General Policies
Course Policies
Each instructor is allowed latitude in as much as they can utilize their own individual method or style in the presentation, demonstration, distribution, scoring, and outcome satisfaction for their respective course(s). It is also up to the individual instructor to interpret when, if and the severity to which a course policy is maintained or not.
The general course policies for the Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology are as follows:
1. All tests must be made-up the day the student returns to class or at the discretion of the instructor. Tests not made-up will be recorded as a (0). It is the responsibility of the student to schedule all make-up tests.
2. If a student is absent from class, he/she is responsible for any material covered and for any class assignments given.
3. Each student is responsible for being prompt to class.
4. If a student is absent from class when an unannounced quiz is given, the instructor has the latitude as to what can and shall be done in place of the quiz. (Also refer to policy # 1)
5. Any student who displays academic dishonesty shall be dismissed form the School.
6. If a student misses more than 3 scheduled classes during a 20-day (4 school weeks) period he/she will be required to meet with the Program Director. If the absences are deemed unexcused or unnecessary, the student may be dismissed from the School.
7. A 75% average is required throughout all courses (unless noted in the specific syllabus), and dismissal may occur at any time if this average is not maintained.
8. Students are not allowed to sleep, lay their head down, read different material than the course being taught or disrupt the class in any way during a given lecture or any class presentation.
9. Students are responsible for bringing their own textbook to class. Sharing a textbook is the discretion of the instructor.
10. Eating during any class lecture or presentation is not allowed.
General Policies, School/Hospital
Any School policy change related to faculty, staff and/or students will be posted in the classroom. It is the responsibility of the affected individuals to read the policy and if necessary document their acknowledgement of the policy.
Any Hospital policy change(s) are addressed in the same manner. New policies and/or revisions will be posted in the work-hall and it is the responsibility of the affected individuals to read and if necessary document their acknowledgement of the policy.
Transfer of Credit Request for Advanced Status
Transfer of credit or request for advanced status is made on a “case by case” basis. We feel this is fair due to the broad range of didactic and clinical requirements each program might have. Individuals may request transfer of credit and/or advanced status in writing, supported by as much documentation as they feel necessary. The Advisory Committee reserves the right to accept or deny any request for transfer of credit or advanced status.
Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology Student/Graduate Transfer of Credit
The Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology is not affiliated with any other educational program or system in Alabama or any other state. The School operates on a “clock” hour system. Example: If a class meets 1-hour for 2-12 week quarters, the class would earn 24 “clock” hours of credit.
A student that wishes to transfer from our program to another radiography program must abide by that program’s transfer policy.
The School grants a graduate a Certificate Degree, however colleges and/or universities may or may not accept our certificate degree for their particular type of credit.
Policy Changes
Students enrolled in the Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology are required to obey all policies of the Crestwood Medical Center School and its’ clinical affiliates. It is the responsibility of the student to read each new policy and/or policy change when they occur.
Textbooks
Students are required to purchase the following textbooks: *
1. Merrills Atlas of Radiographic Positions (Ballinger/Frank)
2. Radiologic Science for Technologists (Bushong)
3. The Language of Medicine (Chabner)
4. Basic Principles of Radiation Exposure (DeVos)
5. Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography (Sherer)
6. Structure and Function of the Human Body (Memmler)
7. Introduction to Radiologic Technology ( Gurley)
8. Integrated Patient Care of Imaging Professionals (Kowalczyk)
9. Principles of Radiographic Imagine (Carlton) 2nd ed.
10. Advanced Radiographic and Angiographic Procedures (Tortorici)
11. Radiography Exam Review (Saia)
*Textbooks may change at the discretion of the instructor.
Students may be required to purchase additional books as needed.
Student Services
The following services are available to any enrolled student:
a) Counseling
b) Mentoring
c) Tutoring
d) Free parking
e) Cafeteria discount
f) TB skin tests (PPD)
g) Hepatitis B vaccination (at cost)
Pregnancy
A gravid (pregnant) student of the Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology has the option as whether to declare or not her pregnancy. If a student declares her pregnancy, her Effective Absorbed Dose Equivalent Limit (EADEL) will be monitored to remain below 500 mR for the entire gestational period. She will be issued a fetal monitor so as to monitor the fetal dose to remain below 50 mR per month. Counseling will be provided also. If a gravid student does not declare her pregnancy, her EADEL will remain at 5000 mR per year.
At no time during her pregnancy will a student be required to withdraw from the program; however, her schedule may be modified (if she so chooses) that may result in changes in her graduation date, ARRT examination date and other dates seen or unforeseen related to the program.
