Practice Placement 3
| Module title | Practice Placement 3 |
|---|---|
| Module code | PAM3018 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Ms Demelza Green (Convenor) Dr Abasiama Dick Obotiba (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 65 |
|---|
Module description
This module builds upon PAM2006 Practice Placement 2 to develop the full range of professional and technical skills required to meet the competence standards of Health and Care Professions Council registration requirements. Mandatory training is an integral part of this module and must be completed at the required time to avoid module failure.
Module aims - intentions of the module
During this third and final placement you will become an integral member of the multi-professional healthcare team: proficient to deal with a full range of patients using a wide range of modalities. You will have responsibility for organising your working day and liaising with staff in other departments and will gain experience of managing an inter-professional team.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Practice safely and effectively within the scope of this placement, demonstrating proficiency in equipment handling, infection control, radiographic positioning, patient immobilisation, manual handling, optimal exposure selection and image acquisition across all patient age groups.
- 2. Care for and communicate with patients of all ages and abilities appropriately, demonstrating a duty of care and awareness of raising concerns and awareness of legal and ethical professional boundaries including confidentiality.
- 3. Describe and implement radiation protection measures (including but not limited to patient identification, interpreting referral information, and ensuring appropriate use of medical imaging and quality control).
- 4. 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, using abnormality alerts as per departmental protocol.
- 5. 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. Demonstrate the skills needed to support clinical education, training, leadership and feedback ability to further develop skills and knowledge by reflecting on clinical experience and identify personal strengths and areas for further learning
- 7. Maintain accurate records, meeting professional requirements, as well continuing a personal and professional portfolio as a basis for future CPD.
- 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 (June/July preceding placement)
Mandatory training in compliance with NHS requirements, including:
Basic Life Support.
Mandatory e-learning modules.
Moving and Handling.
General and Mobile Radiography (including Dental) [5 weeks]
Perform a range of general radiography procedures based on departmental protocol, 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 and participate in red-dot schemes or Preliminary Clinical Evaluation (PCE) as applicable.
Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
Perform radiographs on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Gain experience in OUT OF HOURS (OOH) work by working a minimum of one night and one late shift (i.e., a minimum of 0.5 week OOH) work.
Fluoroscopy and Interventional Room [1.5 weeks]
Use of barium and iodine-based contrast agents.
Assist with assessment, monitoring, and care of patients undergoing fluoroscopy or interventional procedures
Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
Assessment of images, modification of exposure factors and technique.
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
Identify the need for additional imaging.
Develop involvement, expanding your role as a student radiographer
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection in a high dose environment, patient care and communication.
Assist in a range of interventional procedures, including cardiac, neurological and angiographic examinations and procedures.
Participate as a member of the inter-professional team.
Identification of interventional treatment techniques.
Understanding of and adherence to the principles of a sterile environment and infection control procedures.
Theatres [2 weeks]
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 theatre.
Understanding of and adherence to the principles of a sterile environment and infection control.
Develop your role so you are leading the interaction with ward- and theatre-staff and the imaging of the patient
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Computed Tomography [2 weeks]
Perform a range of standard CT examinations using appropriate departmental protocols.
Assist with examinations involving patients with acute trauma
Understand the use of contrast media and care for patients before, during and after contrast administration
Participate as a member of the inter-professional team.
Image processing and manipulation.
Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging [2 weeks]
Perform standard MRI examinations following departmental protocols
Understand the use of contrast media and care for patients before, during and after contrast administration
Image processing and manipulation
Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology
Particular attention to the safety issues associated with the use of this modality
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication
Modalities Requiring Proficiency at Assisted Level (US/Nuclear Medicine/PET-CT) [1 week] Example of how learners may be allocated is provided below:
Ultrasound [0.5 week]
Assist with standard examinations including obstetric and non-obstetric using appropriate departmental protocols
Use of ultrasound equipment to perform measurements of anatomy and pathologies.
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.
AND
One day of each of Nuclear Medicine and PET-CT or two days of PET-CT [0.5 week]
Assist with standard positioning, equipment and departmental protocols for a range of planar and cross-sectional imaging.
Use of different isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging including PET radioisotopes.
