UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE
College of Science & Health
Radiation Therapy Program
Student Handbook
2018-2020
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Table of Contents
SectionA-InformationRegardingRadiationTherapy…………………………………………………….3-5 A-1 DescriptionoftheProfession A-2 CodeofEthicsforRadiationTherapists A-3 EssentialFunctionsofaRadiationTherapist A-4 Education,Accreditation,CertificationandJobMarketSectionB-ProgramInformation………………………………………………………………………………….6-24 B-1 MissionandGoalsofUWSystemandUWLRadiationTherapyProgram B-2 AcademicRequirementsforAdmission B-3 RadiationTherapyCurriculum B-4 ClinicalInternshipCoursework B-5 RadiationTherapyProgramCourseDescriptions B-6 DevelopingProfessionalBehaviors B-7 WritingintheMajor B-8 ProgramOfficialsandTheirRoles B-9 AdvisoryCommittee B-10 ProgramAdvisement B-11 ExpensesandFinancialAid B-12 CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedureSectionC-ProgramPolicies……………………………………………………………………………………….25-44 C-1 Attendance C-2 Grading C-3 AcademicHonesty C-4 Assignments C-5 CellPhoneUse C-6 LaptopsandMobileDevices C-7 Academic&Graduation C-8 RadiationTherapyProgramStudentRetention,Probation,andDismissal C-9 StudentAppealProcesses C-10 Fairness C-11 RecordsandReleaseofInformation C-12 PersonalStudentUseofSocialNetworkingSites C-13 Health&Safety C-14 StudentSickness C-15 RadiationSafety C-16 StudentPregnancySectionD-ClinicalInternship……………………………………………………………………………………45-66 D-1 TheClinicalInternshipExperience&ClinicalInternshipSites D-2 InternshipSitePlacement D-3 AffiliatedExternshipSites D-4 ClinicalInternshipAttendance D-5 InclementWeather D-6 ResponsibilitiesofStudentRadiationTherapists D-7 ClinicalRotations
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D-8 TheClinicalEducationComponent D-9 ChecklistofRequiredClinicalCompetencies D-10 DressandAppearanceStandardsDuringInternship D-11 RadiationProtectionPolicyandProceduresduringInternship D-12 MRISafetyPolicy D-13 StudentEmploymentPolicySectionE-InformationaboutEvaluationandAssessment………………………………………..67SectionF-Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………………..68 F-1 AppendixA:USNRCRegulatoryGuideregardingPrenatalExposure F-2 AppendixB:ReportingAllegationstoJRCERT F-3 AppendixC:IncidentReportingForm
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SectionA:InformationRegardingRadiationTherapy
A-1RadiationTherapy:ADescriptionoftheProfessionRadiationtherapistsarehealthcareprofessionalsskilledintheartandscienceofmedicalradiationtreatmentdelivery.Themajorityofpatientsreceivingradiationtherapyhavecancer.Alongwithsurgeryandchemotherapy,radiationtherapyoffersthesepatientsthebestchancetosucceedinthefightagainsttheirdisease.Themajorfocusareasoftheprofessionarethecareandassessmentofpatients,simulation,treatmentplanninganddeliveryoftreatmentsutilizinglinearacceleratorproducedradiationandradio-isotopes.Aimsoftreatmentincludecure,reliefofsymptoms,andimprovementofpatients’qualityoflife.Hightechnologyequipmentandinnovativetreatmentmethodsareutilizedtomaximizetreatmenteffectiveness.Radiationtherapistsmusthaveexcellenttechnicalskills,butmustalsobeempatheticandeffectivecommunicators.Muchsatisfactionisgainedfromclosepatientinteractionandthespecialty’steamapproachwithradiationoncologists,physicists,nursesandothermedicalspecialists.Radiationtherapyis“technologywithahumantouch”.
A-2CodeofEthicsforRadiationTherapists
• Theradiationtherapistadvancestheprincipleobjectiveoftheprofessiontoprovideservicestohumanitywithfullrespectforthedignityofmankind.
• Theradiationtherapistdeliverspatientcareandservicesunrestrictedbyconcernsofpersonalattributesorthenatureofthediseaseorillness,andnon-discriminatorywithrespecttorace,color,creed,sex,age,disabilityornationalorigin.
• Theradiationtherapistassessessituations;exercisescare,discretionandjudgment;assumesresponsibilityforprofessionaldecisions;andactsinthebestinterestofthepatient.
• TheradiationtherapistadherestothetenetsanddomainsoftheScopeofPracticeforRadiationTherapists.
• Theradiationtherapistactivelyengagesinlifelonglearningtomaintain,improveandenhanceprofessionalcompetenceandknowledge.
A-3EssentialFunctionsofaRadiationTherapist
AccordingtotheAmericanSocietyofRadiologicTechnologists,thenationalprofessionalsociety,theScopeofPracticeofaRadiationTherapistincludes,butisnotlimitedto:
• Providingoptimalpatientcare.• Receiving,relayinganddocumentingverbal,writtenandelectronicordersinthepatient’smedical
record.• Corroboratingapatient'sclinicalhistorywithprocedureandensuringinformationisdocumented
andavailableforusebyalicensedindependentpractitioner.• Verifyinginformedconsentforapplicableprocedures.• Assumingresponsibilityforpatientneedsduringprocedures.• Preparingpatientsforprocedures.• ApplyingprinciplesofALARAtominimizeexposuretopatient,selfandothers.• Performingvenipunctureasprescribedbyalicensedindependentpractitioner.• Starting,maintainingand/orremovingintravenousaccessasprescribedbyalicensedindependent
practitioner.
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• Identifying,preparingand/oradministeringmedicationsasprescribedbyalicensedindependentpractitioner.
• Evaluatingimagesfortechnicalqualityandensuringproperidentificationisrecorded.• Identifyingandrespondingtoemergencysituations.• Providingeducation.• Educatingandmonitoringstudentsandotherhealthcareproviders.• Performingongoingqualityassuranceactivities.• Applyingtheprinciplesofpatientsafetyduringallaspectsofpatientcare.
Thescopeofpracticeoftheradiationtherapistalsoincludes:
1. Deliveringradiationtherapytreatmentsasprescribedbyaradiationoncologist.2. Performingsimulation,treatmentplanningproceduresanddosimetriccalculationsasprescribedby
aradiationoncologist.3. Usingimagingtechnologiesfortheexplicitpurposeofsimulation,treatmentplanningandtreatment
deliveryasprescribedbyaradiationoncologist.4. Detectingandreportingsignificantchangesinpatients’conditionsanddeterminingwhento
withholdtreatmentuntiltheradiationoncologistisconsulted.5. Monitoringdosestonormaltissueswithintheirradiatedvolumetoensuretolerancelevelsarenot
exceeded.6. Constructing/preparingimmobilization,beamdirectionalandbeammodificationdevices.7. Participatinginbrachytherapyprocedures.
Domainsofpracticeinclude:organizationalandworkrolecompetencies,administeringandmonitoringradiationtherapytreatments,care-giving,effectivemanagementofrapidlychangingsituations,andprofessionalism.FullStandardsofPracticeofstandardsdocumentcanbeviewedat:https://www.asrt.org/docs/default-source/practice-standards-published/ps_rt.pdf?sfvrsn=2
A-4Education,Accreditation,CertificationandJobMarketEducationThemajorinradiationtherapyprovidesstudentswithaneducationalfoundationinthesciencesandhumanitiesaswellasclinicalexperienceinaradiationtherapydepartment.Thecurriculumrequiresaminimumofsixsemestersoncampusinpre-professionalandprofessionalcorecoursespriortotheseniorclinicalinternship.TheclinicalinternshipbeginsinJulyofthesenioryear,extendsfor13monthsandisspentatanaffiliatedhospitalinternshipsite.Admissiontothemajorisonacompetitivebasis.Uponacceptance,studentsmayregisterfortheprofessionalcorecourses.Studentswhosuccessfullymeetprogramrequirementswillinterviewwiththeclinicalsitesduringtheirjunioryearanduponselectionbyoneofthesiteswillbeplacedfortheseniorclinicalinternship.Allrequirementsforgeneraleducationandthemajormustbemetpriortograduation.Educationcontinuespost-graduationbyindividualresearchandreadingandrecognizedcontinuingeducationopportunitiesofferedbyemployersandprofessionalsocietiesandisrequiredformaintainingprofessionalcredentials.AccreditationTheUniversityisaccreditedbyNorthCentralAssociation.TheprogramisaccreditedbytheJointReviewCommitteeonEducationinRadiologicTechnology,20N.WackerDrive,Suite2850,Chicago,IL60606-3182.Thetelephonenumberis(312)704-5300.Seealsowww.jrcert.org
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CertificationAnationalcertificationexamisofferedbyAmericanRegistryofRadiologicTechnologists.Studentsmayapplytotaketheregistryexamaftermeetingallrequirementsforgraduation.Thegraduatewillindividuallyschedulethetimeandlocationofthecomputerizedexam.AccordingtotheARRT,agraduatehasthreeopportunitiestopasstheexamination,afterwhich,theymustreturntoschoolforadditionaltraining.Applicantsandstudentsareadvisedthat“RulesofEthics”areestablishedbytheARRT.ThesearestandardsofminimallyacceptableprofessionalconductforallRegisteredTechnologistsandapplicants.Theyareintendedtopromotetheprotection,safetyandcomfortofpatients.ViolationoftheRulesofEthicscarriessanctions,including,amongothers,notbeingallowedtositfortheexamorforfeitingcertification.OneissueaddressedbytheRulesofEthicsistheconvictionofacrime,includingafelonyoramisdemeanorwiththeexceptionofspeedingandparkingviolations.Allalcoholand/ordrugrelatedviolationsmustbereported.Convictionsmustbereported.AllpotentialviolationsmustbeinvestigatedbytheARRTinordertodetermineeligibilityonacasebycasebasis.Individualsmayfileapre-applicationwiththeARRTtoobtainarulingoneligibilityatanytimepriortoorafterentryintoanaccreditededucationalprogram.Thepre-applicationmustberequesteddirectlyfromtheARRT(telephoneno.612-687-0048).Seealsowww.arrt.orgJobMarketRadiationtherapistsmayworkinhospitaldepartmentsorfreestandingfacilities.Optionsfordiversificationpresentinperformingspecialprocedures,dosimetry,management,andeducation.Therapistsmayalsoworkinsalesandtechnicalsupport.Thenumberofjobopeningsvarieswithtimeandlocation.Thegraduatecanenhancehis/hersuccessinsecuringapositionbybeingopentorelocation.
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SectionB:ProgramInformation
B-1UniversityofWisconsinSystemandUW-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgramMission,Vision,andGoalsUniversityofWisconsinSystemMission:Themissionofthesystemistodevelophumanresources,todiscoveranddisseminateknowledge,toextendknowledgeanditsapplicationbeyondtheboundariesofitscampuses,andtoserveandstimulatesocietybydevelopinginstudentsheightenedintellectual,cultural,andhumansensitivities;scientific,professional,andtechnologicalexpertise;andasenseofvalueandpurpose.Inherentinthismissionaremethodsofinstruction,research,extendededucationandpublicservicedesignedtoeducatepeopleandimprovethehumancondition.Basictoeverypurposeofthesystemisthesearchfortruth.
TheCoreMissionoftheUniversityofWisconsinSystemClusterInstitution:Withintheapproveddifferentiation
statedintheirselectmissions,eachuniversityintheclustershall:a. Offerassociateandbaccalaureatedegreelevelandselectedgraduateprogramswithinthecontextofits
approvedmissionstatement.b. Offeranenvironmentthatemphasizesteachingexcellenceandmeetstheeducationalandpersonalneeds
ofstudentsthrougheffectiveteaching,academicadvising,counseling,andthroughuniversity-sponsoredcultural,recreational,andextracurricularprograms.
c. Offeracoreofliberalstudiesthatsupportsuniversitydegreesinthearts,letters,andsciences,aswellasspecializedprofessional/technicaldegreesattheassociateandbaccalaureatelevel.
d. Offeraprogramofpre-professionalcurricularofferingsconsistentwiththeuniversity’smission.e. Expectscholarlyactivity,includingresearch,scholarshipandcreativeendeavor,thatsupportsitsprograms
attheassociateandbaccalaureatedegreelevel,itsselectedgraduateprograms,anditsapprovedmissionstatement.
f. Promotetheintegrationoftheextensionfunction,assisttheUniversityofWisconsin-Extensioninmeetingitsresponsibilityforstatewidecoordination,andencouragefacultyandstaffparticipationinoutreachactivity.
g. Participateininter-institutionalrelationshipsinordertomaximizeeducationalopportunityforthepeopleofthestateeffectivelyandefficientlythroughthesharingofresources.
h. Servetheneedsofwomen,minority,disadvantaged,disabled,andnon-traditionalstudentsandseekracialandethnicdiversificationofthestudentbodyandtheprofessionalfacultyandstaff.
i. Supportactivitiesdesignedtopromotetheeconomicdevelopmentofthestate.
UW-LaCrosseMission,Vision,andValuesMission:TheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseprovidesachallenging,dynamic,anddiverselearningenvironmentinwhichtheentireuniversitycommunityisfullyengagedinsupportingstudentsuccess.Groundedintheliberalarts,UWLfosterscuriosityandlife-longlearningthroughcollaboration,innovation,andthediscoveryanddisseminationofnewknowledge.Acknowledgingandrespectingthecontributionsofall,UWLisaregionalacademicandculturalcenterthatpreparesstudentstotaketheirplaceinaconstantlychangingworldcommunity.Theuniversityoffersundergraduateprogramsanddegreesintheartsandhumanities,healthandsciences,education,andbusinessadministration.Theuniversityoffersgraduateprogramsrelatedtoareasofemphasisandstrengthwithintheinstitution,includingbusinessadministration,education,health,thesciences,andthesocialsciences.
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Vision:TheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseaimstofosterwithineachstudentthecuriosity,creativity,andtenacitynecessarytosolvetheregional,national,andinternationalchallengesofthe21stcentury.Theuniversity'sofficialmottomenscorpusque("mindandbody")willcontinuetoguideourdirectionasastudent-centereduniversitycommittedtoaqualityeducationforthewholeperson.Assuch,itwillcontinuetoprovideopportunitiesbothinsideandoutsidetheclassroomforthedevelopmentofsoundmental,emotional,andethicalskills,aswellasgeneralwell-being.Ourstudents,faculty,andstaffwillexperiencetheworldthroughconstantlyevolvingtechnologiesandcultures.Thus,theskillsofeffectivecommunication,criticalthought,leadership,andanappreciationfordiversitymustbethehallmarksofaUWLeducation.Values:FassettCotton,ourinstitution'sfirstleader,servingfrom1909-1924,conceivedtheoriginalUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseeducationalphilosophyofthetotaldevelopmentoftheindividual.Later,historyprofessorandDeanoftheCollegeofArts,Letters,andSciences,WilliamM.Laux(1922-1967),suggestedthesymbolsofourofficialuniversitysealalongwiththeaccompanyingLatinphrase,menscorpusque,("mindandbody"),toexemplifyourcollectivecommitmenttoahighqualityeducationforthewholeperson.TheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrossevalues:
• Themenscorpusqueeducationalphilosophythatrecognizeseachstudentasawholepersonandaspirestoenhancebothmindandbodythroughthenoblesearchforknowledge,truth,andmeaningcentraltoawiderangeofhighqualitylearningexperiencesandscholarlypursuits.
• Diversity,equity,andtheinclusionandengagementofallpeopleinasafecampusclimatethatembracesandrespectstheinnumerabledifferentperspectivesfoundwithinanincreasinglyintegratedandculturallydiverseglobalcommunity.
• Ahighqualityoflifeandworkbalance,incorporatingbestpracticesforsharedgovernanceandtheacquisitionandefficientmanagementofresources,equitablecompensation,generalwellness,andsocial,environmental,andeconomicsustainability.
• CivicengagementandarenewedcommitmenttotheWisconsinIdea,inwhichoursociallyresponsiblecampusservesasaresourceforourincreasinglyintertwinedlocal,state,andglobalcommunities,collaboratingandsharingresourcesandexpertisetoimprovethehumancondition.
RadiationTherapyProgramMissionandGoalsMission:ThemissionoftheRadiationTherapyProgramattheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseistoeducateandtrainradiationtherapistswhoareknowledgeable,technicallycompetentanddedicatedtotheirprofessionandtheirpatients,meetingtheeducationalandpersonalneedsofitsstudentsbyemphasizingexcellenceineducationandofferingabroadbasedcurriculuminliberalstudies,professionalcoursesandclinicalinternship.Thisprogramadditionallyseekstopromoteresearchandprovideabaseforfurtherprofessionaldevelopmentofgraduates.Goals:
1. Studentswilldemonstratecriticalthinkingskills.2. Studentswillgrowanddevelopprofessionally.3. Studentswillbeclinicallycompetent.4. Studentswilldemonstrateeffectivecommunicationskills5. Theprogramwillsuccessfullymeettheneedsofitsstudentsandcommunitiesofinterest.
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B-2AcademicRequirementsforAdmissionPre-admission:
1. StudentsmayapplytotheRadiationTherapyPrograminDecemberpriortotheyearofintendedadmission,aftercompletingand/orregisteringforpre-requisiteandgeneraleducationcourses.
2. Applicantsarerequiredtohaveaminimumcumulativegradepointaverageof2.75ona4.0scaleandagradeof“C”orhigherinallgeneraleducationandpre-professionalcourses.Applicantsarerequiredtohaveaminimumpre-professionalgradepointaverageof2.75ona4.0scale.
3. Applicantsarerequiredtosatisfactorilycomplete40hoursofobservationinaradiationtherapydepartment.
4. Qualifiedapplicantswillbeinterviewed.Aselectioncommitteewillmakeacceptancedecisions.5. Selectedstudentswillbegintheprogramasacohortinthefallsemesteroftheyearofadmission.
Re-ApplicationtotheProgram:Ifastudentisnotacceptedintotheradiationtherapyprogram,thestudentmayopttoreapplytotheprogramthefollowingyear.Thefollowingproceduremustbefollowedforre-application:
1. Thestudentmustsubmitanentirelynewapplication.2. Thestudentmustrepeatclinicalhoursofobservation.However,thestudentisallowedtochoosewhere
thehoursarespent.Ifthestudentwishestorepeatthehoursatthesamelocationasthepreviousyearthatisaccepted,asisgoingtoadifferentsite.
3. Studentsalsoneedtoresubmitlettersofreference.4. Thestudentmustmeetwithadvisoreitherviaemailorinpersontodiscussre-application.5. Studentsareencouragedtopursueadifferentmajoraftertwoapplicationstotheprogram,andtherefore
shouldnotapplymorethantwicetotheprogram.
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B-3RadiationTherapyCurriculum
Pre-RequisiteProfessionalCourseRequirements:Thefollowingcoursesarerequiredforadmissiontotheprogram,inadditiontocompletionofthegeneraleducationcoursesrequiredbytheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse.(Applicantsneedtohavecompletedorhaveregisteredforinordertobeaneligiblecandidate.)