Grounds for Dismissal
The Advisory Committee of the Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time for any action listed below. The list below is not entirely inclusive of all actions that might warrant dismissal. Actions less than dismissal is an option in certain extenuating cases; however, it is the sole discretion of the Advisory Committee to even consider options less than dismissal.
1. Failure (below a 75%) of any required class
2. Failure to meet required number of clinical competencies for assigned time-frame
3. Acquiring check-offs while working as an employee
4. Patient abuse
5. Invasion of privacy
6. Theft
7. Unprofessional conduct
8. Reporting to school under the influence of drugs or alcohol
9. Possession of a weapon
10. Fighting or provoking a fight
11. Unexcused absences
12. Excessive tardiness
13. Insubordination
14. Conviction of a felony or equivalent charge
15. Immoral conduct
16. Indecency
17. Falsification of personnel or other records
18. Turning in make-up time accrued when working as Employee
19. Improper use of any Hospital, School or clinical affiliate computer system
20. Failure to maintain a hygienic and clean appearance at all times
Smoking
Crestwood Medical Center is a “smoke-free” facility meaning no smoking is allowed inside any of the buildings. Smoking is allowed only in the designated areas. If a student is smoking in an undesignated area, he/she may be dismissed from the School.
Radiation Safety
Students are required to practice proper radiation safety practices at all times.
Students will always:
1. Wear personal radiation monitors in the clinical areas.
2. Wear lead aprons/gloves when necessary.
3. Remove personal radiation monitors when not in a clinical area.
4. Practice the principles of time, distance and shielding.
5. Avoid holding patients while exposures are being made.
If a personal radiation-monitoring device is misplaced or lost, a “spare” badge must be received from the designated technologist and worn.
It is the responsibility of the student to locate his/her monthly personal radiation monitor report and keep a record of such report. The master record is kept in the designated technologist’s office.
Under current radiation protection guidelines, occupationally exposed workers (which includes students {over the age of 18}) are allowed 5rems or 5000mR of radiation annually. This is roughly .5rem or 500mR monthly. As our current radiation monitoring system requires a monthly monitor replacement, when the monthly report is received, if a student exceeds the monthly amount, he/she will meet with the Program Director to try and determine if the exposure was actually received by the student or the monitor was accidentally exposed by other means.
The student will be counseled as to proper radiation protection measures and a notation will be placed in his/her file.
Repeat Radiographs
All repeat radiographs performed by students will be under direct supervision of a qualified radiographer regardless of the students' level of competency.
Direct Supervision – Student supervision by a qualified practitioner who reviews the procedure in relation to the student’s achievement, evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the students’ knowledge, is present during the procedure, and reviews and approves the procedure. A qualified radiographer is present during student performance of a repeat of any unsatisfactory radiograph.
Only qualified practitioner’s can supervise Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology students during a repeated radiograph or any educational related function.
Qualified Practitioner – a radiation therapist or radiographer possessing American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification or equivalent and active registration in the pertinent discipline and practicing in the profession.
Leave of Absence
Any enrolled student may petition the Advisory Committee for a leave of absence. A leave of absence is normally granted for a period not in excess of one year. This allows the student to enter the School at the same point they exited. Leaves are only granted for extreme circumstances and they must be followed to the letter. Any failure to abide by any of the terms of a leave will automatically terminate the leave and the student will be dismissed from the School.
Graduation Requirements
A student who has completed the following requirements shall be eligible to graduate:
1. All academic requirements satisfied.
2. All clinical requirements satisfied.
3. All financial obligations satisfied.
4. All make-up time completed.
5. All obligations to either the Crestwood Medical Center or the Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology are satisfied.
Graduate References
The following may be used as criteria for preparing graduate references:
1. Academic Grade Point Average (GPA)
2. Clinical performance
3. Attendance
4. Personal traits
5. Character traits
6. Motivation
7. Dependability
8. Composure
9. Adaptability
10. Acceptance of responsibility
11. Quality of work
ARRT Eligibility
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists requires all examinees to disclose any prior or misdemeanor conviction. If this applies to you, we suggest you contact the ARRT directly at (651) 687-0048 to discuss your specific situation.
The Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology has fulfilled its obligation to the applicant, student, graduate and profession by informing them of this requirement.
Graduation from the program does not automatically assure the graduate of ARRT eligibility.
Placement
The Crestwood Medical Center School of Radiology will make every effort to assist the graduates in obtaining suitable positions but does not guarantee placement upon graduation. Graduation references will be provided consistent with the student’s performance.