Image processing and manipulation
Identify normal, normal-variant planar and cross-sectional anatomy, physiology and pathology.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Awareness of different radiation protection issues associated with open sources of radiation.
Placement choice (DEXA/Mammography/Inter-professional working depending on Trust availability [1 week].
This could include extra experience in a perceived area of weakness, or other areas of interest, or new modalities such as:
DXA: Standard positioning and departmental protocols for the measurement of bone density; Image processing and manipulation; Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology; Identify artefacts affecting image processing and methods of rectification; Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication; awareness of the diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis and the impact of osteoporosis on the workload in an imaging department.
Mammography: Standard positioning and departmental procedures; Assessment of mammograms, modification of exposure factors and technique; Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology; Identify the need for additional views; Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Interprofessional working: at least 0.5 week should be spent in a clinical environment where learner can consolidate on IPW experience.
Out of Hours Shifts in CT and/or MRI [0.5 week]
Gain experience in out of hours work by working in CT and/or MRI depending on what the Trust can provide.
Standard positioning and departmental protocols.
Assessment of images, modification of exposure factors and technique as appropriate.
Identify the need for additional views and modification of technique in trauma.
Identify normal, normal-variant anatomy and pathology and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate.
Perform examinations on a full range of patient types, including paediatrics, elderly, infirm and trauma patients.
Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to radiation protection, patient care and communication.
Inter-professional working
Negotiated Placement week [1 week]
Clinically relevant learning set by the university with focus on the pillars of Advanced Clinical Practice, particularly Education and Leadership.
Simulated Activities [1.5 hours per week, totalling 24 hours]
Students will be required to complete self-directed learning,
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 84 | 480 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 17 | Pre-clinical Preparation - mandatory training |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 1 | 1-hour prior to placement Tutorial support |
| Placement | 480 | Placement learning. Attendance requirements as stated in placement paperwork. |
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities | 24 | University provided activities 1.5 hours per week (Simulated learning activity) |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 16 | 8x2-hour tutorials during placement |
| Guided Independent study | 60 | Revision of academic modules |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 100 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory training completion (You must successfully complete this prior to commencing placement. This assessment must be passed at 100%; failure in this assessment will lead to failure in the module) Late completion (within 2 weeks of the deadline) will result in the module being capped at 40%. | 0 | As required for completion. | 1-2, 5 | N/A |
| Placement attendance completion (100% attendance is required to pass this module. Any absence MUST be covered by a valid extenuating circumstance and authorised by the placement lead. 95% attendance will be sufficient to pass this module if you have authorised absences that cover for the remaining 5%). | 0 | As required for placement on this module | 1-10 | N/A |
| Clinical - multiple patient (this assessment must be passed at 40%) | 15 | 1 hour | 1-10 | Written and oral |
| Clinical Half-day room management session (this assessment must be passed at 40%) | 15 | Half-day | 1-10 | Written and oral |
| Clinical - Theatre case (this assessment must be passed at 40%) | 15 | 1 hour | 1-10 | Written and oral |
| Image evaluation (computer based) (this assessment must be passed at 40%) | 20 | 30 minutes | 3-4 | Computer generated feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical multiple patient (15%), 1 hour | Clinical - Multiple patient | 1-10 | Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt |
| Clinical half-day room management session (15%), half-day | Clinical half-day room management session | 1-10 | Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt |
| Clinical - Theatre case (15%), 1 hour | Clinical - Theatre case | 1-10 | Within placement period for second attempt or April clinical recovery period for third attempt |
| Image evaluation (computer based) (20%), 30 minutes | Image evaluation (computer based) | 3-4 | During August clinical recovery period (referral) or May assessment period (deferral) |
| Portfolio and viva voce (35%), 30 minutes (viva) | Portfolio and viva voce | 1-10 | During August clinical recovery period (referral) or May assessment period (deferral) |
Re-assessment notes
All assessments, with the exception of the portfolio and viva voce assessment, must be passed due to the PSRB requirements.
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. 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.
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).
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 (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
- Johns C. (2013), Becoming a Reflective Practitioner (4th edition), Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 9780470674260
- 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
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | PAM1007; PAM2006 |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/09/2004 |
| Last revision date | 10/10/2024 |