CourseNumber CourseName Credits*BIO105 GeneralBiology 4BIO312-313 HumanAnatomy&PhysiologyI&II 8*CHM103-104 GeneralChemistryI&II 10*MTH151 Pre-calculus 4*MTH145 Statistics 4*PHY125or*PHY103&104 PhysicsfortheLifeSciencesorFundamental
PhysicsIorII4-8
*PSY100or*SOC110or*SOC120
GeneralPsychology,IntroductiontoSociology,orSocialProblems
3
Note:StudentswhosemathplacementexamscoreallowsthementranceintoMTH207(Calculus)arenotrequiredtotakeMTH151butshouldregisterforMTH145(Statistics).*indicatescourseswhichalsomeetgeneraleducationrequirementsProfessionalCoreCourses:Thefollowingcoursesarecompletedduringthefirstyearoftheprogramoncampusbyadmittedstudents.Studentsmustmaintainagradeof“C”orbettertostayingoodstandinginthemajor.Retentionofgoodstandingintheprogramrequiresthatstudentsmaintainagradeof“C”orhigherinallrequiredcourses,aswellasasemesterandcumulativegradepointaverageof2.75ona4.0scale.TermTaken
CourseNumber
CourseName Credits
Fall BIO306 Genetics 4HP250 MedicalTerminology(onlinecourse) 1PHY386 RadiationPhysics 3RT310 Pathophysiology 3RT325 RadiationTherapyReadings,Writings,andResearch 3RT330 ProfessionalIssuesinRadiationTherapy 2
Spring BIO333 RadiationBiology 3BIO432 BiologyofCancer 2RT350 PatientCareIssues 3RT370 HealthCareSystemsandHumanResourcesinRT 2RT390 MedicalImaging 3RT400 ClinicalInternshipSeminar 1Totalcredits 30
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RecommendedElectives:Studentsshouldselectfromthefollowing
HP106 IntroductiontoHealthCareers 2PSY212 Life-SpanDevelopment 3PSY334 HealthPsychology 3PSY343 GroupDynamics 3PSY347 EmpathicListeningSkills 3SOC420 HealthCareandIllness 3SOC422 Death,GriefandBereavement 3RT499 IndependentStudyinRadiationTherapy 1-3
B-4ClinicalInternshipCoursework:Thesecondyearwillbespentinclinicalinternshipatoneofthefollowingsites:
• UniversityofWisconsinHospitalinMadison,Wisconsin• FroedtertHospitalorAscension-Columbia-St.Mary’sHospitalinMilwaukee,Wisconsin• GundersenHealthSysteminLaCrosseWI,• AdvocateLutheraninParkRidge,IL.• MarshfieldHealthSystem-MarshfieldClinicinMarshfield,WI
TheinternshipwillstartinearlyJulyfollowingthefirstyearandwillcontinueuntiltheendofJulyofthenextyear(approximately13months).Retentionofgoodstandingintheprogramrequiresthatstudentsmaintainagradeof“C”orhigherinallrequiredcourses,aswellasasemesterandcumulativegradepointaverageof2.75ona4.0scale.StudentswillcompletecoursestaughteitheronlineorbytheEducationDirectorattherespectivesite.WhenstudentshavecompletedtherequirementsfortheUniversityandthemajortheyareeligibletograduate.An“intentto”graduateformmustbesubmittedandstudentswhocompleteinthesummerwillparticipateintheMaycommencementceremony.ClinicalInternshipCourses:Term Course
NumberCourseName Credits
SummerI RT401 IntroductiontoRadiationTherapy 3RT471 ClinicalPracticumI 3
Fall RT411 Principles&PracticeofRadiationTherapyI 4RT421 CrossSectional,Topographic&RadiographicAnatomy 3RT431 RadiationTherapyPhysics 3RT472 ClinicalPracticumII 6
Spring RT412 Principles&PracticeofRadiationTherapyII 4RT435 Dosimetry&TreatmentPlanning 3RT437 QualityManagementinRadiationTherapy 2RT473 ClinicalPracticumIII 6
SummerII RT481 SeminarinRadiationTherapy 3RT474 ClinicalPracticumIV 6TotalCredits
46
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B-5RadiationTherapyCourseDescriptionsFirstYear:On-campusProfessionalCourses
HP/RT310Cr.3PathophysiologyThiscoursefocusesonthepathophysiologicdisordersthataffecthealthysystemsacrossthelifespan.Theoriesofdiseasecausationareintroduced.Areasofemphasisincludecellularandsystemicresponses,clinicalmanifestationsandtheresponseoftissuetoradiationdamage.Acquired,immune,infectious,carcinogenicandgeneticalterationsinbodysystemsareincluded.RT325Cr.3RadiationTherapyReadings,Writing,andResearchThiscourseintroducesradiationtherapystudentstothelanguageofradiationtherapyandprofessionalissuesinthefieldbytheuseofselectedreadings.TheRadiationTherapyWritingintheMajorprogramwillbeintroducedalongwiththetypesofwritingpracticedinthefield.Studentswilllearnbasicresearchtechniquesandbegintoapplythemtotheirprofessionaleducation.RT330Cr.2ProfessionalIssuesinRadiationTherapyThiscoursewillprovidestudentswithknowledgerelatedtotheprofessionalissuespertinenttothefieldofradiationtherapy.Coursetopicswillinclude:professionaldevelopment,careeradvancement/options,radiationtherapistscopeofpracticeandpracticestandards,certificationandlicensure,radiationtherapyprofessionalorganizations,legislativeissuesinradiationtherapy,aswellasethicsandintroductorylawinradiationtherapy.RT350Cr.3PatientCareIssuesThiscoursewillpreparestudentstoworkdirectlywithpatientsinahealthcaresetting.Itwillcoversuchtopicsas:communicationandpatienteducation,assessment,examinationandmonitoringofpatients,bodymechanicsandpatienthandlingskills,infectioncontrol,managementofmedicalemergenciesandCPR,nutritionalcounseling.RT370Cr.2HealthCareSystemsandHumanResourcesinRadiationTherapyThiscoursewillprovideentry-levelradiationtherapistswiththebasichealthsystemandhumanresourceknowledge.CoursetopicswillincludecharacteristicsofU.S.HealthCareSystem,insurance,healthcareaccess,reimbursementinradiationtherapy,andapplicablehumanresourcetopics.RT390Cr.3MedicalImagingThiscoursewillprovideradiationtherapystudentswiththeoryandinformationregardingmedicalimagingprocedures.Radiationtherapistsplayacrucialroleinimagingfortreatmentplanningandtreatmentfieldverification.Thecoursewillprovideinstructiononanaloganddigitalimaging,aswellasvariousimagingmodalities.RT400Cr.1ClinicalInternshipSeminarThiscoursewillpreparestudentsfortheclinicalinternshipportionoftheprogram.Coursetopicswillinclude:professionaldevelopment,teambuildingskills,radiationtherapyterminology,basicclinicalconcepts,immobilizationdeviceconstruction,CPR,andradiationtherapyequipmentbasics.
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SecondYear-ClinicalInternshipCoursesRT411Cr.4PrinciplesandPracticeofRadiationTherapyIThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternshipyear,addressestheconceptsofcancertreatment,focusingprimarilyonradiationtherapy.Methodsofimprovingtherapeuticadvantageareinvestigated.Studentslearnsafeandeffectiveuseofequipmentandaccessoriesalongwiththerationalefortheirclinicalapplication.Technicalaspectsoftreatmentsimulationanddeliveryaredeveloped.Treatmentrelatedsideeffectsandtheirmanagementandspecialpatientsituationsareaddressed.RT412Cr.4PrinciplesandPracticeofRadiationTherapyIIThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternship,advancesthestudent’sknowledgeofneoplasticdiseasemanagement.Cancersandsomebenignconditionsofvariousbodysitesarediscussedinrelationtonaturalhistory,treatmentandprognosis.Technicalaspectsrelatedtoradiationplanninganddeliveryarecloselyinvestigatedaswellaspertinentanatomicalconsiderations,combinationtherapy,treatmentresultsandthetherapist’sroleindiseasemanagement.RT421Cr.3CrossSectional,Topographic&RadiographicAnatomyThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternship,revisitsanatomyspecificallyfromanimagingperspective.Studentswilllearntoidentifystructuresandpathologyonx-rays,CTandMRIscansandlocatetopographiclandmarksondiagnosticandsimulationfilms.RT431Cr.3RadiationTherapyPhysicsThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternship,expandsthestudent’sunderstandingofphysicsrelatedtoradiationtherapy.Topicsincludethecomponentsandoperationoflinearacceleratorsandothertreatmentmachines,brachytherapy,specificationandmodificationofbeamqualityandcharacteristics,measurementofabsorbeddose,treatmentmachinecalibration,beamgeometryandtreatmentwithparticles.RT435Cr.3DosimetryandTreatmentPlanningThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternship,focusesonthecharacteristics,measurementandmanipulationofradiationdosedeliveryintreatment.Thisinvolvesadvancedconceptsofmethodsofalteringdosetooptimizetheeffectivenessoftheradiationtreatment.Treatmentplanningforavarietyoftumorsitesandsituationsisdiscussed.RT437Cr.2QualityManagementinRadiationTherapyThiscourse,taughtduringtheclinicalinternship,focusesonthepurposeandtechniquesofqualitymanagementinaradiationoncologyprogram.Theimportanceofdocumentation,consistentapplicationofspecifiedprotocolsandassessmentofoutcomesareaddressed.Theresponsibilitiesoftheradiationtherapistwithintheradiationoncologyteamforqualityfunctionsarehighlighted.
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RT471Cr.3ClinicalPracticumIThiscourse,offeredthefirstsummersessionoftheclinicalinternship,willorientstudentstotheclinicaloperationoftheinternshipsite.Studentswillobservestaffoperationsintheradiationtherapyclinic,simulation,treatmentplanning,andtreatmentdeliveryareas.RT472Cr.6ClinicalPracticumIIThiscourse,offeredfallsemesteroftheclinicalinternship,willprogressstudents’clinicalskillsfromobservationinsimulation,treatmentplanningandtreatmentdeliverytothepointofparticipationanddevelopmentofbasiccompetencies.RT473Cr.6ClinicalPracticumIIIThiscourse,offeredspringsemesteroftheclinicalinternship,willofferstudentstheopportunitytocontinuetheprocessofdevelopingcompetenceandconfidenceintheareasofsimulation,treatmentplanningandtreatmentdelivery.Theywilldemonstratecompetenceinintermediateandsomeadvancedprocedures.Studentswillalsobegivenopportunitytoworkindosimetry.RT474Cr.4ClinicalPracticumIVThiscourse,offeredduringthefinalsummersessionoftheclinicalinternship,willcompletethestudents’clinicaleducationexperience.Bytheendofthiscourse,studentswillhavedevelopedproficiencyandconfidenceinareasofsimulation,treatmentplanningandtreatmentdelivery.Theywillcompleteallrequiredcompetencies.Opportunitiestobroadentheexperienceandworkwithdifferentequipment,techniquesandadvancedprocedureswillbeoffered.RT481Cr.3SeminarinRadiationTherapyThecourse,offeredduringtheclinicalinternship,isacapstonecourseinwhichstudentspresentpatientcaseinformation,discussapplicationofradiationsciencetheory,reviewandcritiquejournalarticlesandprepareforthenationalcertificationexam.RT499Cr.1-3IndependentStudyinRadiationTherapyIndependentstudyinradiationtherapymayincludeindividualreadingsandwriting,projects,orresearchunderthedirectionofaradiationtherapyinstructor.Repeatableforcredit–maximumsix.
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B-6DevelopingProfessionalBehaviors
ThemissionoftheRadiationTherapyProgramatUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseistoeducateandtrainradiationtherapistswhoareknowledgeable,technicallycompetentanddedicatedtotheirprofessionandtheirpatients,meetingtheeducationalandpersonalneedsofitsstudentsbyemphasizingexcellenceineducationandofferingabroadbasedcurriculuminliberalstudies,professionalcoursesandclinicalinternship.Toeffectivelymeetthemissionandgoalsoftheprogram,studentsmustbetaughtinallthreelearningdomains;cognitive,psychomotor,andaffective.Professionaldevelopmentofstudentsfitswithintheaffectivedomainandisrequiredinorderforstudentstobesuccessfulintheireducationalprogramandforgraduatestobeeffectivepractitioners.Thisdevelopmentmustbeprogressivethroughouttheradiationtherapycurriculum.Inordertofacilitatesuchdevelopment,itisnecessarytodefinewhattheword“professional”meansinregardtoRadiationTherapistsandwhatprofessionalbehaviorconsistsof.Thefollowinglisting,CharacteristicsandAbilitiesEssentialtotheDevelopmentoftheProfessionalRadiationTherapist,hasbeencompiledbytheprogramtoguideitsapproachtoprofessionaldevelopmentofitsstudents.ResourcesforthislistingincludedTheASRTRadiationTherapyStandardsofPractice(ProfessionalPerformanceStandards).Progresstowarddevelopmentofprofessionalbehaviorisexpectedinallradiationtherapycoursesandisincludedincoursesyllabi.
CharacteristicsandAbilitiesEssentialtotheDevelopmentoftheProfessionalRadiationTherapist
CommitmenttoLearning:(Evidencedby)Showingrespecttoallinstructorsandbeingattentiveatalltimesinclassandinprofessionalmeetings.EagernesstoacquireunderstandingofconceptsanddevelopmentofskillsUseofongoingself-assessmenttoevaluatepersonalperformance,knowledgeandskillsSeekingoutconstructivefeedbackandeffectivelyusingitforpersonalandprofessionalimprovementExplorationandInvestigationtoadvancetheprofessionalknowledgebaseMaintainingcompetenceinprofessionalpracticeanddevelopmentofcompetencewithnewtechnologyContinuingeducationaftergraduationtomaintainandupdateknowledgeInterpersonalandCommunicationSkills:(Evidencedby)Developmentofeffectiveoral,writtenandnon-verbalcommunicationskillsImplementationofeffectivecommunicationskillsinpracticewithpatients,theirfamiliesandradiationtherapyteammembersAppropriateinteractionswithpatients,families,colleaguesandotherhealthpractitionersEmpathyandcompassionforpatientsandtheirfamiliesPromotionofapositive,collaborativepracticeatmosphereProblemsolvingandCriticalthinking:(Evidencedby)Abilitytorecognizeanddefineproblems,analyzedata,developsandimplementsolutionsandevaluateoutcomesAbilitytoassessandevaluatesituations,logicallyquestion,distinguishrelevantfromirrelevantissuesandmakeappropriatejudgmentsApplicationofproblemsolvingandcriticalthinkingskillstopersonal,patientrelatedorworkrelatedissues.
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Effectiveuseoftimeandresources:(Evidencedby)Abilitytotakeinitiativeandmakethemostofpersonal,classroom,andclinicaltimetomaximizetheireducationalvalueAdaptabilityandcreativityinmakingadjustmentstoschedulechangesandresourceavailabilityProfessionalconduct:(Evidencedby)UseofappropriatedressandappearancetoenhancepatientandpeerconfidenceAdherencetotheprofessionsacceptedethicalstandardsCommitmenttoprovidingoptimalcaretoallpatientsDependabilityinattendanceResponsibilityinfulfillingcommitmentsandinreportingerrorsBeingaccountablefordecisionsandactionsSupportof,andparticipationinprofessionalorganizationsProvidingapositiverolemodelandprofessionalimageofRadiationTherapiststoothersinpublicandprivatesettingsStressManagementAbilitytoidentifysourcesofstressandcopeeffectivelywiththem
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UniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse,RadiationTherapyProgram
ProfessionalDevelopmentProgress-InternshipCoursesStudentName: Date:Course:SummerTerm,FallTerm,SpringTerm
Midterm CourseCompletion
S U N/A S U N/A Thestudentdemonstrates: 1.Eagernesstoacquireunderstandingofconceptsanddevelopmentofskills
2.Beingpreparedfor,andalertatalltimesduringclass,clinicalrotations,andatprofessionalmeetings.
3.Effectiveuseofongoingself-assessmenttoevaluatepersonalperformance,knowledgeandskills
4.SeekingoutconstructivefeedbackandeffectivelyusingitforpersonalandProfessionalimprovement
5.ExplorationandInvestigationtoadvancetheprofessionalknowledgebase(readingandseekinginformationabouttheprofessionandinregardtoclinicalassignmentsandresearchquestions)
6.Developmentofeffectiveoral,writtenandnon-verbalcommunicationskills
7.Appropriateandrespectfulinteractionswithinstructors,fellowstudents,andotherhealthpractitioners.
8.Promotionofapositive,collaborativelearningatmosphere
9.Abilitytorecognizeanddefineproblems,analyzedata,developandimplementsolutionsandevaluateoutcomes
10.Abilitytoassessandevaluatesituations,logicallyquestion,distinguishrelevantfromirrelevantissuesandmakeappropriatejudgments
11.Takinginitiativeandmakingthemostofpersonal,classroom,andclinicaltimetomaximizetheireducationalvalue
12.Adaptabilityandcreativityinmakingadjustmentstoschedulechangesandresourceavailability
13.Useofappropriatedressandappearancetoenhancepatientandpeerconfidence.
14.Honestyandintegrityinacademicworkandexamsandinclinicalactivities
15.Useselectronicdevices(cellphones,iPads,iPods)onlyatappropriateand/ordesignatedtimes.
16.Adherencetotheprofession’sacceptedethicalstandards,includingconfidentiality
17.Dependabilityinattendance 18.Responsibilityinfulfillingcommitments 19.Beingaccountablefordecisionsandactions 20.Supportof,andparticipationinprofessionalorganizations
21.ProvidingapositiverolemodelandprofessionalimageofRadiationTherapiststoothersinpublicandprivatesettings.
22.Abilitytoidentifysourcesofstressandcopeeffectivelywiththem
23.Meetssemesterclinicalexpectations.
24.Followshospitalcustomerservicepolicies.
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Explainanyunsatisfactorymarks:
UniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse,RadiationTherapyProgramProfessionalDevelopmentProgress
Course:Campuscourses-InstructorEvaluationStudentName: Date: Midterm Course
Completion
S U N/A S U N/A Thestudentdemonstrates:
Eagernesstoacquireunderstandingofconceptsanddevelopmentofskills
Beingpreparedfor,andalertatalltimesduringclassandatprofessionalmeetings.
Exhibitsprofessionalbehaviors
Developmentofeffectiveoral,writtenandnon-verbalcommunicationskills
Appropriateandrespectfulinteractionswithinstructorsandfellowstudents.
Promotionofapositive,collaborativelearningatmosphereingroupworkandclassroomsetting
Takinginitiativeandmakingthemostofpersonal,classroom,andclinicaltimetomaximizetheireducationalvalue
Adaptabilityandcreativityinmakingadjustmentstoschedulechangesandresourceavailability
Honestyandintegrityinacademicworkandexamsandinclinicalactivities
Useselectronicdevices(cellphones,iPads,iPods)onlyatappropriateand/ordesignatedtimes.
Dependabilityinattendance
Responsibilityinfulfillingcommitments
Beingaccountablefordecisionsandactions
Supportof,andparticipationinprofessionalorganizations(RTOW,RTClub,CAC,RelayforLife)
ProvidingapositiverolemodelandprofessionalimageofRadiationTherapiststoothersinpublicandprivatesettings.
Abilitytoidentifysourcesofstressandcopeeffectivelywiththem.
Pleaseusethebacksidetoexplainanyunsatisfactorymarks.Signature/DateofReview:______________________________________________Area(s)ofnoticedimprovementorgrowth:Area(s)forimprovement:
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B-7“WritingintheMajor”GoalsforStudentWriting
TheRadiationTherapyProgramacknowledgesthevalueofwritingskillsinthedevelopmentandprofessionallifeofaradiationtherapist.Formalwritingisdefined,bythemajor,aswritingthatisintendedtocommunicateinformation,ideasorfeelingswithanotherpersonorpersons.Skillinformalwritingisrequiredforeffectivecommunicationwithpatients,themembersoftheradiotherapyteamandprofessionalcolleaguesnearandfar.Sharinginformationandexpressingideasisessentialinprovidingradiationtherapyservices.Informalwriting,definedaswritingintendedfortheselfasaudience,isalsoimportant.Thoughitspresentationmaybelesscompleteandpolishedthanformalwriting,itisusedtohelpthewriterrememberitemsofimportanceortoorganizeandclarifyhis/herownthinking.Informalwritingisparticularlyimportantinthelearningprocessofstudentsandprofessionals.Acomprehensiveandintegratedapproachtowritinginvolvesallofthecoursesinthemajor.TheplanforwritingsupportsthemissionandgoalsoftheRadiationTherapyprogram.StudentscompletingtherequirementsforadegreeinRadiationTherapywillhavemetthewritingrequirementfortheUniversity.
Specificexamplesofwritinginthefieldofradiationtherapyarelistedinthefollowingtable.
FormalWriting InformalWriting
Charting(daily,progressnotesandsetup) ListingstepsinaprocedureforselfPatientEducationMaterial PersonalNotesEvaluations(i.e.employee,employer,students,CEmeetings)
Lists(ie.todo,supplies)
Journalarticlesandabstracts SchedulingNewsletters,CEannouncements LoggingmachineparametersBookorliteraturereviews Questions,areastobeclarifiedResearch&grantproposals Observationsandresponsestoethicalandmoral
situationsLettertoeditor/responsetoarticlesandinternetpostings
Notetakinginclassesormeetings
Writingcertificationexamtypequestions NotesforteachingCasestudies DatabasemanagementofworksheetsPostingsonlistserves Emailtocolleagues Businessletters ResumeandCoverletters Agendasandminutesofteammeetings Reportgeneration Jobdescriptionsandperformancestandards Protocolsandproceduremanuals Surveys(satisfaction,QA) Policiesandprocedures
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B-8ProgramOfficialsandTheirRoles
ProgramDirector: MelissaWeege,MS,RT(T),CMD Office: 4094HealthScienceCenter,1725StateSt. LaCrosse,WI54601 Telephone: (608)785-6979fax:(608)785-8460 Email: mweege@uwlax.eduMs.Weegeworksfull-timeatUW-LaCrosseinthehealthprofessionsdepartmentasaclinicalassistantprofessor.Responsibilitiesareasfollows:
1. Organization,administration,reviewanddevelopmentofprogram.2. Assuranceofprogrameffectivenessthroughoutcomeassessmentandpostgraduatesurveys.3. Participationinbudgetplanning.4. Evaluationandassuranceofeffectivenessofstudents’clinicaleducation.5. Coursedevelopmentandscheduling.6. Coordinationofstudentapplicationandselectionprocess.7. Studentcounselingandadvisementincoordinationwiththeon-campusadvisor.8. Representationofstudentandprogramneedstodepartment,college,universityandcommunity.9. Instructionandevaluationofstudentsinprofessionalcoreclassesoncampus.10. ChairofAdvisoryCommitteeforthemajor,dutiesincludescheduling,notificationofmeeting,preparationofagenda
andmanagementofmeeting.11. ServicetoUniversitythroughvariouscampuscommittees.12. MaintenanceofknowledgeoftheprofessionofRadiationTherapyandeducationalmethodologiesthroughcontinuing
professionaldevelopmentandpursuitofscholarlyactivities.
ClinicalCoordinator: AmandaCarpenter,MS,RTT Office: 4052HealthScienceCenter,1725StateSt. LaCrosse,WI54601 Telephone: (608)785-5164 fax:(608)785-8460 Email: acarpenter@uwlax.eduMs.Carpenterworksfull-timeatUW-LaCrosseinthehealthprofessionsdepartmentasaclinicalassistantprofessor.Responsibilitiesareasfollows:
1. Correlationofclinicaleducationwithdidacticeducationatclinicalsitesandoncampus.2. Collaboratewithprogramdirectorinongoingdesign,instruction,assessment,revision,andimplementationofthe
curriculum.3. Coordinatesclinicaleducationandevaluatesitseffectivenessincooperationwithprogramdirectorandclinical
supervisors.4. Overseeallclinicalsupervisorsandinstructorsatinternshipsites.5. Evaluationofstudentprogressinclinicalcompetencyprocess.6. TeachescoursesasassignedbyprogramdirectorandchairofHealthProfessionsDepartment.7. Responsibleforcoursedevelopment,instruction,assessmentofstudentlearning,andassessmentofassigned
courses.8. Advisesradiationtherapyprogramstudents9. Participatesinassuranceofeffectivenessofoutcomesassessmentplan.10. Maintenanceofknowledgeofprogrampoliciesandprocedures,andstudentprogress.11. Participationinselectionofstudentsforadmissionandassignmenttoclinicalinternshipsites.12. Maintainscurrentknowledgeofprogrampolicies,procedures,andstudentprogress.
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MedicalAdvisor: PatrickConway,MD GundersenHealthSystem LaCrosse,Wisconsin54601 Email: pdconway@gundersenhealth.orgDr.ConwayisaradiationOncologistatGundersenLutheranMedicalCenterinLaCrosse,Wisconsin.Hetravelstocampusoccasionally,asneeded.
