Placement for Health Science

Module title	Placement for Health Science
Module code	PAM3021
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	30
Module staff	Ms Demelza Green (Lecturer) Dr Abasiama Dick Obotiba (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	18		4

Number students taking module (anticipated)	1

Module description

This module builds upon PAM2006 Practice Placement 2 to further develop the professional competence to fulfil professional and technical skills associated with medical imaging. 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: competent 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.
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: Discipline-specific skills

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

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

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.

Pre-clinical Preparation (June/July preceding placement)

Mandatory training in compliance with NHS requirements, including:

Immediate Life Support.

Mandatory e-learning modules.

Moving and Handling.

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 and participate in red-dot schemes where appropriate

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.

Fluoroscopy Room [2 weeks]

Use of barium and iodine based contrast agents.

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.

Observe 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.

Mobiles and Theatres [3 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.

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]

Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Use of contrast media

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.

Other Modalities

Ultrasound (0.5 week)

Standard departmental protocols scanning protocols and techniques for obstetric and non-obstetric ultrasound.

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.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging 0.5 week)

Standard positioning and departmental protocols;

Use of contrast media

Image processing and manipulation

Identify normal, normal-variant cross-sectional anatomy and pathology.

Particular attention to the safety issues associated with the use this modality.

Safe and efficient working, with particular attention to patient care and communication.

Nuclear Medicine (0.5 week )

Standard positioning, equipment and departmental protocols for a range of planar and cross-sectional imaging.

Use of different isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for imaging.

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.

Modalities/Specialties of the student's choice and depending on departmental availability (1.5 weeks).

This could include extra experience in a perceived area of weakness, or other areas of interest, or new modalities such as:

Positron Emission Tomography: Standard positioning and department protocols 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 the use of positron emitters.

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.

Out of Hours Shifts (from within general weeks)

Gain experience in out of hours work by working two nights and a minimum of five late shifts Standard positioning and departmental protocols.

Assessment of radiographs, modification of exposure factors and technique.

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 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.

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.

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 and teaching activities	17	Pre-clinical Preparation - mandatory training
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	1	1-hour Preparation for Clinical Practice tutorial prior to placement
Placement	480	Placement learning. Attendance requirements as stated in placement paperwork.
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	16	8x2-hour tutorials during placement
Guided independent study	24	University provided activities 1.5 hours per week
Guided independent study	60	Revision of academic modules

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
N/A

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
0	20	80

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; 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
Clinical - Multiple Patient	15	1 hour	1-10	Written and oral
Clinical - Half-day room management session	15	Half-day	1-10	Written and oral
Clinical - Theatre case	15	1 hour	1-10	Written and oral
Image evaluation (computer based)*	20	30 minutes	3, 4	Computer generated feedback
Portfolio and viva voce	35	30 minutes (viva)	1-10	Written and verbal

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

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.

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 - Other resources

Other resources:

Baggott R. (2004), Health and Health Care in Britain (3^rd edition), Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 0-333-96159-5
Fincham R. and Rhodes P. (2005), Principles of Organisational Behaviour (4th edition), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0199253975
Hannagan T. (2007), Management Concepts and Practices (5th edition), Financial Times Publishing/Prentice Hall, ISBN 978-0273711186
Higgs J. et al. (Eds) (2018), Clinical Reasoning in the Health Professions (4th edition), Elsevier, ISBN 978-0702062247
Lilley M (2002), An A-Z of Management for Healthcare Professionals, Radcliffe-Oxford, ISBN 978-1857759532
Moullin M. (2002), Delivering Excellence in Health and Social Care, Open University Press, ISBN 7-80335-20888-3
Roberts-Phelps G. (1999), Working Smarter, Ashford Colour Press, ISBN 1-154181-47-5

Key words search

Medical Imaging; Patient; Radiations; Protection; Anatomy; Pathologies; Protocols; Care.

Credit value	30
Module ECTS	15
Module pre-requisites	PAM1007; PAM2006
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/09/2004
Last revision date	27/09/2024