedure
competency evaluations in a timely manner. All clinical competencies will be
electronically submitted by a designated clinical supervisor.
The student will be required to attend a resume writing and interview technique
workshop. Upon completion of this workshop, the student will be required to submit an
acceptable resume to the Career Development Office. The resume is worth 10% of the
students’ final grade.
RTT 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - pg. 4
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 judgment,
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
Manuals. 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.
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 to assure clinical competence.
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 supervisor and the clinical site 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
RTT 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - pg. 5
permitted in the clinical setting during off-hours without the permission of the clinical
site and the program.
Required Text: None
Policies subject to change
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.
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.
(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 221 Radiation Therapy Clinical Practicum II - pg. 6
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.