Responsibilitiesareasfollows:1. AdvisementtotheProgramDirectorandClinicalCoordinatorsasrequestedregardingtheoperationoftheprogram
andinparticulartheclinicaleducationofstudents.2. Maintenanceofanunderstandingofprogramgoals,objectivesandpolicies.3. Participationinstudentselectionandassignmenttoclinicalinternshipsites.4. Advocatingfortheprogramanditsstudentsinthemedicalcommunityandattheclinicalaffiliates.5. MemberoftheAdvisoryCommitteeforthemajor.6. MaintenanceofknowledgeoftheprofessionofRadiationOncologyanditsrelationshiptoRadiationTherapythrough
continuingprofessionaldevelopmentandpursuitofscholarlyactivities.EducationalDirector/ClinicalSupervisor:
Internshipsite EducationalDirector Telephoneno. EmailColumbia-St.Mary’s TracyKatzer,BS,RTT 414-585-1595 [email protected]&Clinics AmyHeath,MS,RTT 608-263-8517 [email protected] KarenMannisto,BS,RTT 414-805-4495 [email protected]
GundersenLutheran DainaDrath,BS,RTT 608-775-2158 [email protected] JimBauml,MHA,RTT 847-723-8447 [email protected] MindyKrenBS,RTT 715-389-3339 [email protected]
ResponsibilitiesofClinicalSupervisors:
1. Managetheeducationalprogramattheassignedclinicalinternshipsite.2. Providedidacticand/orclinicalinstructioninradiationtherapycourses.3. Evaluatestudentcompetenceandprogressonanongoingbasis,providingfeedbackonaperiodicbasis.4. Counselandcoachstudentsasrequired.5. Coordinateclinicalanddidacticinstruction.6. Maintainstudentrecords.7. Reporttotheclinicalcoordinatorandprogramdirectorregularlyandasneeded.8. Maintainknowledgeofprogrampoliciesandprocedures.9. EducationalDirectorsandClinicalSupervisorsmayserveontheAdvisoryCommittee.10. Maintainknowledgeoftheprofessionofradiationtherapyandeducationalandevaluativemethodologies
throughcontinuingprofessionaldevelopmentandpursuitofscholarlyactivities.UW-LaCrosseProgramAssistants:ShaunaSalow,PeterAmann,EmileeMielke,AngelaWiste
4031HealthScienceCenter,UW-LTelephone:(608)785-8470
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B-9AdvisoryCommitteefortheMajorinRadiationTherapyMembers: MelissaWeege ProgramDirector,Chair AmandaCarpenter ClinicalCoordinator PatrickConway,MD MedicalAdvisor,RadiationOncologist,Gundersen Lutheran JimBauml EducationalDirectoratAdvocateLutheran KarenMannisto EducationalDirectoratFroedtertHospital AmyHeath EducationalDirectoratUniversityofWisconsinHospital MindyKren EducationalDirectoratMarshfieldClinic AileenStaffaroni NuclearMedicineProgramDirector,UW-LaCrosse MarkSandheinrich Dean,CollegeofScienceandHealth,UWL TomKernozek ChairofHealthProfessionsDepartment CarlaBurkhardt AcademicServicesDirector,CollegeofScienceandHealth StudentMembers (RepresentativeofRTCluband1studentfromclinical internship)
TheRoleoftheAdvisoryCommitteeisto:
1. Develop,reviseandapproveMissionandGoalsofmajor2. Review,reviseandapproveprogramprintedmaterials.3. Discuss,adjustandapproveprogramcurriculum,policyandprocedures.4. Provideguidancetoprogramofficialsasrequested.5. Assistsintheprocessofstudentdisciplineandgrievancewhenconcernsarebroughttoit.6. Planforandassistinpreparationofdocumentsforaccreditationpurposes.7. Reviewselectionandadmissionpractices.8. Participateinprogramoutcomeassessment.9. Promotethemajorinradiationtherapywithinthecollege,universityandcommunity.10. Advocateforprogramofficialsandstudentsasnecessary.
B-10ProgramAdvisement
1. StudentsadmittedtothemajorareassignedtoMelissaWeege(theProgramDirector)orAmanda
Carpenter(ClinicalCoordinator)foradvisementoncampus,helpwithregistration,andcourseconcerns.Studentsaretomeeteitherinpersonoroveremailwiththeiradvisorpriortoregistrationeachsemesterwhileoncampus.
2. Duringtheclinicalinternshipyear,theRadiationTherapyProgramOfficialsareavailableforadvisement.
• Studentswillmeetatmid-semester,andattheendofeachsemesterorsummersessionwiththe• EducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorattheclinicalsite,toevaluateprogressinclinicalanddidactic
courses.• Followingeachclinicalrotation,studentswillconferencewithclinicalinstructorsand/orthe
EducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisororClinicalCoordinatorregardingclinicalprogress.• StudentsarerequiredtomeetwiththeEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorduringtheir
internshipshouldtheirfinalgradeinacoursebelessthana“C”oriftheinstructorhasnotedinaprogressreportthatthisislikely.Followingthismeeting,theprogramdirectorwillbenotifiedandtheRadiationTherapyStudentProgressCommitteewillmeetwiththestudent.
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B-11ExpensesandFinancialAid
1. TuitionandfeesareestablishedbytheuniversityforeachacademicyearandarepublishedinUW-LUndergraduateCourseCatalogforeachsemesterandsummersession.QuestionsabouttuitionandfeesmaybedirectedtotheCashier’sOfficeat121MainHall.
2. TheBoardofRegentsreservestherighttochangetuitionandfeeswithoutpublishednotice.3.
4. TheClinicalInternshipwillstartinearlyJulyforstudentsingoodstandinginthemajorwhohavemetallofthepre-clinicalrequiredcourses.TheinternshipcontinuesthroughtheendofJulyofthenextyear(approximately13months).Tuitionandfeeswillbeassessedfortwosemestersandtwosummersessions.
5.
6. TuitiondepositsandpaymentplansaredescribedintheUW-LUndergraduateCourseCatalog.7.
8. Studentservicesarefundedthroughsegregatedfeesdeterminedbystudentgovernment.9.
10. Studentsintheirinternshipwillbeassesseda“ClinicalExperienceFee”foreachtermexceptthefinalsummerterm.Thisamountwillbecommunicatedtothestudentsduringthespringsemesteroftheirfirstyearintheprogram.Theamountsapproximately$7000;spreadoutoverthefirstthreetermsofinternship.TheCollegeofScienceandHealthdeterminesthefeeseachyearbasedonstudentenrollmentinallundergraduatehealthprofessionsprograms.Additionally,atthestartofinternship,studentswillbeassessedaone-timefeeof$150foraccesstotheprogram’sclinicalmanagementsystem,Trajecsys.ThisfeewillbeassessedasaspecialcoursefeeforRT471.
11.
12. UndergraduatecoursetextbooksareavailableonarentalbasisthroughtheTextbookRentalService.Arentalfeeisincludedinsegregatedfees.Studentsmaypurchasetheirtextbooks,atreducedprices,ifdesired.Studentswillpurchaseadditionalreadingmaterialthroughouttheprogramaswellasdirectedbyinstructors.
13.
14. Studenthealthserviceisavailableforstudentsoncampusorlocalinternship(distantifadayoffistakentocometocampustoutilizeservices).Somemedicalservicesarenotprovidedandstudentsareadvisedtomaintainhealthinsurancetomakesurethatallhealthcareneedscanbemet.StudentswhoareintheirclinicalinternshipyearwillbedistantfromtheHealthCenterandmustcarryhealthinsurancetocovermedicalexpenses.Proofofhealthinsurancemustbeprovidedtothesite’sEducationDirector.
15.
16. Livingexpensesaretheresponsibilityofthestudent.UniversityhousingandfoodserviceisavailablewhilestudentsareattendingtheUW-LaCrossecampus.StudentsmustmaketheirownarrangementsforroomandboardduringtheclinicalinternshipperiodinMilwaukee,Madison,LaCrosseorParkRidge,IL.
17.
18. FinancialaidinformationandprogramsareavailablethroughtheStudentFinancialAidoffice.SeetheUndergraduateCourseCatalogforapplicationinstructionsandprogramsavailable.
19.
20. Refundoftuitionuponwithdrawaldependsonthetimingofwithdrawal,droppingfrom100%inthefirstfewdaysofthesemesterto50%foranadditionaltimeperiodandtozeroafterthat.SpecificscanbefoundinthecurrentUW-LUndergraduateCourseCatalog.
21.
22. Studentswillberequiredtocarryliabilityinsurancefortheirclinicalinternship.Agrouppolicyratehasbeenobtained.ThepremiumispaidasacoursefeeforRT471.
23.
24. Studentswillbesubjecttoacriminalbackgroundcheckpriortoadmissiontothefirstyearoftheprogram,aswellastheclinicalinternship.ThefeesforthesechecksareaddedasspecialcoursefeesinRT471.
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B-12UniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseHealthProfessionsDepartment
CriminalBackgroundCheckPolicyandProcedure
BackgroundTheJointCommission(TJC)incompliancewithstandardsHR1.20andEP5,andthecurrentWisconsinCaregiverLawwiththeDepartmentofHealthandFamilyServices(chapters48and50oftheWisconsinStatutes)backgroundchecksarenowrequiredforallstudentsinthealliedhealthareasworkinginclinicalsettings.Toensurecompliancewiththeserules,theresultsofcriminalbackgroundchecksmustbeobtainedforallcurrentstudentsbeforetheprogrambegins(earlysummer).AsarepresentativeoftheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosse,youareexpectedtopracticesoundprofessionalethicsandtoconductyourselfinaprofessional,responsible,andreliablemanneratalltimes.Youareexpectedtomaintainhighprofessionalstandardsandapartofthisprofessionalstandardisacriminalbackgroundcheck.
ImportantNoticeIndividualswhohavebeenconvictedofafelonyormisdemeanormaybedeniedcertificationorlicensureasahealthprofessional.Informationregardingindividualeligibilitymaybeobtainedfromtheappropriatecredentialingbodies.ClinicalinternshipsitesrequireacriminalbackgroundcheckandCaregivercheckinordertopermitparticipationintheclinicalinternship.Participationinclinicalinternshipisarequiredpartofthecurriculumandarequirementforgraduation.Clinicalinternshipsitesmaydenyastudent'sparticipationintheclinicalinternshipbecauseofafelonyormisdemeanorconviction.Failuretoproduceacriminalbackgroundcheckwouldresultindelayedgraduationorintheinabilitytograduatefromtheprogram.Ifyouhaveaquestion,pleasecontacttheclinicaleducationcoordinatororprogramdirector.Derogatoryinformationcanincludebutisnotlimitedtothefollowing:
• Convictionofafelonyoffense.• Misdemeanorconvictionsprobatedsentencesorfelonydeferredadjudicationsinvolvingcrimes
againstperson(includingphysicalorsexualabuse);• Misdemeanorconvictionsrelatedtomoralturpitude(includingprostitution,publiclewdness,
exposureetc)• Felonyconviction/deferredadjudicationsforthesale,possession,distribution,ortransferof
narcoticsorcontrolledsubstances;• InclusiononthelistofIneligiblePersons;• ProvidingafalsestatementontheapplicationInitialBackgroundCheck(StudentCompletes)
Studentsareresponsibletoarrangeforacriminalbackgroundcheckusingacompanythatiscapableofprovidingtheserviceinanorderlyandtimelymanner.TheHealthProfessionsDepartmenthasestablishedarelationshipwithCertifiedBackground(www.certifiedbackground.com).Thecompanychargesbetween$20.00and$45.00dependingonhowmanyplacesyouhavelivedpriortoattendingUW-L.
Backgroundchecksarerequiredforclinicalinternshipplacementsinmanyfacilities.ThusallstudentsintheHealthProfessionsDepartmentwillhaveacriminalbackgroundcheckdonepriortothefirstdayofclasstofacilitatefieldworkassignments.Allcostsincurredbythestudentsforthisbackgroundcheckaretheresponsibilityofthestudent.CertifiedBackground.commakestheresultsavailabletotheHealthProfessionsDepartmentelectronically.
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Re-CheckPriortoClinicalInternship(ProgramCompletes)Mostfacilitiesrequireacurrentcriminalbackgroundcheck(donewithinthepast6months)andacaregiverbackgroundcheck.TheHealthProfessionsDepartmentwillconductafollow-upCriminalHistoryBackgroundCheckforWisconsinandMinnesotaandaCaregiverbackgroundcheckbeforethestudent’sfirstfulltimerotation/clinical/fieldworkassignment.Allstudentsarerequiredtohavethisre-checkanditwillbechargedtothestudentasaspecialcoursefee.CriminalBackgroundChecks(CBCs)completedatotherfacilitiesmaynotbeacceptedasasubstituteforthisprocess.RecordkeepingStudentsareadvisedtokeepacopyoftheresultsfortheirpersonalfilestotakewithontheirclinical/fieldworkrotations.ConfidentialityResultsofallbackgroundsearcheswillbekeptconfidentialandwillbedisclosedonlytotheextentnecessarytoadministerandenforcethispolicyorpursuanttoappropriatelegalprocess.Studentsarerequiredtocompleteandsigntheauthorization,acknowledgement,andreleaseformthatpermitssharingnecessarycriminalbackgroundinformationtotheplacementfacility(s)(Attachment1).Criminalbackgroundrecordsarestoredinasecureplaceandkeptseparatefromthestudent’sacademicfile.CriminalbackgroundcheckinformationisdestroyedoncethestudentisnolongerastudentintheHealthProfessionsDepartment.DisclosureThestudentwillbenotifiedifthebackgroundcheckinformationraisesapotentialconcernforplacementorconsequencesforcredentialingorlicensure.TheProgramDirectorwillalsobenotifiedofanyrecordthatraisesapotentialconcernforthestudent.TheDirectorwillthendiscussthepotentialimpactoftherecordandoptionswiththestudent.ObligationtoReportAllstudentsadmittedtotheHealthProfessionsDepartmenthaveanongoingobligationtoreportanycriminalconvictionthatmayimpactuponthestudent’scontinuedabilitytoparticipateintheclinicalprogramtotheprogramdirector/chairoftheprogramnolaterthanthenextdayofitsoccurrence.Failuretocomplywithanyaspectofthispolicywillresultinimmediatedismissalfromthestudents’program.
SectionC-ProgramPolicies
C-1AttendancePolicy Promptandregularattendanceatallclassesisexpected.Thisisthestartofyourprofessionaldevelopmentand
shouldbetreatedasreportingtoajob.Ifyouneedtomissaclass,youshouldcontacttheinstructorpriortotheclasseitherbyphoneoremail.Classshouldonlybemissedforillnessorunforeseencircumstances.Youarenotallowedtohavemorethan2separateoccurrencesofabsenteeism.Additionally,ifyouareabsentfor3ormoreconsecutivedays,youwillneedtoprovideacceptablemedicaldocumentation.Seeadditionalpoliciesregardingclinicalinternshipattendancelaterinthisdocument.
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C-2GradingPolicyDidactic:
1.ThefollowinggradescalewillbeusedforRadiationTherapydidacticcourseworkwheneverpossible: 94-100 A 4.0 92-93 A/B 3.5 86-91 B 3.0 84-85 B/C 2.5 77-83 C 2.0 70-76 D 1.0 ----69 F 0.0
2. Aninstructormayuseadifferentgradingscaleorgradeanexamonacurveifhe/sheconsultswiththeProgramDirectorandcanjustifytherationale.
C-3AcademicHonestyPolicyAnyformofcheatingorclaimingcreditforworkotherthanyourownwillautomaticallyresultinagradeofaZEROfortheapplicableassignmentorexam.
C-4AssignmentPolicy
Allassignmentswillbeduebydateandtimeasindicatedbyinstructor.Therewillbe10%pointsdeductedforeachdaythattheassignmentislate.
C-5Cellphonepolicy
Professionaldevelopmentincludesbeingfocusedonthetasksathandandthepatient.Cellphoneusecausesdistractionduringclinicandclassroomtime,keepingyoufrombeingfocused.Therefore,cellphonesarenotallowedtobeseenorheardintheclassroomorclinicalsetting.Theyshouldbestoredforuseduringnon-workorclassroomtimeasdeterminebyclinicalinstructororsupervisor,orclassroominstructor.Otherelectronicportabledevicesmayalsobeprohibitedpertheinstructor,suchasiPods,iPads,etc.Failuretocomplywiththispolicywillresultinunsatisfactorilymetexpectationsontheprofessionaldevelopmentevaluation.
C-6LaptopComputersvs.tabletsStudentsintheradiationtherapyprogramareencouragedtoownalaptopcomputer.Thisispreferredover
mobiledevices(Eg.tablets)forcompatibilitywithD2Lforassignmentsubmissionandtakingexams.MobiledevicesarebeginningtobemorecompatiblewiththeD2Lplatform.
C-7AcademicandGraduationPolicies
1. PermanentstudentrecordsarekeptbytheRecordsandRegistrationOffice.TheseareconfidentialbetweenthestudentandtheUniversity.Studentsmayrequesttranscriptsoftheirpermanentacademicrecordsatanytime,buttranscriptswillnotbereleasedwithoutthestudent’sauthorizingsignature.RightsofaccessareinaccordancewiththeU.S.FamilyEducationalRightsandPrivacyActof1974asamended.
2. TransferofcreditsearnedatcollegesanduniversitiesaccreditedbyanacceptableregionalaccreditationagencywillbegovernedbyUniversityrulesaspresentedintheUndergraduateCourseCatalogand/orbyestablishedarticulationagreementsforthemajor.
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3. Gradesareassignedaccordingtotheprogram’sgradingsystemonafour-pointscale(detailedintheUndergraduateCourseCatalogalongwithdefinitionsandpoliciesforpass/fail,incomplete,withdrawalandcreditbyexamination).
4. GraduationRequirements:Candidatesforthebachelorinsciencedegreeinradiationtherapymustaccomplishthefollowingpriortograduation.SeealsoUWLUndergraduateCourseCatalog,http://catalog.uwlax.edu/undergraduate/degreerequirements/#baccalaureate-degree
a. Fulfillthegeneraleducationrequirements.b. Completeatleastoneethicstudies(diversitycourse).c. Beastudentingoodstanding(“notingoodstanding”or“probation”statusmustbecleared)d. CompletethecoursesprescribedbytheUndergraduateCurriculumCommitteeforthedegreeinradiation
therapywithatleasta2.75gradepointaverage.Gradesbelow“C”inindividualrequiredcoursesrequireclearanceofdeficiencyasjudgedbytheProgramOfficials.
e. Meettherequirementsforclinicalcompetencyasdescribedintheclinicalpracticumcoursesyllabi.f. Earnatleast120semestercreditswith40creditsin300and400levelcourses.g. Aminimumof30semestercreditsinresidenceatUWLisrequiredforgraduation.h. Submitanapplicationforgraduationviathe“ApplyforGraduation”linkintheWINGSStudentCenteras
soonasthestudenthasregisteredforhisorherfinalsemesterorsummerterminresidence.Studentsarescheduledtocompletetheirrequirementswiththefinalsummersession,but,ifclearedbyProgramOfficials,areallowedtoparticipateingraduationexercisesinMay.
5.StudentWithdrawalandReentrya. Withdrawalfromacourseisusuallynotpossiblewithoutaffectingstatusinthemajor.Thecurriculumis
rigorousandstrictlysequenced.Ifastudentwouldwithdrawfromacourse,he/shewouldbeunabletoproceedintothenextsemesterorsummersessionandwouldhavetoappealtotheStudentProgressCommitteetobeallowedtoretakethecourseatalatertimeasmembersoffutureclasseswouldbeaffected.
b. Withdrawalfromthemajorshouldbeconsideredcarefullypriortoanyactionbeingtaken.Thestudentis
stronglyurgedtotalkwiththeoncampusadvisoraswellastheProgramDirector.Programpersonnelwillmakeeveryattempttodealwiththestudent’sconcernsandfacilitatecontinuance.Ifthestudentdeterminesthatwithdrawalisthebestcourseofactionafterthesediscussionshe/sheisaskedtosubmitastatementinwritingthatdecisiontotheProgramDirector.
c. ReentryandReadmission:Studentswhofeeltheymustwithdrawfromtheradiationtherapymajoronce
accepted,areencouragedtospeaktoradiationprogramofficialspriortowithdrawal.Studentsarenotguaranteedplacementshouldtheywishtoreenter.Theymustre-applytothemajorandbeconsideredforplacementbytheSelectionCommittee.
d. Aleaveofabsenceapprovalisrequiredofanystudentwhowillmissmorethantwoconsecutiveweeksoftrainingwhileintheprofessionalphaseofthemajor.AstudentmustsubmitarequestinwritingforsuchaleaveandspeakwiththeProgramDirector.Together,thestudentandtheProgramDirectorwilldevelopaplanforareturnafterleaveofabsence.Iftheleaveisduringtheclinicalinternship,theClinicalCoordinatorwillalsobeinvolvedindevelopingtheplan.ApprovaloftheplanmustbegrantedbytheProgramOfficials.
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C-8RadiationTherapyProgramStudentRetention,Probation,andDismissal
InordertoremainasastudentingoodstandingintheRadiationTherapyprogramstudentsmustmeetprogramrequirementsasperthefollowing:
1. Studentsmustmaintainagradeof“C”orhigherinallrequiredcourses,aswellasasemesterandcumulativegradepointaverageof2.75ona4.0scale.
2. StudentsmustcomplywithprogramandUniversitypolicies.3. Studentsmustmakesatisfactoryprogressindevelopmentofclinicalskillsandprofessionalbehavior.
AcademicDeficiencies1. Astudentwhodoesnotmeetdidactic(classroom),clinical,orprofessionaldevelopmentprogram
requirementsforgradeswillbenotifiedbytheProgramDirectoroftheconcernattheearliestpossibletimeaftergradesareposted.
