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Practical Placement 1

Module description

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. You will develop patient-care skills and learn to identify 'professional' and 'management' issues and understand how these are inter-related. Mandatory training is an integral part of this module and must be completed at the required time to avoid module failure.

The University defines academic credit in terms of workload, with one credit being equal to a notional 10 hours of learning. However, due to the amount of time required for a clinical placement, and the fact that the placement necessarily runs outside of standard university terms, this approach cannot be followed for placement modules in radiography. Therefore, the hours given are a closer reflection of the amount of time spent on placement, although they should still be considered indicative.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will equip you with clinical skills with focus on common examinations and imaging in able bodied, compliant patients to deliver compassionate, holistic patient care. Through successful completion of this module, you will gain an understanding of legal, ethical and professional aspects of radiographic practice as they relate to these areas of medical imaging practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Under guidance, practice safely and effectively within the scope of this placement, demonstrating proficiency in equipment handling, infection control, basic radiographic positioning, patient immobilisation, manual handling, optimal exposure selection and image acquisition across all patient age groups.
• 2. Under guidance, care for and communicate with patients of all ages and abilities appropriately, demonstrating a duty of care and awareness of legal and ethical professional boundaries including confidentiality.
• 3. Describe and implement radiation protection measures (including patient identification, interpreting referral information, and ensuring appropriate use of medical imaging).
• 4. Under guidance, evaluate medical images encountered within the scope of this placement using a recognised methodology, identifying normal, developmental and anatomical variant anatomy, assessing image quality and taking corrective action.
• 5. Under guidance, demonstrate the ability to assess, monitor and care for patients, before during and after medical imaging procedures, and be able to recognise the deteriorating patient and have the skills and knowledge to undertake basic life support.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. With guidance, demonstrate ability to further develop skills and knowledge by reflecting on clinical experience and identifying strengths and areas for further learning.
• 7. Maintain accurate records, meeting professional requirements, as well as developing an individual personal and professional portfolio
• 8. Contribute positively to the placement department, working in partnership with service users, work effectively with other professions and professionals, support staff and others, ensure effective management of caseload and resources.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Comply with the Code of Practice for Clinical Placements;
• 10. Participate actively in clinical tutorials whilst on placement;

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:

Pre-clinical Preparation
Codes of Conduct.
Introduction to clinical placement documentation.
Manual handling training.
Basic life support.
Health and Safety training.
Inter-professional healthcare delivery.
Infection prevention and control.
Radiation Protection.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Information governance.
Raising concerns and incident reporting.
Bystander intervention and microaggressions.
Mandatory training in compliance with NHS requirements.

Inter-professional/Nursing [2 weeks]
Basic patient care, communication skills.
Blood pressure, use of a pulse oximeter, taking temperature, pulse and respiration rates.
Experience of healthcare delivery in a ward environment.
Experience of the nursing role within a radiology department
Work with non-radiographers to understand their role in imaging pathway.

Computed Tomography/ Room [2 weeks]
Use intravenous iodine as a contrast agent and safety screening of patients.
Standard CT positioning and departmental protocols for common examinations.
Assessment of images.
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

General and Mobile Radiography (including Dental)[7 weeks]
A range of standard positioning and departmental protocols including practice in A&E, mobile, and dental settings.
Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Theatres [1 week]
Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
Assist with assessment, monitoring, and care of patients undergoing interventional procedures
Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.
Identification of normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
Radiation protection in wards and in theatre.
The principles of a sterile environment.
Interacting with ward- and theatre-staff.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Room [1 week]
MRI safety screening of patients
Standard MRI positioning and department protocols for common examinations
Assessment of scan sequences and images
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology
Safe and efficient working particular attention to patient care and communication

Fluoroscopy and Interventional Room [0.5 week]
Use of barium and iodine-based contrast agents
Assist with assessment, monitoring, and care of patients undergoing fluoroscopy procedure
Standard positioning and departmental protocols
Assessment of images, modification of exposure factors and technique
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology
Understand role as a student radiographer
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication as appropriate

Modalities week (Nuclear Medicine/PETCT/Ultrasound/DEXA/PACs/Clerical) [1.5 weeks]

Spend two days on PACs management and quality control, bookings system and information provided for patients
Nursing experience in the allocated area, understand the principles of a sterile environment, use of contrast
Standard positioning and departmental protocol
Assessment of images, modification of exposure factors and technique
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication as appropriate.

Placement choice week [1 week]
Placement sites to place students in areas where they have capacity to support or in an area where students are either interested in or lack sufficient experience

Simulated Learning Activities [1.5 hours per week]
Students will be required to complete self-directed learning around projection radiography. Tasks will involve using simulated radiography software to produce and evaluate basic radiographic images that are commonly challenging for stage one students, also linking theory to practice.

Time for Dementia
Students are expected to continue with their commitments to Time for Dementia and time spent participating with this during placement period will go towards their placement attendance.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

All assessments, with the exception of the portfolio and oral assessment, must be passed due to the PSRB and contractual requirements.

For clinical assessment two attempts are permitted during normal placement time. In the event that the second attempt is not passed, a third attempt is permitted but must be undertaken during an additional period of clinical placement (clinical recovery).

As it is a contractual and legal requirement to complete the mandatory training prior to placements, it is not possible to offer a reassessment opportunity for this. If you have mitigating circumstances, you may be given an opportunity to interrupt your studies and complete the mandatory assessment at the next opportunity.

As it is a regulatory requirement to complete the placement attendance, it is not possible to offer a reassessment opportunity for this. There is an additional 2-week clinical recovery period during which you can make up missing attendance. If you have missed more attendance than can be made up in clinical recovery, you may be given an opportunity to interrupt your studies and complete the clinical placement at the next opportunity.

See Medical Imaging Assessment Conventions published in the Medical Imaging handbook https://universityofexeteruk.sharepoint.com/sites/MedicalImagingHandbook?OR=Teams-HL&CT=1694002518386&clickparams=eyJBcHBOYW1lIjoiVGVhbXMtRGVza3RvcCIsIkFwcFZlcnNpb24iOiIyNy8yMzA4MDQwODYzNiIsIkhhc0ZlZGVyYXRlZFVzZXIiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Not applicable

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

 http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

• Bontrager K.L. (2017), Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy (9^th edition), Mosby, ISBN 0323481876
• Whitley AS, Jefferson G, Holmes K, Hoadley G, Sloane C, Anderson C. (2015) Clark's Positioning in Radiography (13th edition). CRC Press, London. ISBN 9781444122350
• Darby M, Barron D and Hyland R. (2011), Oxford Handbook of Medical Imaging, Open University Press, ISBN 978-0199216369
• Johns C. (2013), Becoming a Reflective Practitioner (4^th edition), Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 9780470674260
• Keats T and Anderson M. (2012), Atlas of normal roentgen variants that may simulate disease, Elsevier, ISBN 978-0323073554
• Moller T. (2010), Pocket atlas of radiographic anatomy, Thieme Medical Publications, ISBN 978-3137842033
• Society and College of Radiographers (2013), Code of Professional Conduct, Society and College of Radiographers, ISBN 978-1-906225-39-1
• Society and College of Radiographers (2018), Obtaining consent: a clinical guideline for the diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy workforce, Society and College of Radiographers, ISBN 978-1-909802-18-6

Key words search

Medical Imaging; Radiographers; Patient; Image; Care; Protection; Radiations; Anatomy; Variant; Pathology; Communication