PAM1007 Practice Placement 1

2007-2008

Code: PAM1007
Title: Practice Placement 1
Instructors: Mrs S.J. Willis and Hospital Staff
CATS credits: 30
ECTS credits: 15
Availability: B821 only
Level: 1
Pre-requisites: none
Co-requisites: none
Background Assumed: Introduction to Radiation Physics (PAM1014), Radiographic Anatomy (PAM1015) and Clinical Imaging 1 (PAM1006)
Duration: Apr-Aug (16 weeks)
Directed Study Time: 480 hours (placement learning)
Private Study Time: -
Assessment Tasks Time: 24 hours
Observation report: N/A

Aims

Professional radiographers must be able to apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills within an inter-professional clinical context. This module provides practical experience of the safe and effective practice of general and fluoroscopic radiography. Students will develop their patient-care skills, and learn to identify 'professional' and 'management' issues and understand how these are inter-related.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• identify the needs and functional aspects of the basic life support systems that are made available in association with the conduct of imaging procedures;
• perform selected uncomplicated radiographic, and manual handling, procedures in a safe and efficient manner;
• demonstrate competence in basic radiographic positioning and image acquisition;
• assess and interpret images, and identify images of poor diagnostic quality and take corrective action;
• under guidance, care for, and communicate with, patients appropriately;
• describe and implement radiation protection measures;
• practice appropriate infection control;
• identify and discuss applicable legal and ethical issues;
• undertake routine radiographs including supplementary views based on departmental protocols for the demonstration of the skeletal system, thoracic and abdominal contents;
• describe the practice of exposure selection, image processing, viewing, image evaluation;
• recognise and describe normal and normal-variant radiographic anatomy and common pathology demonstrated on skeletal, thoracic and abdominal radiographs;
• work effectively in the inter-professional healthcare environment;

Discipline Specific Skills

• reflect on clinical experience, identify personal strengths and learning needs;
• maintain an accurate and up-to-date log book recording attainment of competencies, clinical assesments, and reflective diary entries;
• synthesise, with guidance, information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding of theory and practice;

Personal and Key Skills

• contribute positively to the placement department;
• comply with the School Code of Practice for Clinical Placements;
• participate actively in clinical tutorials whilst on placement;
• begin a personal and professional portfolio.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Demonstration and experience gained under supervision by clinical staff; tutorials and seminars directed by clinical and academic staff. Directed self-study.

Assignments

Eight 250-word case studies of which 4 (randomly selected) will contribute to summative assessment.

Assessment

Note: To receive a non-zero mark for this module, students must comply with the attendance requirements specified in the School's Code of Practice for Clinical Placements and pass all clinical assessments.

Personal and professional portfolio and eight 250-word case-studies (50%); Four clinical assessments - an extremity, chest, abdomen, spinal column - (40%); Viva voce (10%). A pass at 40% in each of the four clinical assessments is necessary to pass the module.

Syllabus Plan and Content

Refer to the School Handbook section Radiography Placement Documents and Forms for detailed aims and objectives for each placement area. The time spent on each placement area is shown in square brackets.

1. Pre-clinical Preparation
   1. Codes of Conduct.
   2. Manual handling training.
   3. Basic life support.
   4. Infection control.
   5. Radiation Protection.
   6. Health and Safety.
2. Nursing [1 week]
   1. Basic patient care, communication skills.
   2. Blood pressure, use of a pulse oximeter, taking temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
   3. Experience of nursing in a ward environment.
   4. Experience of the nursing role within a radiology department.
3. Image Handling and Clerical [1 week]
   1. Patient reception duties.
   2. General clerical work within a radiology department.
   3. Familiarisation with the bookings system.
   4. Information provided for patients.
   5. PACS management.
   6. PACS QC.
   7. Familiarity with film handling where still in use.
4. Fluoroscopy Room [2 weeks]
   1. Five days (equivalent) of X-ray nursing experience.
   2. Understand the principles of a sterile environment.
   3. Use of barium as a contrast agent.
   4. Standard positioning and departmental protocols for barium studies.
   5. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
   6. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
   7. Identify the need for additional views.
   8. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
5. Intravenous Urography Room [1 week]
   1. Use intravenous iodine as a contrast agent.
   2. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
   3. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
   4. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
   5. Identify the need for additional views, compression and tomography.
   6. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
6. General and / or A&E Room [8 weeks]
   1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
   2. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
   3. Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
   4. Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
   5. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
7. Mobiles and Theatres [2 weeks]
   1. Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
   2. Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
   3. Identification of normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
   4. Radiation protection in wards and in theatre.
   5. The principles of a sterile environment.
   6. Interacting with ward- and theatre-staff.
   7. Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
8. Imaging Modalities [1 week]
   1. Gain experience, as preparation for stage two, by spending one day in each of the modalities: CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Whitely A.S. et al. (2005), Clark's Positioning in Radiography (12^th edition), Hodder Arnold, ISBN 0-340-76390-6 (UL: On Order)

Formative Mechanisms

Placement learning is supported by tutorials. Students progress is monitored on a weekly basis by their mentors. Students with specific problems should first approach a mentor, and if the problem is not resolved, their tutor.

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.