2. Followingsuchnotification,theStudentProgressCommittee,asub-committeeoftheRadiationTherapyAdvisoryCommittee,willmeetwithin10workingdaystodiscussthedeficiencyandmakeadeterminationoftheactiontobetaken.Itispreferredthatthemeetingbeheldinpersonwiththestudentbeinggiventheopportunitytorepresenthim/herselfortosubmitawrittenstatementfortheCommittee’sreview.Undercertaincircumstancesatelephoneorvideoconferencecallmaybeheldinsteadofaface-to-facemeeting.
3. Adecisionastothestudent’sstatusintheprogramwillbecommunicatedinwritingtothestudentwithin5workingdaysoftheStudentProgressCommitteemeeting.Thedecisionmayinvolveremedialwork,probationorsuspensionfromtheprogram.
4. Ifthedecisioninvolvesremediationorprobation,anexplanationofthe“plantoregaingoodstanding”intheprogram(includingtimeframes)willbeincludedinthelettertothestudent.Thisisreferredtoasalearningplanaswell.
5. Ifthestudentsuccessfullyfollowstheplanandmeetsprogramrequirementswithinthetimeframespecified,he/shewillregaingoodstandingintheprogram.
6. Ifthestudentisnotsuccessfulinfollowingtheplanandmeetingprogramrequirementswithinthespecifiedtimeframe,theStudentProgressCommitteewillmeettodeterminetheappropriateaction.Thismeetingwillbeheldwithin10workingdaysofthedeadlinespecifiedinthe“planforregaininggoodstanding”.Themeetingwillbeheldasdescribedinnumber2above.TheCommitteemayrecommenddismissalfromtheprogram.
7. Astudentmaybeclassifiedasonprobationordismissedinregardtotheprogram,evenifnotonprobation,suspended,orexpelledfromtheUniversity.
FailuretocomplywithprogramandUniversitypolicies
AcademicMisconduct1. Academicmisconduct,andprocedurestodealwithit,havebeendefinedbytheBoardofRegentsofthe
UniversityofWisconsinSysteminUWS14.Theentiredocumentcanbefoundat:https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/14.Portionsofthatpolicyareincludedbelow.
2. Academicmisconductisanactinwhichastudent:a. Seekstoclaimcreditfortheworkoreffortsofanotherwithoutauthorizationorcitation;b. Usesunauthorizedmaterialsorfabricateddatainanyacademicexercise;c. Forgesorfalsifiesacademicdocumentsorrecords;d. Intentionallyimpedesordamagestheacademicworkofothers;e. Engagesinconductaimedatmakingfalserepresentationofastudent'sacademicperformance;orf. Assistsotherstudentsinanyoftheseacts.
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3. Thefollowingarethedisciplinarysanctionsthatmaybeimposedforacademicmisconductinaccordance
withtheproceduresofUWS14.05,14.06or14.07:(Oneormoreofthedisciplinarysanctionsmaybeimposedforanincidentofacademicmisconduct.)
a. Anoralreprimand;b. Awrittenreprimandpresentedonlytothestudent;c. Anassignmenttorepeatthework,tobegradedonitsmerits;d. Alowerorfailinggradeontheparticularassignmentortest;e. Alowergradeinthecourse;f. Afailinggradeinthecourse;g. Removalofthestudentfromthecourseinprogress;h. Awrittenreprimandtobeincludedinthestudent'sdisciplinaryfile;i. Disciplinaryprobation;j. Suspensionorexpulsionfromtheuniversity.
Proceduresaredetailedinthedocumentreferencedabove.
Non-AcademicMisconduct
1. Non-Academicmisconduct,andprocedurestodealwithit,havebeendefinedbytheBoardofRegentsoftheUniversityofWisconsinSysteminUWS17.Theentiredocumentcanbefoundat: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/17.Portionsofthatpolicyareincludedbelow.
2. Theuniversitymaydisciplineastudentinnonacademicmattersinthefollowingsituations:a. Forconductwhichconstitutesaseriousdangertothepersonalsafetyofamemberofthe
university(orclinicalinternshipsite),community,orguest.b. Forstalkingorharassment.c. Forconductthatseriouslydamagesordestroysuniversity(orclinicalinternshipsite)propertyor
attemptstodamageordestroyuniversity(orclinicalinternshipsite)property,orthepropertyofamemberofsuch.
d. Forunauthorizedpossessionofuniversity(orclinicalinternshipsite)propertyorpropertyofanothermemberofsuch.
e. ForactswhichviolatetheprovisionsofCh.UWS18,ConductonUniversityLands,https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/18.
f. Forknowinglymakingafalsestatementtoanyuniversity(orclinicalinternshipsite)employeeoragentonauniversity-relatedmatter,orforrefusingtoidentifyoneselftosuchemployeeoragent.
g. Forviolatingastandardofconduct,orotherrequirementorrestrictionimposedinconnectionwithdisciplinaryaction.
3. Thefollowingarethedisciplinarysanctionsthatmaybeimposedfornonacademicmisconduct,inaccordancewiththeproceduresofUWS17.05through17.07:
a. Areprimand;Denialofspecifieduniversityprivileges;b. Impositionofreasonabletermsandconditionsoncontinuedstudentstatus;c. Restitution;d. Removalofthestudentfromthecourseinprogress;e. Disciplinaryprobation;f. Suspension;org. Expulsion.
Processtobefollowediscoveredinthedocumentreferencedabove.ViolationsarereportedtotheDeanofStudentsandhandledthroughtheOfficeofStudentLife.
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Failuretocomplywithprogrampoliciesortomakesatisfactoryprogressinclinicalskillandprofessionaldevelopment.
1. AstudentwhodoesnotcomplywithprogrampoliciesorisdeficientindevelopmentofclinicalskillsorprofessionalbehaviorwillbenotifiedoftheconcernbytheProgramDirectorattheearliestpossibletimeafterthenon-complianceordeficiencyisrecognizedandreported.
2. Followingsuchnotification,theStudentProgressCommittee,asub-committeeoftheRadiationTherapyAdvisoryCommittee,willmeetwithin10workingdaystodiscusstheissueandmakeadeterminationoftheactiontobetaken.Itispreferredthatthemeetingbeheldinpersonwiththestudentbeinggiventheopportunitytorepresenthim/herselfortosubmitawrittenstatementfortheCommittee’sreview.Undercertaincircumstancesatelephoneorvideoconferencecallmaybeheldinsteadofaface-to-facemeeting.
3. Adecisionastothestudent’sstatusintheprogramwillbecommunicatedinwritingtothestudentwithin5workingdaysoftheStudentProgressCommitteemeeting.Thedecisionmayinvolveremedialwork,probationorsuspensionfromtheprogram.
4. Ifthedecisioninvolvesremediationorprobation,anexplanationofthe“plantoregaingoodstanding”intheprogram(includingtimeframes)willbeincludedinthelettertothestudent.
5. Ifthestudentsuccessfullyfollowstheplanandmeetsprogramrequirementswithinthetimeframespecified,he/shewillregaingoodstandingintheprogram.
6. Ifthestudentisnotsuccessfulinfollowingtheplanandmeetingprogramrequirementswithinthespecifiedtimeframe,theStudentProgressCommitteewillmeettodeterminetheappropriateaction.Thismeetingwillbeheldwithin10workingdaysoftheendofthedeadlinespecifiedinthe“planforregaininggoodstanding”.Themeetingwillbeheldasdescribedinnumber2above.TheCommitteemaydismissthestudentfromtheprogram.
7. Astudentmaybeclassifiedasonprobationordismissedinregardtotheprogram,evenifnotonprobation,suspended,orexpelledfromtheUniversity.
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C-9StudentAppealProcesses
GradeappealprocessTheprocessforappealingagradeintheradiationtherapyprogramisconsistentwiththeby-lawsandprocessmaintainedbytheHealthProfessionsDepartment.Whenthestudentquestionsordisputesafinalgrade,itisexpectedthatthestudentandcourseinstructorwillinformallymeettodiscussthesituation.Thestudentshouldcometothemeetingpreparedtoexplainwhyhe/shebelievesthegradedoesnotreflecthis/herworkandtheinstructorwillexplainthereasonsforthegradegiven.Theoutcomeofthisinformalmeetingcouldbe:
• Instructorrecognizesanerrororacceptsstudent’sandchangesthegrade• Studentacknowledgesinstructor’srationaleforgradeandacceptsthegrade• Instructordoesnotchangethegrade;studentdoesnotacceptthedecisionandbeginsaformalgrade
appeal.
InstructorTherequesttoappealthegradewillbeputinwritingandaddressedtotheindividualcourseinstructor.Theappealwillcontainthereasonforthegradeappealandsupportingmaterials.Acceptablereasonsforappealarelimitedtothefollowing:
• Instructoruseddifferentgradingstandardsforstudentworkthanforotherstudentsintheclass• Gradingforstudentwasbiased,arbitrary,orcapricious.
Theinstructorwillacknowledgetheappealwasreceivedviae-mailwithin1workingdayofreceiptoftheappeal.Theinstructorwillcontactthestudentwithin5workingdaysofreceiptoftheappealandscheduleaformalmeetingwiththestudent.Thismeetingwillbeattendedbythecourseinstructor,anotherfacultymemberorprogramdirector,thestudent,andanyoneelsethestudentwishestobring(ifdesired).Ifthecourseinstructoristheprogramdirector,anotherfacultymemberordepartmentchairwillbeaskedtoattendthemeeting.Themeetingwillberecordedbynotesandaudiotape.Thepossibleoutcomesofthisappealhearingare:
• Instructoracceptsstudent’sandchangesthegrade• Studentacknowledgesinstructor’srationaleforgradeandacceptsthegrade• Instructordoesnotchangethegrade;studentdoesnotacceptthedecisionanddecidestoappealtothe
nextlevel.Theoutcomesoftheappealwillbedocumentedbythecourseinstructorwithacopysendtothestudentandplacedinhis/herfile.ProgramDirector(optionalstep:maybeskippediftheprogramdirectorhasbeeninvolvedintheinitialappealhearingwiththeindividualfacultymember).Therequesttoappealthegradewillbeputinwritingandaddressedtotheprogramdirector.Theappealwillcontainthereasonforthegradeappealandsupportingmaterials.Acceptablereasonsforappealarelimitedtothefollowing:
• Instructoruseddifferentgradingstandardsforstudentworkthanforotherstudentsintheclass• Gradingforstudentwasbiased,arbitrary,orcapricious.
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Theprogramdirectorwillacknowledgetheappealwasreceivedviae-mailwithin1workingdayofreceiptoftheappeal.Theprogramdirectorwillcontactthestudentwithin5workingdaysofreceiptoftheappealandscheduleaformalmeetingwiththestudent.Thismeetingwillbeattendedbytheprogramdirector,thestudent,andanyoneelsethestudentwishestobring(ifdesired).Themeetingwillberecordedbynotesandaudiotape.Theprogramdirectormayseekadditionalinformationfromthecourseinstructorand/orstudentbeforerenderingajudgment.Thepossibleoutcomesofthisappealhearingare:
• Supportfortheinstructorandarecommendationthatthegradeshouldstandasgiven.• Recommendationtoinstructortochangethegrade• Studentacceptsthegradeandendstheappealprocess.• Studentdoesnotacceptthegradingdecisionanddecidestoappealtothenextlevel.
Theoutcomesoftheappealwillbedocumentedbytheprogramdirectorwithacopysenttothestudentandplacedinhis/herfile.DepartmentChairTherequesttoappealthegradewillbeputinwritingandaddressedtothedepartmentchair.Theappealwillcontainthereasonforthegradeappealandsupportingmaterials.Acceptablereasonsforappealarelimitedtothefollowing:
• Instructoruseddifferentgradingstandardsforstudentworkthanforotherstudentsintheclass• Gradingforstudentwasbiased,arbitrary,orcapricious.• Programdirectorrecommendedagradechangetotheinstructor;instructordidnotchangethegrade.
Thedepartmentchairwillacknowledgetheappealwasreceivedviae-mailwithin1workingdayofreceiptoftheappeal.Theprogramdirectorwillcontactthestudentwithin5workingdaysofreceiptoftheappealandscheduleaformalmeetingwiththestudent.Thismeetingwillbeattendedbythedepartmentchair,thestudent,andanyoneelsethestudentwishestobring(ifdesired).Themeetingwillberecordedbynotesandaudiotape.Thedepartmentchairwillspeaktothecourseinstructoraftermeetingwiththestudenttogatherinformationaboutthegrading.Thedepartmentchairmayalsoformallyseekadditionalinformationfromthecourseinstructorand/orstudentbeforerenderingajudgment.Thepossibleoutcomesofthisappealhearingare:
• Supportfortheinstructorandarecommendationthatthegradeshouldstandasgiven.• Recommendationtoinstructortochangethegrade• Studentacceptsthegradeandendsappealprocess.• Studentdoesnotacceptthegradingdecisionanddecidestoappealtothenextlevel.
Theoutcomesoftheappealwillbedocumentedbythedepartmentchairwithacopysendtothestudentandplacedinhis/herfile.
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HealthProfessionsDepartmentLevelIfthestudentwishedtopursueanappeal,therequestforaformalappealattheHealthProfessionsDepartmentLevelmustbefiledinwritingwiththedepartmentchair.Theappealwillcontainthereasonforthegradeappealandsupportingmaterials.Acceptablereasonsforappealarelimitedtothefollowing:
• Instructoruseddifferentgradingstandardsforstudentworkthanforotherstudentsintheclass• Gradingforstudentwasbiased,arbitrary,orcapricious.• Departmentchairrecommendedagradechangetotheinstructor;instructordidnotchangethegrade.
Thedepartmentchairwillacknowledgereceiptofthewrittenappealwithin1workingday.Thedepartmentchairwillappointthefive-memberadhoccommitteetoheartheappealasindicatedinthebylaws:
• Threefaculty/staffoftheprogram(wheneverpossible)• Theinstructor• Onefaculty/stafffromoutsideoftheprogram
Thedepartmentchairwillappointoneofthecommitteemembers(otherthanthecourseinstructor)tochairthecommitteeThedepartmentchairshallnotbeamemberofthiscommitteebutwillattendthecommitteemeetingasobserverandwitness.Thisappealscommitteewillmeetwithin1weekofreceiptofthewrittengradeappeal.Thecommitteememberswillbegivencopiesofthedocumentationoftheprevious3levelsofappealpriortotheappealhearing.Theappealshearingwillbeconductedasfollows:
• Studentwillbegiven15minutestodescribethebasisfortheappealandprovidesupportingdocumentationtothecommittee.
• Involvedteacherwillbegiven15minutestodescribetherationaleforthegradeandreasonfornotchangingthegrade.
• Departmentchairwillbeaskedtodescribeinvolvementinthesituationandoutcomeofactions.• Studentwillbeexcusedandcommitteewilldeliberateactions.• Thecommitteemayaskforadditionalinformationfromanyofthepartiesinvolved.Thecommittee
willspecifythetimeframeforsupplyingthematerials.Therequestforadditionalmaterialswillbeputinwriting.
• Ifadditionalmaterialsarerequested,thecommitteemeetingwillbeadjourned.Thecommitteewillreconvenewithinoneweekafterdeadlineforreceiptoftherequestedmaterials.
• Thepossibledecisionsthecommitteecanmakeare:1. Supporttheappealandmakearecommendationtothecourseinstructortochangethegrade.2. Denytheappealandsupportthegradeasgiven.
Theappealscommitteechairwillcommunicatetheoutcomeoftheappealhearinginwritingtothestudent,courseinstructor,anddepartmentchairwithin5daysofthefinalcommitteehearing.Acopyofthestudentwrittenappealandtheresponseofthecommitteewillbegiventothestudentandplacedinthestudent’spermanentrecord.
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Non-GradeAppealProcessTheStudentAcademicNon-GradeAppealsprocessisdesignedtoenablestudentstoinitiateandresolvecomplaintsregardingfacultyandinstructionalacademicstaffbehavior.Complaintsmaybeinitiatedwithin90daysofthemostrecentincidentofunprofessionalbehaviorbyuniversityfacultyandinstructionalacademicstaffthatimpairsstudents'abilitytolearn.TheRadiationTherapyprogramwillstrictlyadheretotheUWLStudentLifeinformalandformalprocedures.ProceduresInformalProceduresAnystudentorgroupofstudentswhohasacomplaintaboutfacultyorinstructionalacademicstaffbehaviorisencouragedtoresolvethecomplaintinformally.Informalattemptsmayincludebutarenotlimitedto:
• meetingdirectlywiththefacultymemberand/orinstructionalacademicstaff,• meetingwiththestudent'sadvisor,• meetingwithotherfacultymembersand/orinstructionalacademicstaff,• meetingwithadepartmentalcomplaintscommittee,• meetingwiththedepartmentchair,• meetingwithanycombinationofsuchpeople.
Theintentionofsuchmeetingsistoclarifymisunderstandingsormiscommunicationsthatmaybethesourceofthecomplaint.Ifforanyreasonthesemeetingsdonotresolvethecomplaintorifthestudentchoosesnottoresolvethecomplaintusingtheinformalprocedures,thestudent(s)maypursuetheformalproceduresdescribedbelow.FormalProcedures1. InitiatingaComplaint
Ifinformalproceduresareunsuccessful(orwithin90daysofthelastincident),astudentorgroupofstudentswhowishestopursueacomplaintshouldinformtheStudentLifeOffice,eitherorallyorinwriting.
TheStudentLifeOfficeshall:
a. provideastatementregardingacademicfreedomandpertinentsectionsofthe"StatementtoImproveUndergraduateEducation";
b. advisethestudent(s)abouttheFormalProceduresforStudentAcademicNon-gradeAppeals;c. maintaincurrentinformationonproceduresandbodieshandlingcomplaintsinallacademic
departments;d. instructthestudenttoinitiatethecomplaintbymeetingwiththechairofthedepartmenttowhichthe
facultyorinstructionalacademicstaffmemberisassignedor,ifappropriate,withadepartmentalcomplaintcommittee.Inthecasethatthecomplaintislodgedagainstthedepartmentchairandthereisnoappropriatecommitteeorgroupwithinthedepartmenttobringthecomplaintto,theinstructionsshallbetomeetwiththedeanofthecollegeinwhichthedepartmentchairisassigned;
e. assistthestudent(s)inschedulingthemeetingwiththedepartmentchairorthedepartmentalcomplaintcommittee,ifoneisavailable,ordeanifthecomplaintislodgedagainstthedepartmentchairandthereisnogroupwithinthedepartmenttoreceivethecomplaint;and
f. serveasanadvisortothestudent(s),asnecessary,throughoutthecomplaintprocess,keepingaconfidential,writtenrecordofinteractionswiththestudent(s).
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2. DiscoveryStageoftheComplaintInthemeeting,thechairordepartmentalcomplaintcommittee(ordean,inthecasewhenthecomplaintisagainstadepartmentchairandthereisnodepartmentalcommittee)shallcollectinformationfromthestudent(s)makingthecomplaintandexplainalltheappropriateproceduresandoptionstocomplainant.Ifacomplaintistobepursued,thechairorcommittee(ordean)whohasreceivedacomplaintwillinformtheaccusedpartyofthenatureofthecomplaintlodged,concealingtheidentityofthecomplainant(ifthatisdesired)andseekapproachestomediationandresolution.Anyattempttopenalizeorinanywayretaliateagainstapersonbringingacomplaintisprohibitedandwillbetreatedasaseparateincidenttobereviewedinitsownright.Thegoalofthediscoverystateistoclarifymisunderstandingsandmiscommunicationsandestablishwhatactions(ifany)maybelegitimatesourcesofcomplaint.Thewishesofthestudent(s)makingthecomplaintshallberespectedregardingfurtherinvestigation.Aspecificcomplaintshallnotbecarriedforwardwithoutthecomplainant(s)'sexplicitwrittenpermissionandinstruction.IfacomplaintisresolvedattheDiscoverystage,noformalrecordwillberetainedinthefacultyorinstructionalacademicstaffpersonnelfile.
3. MediationStageoftheComplaint
Thisstagewillinvolve:a. separateconfidentialmeetings(s)ofthedepartmentchairorcommittee(ordean),withthe
complainantandthepersonagainstwhomthecomplaintisfiled,orb. jointconfidentialmeeting(s)withthecomplainantandthepersonagainstwhomthecomplaintisfiled
andthedepartmentchairorcommittee(ordean).
ThegoaloftheMediationStageisconciliation.Whenthesemeetingsarecompleted,thecomplainantwillbeaskedtodecidewhethers/heissatisfiedwiththeresultsorwishestomovetotheHearingstageofthecomplaint.
IfacomplaintisresolvedattheMediationstage,noformalrecordwillberetainedinthefacultyorinstructionalacademicstaffpersonnelfile.
4. HearingStageoftheComplaint
IftheMediationStagedoesnotresultinasatisfactoryresolutionoftheproblem,thenthecomplainantwillbereferredtotheExecutiveDirectorofHumanResourceswhowillassistthecomplainantinfilingacomplaintwiththeComplaints,Grievances,AppealsandAcademicFreedomCommittee(CGAAFCommittee).Ifthepersonlodgingtheallegationwishestopostponesuchaconfrontation,theCGAAFCommitteewillsetatime-limitwhichappearsreasonable,dependinguponthecircumstancesandreasonsgiven.Theformalhearingproceedingmaybeterminatedbymutualagreementofthecomplainantandthepersonagainstwhomthecomplaintisfiledatanystep.Eitherpartymayseekthehelpoflegalcounselatanystageofthehearing.
a. ComplaintThecomplainantmustfileawrittencomplaintusingthepetitionformavailableineachdean'sofficeandintheStudentLifeOffice.
