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Study information

Practical Placement 1

Module titlePractical Placement 1
Module codePAM1007
Academic year2023/4
Credits30
Module staff

Dr Abasiama Dick Obotiba (Convenor)

Miss Ifraax Abdi Osman (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

0

0

17

Number students taking module (anticipated)

68

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

Radiography Placement Documents and Forms Refer to the Handbook section http://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/ext/mihb/index.php for detailed aims and objectives for each placement area. The time spent on each placement area is shown in square brackets.

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.

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 / or A&E Room [6 weeks]

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

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.

 

Mobiles and Theatres [2 weeks]

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

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

 

Modalities week (Fluoroscopy or Interventional Radiology/Nuclear Medicine/Ultrasound/DEXA/PET CT/PACs/Clerical) [2 weeks]

Gain experience, as preparation for stage two, by spending at least two days in at least four of the listed modalities or areas with focus 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)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
6131.5480

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities16Pre-clinical Preparation - mandatory training
Scheduled learning and teaching activities55x1-hour Pre-placement tutorials
Placement480Placement learning. Attendance requirements as stated in placement paperwork.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities168x2-hour tutorials during placement
Guided independent study31.5Reading weeks
Scheduled learning and teaching activities24 University provided supplementary placement activities (Simulated learning activities). 1.5 hours per week for 16 weeks.

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
00100

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Mandatory Training completion* (You must successfully complete this prior to commencing placement. This assessment must be passed; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module)0As required for completion. 1-3, 5, 9 N/A
Clinical - an extremity*151 hour1-10Written and oral
Clinical – chest*151 hour1-10Written and oral
Bucky examination * 151 hour1-10Written and oral
Image evaluation (computer based) * 2030 minutes1, 3-4Computer generated feedback
Portfolio and oral assessment3530 minutes1-10Written and oral

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Clinical - an extremity * (15%) Clinical - an extremity (1 hour) (15%)1-10During August clinical recovery period
Clinical – chest (15%) *Clinical - chest (1 hour) (15%)1-10During August clinical recovery period
Bucky examination (15%) *Bucky examination (1 hour) (15%)1-10During August clinical recovery period
Image Evaluation (20%)*Image Evaluation (30 minutes) (20%)1, 3-4During August clinical recovery period
Portfolio and oral assessment (35%); 30 minutesPortfolio and oral assessment (35%)1-10During August clinical recovery period

Re-assessment notes

All assessments marked with * must be passed due to the PSRB and contractual requirements. If these assessments are not passed, the module mark will be capped at 39.

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.

See  Medical Imaging Assessment Conventions published in the Medical Imaging handbook https://uemsvle.exeter.ac.uk/ext/mihb/index.php

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 (9th 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 (4th 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

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

PAM1016, PAM1018, PAM1019, PAM1020 

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/09/2004

Last revision date

05/02/2024