1. ThePetitionThepetition,oncecompletedbythecomplainant,shallprovide:
a. thecomplainant'sname;b. therespondent'sname;
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c. abriefstatementoftheproblemandadetailedlistofallegedactionsorbehaviorsthatarethebasisofthecomplaint;
d. additionalinformationsuchasstatementsbywitnessesandotherdocumentationthatsupportsthecomplainant'sallegations;
e. asummaryoftheoutcomesoftheinformalprocedures(ifpursued)andtheformalprocedurespriortothispoint;and
f. (optionally)astatementofthedesiredoutcome(s)ofthehearing.2. ReceiptofPetitionandDutiesoftheExecutiveDirectorforHumanResources
ThecompletedpetitionshallbesubmittedtotheExecutiveDirectorforHumanResources.TheExecutiveDirectorshallreviewthecontentsofthepetitionwiththecomplainant(s).ThisinformationshallbeforwardedtothechairpersonoftheCGAAFCommittee,whoisresponsibleforschedulingthehearing.b. TimeLinesTheCGAAFCommitteeshallproceedwiththepetitionusingitsoperatingrulesforprocessingandhearingcomplaints.TherulesareavailablefromtheFacultySenateOffice,323GraffMainHallandat/FacultySenate/committees/CGAAF/Complaints.htm
ReferenceistheUWLStudentlifepoliciesonStudentNon-GradeAppeals(https://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/student-handbook/#tm-policies)
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C-10FairnessPolicies
1. TheUniversityandtheClinicalInternshipsitesbelievestronglyintheirnon-discriminatorypolicy,thatadmissionandtreatmentofstudentsinclasses,campuslifeandclinicalinternshipwillnotbeaffectedbystudentcharacteristicsofgender,race,color,creed,religion,nationalorigin,disability,ancestry,age,sexualorientation,pregnancy,maritalorparentalstatusorrelationshiptoemployees.
2. TheUniversityanditsClinicalAffiliatesbelieveinhiringandpromotingfacultyandemployees accordingtotheabovenon-discriminatorystatement.3. Dueprocesswillbefollowedinanycomplaintsagainststudentsinacademicornon-academicconcernsas
detailedintheEagleEyeontheUW-Lwebpage.
4. Ifastudenthasconcernsabouttheprogramwhicharenotresolvedthroughthegrievancepolicyandproceduresandifhe/shefeelsthattheprogramisnotincompliancewithJRCERTaccreditationstandardsorfeelsthatqualityofinstructionorgeneralwelfareofstudentswithintheprogramisjeopardized,he/shemaysubmitallegationsofnon-compliancedirectlytotheJRCERT.PleaseseetheJRCERTpolicyandallegationsreportingforminappendix1ofthishandbook.Theprogramwillkeeprecordsofanycomplaintsofthisnatureforreviewinregardtoaccreditationandqualityaudit.
5. Astudent’sbehaviorintheclinicalsettingmustconformtopoliciesandrulesestablishedbytheaffiliated
institution.Failuretoconformmayresultinprobation,ordismissalfromthatsite.TheAdvisoryCommitteeandProgramOfficialswillbeconsultedtoprotectthestudentandtheinstitution’sinterestsasmuchaspossible.
6. Numberofstudentsselectedintothemajorwillbelimitedbythenumberofclinicalinternshippositions
availablefortheupcomingsenioryear.Itwillbedonefollowingasuccessfulinterviewprocesswiththeclinicalinternshipsites.Anofferofplacementfromoneoftheclinicalinternshipsiteswillbegiventoeachstudent.
7. ProgramOfficialswillmakeeveryefforttoassurethatactivitiesassignedtostudentsinacademicandclinical
courseswillbeforvalideducationalpurposes.
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C-11PolicyinRegardtoRecordsandReleaseofInformation1. ThereleaseofinformationtoandaboutstudentsisinconformancewiththeFamilyEducationRightsand
PrivacyAct,asamendedin1975.2. Aformalrecordofeachstudent'sgradesismaintained.Astudentwillbeshownhis/herinternshiprecordat
thequarterlyevaluationsessionswhichtheClinicalSupervisorschedules.Astudentmayalsoinspecthis/herrecordsuponmakinganappointmentwiththeClinicalSupervisoratothertimes.
3. StudentrecordsaresecurelykeptintheofficeoftheClinicalSupervisor.RecordswillalsobemaintainedunderstrictsecuritybyUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseinperpetuity.
4. Anyinformationregardingthestudent'sacademicorclinicalperformanceisconfidential.AuthorizationforreleaseofanyinformationmustbymadeinwritingbythestudentorgraduatetotheRecordsandRegistrationoffice.Clinicalinternshiprecordsmustberequestedfromtheinternshipsite.
5. Governmentofficialsorofficialsoftheschool'saccreditingbodiesmayhaveaccesstothestudentrecordsforthepurposeofofficialbusinessuponpresentationofidentificationandstatementofthepurposeofviewingtherecords.
6. Uponcompletionoftheprogramastudentmayrequestacopyofhis/hergradetranscript.Thiscopywillbemarked"personalcopy".
ExamReturnPolicy
1. Allexamsgiveninconjunctionwiththeradiationtherapyprogrammaynotbekeptbystudentsaftergrading.2. Studentsmayviewthedocumenttonoteconceptsthatweremissedornotunderstood.3. Thisviewingshouldbecompletedduringclassorunderthesupervisionofaprogramofficial.4. Gradedexamsmustthenbereturnedtoprogramofficials.5. Studentsarenotallowedtokeepexamsintheirpossession.6. IftheexamisgivenonD2L,studentsarenotallowedtoprintoffcompletedexamsandkeepintheir
possession.Examsmaybereviewedatthediscretionoftheinstructorofthecourse.7. RespondusLockdownbrowserisrequiredforallexamsgivenonD2L.
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UW-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgramPermissiontoReleaseReferenceInformation
I,(printname)_____________________________________,herebygrantpermissionto
_______________________________________toserveasareferenceandtoreleaseinformationtoemployers,
educationalinstitutions,andfoundationsforthepurposeofassistingmeinobtainingemployment,admissionto
graduateorprofessionalschool,fellowships,and/orscholarships.Ifurtherconsenttothedisclosureof
informationregardingmyacademicandextracurricularperformance,specificallyincludinggrades,attendance,
demonstratedskills,andobjectives.
Signature:____________________________________________________________
Date:_______________________________
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Studenthassentapplicationstothefollowinginstitutions:
RecordofReferencesGiven-TobeCompletedbyPersonGivingReference
Date Place/Contact
Name
Typeofinformationgiven
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C-12PersonalStudentUseofSocialNetworkingSites
TheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgramrecognizesthatsocialnetworkingwebsitesandapplications,includingbutnotlimitedtoFacebook,Instagram,Snapchat,Twitterandblogs,areanimportantandtimelymeansofcommunication.Students,facultyandstaffareremindedthattheyshouldhavenoexpectationofprivacyonsocialnetworkingsites.Students,facultyandstaffmustalsobeawarethatpostingcertaininformationisillegal.Violationmayexposetheoffendertocriminalandcivilliability.Offensesmaybeconsiderednon-academicmisconductandbesubjecttotheappropriatepoliciesandprocedures.Thefollowingactionsarestrictlyforbidden:
• Inyourprofessionalroleasacaregiver,youmaynotpresentthepersonalhealthinformationofotherindividuals.Removalofanindividual’snamedoesnotconstituteproperde-identificationofprotectedhealthinformation.Inclusionofdatasuchasage,gender,race,diagnosis,dateofevaluation,ortypeoftreatmentortheuseofahighlyspecificmedicalphotograph(suchasaphotographofapatientundergoingRadiationTherapyoraphotographofapatienttreatmentplan)maystillallowthereadertorecognizetheidentityofaspecificindividual.
• Youmaynotreportprivate(protected)academicinformationofanotherstudentortrainee.Suchinformationmightinclude,butisnotlimitedto:coursegrades,narrativeevaluations,examinationscores,oradverseacademicactions.
• Inpostinginformationonsocialnetworkingsites,youmaynotpresentyourselfasanofficialrepresentativeorspokespersonfortheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgramoraffiliateorganizations.
• Youmaynotrepresentyourselfasanotherperson,realorfictitious,orotherwiseattempttoobscureyouridentityasameanstocircumventtheprohibitionslistedaboveandbelow.
Inadditiontotheabsoluteprohibitionslistedabove,theactionslistedbelowarestronglydiscouraged.Violationsofthesesuggestedguidelinesmaybeconsideredunprofessionalbehaviorandmaybethebasisfordisciplinaryaction.
• Displayofvulgarlanguageorslanderousbehaviortowardsothers.• Displayoflanguageorphotographsthatimplydisrespectforanyindividualorgroupbecauseof
age,race,gender,ethnicityorsexualorientation.• Presentationofpersonalphotographsorphotographsofothersthatmayreasonablybe
interpretedascondoningirresponsibleuseofalcohol,substanceabuseorsexualpromiscuity.• Presentationofpersonalengagementinillegalactivitiesincludinguseofrecreationaldrugs.• Postingofpotentiallyinflammatoryorunflatteringmaterialonanotherindividual’swebsite,e.g.
onthe“wall”ofthatindividual’sFacebooksite.Whenusingthesesocialnetworkingwebsites/applications,studentsarestronglyencouragedtouseapersonale-mailaddress,ratherthantheirUWLemailaddress,astheirprimarymeansofidentification.Individualsalsoshouldmakeeveryefforttopresentthemselvesinamature,responsible,andprofessionalmanner.Discourseshouldalwaysbecivilandrespectful.
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StudentOrganizationUseofSocialNetworkingSites
Registeredstudentorganizationsthatusesocialnetworkingsitesarerequiredtoincludetheiradvisorand/ortheDirectorofStudentAffairsforcontinuitypurposes.StudentorganizationsarenottorepresentthemselvesasofficialrepresentativesorspokespersonsfortheUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosseoraffiliateorganizationsandaresubjecttotheuniversity’sidentitystandards.Violationofthispolicymaybeconsiderednonacademicmisconductinadditiontothestudentorganizationlosingtheirofficialregistrationstatuswiththeuniversity.*ThispolicywasadaptedwithpermissionfromtheUniversityofKansasMedicalCenterforuseinUWLaCrosseHealthProfessionsPrograms.
C-13HealthandSafetyPolicies
TheUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosseprograminRadiationTherapyisinterestedinpromotinggoodhealthforstudents,instructorsandpatients.Thefollowingpolicieshavebeendevelopedtoattainthatgoal.Forsickness,studentsareaskedtorefertothebelow“Toosickforclinicals”policywhendeterminingiftheyshouldreporttotheirinternshipsite.
1. Studenthealthserviceisavailableforstudentsoncampuswhomeetrequirementsandpaythesegregatedfeeat
registrationandstudentsattheGunderseninternshipsite.StudentswhoareintheirclinicalinternshipwillbedistantfromtheHealthCenterandareencouragedtocarryhealthinsurancetocovermedicalexpenseswhileinMilwaukee,Chicago,MadisonorParkRidge.
2. Allapplicantsareapprisedofthe"EssentialFunctionsofaRadiationTherapist".Theyaretoconsiderwhetherthefunctionsofthepositionofradiationtherapistandradiationtherapystudentarewithintheirabilities,withorwithoutaccommodation.
3. Ifitisdeterminedthatthestudentrequiresreasonableaccommodationtoperformthe"EssentialFunctions",theclinicalinternshipsiteandtheUniversitywillmakeeveryefforttoprovidesuchaccommodation.
4. Studentsbeginningtheirclinicalinternshipmayreceiveahealthscreeningexamwithinthefirstmonthattheirinternshipsiteorthesitemayrequestthatscreeningbedonepriortoattendance.Typicallyincludedare:achickenpoxtiterifnotpreviouslydoneattheUniversity,requiredimmunizationsandTBtesting.
5. Shouldastudentbecomeinjuredduringtheclinicalportionoftraining,he/shemaybepermittedtobetreatedonanemergencybasisattheclinicalsite,withexpensesbilledtohis/herinsurancecarrier.AUniversityofWisconsinsystemincidentreportmustbesubmitted.
6. Inorientationtotheclinicalinternshipstudentswillbemadeawareofprecautionstobetakenincaringforpatients.Universalprecautions/standardprecautionmeasuresaretobestrictlyadheredtoforsafetyofstudents,stffandpatients.
7. Ifastudentappearstoneedprofessionalmedicalattentionduetoanissuewiththeirabilityandsafety,theclinicalsupervisor/educatorshallstronglyrecommendorrequirethestudenttoseekmedicalattention.
8. Ifastudentshouldbeexposedtopatientbodyfluidbyaneedlestick,OSHArecommendationswillbefollowedandthestudentwillbeseenbyhospitalpersonnel.AUniversityofWisconsinsystemincidentreportmustbesubmitted.
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9. Policyonreportingofcommunicablediseases Intheinterestofprotectingradiotherapypatientsfromexposuretocommunicabledisease,theUniversityof
WisconsinLaCrosseanditsclinicalaffiliatehospitalsrequestthatstudentscontractingsuchdiseasesinformtheclinicalsupervisor.Uponsuchnotification,theprogramofficialswilladvisethestudentontheappropriatestepstotaketoavoidpatientexposure.Suchstepsmayincludecounselingonproperhandwashingtechnique,thewearingofamaskorphysicalabsencefromthetreatmentroomwhenimmune-compromisedpatientsaretreated.Allsuchinformationgivenbystudentstoprogramofficialswillbeheldinstrictconfidenceandwillnotbeusedagainstthestudent.
10. Ifthestudent isexposedtoacommunicablediseaseattheclinicaleducationsite,forexamplebyaneedlestick,he/shemust report the exposure to the Clinical Supervisor whowill inform the Program Director andMedicalAdvisor.ThestudentwillbesenttoEmployeeHealthforevaluationand/ortreatment.AUniversityofWisconsinsystemincidentreportmustbesubmitted.
11. In orientation to the clinical internship, studentswill be educated in regard to hazardousmaterials used at theaffiliatesite.MSDSsheetsforcommonlyusedmaterialswillbeshared.Studentsareexpectedtousesafehandlingproceduresastheyaretaught.
C-14UniversityofWisconsin–LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgramSicknessPolicy
Internsarerequiredtofollowthebelowrequirementsregardingsickness.Ifaninternpresentswiththefollowingconditions,itistheeducationaldirectorsdiscretiontosendtheinternhomeoraccepttheinternintotheclinicalsettingbasedonthebelowexamples.Theinternwillhavetotakevacationtimeforhis/herabsence.
GeneralIllnesses TooSickforClinicals
Fever ·Noclinicalsorpatientcareuntilfeverisgone.
SkinConditions TooSickforClinicals
Handdermatitis ·Skiniscrackedandbleedingatanytimepriorto,duringorafterworkshift.
Openwounds ·Woundislocatedonthehandsorfaceandisdrainingornothealedover,anddutiesinvolvepatientcontact.·Woundislocatedunderclothingbutdressingsaresaturatedbytheendoftheshiftanddutiesinvolvepatientcontact.
Rash ·Generalizedrashwithanunknowncause.·Smallblisterslocatedonhandsandfaceoralargeareaonbodytrunk.·Rashappearsliketinybrokenbloodvesselsorbruiseswithmildfever.·Rashhasspotsorpimplesandisaccompaniedbyafever.
Herpessimplex(coldsores)
·Lesionislocatedonhands.·Lesionsareopenanddraining.·Lesionsarelocatedonfaceanddutiesincludepatientcontactinhighriskareas.
Burns ·Burnislocatedonthefaceorhandsandareaisweepingorblistered.
Pediculosis(lice)
·Noworkuntilconfirmedthattransmissionisnotpossiblefollowingappropriatetreatment.
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Impetigo ·Noworkuntilmedicaltreatmentstarted.·Noskintoskincontactuntilresolved.
Conjunctivitis ·Excessivetearingwithdischarge,sensitivitytolight,itching,redness,orswelling.Noworkuntildischarge/drainageceases.
UpperRespiratorySymptoms
TooSickforClinicals
Cough ·Accompaniedbyafever.·Hasa>2weekdurationandaccompaniedbynightsweats,fever,weightloss,hemoptysisorapositivePPD(tuberculosistest).·Severeorpersistentcoughingspells.
Sorethroat ·Accompaniedbyfever,whitespotsontonsils,swollenglandsorskinrash.
Strepthroat ·Followingapositivethroatculture,need24hoursofmedicationandfeelingbetterclinically.
Nasalcongestion ·Nasalsecretionsaresopersistentthathandscannotbewashedaftereachtissueuse.·Accompaniedbyafever,sinuspainandcoloreddischarge.
Diphtheria ·Noworkuntilantimicrobialtherapycompletedandtwoculturesatleast24hoursapartarenegative.
Influenza
·Combinationofmuscleaches,sorethroat,cough,mildcough,runnynose,headache,lightsensitivityorintestinalsymptoms.
UpperRespiratoryInfection
·Requiresstayinghomeuntilsymptomsareresolvedtopreventspreadofdiseasetoimmunocompromisedpatients.
Pertussis(WhoopingCough)
·Requiresstayinghomeandbeingonmedicationfor24-48hours.·Mayreturntoclinicalassignmentwithmedicalpermission.
GastrointestinalSymptoms
TooSickforClinicals
Nausea ·Presentwithyellowingoftheskinoreyes.·Accompaniedwithothergeneralcomplaints(e.g.headache,fever,fatigueoryellowingofskin)
Vomiting ·Difficultymaintaininghygienepracticesorsanitaryconditions.·Accompaniedbyotherintestinalsymptoms(e.g.increaseflatus,nausea,vomitingorotherunusualstoolcharacteristics).
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Diarrhea
·Difficultyinmaintaininghygienepracticesorsanitaryconditions.·Anincreasednumberofbowelmovementswithanacuteonsetduetoanunknowncause(3loosestoolsin24hourtimeperiod).·Accompaniedbyafever,headache,orfatigue.·Accompaniedbyotherintestinalsymptoms.
ConvalescentSalmonella
·Noworkwithhighrisk,immunocompromisedpatientsuntildocumentationof2consecutivenegativestoolcultures,24hoursapart.
• Ifaninternisonnarcoticprescriptiondrugs,theinternwillnotbeallowedtoparticipateinclinicalactivities
duetothepotentialsideeffectsandalteredmentalstatus.• Thereturntoworkprotocolandotherillnessrelatedclinicalsituationstofollowhospitalpolicyofthe
internshipsite.
C-15RadiationSafety
• Orientationtotheclinicalinternshipwillincludereviewofradiationsafetymeasures.• StudentswillbeprovidedaradiationdosimeterbytheinstructorsofUW-Lcourseswithradiationlabsand
bytheclinicalaffiliates,whichtheywillwearatalltimeswhileinthecontrolledarea.• Students,staffandvisitorsarenotallowedintreatmentroomsduringthetreatment.• IfthestudentisinthesimulatororHigh-DoseRateAfterloaderroomduringfluoroscopy,he/shewillwear
aleadapron.• Reportsmaybeavailableperstudentrequestfromtheradiationsafetyofficer.• Studentswillbegivencounselingregardingradiationsafetypracticesasnecessary.• Theprogramthresholddoselimitforincidentsofexposureis125-250mrem.Ifsuchdoseisreached
and/orexceeded,investigationwillbeconductedbyprogramofficialsandtheappropriateradiationsafetyofficer.Onsiteradiationsafetyofficerisrequiredtonotifyprogramofficialsofsuchexposure.
C-16Policyonstudentpregnancy
StudentsshouldunderstandthatapregnancyduringthetwoyearsoftheprofessionalportionoftheRadiation
Therapymajormayhaveanimpactontheireducationandpossiblyuponthetimingofgraduation.Twoimportantfactorsareinvolved.
• Coursesareonlyofferedonceeachyearandtimemissedforpregnancyand/ordeliverywilllikelynecessitate
makeupworkorperhapsdelayofuptoayeartomaintainthepropersequenceofcourses,dependingonthetimingandamountoftimemissed.
• Therearepotentialriskstoanembryoorfetussecondarytoradiationexposurethatmayrequirecounselingandalterationoftheclinicaleducationexperience.
Thefollowingpolicyhasbeendevelopedtoguidetheprogramanditsstudentsintheeventofastudentpregnancy. 1. TheU.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommissionRegulatoryGuide8.13regarding“PossibleHealthRiskstoChildrenof
WomenWhoareExposedtoRadiationDuringPregnancy”canbefoundinAppendixA.
2. AllstudentswillbemadeawareofrisksandhazardsofprenatalradiationexposureduringcourseworkatUW-Landuponorientationtotheclinicalinternship.
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3. Astudentwhoispregnant,orsuspectsthatshemaybe,hastheoptiontovoluntarilydeclarethatconditionto
programofficials.a. IfthestudentdecidestodeclarethepregnancyitshallbedoneinwritingtotheProgramDirector
whileoncampusand/ortheEducationDirectorofherinternshipsiteifintheinternshipportionoftheprogram.Thenotificationshallalsoincludetheexpecteddateofdelivery.
b. Astudentmay“undeclare”herpregnancyatanytime.Thestudentshouldsubmitawrittenwithdrawalofdeclarationofherpregnancystatus.ThisshouldalsobesubmittedtotheProgramDirectorwhileoncampusand/orEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorifattendinginternship.
c. TheprogramwillcomplywithstudentconfidentialityrequestsasperFERPAregulations
4. Ifastudentdeclaresapregnancy,acounselingsessionwillbesetupwiththeradiationsafetyofficerattheUniversityand/orthestudent’sclinicalinternshipsitetoreviewradiationexposurerisksandanyadditionalmonitoringpracticeswhichmaybeinitiated.
5. Adeclaredpregnantstudentmaychooseoneoftheoptionsbelow(ormaychoosetochangetoadifferentoptionatalatertimeifdesired,withwrittennotice):
a. Shemaytakealeaveofabsencefromtheprogram.(Seepolicyforleaveofabsence.)Shouldthe
declaredpregnantstudentdecidetoleavetheprogramduringpregnancyanddelivery,tuitionwillberefundedaccordingtotheTuitionRefundPolicy.Inthiscircumstancethestudentwouldbereadmittedtotheprogramatthefirstavailableopeningafterdelivery.
b. Shemaystayintheprogram,butmakemodificationsinherclinicalrotationschedulestoreducethechanceofexposuretothefetus.ShewillnotparticipateinsitespecificrotationsduringthetimeofthepregnancyasrecommendedbytheRadiationSafetyOfficerofthesite.Competencyandexperienceinallrequiredareaswillbemadeupfollowingdelivery.Thiscoulddelaygraduationbeyondtheoriginallyexpecteddate.
c. Shemaydecidetostayintheprogramand/orinternshipduringpregnancyandcontinuetheprogram
withoutmodificationoflearningactivitiesorclinicalrotations.Ifshedecidestodothis,shedoessoinfullknowledgeofthepotentialhazardofembryo/fetalradiationexposure.Ifastudentselectsthisoption,itisrecommendedthatsheconsultherpersonalphysicianinthisregard.Shemustindicateinwritingherintentiontocontinuewiththeprogramwithoutmodification.Acopyofdocumentationofthisdecisionwillbekeptinthestudent’sfile.
6. Pregnancyand/ordeliveryrelatedtimeawayfromschoolduringthejunioryearoncampuswillrequiremakeupofanycourseworkmissedpriortobeginningtheinternship,consistentwiththeleaveofabsencepolicyofthemajor.
7. Ifdeliveryoccursduringclinicalinternship,allcourseworkandclinicaltimemustbecompletedbeforethestudentiseligibleforgraduationandtoapplytotaketheARRTcertificationexamination.
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SectionD-ClinicalInternship
D-1TheClinicalInternshipExperience
AlloftheclinicalinternshipsitesaffiliatedwiththeRadiationTherapyprogramarestateoftheartregionalcancercenters.EachaffiliatedclinicalinternshipsiteemploysanEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorwhoisanAdjunctFacultymembertoUW-LaCrosse.Coursesaretaughteitheronlineorinafacetofacesetting.ThesamecurriculumistaughtateachsiteasmandatedbytheASRTandtheAdvisoryCommitteeoftheRadiationTherapyProgram.CourseinformationiscentralizedonD2L,includingcontent,quizzes,discussions,andexams.Whileeachinternshipsitediffersintermsoftechnologiesusedfordeliveryofradiationtherapy,aswellasdepartmentsize,therelativepaceofpatientflowisconsistentbetweenallsites.Eachsiteprovidescareforawidevarietyofpatientpopulationsincludinggeriatricandpediatric,andtherearefluctuationsinpatientvolumefromtimetotime.
ClinicalInternshipSitesAdvocateLutheranGeneralHospital
AbouttheFacility:
• VarianIXmachineswithOBI,RapidArccapabilitiesandDeepInspirationBreathHold• Tomotherapy,Cyberknife,GE16SliceCTSimulator• Threedimensionaltreatmentplanning• Intensitymodulatedradiationtherapy• HighDoseratebrachytherapy• Hypofractionationforbreastcancertreatment• GridTherapy,TotalBodyIrradiation• PediatricandAdultpopulations• 2-3Physicians/Day• 7Fulltimeand1Parttimetherapist• treat35-50patientsperday• Wedonothaveopportunitiesforstudentstoworkduringtheirinternship• Wetreatinasomewhatrelaxedatmosphere;wegivethestudentstheopportunitytohaveasmuch
“handson”astheyarecomfortablewith.• TrueBeamin2018
EducationDirector:JimBaumlMHA,RT(R)(T)
• GraduatedfromtheMichaelReese/UniversityofChicagoRadiationTherapySchool• BachelorsinHealthArtsfromtheUniversityofSt.Francis• Master’sDegreeinHealthServicesAdministrationfromNationalLouisUniversity• ContactInformation
o Email:[email protected] Phone:(847)723-8254
• Funfact:Pitchedanohitterinlittleleague•
Educationinformation:
• ClassesareheldTuesday–Thursday;butwillreschedulebasedonclinic• Machinerotationsaredividedequally
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• Studentsreceivecopiesofallmymaterial.Thecontentisdiscussedandappliedclinically.Ihavea“laidback”teachingstyle.
• Thereareconferenceroomsavailabletostudentsaswellasmultipleworkstations.
GundersenHealthSystem-LaCrosse,WI
AbouttheFacility:
• ThreeVarianLinearAccelerators (6Mv-18Mv)withmulti-leafcollimation,portal imaging, roboticcouchandARIArecordandverifysystems
• 2100EX,2TrueBeamV.2.7• VarianTruBeamwithAdvancedImagingandFFF(flatteningfilterfree)features• ImageguidedradiationtherapyusingBrainLab'sExactracimagingsystem• ImageguidedradiationtherapyusingVarian’sConeBeamCTandkVimaging• Varian’sRapidArcTechnology• Linac-basedstereotacticradiosurgeryandradiotherapy• Respiratorygating• GELightspeedRT16SliceScannerandGEPET/CTscanner• ThreedimensionaltreatmentplanningwithEclipseplanningsystems• Intensitymodulatedradiationtherapy• Highdoseratebrachytherapy• Pediatricandadultpopulations• 11RadiationTherapists,3RadiationOncologists,3MedicalPhysicists,2MedicalDosimetrists• Treatabout65patientsperday• NojobavailableforstudentsatGundersenforinternship.• Typeoflearningenvironment:Fastpacedenvironmentontreatmentmachines,therapistsexpectalotout
ofstudentsandpushthemhardattimes.Greatteamtoworkwithandgotoforanyquestions.Otherhealthprofessionalsinthedepartmentverywillingtoteachaswell.
ClinicalSupervisor,DainaDrathBS,RT(T):• Education:BSfromUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosse(2012Grad)• ContactInformation:
o Email:[email protected] Phone:608-775-2158
Educationinformation:
• Inthefallandspringsemesters,themajorityofthecourseworkwillbetaughtonlineandthestudentswillbegivenapproximately8hoursperweektocomplete.Onecoursewillbetaughtatthehospitalbythephysicsanddosimetrystaffeachsemesteraswell.Inthesummersessions,3-4hourswillbegrantedascourseworktime.
• Typicalrotationontreatmentmachines:5weeksateacharea,4differentareas• CanstudyatGHSlibrary,inRad/Oncconferenceroom,eachstudenthasowncubical,andhavecomputer
accessatcubicleandRTTroom
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MarshfieldClinicHealthSystem
Marshfield,WI
AbouttheFacility- MarshfieldClinicHealthSystemisaruralacademicandresearchhealthsystemwithover80medical
specialties.Thereareapproximately800physiciansthatprovidecareover50locationsthroughoutWisconsin.MarshfieldClinicisthelargestprivategroupmedicalpracticeinWisconsin.
- AttheMarshfieldCenter:- 2RadOncdepartmentsattheMarshfieldCenter(onehospitalbasedandoneclinicbased)
o PediatricandAdultpopulations- VarianTrueBeamwithAdvancedImagingandFFFFeatures,RapidArctechnology- VarianPerfectPitch6degreesoffreedomcouch- VisionRT
o DeepInspirationBreathHoldo RespiratoryGating
- StereotacticBodyRadiotherapy- EyeplaqueBrachytherapy- AriaRecordandVerify- Pinnacleplanningsystem- 2PhilipsBigboreCTs- VarianSilhouette(onlyforinpatientsandoncalltreatments)- Tomotherapy(notinclinicaluse)- HighDoseRatebrachytherapy,Savii- PerfexionGammaKnife- 5RadiationTherapists,2RadiationOncologist,2MedicalPhysicists,1Dosimetrist,2nurses,1MA- Treatabout25-30patientsaday- Therapiststakecall
Educationinformation- EducationaldepartmentlocatedwithintheClinic
o Libraryandstudyspotsopentostudents,badgeaccessto24/7o Desktopcomputersandcopier/printerforstudentuseo Laptoprental
- Classtimeswillbesomewhatflexibledependingonstaffingandtreatmentschedules.- Somecourseworkwillbetaughtonline- PossibilityofrotatingtoStevensPointCampus- Studentswillneedtobeflexibleandtakeanactiveroleintheirclinicaleducation.
EducationalDirector:MindyKrenBS,RT(T)- Education:BSfromUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosse(2011Grad)- Contactinfo
o Email:[email protected] Phone:Rad.OncFrontdesk(715)389-3339
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AscensionColumbiaSt.Mary’sHospital,Milwaukee,Wisconsin
ColumbiaSt.Mary’shospitalispartofAscensionHealthwhichisthelargestnon-profithealthsystemintheUnitedStatesandtheworld'slargestCatholichealthsystem.Ourmissionistocommitourselvestoservingallpersonswithspecialattentiontothosewhoarepoorandvulnerable.OurCatholichealthministryisdedicatedtospiritually-centered,holisticcarewhichsustainsandimprovesthehealthofindividualsandcommunities.AscensionColumbiaSt.Mary’s–MilwaukeeisidentifiedasatertiarycenterofexcellencefortheSouthRegionofAscensionWisconsin.InMarch2017,AscensionCSM–Milwaukeebeganthetransitiontocreatethemosteffectiveandefficientsystemofcare.Asatertiarycarecenter,AscensionCSM–Milwaukeewilltreatagreaternumberofacutecasesandfocusonhigherlevelsofcare.AscensionCSM–Milwaukeewillbecometheregionalreferralcenter,receivingpatientsfromotherAscensionWisconsinhospitalsbecauseofourexpertiseandthelevelofcareweoffer.OurCancerCenteroverlooksLakeMichiganandislocatedonMilwaukee’seastside.InadditiontoourMilwaukeecampus,thereisaCancerCenteratourOzaukeeCampus.TheRadiationOncologyDepartmenttakesprideinitscuttingedgetechnologycombinedwithahighlyintegratedsupportcomponentforpatients.Majorequipmentandtreatmentprogramsinclude:MilwaukeeCampus:
• VarianTruebeamLinearAcceleratorwithRapidArcandAlignRTOpticalSurfaceMonitoringSystem• VarianTrilogyLinearAcceleratorwithportalimagingandAlignRTOpticalSurfaceMonitoringSystem• KVimagingandConeBeamCT• GECTScannerandGEAdvantageSimulatorwithRespiratoryGated4DCT• AriaRecord&VerifySystem• CT/PETScanner• Elekta/NucletronMicroSelectronv3HighDoseRateAfterloader:BrachytherapyforGYNandBreast• VarianEclipse3-DTreatmentPlanningSystem• StereotacticRadiosurgery,HeadandBody• Brachymesh• StrongParticipationinResearchStudies
OzaukeeCampus:
• VarianTruebeamLinearAcceleratorwithRapidArcandAlignRTOpticalSurfaceMonitoringSystem• KVImagingandConeBeamCT• GECTScannerandGEAdvantageSimulatorwithRespiratoryGated4DCT• AriaRecord&VerifySystem• VarianEclipse3-DTreatmentPlanningSystem• StereotacticBodyRadiationTherapy• ParticipationinResearchStudies
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Overall:
• Diverse,fast-pacedenvironment• 9RadiationTherapists,2RadiationOncologists,2PhysiciansAssistants,2MedicalPhysicists,2Medical
Dosimetrists• Treatbetween30-50patientsaday• NojobavailableforstudentsatCSMforinternship.• Typeoflearningenvironment:Mediumsizedclinicwithafastpacedenvironmentonthetreatment
machines.OurRTT’shavehighexpectationsandareveryvestedintheeducationofourinterns.RTT’stakeextratimewithinternstoreviewclinicalconceptsasneeded.Theinternsareexpectedtobeindependentandbeanactiveparticipantintheirowneducation.
ClinicalSupervisor:TracyKatzerBS,RT(T)
• Education:BSUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosse(2008Grad)• ContactInformation:
o Email:[email protected] Phone:414-585-1595
Educationinformation
• AllcourseworkwillbetaughtatFroedtertHospitalwhichisapproximately20minutesaway.• Classesare/orusuallyMondays,Tuesday,orFriday(dependsonsemester)• TheinternswillgotoBreastCancerConferenceeveryWednesdaymorning.• Typicalrotationontreatmentmachines:3-4weeksateacharea,2differentareas.Thisallowsforour
internstogetagreatdealofexperienceintheCTsim.• Clinichoursforstudentsare8-4:30pm.• Studyareaswillbeprovided.
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FroedtertHospital,Milwaukee,Wisconsin
Froedtert&theMedicalCollegeofWisconsinClinicalCancerCenterisoneofthemostinnovativecancertreatmentfacilitiesintheregionandhasbeenlongregardedasatopqualityradiationtherapyprovider.Itisfastgainingnationalattentionfortheworkitsphysicianscontinuetoperformeachyearinsignificantcancerresearchandotheradvancements.TheDepartmentofRadiationOncologyisaLevel1RegionalRadiationTherapyCenterinaCategory1CancerProgramasdesignatedbytheAmericanCollegeofSurgeons.Thismeansthatthedepartmenthasthestaff,expertiseandequipmenttotreateverytypeofcancerwithinourfacility.ThecoremissionoftheDepartmentofRadiationOncologyisitsdeepcommitmenttotheeducationoffuturegenerationsofallradiationoncologyprofessionals;whilefocusingonpatientcare.Additionally,thecancercenterisaccreditedbytheAmericanCollegeofRadiology(ACR).AbouttheFacility:WeareanAcademicCancerCenter 730–1600,withrotatingcall,variedstarttimes,8-hourshifts 20+Therapists 20RadiationOncologists 14Physicistsplus,4physicsresidentsplus7physicspostdocs 4Nurses,1PA,3NP’salongwithSupportiveStaffEquipment&Procedures:
• 2DualEnergySiemens,2ElektaInfinityLinearAccelerators;allwith3Dimaging,conebeam,CTonrails,IMRT,IGRT,Gatingtechniquesand/orportalimaging
• AccurayRadixact(Tomotherapy)• ElektaVersaHD(MRI/Linac)• HDRbrachytherapy,Eyeplaquebrachytherapy&Prostateseedimplants• StereotacticRadiation,Ra223andSamariumtreatments• GECTSimulatorandMRISimulator• SensusSupervoltagex-rayunit• TotalBodyIrradiation.TotalSkin,HeterotopicBone,ProneBreast• ElektaPerfexionGammaKnife/IconStereotacticRadiosurgeryunit• Adult/PediatricRadiation• TotalBodyIrradiation,Totalskin,Heterotopicbone,Pronebrest• BrachytherapyProgram• Protocols
*TreatmentAverage:25-30/day/machineEducationinformation:
• Classesare/orusuallyMondaysandTuesday(dependsonsemester)• ClinicalrotationsareatFroedtert,CommunityMemorialHospital&theVAHospital• StudyareasaretheRadiationOncologyconferenceroom(whenavailable),severalsmallconferencerooms
withintheClinicalCancerCenterandtheJetsonchairs.
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*WillbehiredonasanFMLHemployeeasaRadiationTherapyAssistant.Workwillbebeforeyourclinicalhours.Hoursvary~3-10hoursperpayperiod.EducationDirector:KarenJMannistoBS,RT(R)(T)
• Education:CertificationinRadiologyandRadiationTherapy• ReceivedbyBSinAlliedHealthfromtheCollegeofSt.Francis• TeachingPhilosophy:Intheclassroom,powerpointsareusedformostclasses.Idotrytogetoutside
speakers,dependingonthetopic.Itisexpectedthatyoucometoclasspreparedasmostclasseshavesuggestedreadingsorassignmentspriortoattendingclass.
• PersonalFact:IloveCavalierKingCharlesSpaniels,ChristianRock/Popmusic,andSushi!☺• ContactInformation:
o Email:[email protected] Phone:414-805-4495
UniversityofWisconsinHospitalsandClinics,Madison,WI
AbouttheFacility:
• #ofanddescriptionoftreatmentmachineso Atthemaincampus,wehave2LinearAccelerators(VarianTrueBeammachines),2Tomotherapy
machinesandaViewRaytreatmentmachine.OurEastClinicdepartmenthasonelinearaccelerator(VarianTrueBeam),whichisidenticaltothoseatthemaincampus.AllofourlinearacceleratorshavecomprehensiveIGRTcapabilities,respiratorygating,andsurfacetracking.Weofferseveralspecialprocedures,includingStereotacticRadiosurgery,StereotacticBodyRadiosurgery,FractionatedStereotacticRadiationTherapy,Pulsed-ReducedDoseRateRadiationTherapy,IMRT,IGRT(ontomotherapyandusingcone-beamCT),TBIandmanydifferenttypesofbrachytherapyprocedures.
o WehaveaSiemenswide-boreCTscannerforsimulation.ThereisaportableCTscannerinthebrachytherapysuiteforthoseprocedures.
o Weuseelectronicchartingforallaspectsofclinicandtreatment.• #ofphysicians,therapists,average#ofpatientstreatedperday
o Wehave11physiciansand8residents.Eachofourphysicianshavetheirownspecialtiesandmanyareconsideredexpertsintheirfields.Alotofourpatientsareonclinicaltrialsbecauseofthis.Ourresidentsteachallofourcancerlecturesandalsohelpteachthestudentswhiletheyareintheirdosimetryrotation.Everythingwedohasateachingcomponenttoit.
o Wehave24therapists.Thetherapistsrotateeverysixmonths-year,sothereisconsistencyamongstthestaffmembersonthetreatmentmachinesfromdaytoday.
o Wetreataround100patientseachdayonthefivemachines.Wetreatpatientsfrom7:30–6eachday,sowehaveanearlyandlateshiftoftherapists.
• Jobforstudents’availabilityo Wecurrentlyofferverylimitedhoursforworkinourdepartment.Wewillputyouinthesystem
soityoucanreceiveemployeeperks(buspasses,libraryuse,etc),butdonotoffersteadyhours.o AsaUWSystemstudent,youareeligibleformanystudentpositionswithinUWMadisonand
elsewhereinthehospital.Thereisawebsiteforthesejobs,aswellasothersoutsidethesystemthatstudentshaveusedtofindjobsinthepast.It’sagreatservicebecausemostofthepositionsareflexiblesincetheyarelookingforstudenthelp.
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• Typeoflearningenvironmento Thisisalarge,teachinghospital.Inadditiontoresidentsandradiationtherapystudents,wealso
havemedicalstudents,physicsstudentsandresidents,andmanymanymore.Ourphilosophyistojumprightinandgo!Weleteveryonegoattheirownpace,butencouragestudentstodothingsastheyarecomfortable.Butdon’tworry-thetherapistsarealwaysrightatyoursideandwon’tletyoudoanythingwrong.Inthebeginning,wetrytohavelabsonthemachines.Onceyouareintheswingofthings,weleaveituptoyoubutencourageyoutotakeanactiveroleintheclinicalprocess.
EducationDirector:AmyHeathMS,RT(T)
• Educationo MSinClinicalLeadershipfromGeorgeWashingtonUniversityo BSinRadiationTherapyfromUWL.
• ContactInformationo Email:[email protected] Phone:608-263-8517
• TeachingPhilosophy(Style)o IworkMonday–Thursdayandtrytokeeporganized,butamflexible.Iamalwayswillingtotry
newthings.IliketotakeadvantageofworkinginateachinghospitalandtrytogetasmanyoutsidelecturersandtoursasIcan.Iliketolinkwhatwearedoinginclasstothepatientswearetreatinginclinic.
• PersonalFacto Ilovetogardenandspendtimeoutside.
Educationinformation:
• Daysandtimesofclasso Wetypicallyhaveonefulldayofclassandonehalfdayofclassmidweek.Wealsogotochart
roundseveryThursdayandCancerGrandRoundsasapplicable.ThiscutsdownonthedrivingbackandforthfromthehospitaltoEastClinicifyouareonthatrotation.Studentsoftenridethebustoandfromthehospital,butdrivetoEastClinic.Havingclassscheduledlikethisreallycutsdownontransportationheadaches.
• Typicalrotationsandlengthofrotationso Ourrotationsare3-4weeksinlength.Inthefallsemester,yourotateoneachLinac(2hereand1
atEastClinic)andoneTomotherapy,andCT.TheCTandSimulationrotationaretogether.Inthespring,yourotateoneachLinac,tomotherapy,CTanddosimetry.Duringthefinalsummer,yourrotationsareshorterandyoualsogotootherhospitalsforexternships.
o It’sgreatthatwehaveaclinicforstudentstorotateto.Thepaceismuchdifferentthanthehospital.Studentsgetgreatone-on-oneattention,gettocommunicatewithallmembersofthetreatmentteammore,havemorecontactwithpatientsandgetanideaofwhatitisliketoworkinasmallercenter.
o Clinicalhoursare8–4:30,butwemoveasclinicvolumedictates.• Studyareas,library,etc.
o Thestudentshaveacomputerinthedepartmentthattheycanuseatbreaksandlunches,aswellasaprintertouseforcoursematerials.Inaddition,oneoftheadjoiningbuildingstothehospitalhasaverylargemedicallibrary.Weusetheircomputersforexams,andalsotheirjournalsandbooksforclassassignments.Thelibraryisopenuntil11pmmostnights,sostudentsfinditusefultousethisareawhentheyareworkingonprojectsorstudyingforexams.
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D-2InternshipSitePlacement
InternshipSiteInterviewsInorderthemeetthebestinterestofthestudentsandtheinternshipsites,thefollowingsystemisusedforinternshipsiteplacement:
• Byacceptingapositionintheprogram,thestudentagreestobeplacedatanyoneofthefiveinternshipsites.Eachstudentwillbeplacedaccordingtowhatwouldbebestforhisorherlearningstyle.
• StudentswillscheduleaninterviewateachsitewiththeEducationDirectorofthatsiteduringthetimeperiodofMay2-August31,withtheexceptionofJuly.Pleaseuseyourclassof2019sitetoclickondirectionsforschedulingyourvisitsthissummer.
• ThestudentcanschedulethevisitbychoosingadateateachsitewhichfitsyourscheduleusingthepollscreatedonDoodleandplacedonD2L,withtheexceptionofGundersen;thereareseparatedirectionsgivenonD2L.Aminimumoftwoweeks’noticeshouldbegivenforschedulingthevisit.
• Thestudentshouldplantobeattheclinicalsiteforatleasttwohours.Duringtheinterview,thestudentwillcompleteatourofthedepartment,spendtimeonthetreatmentmachineswithradiationtherapists,andmeetwiththeEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisor(s).
• Thisisyourchancetodetermineifthesitewillbeaplacethatfitsyourlearningneeds.TheEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisor(s)andradiationtherapistsatthesitewillalsobedeterminingifyouwillfitwellinthatenvironment.BesuretotakethefollowingtwoformswithyoutoeachinterviewfortheEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisor(s)andtherapisttoevaluateyoubyafterwards.Theseformscontainthecriteriabywhichyouwillbeevaluated.
• Studentsshouldwearbusinesscasualclothingandclosedtoedshoes,withhosiery.Nosandals,shorts,leggings,orCapripants.Ifnecessary,studentswillbegivenalabcoatwithanamebadgeattheinternshipsite.
• Studentsmayvisitthesitesingroupsoftwo.• Studentsareexpectedtoaskquestions,interactwithstaffandpatients,andshowenthusiasmandinterest
ateachsite.Additionally,studentsareencouragedtoparticipateandhelpinthetreatmentroomsanddisplayknowledgeofthefieldofradiationtherapy.
• Afterthestudentinterviewsateachsite,theEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisor(s)willcompletetheevaluationform,aswellastheradiationtherapistthatthestudentprimarilyworkedwith.Thescoresoftheseformswillbeusedintheplacementprocess
• Finally,afterthestudenthascompletedallsiteinterviews,eachstudentwillranktheinternshipsiteonascaleofonetoten,withtenindicatingveryhighinterestforthesite.Thestudentmaygiveonlyone“10”ratingtoasiteandone“1”ratingtoasite.Theothersitesshouldbeevaluatedwithdifferentnumbersbetween1and10toreflectdesiretobeplacedthere.FinalrankingsshouldbesubmittedtothedropboxbySeptember15th,2017.
• Wewillnottakeintoaccountpersonalreasonsforplacementandwereservetherighttoassigneachtostudenttoasitewherewethinkyouwilllearnbest.
• StudentswillbenotifiedontheirplacementpriortoSpringBreak,priortothebeginningoftheirinternshipyear.
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UW-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgram
StudentEvaluationofInternshipSiteEducationDirectorEvaluation
StudentName:ObservationSite:Date:Pleaseevaluatethestudent’sperformanceduringhis/herinternshipsiteinterviewinyourdepartment. Met NotMetStudentaskedquestionsofEducationDirector
Studentwaspreparedforandontimeforvisit.
Studentdemonstratedprofessionalism.
Studentwasenthusiasticduringvisit.
Demonstratesknowledgeofthefield.
Howwelldoyouthinkthisstudent’slearningexpectationsandneedswouldbemetatthisinternshipsite? 0 1 2 3 4 5 NotMet SomewhatMet MetExplainyourresponse.Doyoufeelthatthestudentdemonstratedaninterestinthisclinicalinternshipsite?OfficeUseOnly:AverageScore_______________Met=1pt.,NotMet=0pts
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UW-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgram
StudentEvaluationofInternshipSiteRadiationTherapistEvaluation
StudentName:ObservationSite:Date:Pleaseevaluatethestudent’sperformanceduringhis/herinternshipsiteinterviewinyourdepartment. Met NotMetStudentaskedquestionsofstaff.
Studentwasenthusiasticduringvisit.
Studentdemonstratedaninterestintreatmentprocedures.
Studentdemonstratedprofessionalism.
Demonstratesknowledgeofthefield.
Howwelldoyouthinkthisstudent’slearningexpectationsandneedswouldbemetatthisinternshipsite? 0 1 2 3 4 5 NotMet SomewhatMet MetExplainyourresponse.Doyoufeelthatthestudentdemonstratedaninterestinthisclinicalinternshipsite?Thankyouforyourhelp!Pleasesignyournameonthelinebelow: OfficeUseOnly:AverageScore_______________Met=1pt.,NotMet=0pts
UW-LaCrosseRadiationTherapyProgram
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D-3AffiliatedExternshipSites
Duringthefinalsummeroftheclinicalinternship,studentsareabletogainclinicalexperienceatasiteotherthantheirassignedhospital.Studentsmaychoosetospendtimeatanotherclinicalsiteoratoneoftheprogram’saffiliatedexternshipsitesaslistedbelow.
AffiliatedExternshipSites ClinicalSupervisor EmailAddress PhoneNumberAdvocateGoodShepherd-Barrington,IL
HollyKurpius [email protected] 847-842-0300
AgnesianCancerCenter-FondduLac,WI
HeatherBowen,ZackParker,studentliaison
[email protected] 920-926-5513
AspirusWausauHospital-Wausau,WI
RhondaNousen [email protected] 715-847-2866
AuroraKenosha-Kenosha,WI
NicoleOttaviani [email protected] 262-857-5701
ColumbiaSt.Mary’sHospitalOzaukee-Mequon,WI
TracyKatzer [email protected] 414-585-1595
CommunityMemorialHospital-MenomoneeFalls,WI
KarenFerkans-Rupert
262-257-5133
LeonardFergusonCancerCenter
BarbaraHorton [email protected] 815-599-7421
St.PaulCancerCenter-St.Paul,MN
KennethWalker [email protected] 651-251-5565
St.VincentHospital-GreenBay,WI
KathyAubry,ElizabethSimonar
[email protected]@hshs.org
920-433-0111(main)920-433-8184
TurvilleBayMRI&RadiationOncologyCenter-Madison,WI
KimBangert [email protected] 608-251-6868
UWHealth-EastClinic-Madison,WI
AmyHeath [email protected] 608-263-8517
Veteran’sAdministrationHospital-Milwaukee,WI
AmandaHalderson [email protected] 414-384-2000x46942
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D-4ClinicalInternshipAttendancePolicies
I.Generalinformation
• Theclinicalinternshipisscheduledforapproximately13monthsbeginninginearlyJuly,2019andendingthelastFridayinJuly,2020.
• BreaksduringtheinternshipwillbearrangedbetweentheClinicalsupervisorandthestudentsandmaynotcorrespondtotheUniversity’sacademiccalendar.Butstudentsateachsitewilltaketheirbreaksduringthesameperiods.
• Duringtheclinicalinternship,studentswillbepresentattheclinicalaffiliatefora40-hourweek.Whennotindidacticclasses,studentswillbeassignedtoclinicalrotations.Studentsarenotexpectedtobeinattendancemorethan40hoursinaweek’stime.
• Thepurposeoftimeuseregulationistomaximizetheclinicaleducationofstudents,ensurefairnessandequitybetweenstudents,andfostergoodworkhabitsforfuturejobsuccess.
II.DailyHours
• Studentswillbeexpectedtoreportforan8-hourdaywithbeginningandendingtimesdesignatedbytheClinicalSupervisor.VariationsofthesehoursmustbemadeinadvanceandapprovedbytheClinicalSupervisor.
• Studentsaretologtheirhoursonthedesignatedtimekeepingrecord,keptintheirclinicalrotationsitesandsigneddailybytheirclinicalinstructor.CardsaretobesubmittedtoandasspecifiedbytheClinicalSupervisor.
• One,fifteen-minutebreak,giveninthemorningandoneintheafternoonmaybetakenasapprovedbytheappropriateclinicalinstructor.
• Lunchbreakwillbe30-45minuteslongandisarrangedbetweentheclinicalinstructorandtheindividualstudent.
• Earlyorlatehours:Shouldapatienttreatmentsituationofparticularinterestarise,thatwouldnecessitateattendancebeyondnormalhours,oneormorestudentsmayvolunteertostaytoobserveandassist.
o Thestudent(s)mustsubmitdocumentationofthetimethattheyspentandthereason,signedbyatherapist,totheprogramdirector.
o Timespentover40hrs./weekinthismannerwillbecompensatedtothestudentwithequaltimeoffatatimearrangedbetweenthestudentandtheClinicalSupervisor.
o Studentswillnotbeallowedto“bank”excesscomptimebeyond8hours.• Breaksmaynotbeusedtomakeuptime.• Ifaclinicalinstructortellsastudentthatshe/hemayleaveearly,thestudentmayusetimeanddosoand
notethetimeonhis/herrecordoftimeusingpersonaltimetocompensate.III. PersonalDaysoff(SickLeave&Vacation)
A. Eachstudentwillbegranted10daysforpersonalusewhensickorforvacation.B. VacationorpersonaldaysaretobescheduledinadvanceandapprovedbytheEducationalDirectorof
theinternshipsite.C. Whenstudentsaresickandunabletocometoclassesand/orclinical,theyarerequiredtocalltheir
EducationalDirectororClinicalSupervisorortoleaveamessageatthefrontdeskbythestartoftheclassday.Sickdaysaretobeusedforillnessordoctor'sappointmentsandnotforotherpurposes.Studentsfoundinviolationwillbesubjecttodisciplinaryaction.
D. Astudentwhomissesthreeconsecutiveschooldaysbecauseofillnessmustbringadoctor'sclearanceuponreturningtoschool.
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IV. ScheduledBreaks
A. A“fallbreak”longweekendmaybescheduled.B. Studentsaregrantedasemesterbreakafterfallsemester,untiljustafterthenewyearof2019.Thisis
subjecttochangeatthediscretionofprogramofficials,butwillberoughlytwoweeks.C. ASpringBreakwillbescheduledasperUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseunlessthestudentsand
EducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorataninternshipagreetochangethebreaktoanotherweek.D. AbreakaroundthetimeofcommencementinMaywillbescheduled.
IV. Holidays. Holidaysobservedare:LaborDay,Thanksgiving(&Fridayfollowing),MartinLutherKingDay,MemorialDay
andtheFourthofJuly
V.Funeralattendance/Bereavementtime1. Studentsarealloweduptothreedaysoftimeuponthedeathofaclosefamilymemberforbereavementand
funeralattendance.2. Studentsmayhavetimetoattendthefuneralofafriendorothersignificantpersonuponthediscretionofthe
EducationalDirector/ClinicalSupervisor.3. ForanyuseoftimeforthispurposetheClinicalCoordinatoristobeconsulted.
VI. Incomplete(InsufficientTime)Ifastudentusesmoretimethanallowedforpersonalholiday,sickleave,etc.andbecomesdeficientinthestandardamountoftimerequiredbytheclinicalaffiliateforgraduation,thestudentwillberequiredtospendtheappropriateamountoftimetobemadeupinthedepartmentduringanormalworkdayunderthesupervisionofatherapist.Uponcompletionofthedeficienttimethestudentwillreceivehis/herdiplomaandwillbedeclaredagraduate.Studentsmayvoluntarily"makeup"timeusedinexcessforsickleaveorotherreasonsby:
1. Startingearlyorstayinglateintheclinic,involvedinvaluableclinicalexperiences;beyondtheeighthourdayoronweekends(supervisedbyastaffradiationtherapist).
2. Abovetimemustbenotedonthetimecardandinitialedbythesupervisingclinicalinstructor.3. ExcessiveabsenteeismmaybebroughtbytheEducationalDirector/ClinicalSupervisorofthestudent’s
internshipsitetotheStudentProgressCommitteewhichwillrecommendactiontobetaken.Actionscanincludeprobationanddismissalfromtheprogram.
VII.MandatoryAttendanceRequirements A.General
1. Allstudentsarerequiredtoattendclasses,unlessilloronapprovedleave.2. Classesarepre-scheduledbytheEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorandtheindividualinstructors.
TheinstructororEducationDirector/ClinicalSupervisorwillinformstudentsofclasseswhicharetobecancelledandwillreschedulethem.
3. Studentsabsentonthedayofanexamaretomakeuptheexamonthenextdayofattendance.(Anexceptionwouldbeastudentwhoalsomissed,byvacationorextendedillness,lecturematerialcoveredontheexam.Thatstudentwouldhaveanadditionaldaytoobtainnotescoveringthatmaterial.)Failuretotaketheexamasrequiredwillnecessitatealoweringoftheachievedgradebyonefullstep.
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B.Conferences1. AllstudentswillattendconferenceswithintheclinicalaffiliateasscheduledbytheClinicalSupervisor.2. Studentsareencouragedtojointhestateprofessionalsociety:RadiationTherapistsofWisconsin
(RTOW)andattendthefallandspringmeetings.3. StudentsarealsoencouragedandwillbeexcusedfromclinicalinternshiptoattendtheannualASRT
RadiationTherapyconferenceinthefall.Studentswillberesponsibleforallcostsassociatedwithattendingtheconference.
D-5InclementWeatherPolicyLivingandgoingtoschoolinWisconsinandIllinoiscansometimesbechallengingduetotheweather.Therearetimesthatattendancemaybeaffectedbysnow,iceorextremecold.Thepolicyregardingattendanceduringthosetimesisasfollows.1. IftheUniversityofWisconsin(LaCrosse,MadisonorMilwaukeeaspertinent)orNortheasternIllinoisUniversity
announcesbyradioandortelevisionthatitsclassesarecancelledforthedayduetotheweather:a. Classeswillalsobecancelledforourprogram.Itwillbeconsideredasnowdayandnotimewillbe
deducted.b. Shouldoneormorestudentsfeelthattheycansafelyattend,theymaydoso,spendthedayin
clinicalassignmentsandtheywillbegiven"comp"timeequivalenttothenumberofhoursspentinattendance.
2.Ondaysofinclementweather,inwhichtheUniversityremainsinsession:
a. Thestudent(s)mustmakeadecisionwhethertheyareabletosafelyattempttocometoschool,basedontheirbestjudgment.
b. Classeswillbeheldasscheduledasmuchaspossible.c. Studentswhoelectnottocomein,mustcallintocommunicatethatdecision.Theywillbeabletouse
vacationorpersonalholidaytimeandwillbeallowedtomakeupthetimeatalaterdate.
D-6ResponsibilitiesofStudentRadiationTherapistsThestudentradiationtherapistisamemberofanalliedhealthteamdedicatedtothediagnosisandtreatmentofdisease.Underthesupervisionofqualifiedradiationoncologists,registeredradiationtherapists,andotherrelatedprofessionalssuchasRN's,physicistsandradiobiologists,thestudentreceivesdidacticandclinicaleducationintheartandscienceofradiationtherapy.
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Students'ResponsibilitiesAre:1. Contributingtothedepartmentandhospitalinsuchawayastopromotethehighestqualitypatientcareby:
• Treatingallpatientswiththeutmostcareandrespect.• Protectingconfidentialinformationofanyandallpatients.• Beingsensitivetothespecialneedsandconcernsofpatientsandtheirfamilies.• Insuringthesafetyofpatient,staff,personnelandstudents.Carelessnesscannotandwillnotbetolerated.• Accuratelysettinguppatientsaccordingtothespecificationsandordersofthephysiciansandradiation
therapists.• Maintainingahighqualityofworkinbothclinicalanddidacticareas.
2. Obtainingproficiencyinallareasofdidacticandclinicaleducationby:
• Attendingallclassesandclinicalassignmentsasscheduled.• Completingdidacticandclinicalassignmentsontime.• Participatinginclinicalactivitiesunderthedirectionofclinicalinstructors.Studentsarenotallowedto
treatpatientsontheirown.Theymustbesupervisedbyaregisteredradiationtherapist.Studentscanbeassuredthattheywillnotbeusedinplaceofpaidtechnologicalstaff.Studentsmaywritedailytreatmentsinpatients'charts,butmustbedouble-checkedandco-initialedbyaregisteredradiationtherapist.
• Usingclinicaltimewiselyandpracticingskillswhenpatientsarenotscheduled.• Acceptinginstructionandcorrectioninaprofessionalandpositivemanner.• Utilizingallopportunitiestoimproveskillsandknowledgeinthefieldofradiationtherapy.
3. Demonstratingpersonalconductindicativeofamaturehealthcareprofessionalby:
• Beingpromptforclasses,conferencesandclinicalrotations.• Beingdependable,acceptingtasksandresponsibilitiesastheyaredelegated.• StudentsmaynotdrinkalcoholicbeveragesorusedrugsthataffectsensoryormotorskillsduringSchool
hours.NorwillstudentsbeallowedtoletsuchuseonpersonaltimeaffecttheirperformanceduringSchoolhours.
• Treatingtheequipmentwithrespect.Informingproperpersonnelofproblemsthatmayarisewithequipment.
• Reportinganyclinicalmistakestotheproperauthorities.• Maintaininghighethicalandmoralstandardsinclinicalanddidacticexperiences.• Followingpoliciesandproceduresoftheclinicalaffiliate.
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D-7ClinicalRotations
Studentswillrotatethroughthefollowingclinicalareastoreceivetrainingandexperience:a.CTSimulator:Patientsareinitiatedintothetreatmentprocessinthese areaswhereplanningofthebestapproachtotreatmentiscombinedwithdetermination ofpatientposition,definitionoftreatmentfields,designoftreatmentaccessoriesand devicesanddocumentationofthesame.b.TreatmentMachines:LinearAcceleratorsofvariousenergiesandwithseveral ancillarypiecesofequipmentsuchascomputerverificationsystemswillgivestudents theopportunitytolearnhowradiationtreatmentsareaccuratelyandprecisely deliveredonadailybasisforavarietyofpathologies.c.Dosimetry:Rotationswillgivestudentstraininginthemeasurement,calculationand optimizationofdosedeliveryfortreatments.Duringtheserotations,studentswillalso learntofabricateshieldingandbeammodificationdevices. d.RadiotherapyandOncologyClinics:Givestudentstheopportunitytoworkwithand observetheRadiationOncologistandOncologynurseinexamination,educationand follow-upofradiotherapypatients.Basicnursingskillsarepracticedandenhanced.e.Brachytherapy:involvesthedeliveryofahighdoseofradiationtoaverylocalarea, usingaradio-isotopeasasource.CertaintypesofGYN,prostate,lungandothercancers areparticularlywellsuitedtothistreatment.Studentswilllearntoassistandfilmfor verificationineitheralowdoserateorhighdoserateremotesystem.f.Stereotacticradiosurgery,GammaKnife,Cyberknife,MRILinacsand/orOrthovoltagetreatmentswill beintroducedasspecialtyareasandmaybescheduledasaone-timeexperience.g.Radiology:Studentswillhavetheopportunitytospendtimeobservinginaradiology department.Thiswillstrengthentheirunderstandingofthediagnosticproceduresutilized forcancerpatientsandallowthemtoapplywhattheyhavelearnedintheirimagingcourse.
StudentsAreResponsibleTo:1. EducationalDirector/ClinicalSupervisoroftheclinicalaffiliate.2. ClinicalCoordinator3. ProgramDirector4. TechnicalDirectoroftheclinicalaffiliate.5. ClinicalInstructors6. Didactic(Classroom)Instructors
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D-8TheClinicalEducationComponent
TheofficialsoftheUniversityofWisconsinLaCrosseRadiationTherapymajorsupportaphilosophythatastrongclinicalemphasisisessentialintrainingradiationtherapists.Theacademicordidacticareaisveryimportantbutunlesstheindividualtherapistcantakewhathe/shehaslearnedinclassandputittopracticeintheclinicalarenahe/shewillnotbeabletofunctionadequatelyinthefield.Trainedandregisteredradiationtherapistsconstantlysupervisestudentsintheirclinicalrotations.Theynotonlyprovidethestudentwithinformationontechniquesandprocedures,butalsowithbackgroundmaterialandrationaleforwhatisdone.Staffandresidentradiationoncologistsaswellasnursingstaffandphysicistsareavailableforfurtherexplanationsandassistance.
Theplanforclinicaleducationincludesthefollowingpoints:
1. Allactivitiesaredesignedtobeeducational.2. Studentswillalwaysbesupervisedbyqualifiedpersonnel.(Radiationtherapists,nurses,
physicians,medicaldosimetrists,medicalphysicists,orradiographersasappropriate.)3. Studentswillrotatethroughallclinicalareasatleasttwiceduringtheinternship.4. Studentswillcompletea“safetychecklist"duringthefirstrotationsthroughthe
treatmentunitsandsimulator.5. Clinicalassignmentswillbegiventocheckcognitivelearninginregardtotheclinical
objectives.6. Studentswilldemonstratepsychomotorlearningbycompetencytestingonsetupslistedinsyllabiforthe
clinicalpracticumcourses.a. Ifastudentfailsinanattempttodocumentcompetency,thesetupmustberepeated.Failed
competenciesmustbeturnedin,andmaybecountedagainstthestudent’sgrade.b. Thestudentisobservedduringthecompetencytestingbyaclinicalinstructorwho
completesthecompetencyform.c. Thisinstructorwillgivestudentsampletimetocompletethesetupandmayhelpin
liftingorthreepointingasdirectedbythestudent.d. He/shewillgivethestudentanopportunitytoself-correctanyerrorsinsetupbutwillnotallowthe
patienttobetreatedincorrectly.Alimitednumberofcompetenciesmaybeobtainedwiththeuseofaphantomorpatientmodel,ratherthanarealpatient.
e. Thelistofrequiredclinicalcompetenciesfollowsinthishandbook,aspertheARRTexamhandbook.
7. ClinicalAffectiveEvaluationforms,addressingaffectivelearningobjectives,willbefilledoutbytworadiationtherapists(wheneverpossible)whohaveworkedcloselywiththestudentduringtheirrotation.
8. TheclinicalinstructorortheClinicalSupervisorwillreviewtheevaluationswiththestudentwithintwoweeksoftheendofeachrotation,wheneverpossible.
9. Objectivesforeachclinicalpracticumcourse,competencytestingforms,evaluation forms,clinicalassignmentsandexamswillbegiventhestudentatthebeginningofthe term.
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D-9ChecklistofRquiredClinicalCompetencies
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D-10DressandAppearanceStandardsforRadiationTherapyStudentsDuringClinicalInternshipDressandappearancestandardsdependuponpoliciesattheclinicalinternshipsitesandwillbesharedwithstudentsduringOrientation(RT401).Examplesofdresscodesareincludedbelowtogivestudentsguidanceinpreparingfortheinternship.Ourclothingcommunicatestofellowstaffandpatientswhoweareinpartandconnotesprofessionalismoritslack.Thisshouldbeconsideredinselectionofapparelforschool.SCRUBS:Areusuallyacceptableandwouldconsistofthefollowing:• Typesofscrubsandcolorsdifferbetweenclinicalsites.Yourclinicalsupervisorwilleducateyouonappropriate
scrubclothingforyourassignedclinicalinternshipsite.LABCOATS:• Labcoatsaretobewornatalltimeswhenauniformisnotworn.• Labcoatsaretobeneatandclean,whiteincolor,andwithoutholes.
STREETCLOTHING• Clothingwornbeneathalabcoatshouldbeneatandclean.Clothingusuallyassociatedwithleisureactivitiesis
notappropriate.(Nobluejeans,shorts,leggings,capris,yogapants,collarlessTshirtsorshirtswithwriting,haltersorsweatpantsmaybeworn.)
• Clothingthatrestrictsmovement,inhibitingabilitytodoclinicalduties,isrevealingorisoffensivetopatientsinanyotherwayisprohibited.
FOOTWEAR:• Shoes,anycolor,cleanandpolishedmaybeworn.Tennisorathleticshoesareacceptableiftheyarekeptclean
andingoodcondition.• Sandalsmaynotbewornforsafetyreasons.• Hosieryisrequiredatalltimes.GROOMING:
Becausetheconditionandtreatmentofourpatientsmakethemsensitivetoodorsinmanycases,goodgroomingisessential.Useofaneffectivedeodorantwhichdoesn'thaveastrongaromaofitsownisrequired.Perfumesandaftershavesmustalsobeselectedwithcareasthesetoomaybedifficultforourpatientstotolerate.Hair,beardsandmustachesmustbeneatlygroomedandclean.Bodypiercing,otherthanearsmaynotbeallowed,dependingonthesite.
IDENTIFICATION:Nametagswillbewornregardlessoftypeofuniformworn.Astudentwhodoesnotcomplywiththesestandardsmaybesenthometochange.Duringtheabsencehe/shewillhavetousepersonaltime.Iffurtherincidentsoccur,additionaldisciplinaryactionwilltakeplace.
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D-11RadiationProtectionPolicyandProceduresintheClinicalInternship
Patientsafety:1. Duringsimulationimages,theCTscanvolumepertainstotheareaofinterestandaccordingtosimulationorders,
andexposurefactorsutilizedmustproducetheminimumamountofpatientexposureneededtoobtaindiagnosticimages.
2. Calculationsdonebystudentsinthedosimetryrotationmustbedouble-checkedbythedosimetrists.3. Studentsrotatingonthetreatmentunitsandsimulatoraretobesupervisedatalltimesbystaffradiation
therapiststoassurethatpropertreatmentsaregiven.4. Anyerrorsinset-uporchartingmustbereportedtothetherapistonthetreatmentunit,dosimetry,andthe
radiationoncologistinchargeofthatparticularpatient'scare.5. Duringtreatmentsthepatientsmustbemonitoredatalltimesviatheclosedcircuittelevisionmonitors.StudentRadiationSafety:1. Studentswhoarenewtoclinicalinternshipmustreceiveorientationtoradiationsafetypracticesand
requirementsbytheRadiationSafetyOfficer.2. Aradiationmonitoringbadgemustbewornbythestudentatalltimeswhileinthedepartment.3. Whenrotatingthroughbrachytherapy,ifthestudentisloadingorunloadingsources,aringbadgemustalsobe
worn.4. Studentsandtherapistsworkinginthesimulatorandtreatmentunitsmustneverbeintheroomduring
exposuresortreatments.5. Thestudentsuponbeginningeachclinicalrotationmustbemadeawareofemergency"off"locationsandother
safetyfactors.6. Shouldthetreatmentmachinesmalfunctionorthebeamturnonwhileastudentortherapistisintherooman
emergency"off"mustbeactivatedimmediately.7. Studentsworkinginbrachytherapymustrememberandputtousetechniquesoftime,distanceandshielding.8. Thestudentmustbeawareoftheproceduretofollowshouldthelinearacceleratororsimulatorfailtoturnoff
thebeam.9. Radiationexposurelevelswillbemonitoredbythedosimetryandphysicsdepartments.RadiationMonitoring&ExcessiveDoses:1. RadiationDosimeterreportsarereviewedbytheRadiationSafetyOfficerattheclinicalinternshipsites.The
reportsarepostedintheclinicalinternshipsitewithpersonalidentityinformationprotected.2. Monthly/quarterlyradiationexposuresforstudentsmustnotexceed50mRemtooccupationallyexposed
personsasestablishedbythestateandfederalagenciesforradiologichealth.3. Ifabnormal(high)readingsarepresent(125-250mrem),theradiationsafetyofficer,clinical
supervisor/educationdirectorandprogramofficialswillinvestigatethecause.Thismayincludeinterviewswithstudents,clinicalinstructorsandotherrelevantindividuals.Theobjectiveofthisinvestigationwillbetolearnwhythestudentreceivedtheexcessivedoseandtodeterminewhattypeofcorrectiveactionmaybeneeded.
4. Areportoftheinformationobtainedandsubsequentcorrectiveactionwillbeprovidedtothestudent.Thisactionwillbeenforcedandtheresultsoftheinvestigationandcorrectiveactionwillbeplacedinthestudent’sfileandprogramfilesforfuturereference.
5. TheRadiationSafetyOfficerandProgramOfficialswillcounselthestudenttoincludetheriskfromradiationexposure,thereasonfortheexposure(ifpossibletodetermine),andchangesinworkhabits,procedures,andequipmentasappropriate.Thestudentwillbemonitoredcloselytoensuretheyarefollowingthecorrectiveactionplan.
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D-12MRISafetyPolicy
InMRI,themagneticfieldisalwayson.StudentsworkingwithorobservinginanMRIareawillcomplywitheachsite’spoliciesandproceduresregardingmetallicobjectsbeingintroducedintotheMRIscanningarea.CarryingferromagneticarticlesorintroducingthemtotheMRIscanningareaisstrictlyprohibited.Theseobjectscanbecomeprojectileswithinthescanningroomcausingseriousinjuryordeathand/orequipmentfailure.Thiswouldincludebutnotbelimitedto:oxygentanks,wheelchairs,carts,monitors,IVpoles,laundryhampers,tools,furniture,personalferromagneticitems(eg.Cellphones,iPods,underwirebras).Studentswillbescreenedaccordingtopatientscreeningprotocolsattherespectivehospital,toassureMRIcompatibility.Studentsshouldnotifytheclinicalsupervisorimmediatelyiftheirsafetystatusshouldchangeafterscreeningduetoasurgicalimplant,personalinjuryorothereventduringthecourseoftheirtimeintheprogram.
D-13PolicyRegardingEmploymentofStudentsinRadiationTherapy1. Studentsmaybeemployedinaclinicalradiationoncologyfacilityoutsideeducationalhours
providedtheworkdoesnotinterferewiththeeducationalprogram.2. Thestudentshouldnotbeinvolvedinunsupervisedtreatmentofpatients.3. Theworkmustbenon-compulsory,paidandsubjecttoemployeeregulations.4. Thestudentemployedduringtrainingisnotcoveredduringhoursworkedinthatemployment
forliabilitybytheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseortheclinicalaffiliatehospital.
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SectionE-InformationaboutAssessmentandEvaluation
EvaluationandAssessmentPlan
1. Studentswillevaluatedidacticcoursesandinstructorsattheendofthecourseandinstructorsmayaskforanevaluationinthemiddleofthecourseaswell.TheevaluationswillbepreparedbyprogramassistantsoftheHealthProfessionsDepartmentandsenttotheinstructorsofthecoursesattheinternshipsites,aswellason-campusinstructors.TheywillbeadministeredattheinternshipsitesbyelectronicsurveymethodsandtheresultswillbesenttotheHealthProfessionsDepartment.TheresultswillbetabulatedandgiventotheClinicalCoordinator,whowillsharetheevaluationswiththeInstructor.
2. Studentswillevaluateclinicalinstructorsattheendofeachclinicalrotation.TheClinicalSupervisor/EducationDirectoroftheinternshipsitewillsharetheevaluationswiththeclinicalinstructors.
3. Studentevaluationsmaybedoneanonymously.
4. Evaluationsaretobeturnedaspernumberoneabove,withtheexceptionoftheclinicalinstructorevaluationswhichareturnedintotheClinicalSupervisor,whowillinturnsharethemwiththeClinicalInstructorsandprovideasummarytotheClinicalCoordinatorandProgramDirectorasrequested.
5. Anevaluationformwillbesenttograduatesandtheiremployerssixmonthsfollowinggraduationviaemailorsocialmedia.Asurveywillbesenttoeachgraduateandanadditionalsurveywillbesenttobefilledoutbytheemployer,ChiefRadiationTherapistorRadiationOncologist,attheformerstudent'srequest.
6. Studentsarestronglyurgedtoparticipateinevaluationexercisestoassisttheprogram
officialsinoutcomeassessmentandimprovementoftheprogram.
7. OutcomeAssessmentwillbeconductedonacontinuousbasis.TheProgramOfficialswillgatherinformationanddoinitialanalysis.TheinformationwillbesharedwiththeRadiationTherapyAdvisoryCommittee.
8. Outcomemeasuresthatdonotmeetbenchmarkswillsignalaneedforrevisionwhichwill
beaddressedbytheProgramOfficialsandAdvisoryCommittee.
9. TheUniversityofWisconsin-LaCrosseseeksaccreditationfromtheJointReviewCommitteeonEducationinRadiologicTechnology.EvaluationfromtheaccreditingbodywillbereviewedbytheAdvisoryCommitteeandProgramOfficialsanddiscussionanddecisionsbasedonfindingsmaybringaboutchangeintheprogram.
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SectionF:Appendices
November 1975Revision 1.U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGULATORY GUIDEOFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
REGULATORY GUIDE 8.13
INSTRUCTION CONCERNING PRENATAL RADIATION EXPOSURE
A. INTRODUCTION
Section 19.12 of 10 CFR Part 19 states that allindividuals working in or frequenting any portion of a
.restricted area must be instructed in the health protec-tion problems associated with exposure to radioactivematerials or radiation. This guide describes the instruc-tion that should be provided concerning biological risksto embryos or fetuses resulting from prenatal exposure.*
B. DISCUSSION
Since the Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau waspublished in 1906** it has been known that thesensitivity of cells to radiation damage is related to theirreproductive activity and inversely related to theirdegree of differentiation. It follows that children couldbe expected to be more radiosensitive than adults,fetuses more radiosensitive than children, and embryoseven more radiosensitive.
This principle has long been a factor in thedevelopment of radiation exposure standards. Section20.104 of 10 CFR Part 20 places different limits onminors than on adult workers. Specifically, it limitsanyone under the age of 18 to exposures not exceeding10% of the limits for adult workers. However, §20.104does not relate to embryos or fetuses.
A special situation arises when an occupationallyexposed woman is pregnant. Exposure of the abdomenof such a worker to penetrating radiation from eitherexternal or internal sources would also involve exposureof the embryo or fetus. Because a number of studieshave indicated that the embryo or fetus is more sensitive
*This revision of the guide includes minor changes of a
clarifying nature incorporated as a result of public comments.No substantive changes have been made.
**Comptes Rendus des Seances de 1'Academie des Sciences, Vol.143, pp. 983-985, 1906.
than an adult, particularly during the first three monthsafter conception, when a woman may not be aware thatshe is pregnant, the National Council on RadiationProtection and Measurements (NCRP) recommended inits Report No. 39 that special precautions be taken tolimit exposure when an occupationally exposed womancould be pregnant.
C. REGULATORY POSITIONInstruction to workers performed under § 19.12
should be given prior to assignment to work in arestricted area. In providing instruction about healthprotection problems associated with radiation exposure,female workers and those who may supervise or workwith them should be given specific instruction aboutprenatal exposure risks to the developing embryo andfetus.
The instruction should ensure that the employeesunderstand:
1. That the NCRP has recommended that, duringthe entire gestation period, the maximum permissibledose equivalent to the fetus from occupational exposureof the expectant mother should not exceed 0.5 rem and
2. The reasons for this recommendation.
The instruction should include the informationprovided in the Appendix to this guide. It should bepresented to the employee, her supervisors, and herco-workers both orally and in written form. Eachindividual should be given an opportunity to askquestions, and each individual should be asked toacknowledge in writing that the instruction has beenreceived.
D. IMPLEMENTATION
The purpose of this section is to provide informa-tion to licensees regarding the use of this guide.
USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES Comments should be sent to the Secretary of the Commission. U.S. NuclearRegulatory Commission. Washington. D.C. 20555, Attention: Docketing and
Regulatory Guides are issued to describe arid make available to the public Service Section.methods acceptable to the NRC staff of implementing specific parts of the
Commission s regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in evalu The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions
ating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to appli.
cants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations, and compliance 1. Power Reactors 6. Productswith them is not required Methods and solutions different from those set out in 2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportationthe guides will be acceptable if tney provide a basis for the findings requisite to 3 Fuels and Materials Facilities 8 Occupational Healththe issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission 4. Environmental and Siting 9 Antitrust Review
Comments and suggestions tfr improvements in these guides are eciouraged 5. Materials and Plant Protection 10 Generala! al, trmes, and guides will be revised as appropriate, to accommodate cvmmeants and to reflect new information or experience This guide was revised as a Copies of published guides may be obtained by written request indicating theresult of substantive comments received from the public and additional staff divisions desired to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Washington. D C.
review. 20555. Attention: Director. Office of Standards Development
Except in those cases in which the licensee choosesto propose an alternative method for complying with theportion of the Commission's regulations previouslyspecified, the methods described herein should be usedimmediately to instruct female employees working in or
frequenting any portion of-a restricted area, and thosewho may supervise or work with such employees,concerning the health protection problems associatedwith prenatal radiation exposure.
8.13-22
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
APPENDIX TO REGULATORY GUIDE 8.13
POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS TO CHILDREN OF WOMENWHO ARE EXPOSED TO RADIATION DURING PREGNANCY
Some recent studies have shown that the risk ofleukemia and other cancers in children increases if themother is exposed to a significant amount of radiationduring pregnancy. According to a report by the NationalAcademy of Sciences, the incidence of leukemia amongchildren from birth to 10 years of age in the UnitedStates could rise from 3.7 cases in 10,000 children to 5.6cases in 10,000 children if the children were exposed to1 rem of radiation before birth (a "rem" is a measure ofradiation). The Academy has also estimated that anequal number of other types of cancers could resultfrom this level of radiation. Although other scientificstudies have shown a much smaller effect from radiation,the Nuclear Regulatory Commission wants women em-ployees of its licensees to be aware of any possible riskso that the women can take steps they think appropriateto protect their offspring.
As an employee of a Nuclear Regulatory Commis-sion licensee, you may be exposed to more radiationthan the general public. However, the Nuclear Regula-tory Commission has established a basic exposure limitfor all occupationally exposed adults of 1.25 rems percalendar quarter, or 5 reins per year. No clinical evidenceof harm would be expected in an adult working withinthese levels for a lifetime. Because the risks of undesir-able effects may be greater for young people, individualsunder 18 years of age are permitted to be exposed toonly 10 percent of the adult occupational limits. (Thislower limit is also applied to members of the generalpublic.)
The scientific organization called the NationalCouncil on Radiation Protection and Measurements hasrecommended that because unborn babies may be moresensitive to radiation than adults, their radiation dose asa result of occupational exposure of the mother shouldnot, exceed 0.5 rem. Other scientific groups, includingthe International Commission on Radiation Protection,have also stressed the need to keep radiation doses tounborn children as low as is reasonably achievable.
All Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensees arenow required* to inform all individuals who work in arestricted area of the health protection problems asso-ciated with radiation exposure. This instruction would inmany cases include information on the possible risks tounborn babies. The regulations also state** thatlicensees should keep radiation exposures as low as isreasonably achievable. According to the NationalCouncil on Radiation Protection and Measurements,vigorous efforts should be made to keep the radiationexposure of an embryo or fetus at the very lowestpracticable level during the entire period of pregnancy.
Thus it is the responsibility of your employer totake all practicable steps to reduce your radiationexposure. Then it is your responsibility to decidewhether the exposure you are receiving is sufficientlylow to protect your unborn child. The advice of youremployer's health physicist or radiation protectionofficer should be obtained to determine whether radia-tion levels in your working areas are high enough that ababy could receive 0.5 rem or more before birth. If so,the alternatives that you might want to consider are:
(a) If you are now pregnant or expect to be soon,you could decide not to accept or continue assignmentsin these areas.
(b) You could reduce your exposure, where possi-ble, by decreasing the amount of time you spend in theradiation area, increasing your distance from the radia-tion source, and using shielding.
(c) If you do become pregnant, you could ask youremployer to reassign you to areas involving less exposureto radiation. If this is not possible, you might consider
* By Title 10, Part 19 of the Code of Federal Reguilations.
**In Title 10, Part 20. .
8.13-3
Discussion of Radiationleaving your job. If you decide to take such steps, do sowithout delay. The unborn child is most sensitive toradiation during the first three months of your preg-nancy.
(d) You could delay having children until you areno longer working in an area where the radiation dose toyour unborn baby could exceed 0.5 rem.
You may also, of course, choose to:
(e) Continue working in the higher radiation areas,but with full awareness that you are doing so at somesmall increased risk for your unborn child.
The following facts should be noted to help you make adecision:
1. The first three months of pregnancy are themost important, so you should make your decisionquickly.
2. In most cases of occupational exposure, theactual dose received by the unborn baby is less than thedose received by the mother because some of the dose isabsorbed by the mother's body.
3. At the present occupational exposure limit, theactual risk to the unborn baby is small, but expertsdisagree on the exact amount of risk.
4. There is no need to be concerned about sterilityor loss of your ability to bear children. The radiationdose required to produce such effects is more than 100times larger than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission'sdose limits for adults.
5. Even if you work in an area where you receiveonly 0.5 rem per three-month period, in nine monthsyou could receive 1.5 reins, and the unborn.baby couldreceive more than 0.5 rem, the full-term limit suggestedby the NCRP. Therefore, if you decide to restrict yourunborn baby's exposure as recommended by the NCRP,be aware that the 0.5 rem limit to the unborn babyapplies to the full nine-month pregnancy.
The remainder of this document contains a briefexplanation of radiation and its effects on humans. Asyou will see, some radiation is present everywhere andthe levels of radiation most employees of NuclearRegulatory Commission licensees receive are not muchlarger than these natural levels. Because the radiationlevels in the facility where you will be working arerequired by law to be kept quite low, there is notconsidered to be a significant health risk to individualadult employees.
The amount of radiation an individual receives iscalled the "dose" and is measured in "rems." Theaverage individual in the United States accumulates adose of one rem from natural sources every 12 years.The dose from natural radiation is higher in some states,such as Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, pri-marily because of cosmic radiation. There the averageindividual gets one rem every 8 years.
Natural background radiation levels are also muchhigher in certain local areas. A dose of one rem may bereceived in some areas on the beach at Guarapari, Brazil,in only about 9 days, and some people in Kerala, India,get a dose of one rem every 5 months.
Many people receive additional radiation for medi-cal reasons. In 1970, an estimated 212 million X-rayexaminations were performed in the United States. Theestimated average surface skin dose from one radio-graphic chest X-ray is 0.027 rem. The estimated averagesurface skin dose per abdominal X-ray is 0.62 rem.*
Radiation can also be received from natural sourcessuch as rock or brick structures, from consumer prod-ucts such as television and glow-in-the-dark watches,and from air travel. The possible annual dose fromworking 8 hours a day near a granite wall at the RedcapStand in Grand Central Station, New York City, is 0.2rem, and the average annual dose in the United Statesfrom TV, consumer products, and air travel is 0.0026rem.
Radiation, like many things, can be harmful. A largedose to the whole body (such as 600 rems in one day)would probably cause death in about 30 -days, but suchlarge doses result only from rare accidents. Control ofexposure to radiation is based on the assumption thatany exposure, no matter how small, involves some risk.The occupational exposure limits are set so low, how-ever, that medical evidence gathered over the past 50years indicates no clinically observable injuries to indi-viduals due to radiation exposures when the establishedradiation limits are not exceeded. This was true even forexposures received under the early occupational ex-posure limits, which were many times higher than thepresent limits. Thus the risk to individuals at theoccupational exposure levels is considered to be verylow. However, it is impossible to say that the risk is zero.To decrease the risk still further, licensees are expectedto keep actual exposures as far below the limits as isreasonably achievable.
*"Pre-Release Report: X-Ray Exposure Study (XES) Revised
Estimates of 1964 and 1970 Genetically Significant Dose,"February 4, 1975. U.S. Department of Health, Education.and Welfare, Public Health Service. Federal Drug Administra-tion, Bureau of Radiological Health.
8.13-4
The current exposure limits for people working withradiation have been developed and carefully reviewed bynationally and internationally recognized groups ofscientists. It must be remembered, however, that theselimits are for adults. Special consideration is appropriatewhen the individual being exposed. is, or may be, anexpectant mother, because the exposure of an unbornchild may also be involved.
Prenatal Irradiation
The prediction that an unborn child would be moresensitive to radiation than an adult is supported byobservations for relatively large doses. Large dosesdelivered before birth alter both physical developmentand behavior in experimentally exposed animals. Areport of the National Academy of Sciences states thatshort-term doses in the range of 10 to 20 rems causesubtle changes in the nerve cells of unborn and infantrats. The report also states, however, that no radiationinduced changes in development have been demon-strated to result in experimental animals from doses upto about 1 rem per day extended over a large part of theperiod before birth.
The National Academy of Sciences also noted thatdoses of 25 to 50 rents to a pregnant human may causegrowth disturbances in her offspring. Such doses sub-stantially exceed, of course, the maximum permissibleoccupational exposure limits.
Concern about prenatal exposure (i.e., exposure of achild while in its mother's uterus) at the permissibleoccupational levels is primarily based on the possibilitythat cancer (especially leukemia) may develop during thefirst 10 years of the child's life. Several studies have beenperformed to evaluate this risk. One study involved thefollowup of 77,000 children exposed to radiation beforebirth (because of diagnostic abdominal X-rays made formedical purposes during their mother's pregnancy).Another study involved the followup of 20,000 suchchildren. In addition, 1292 children who receivedprenatal exposure during the bombing of Hiroshima andNagasaki were studied. Although contradictory resultshave been obtained, most of the evidence suggests arelationship between prenatal exposure and an increasedrisk of childhood cancer.
Summary
Occupational exposures to radiation are being keptlow. However,, qualified scientists have recommendedthat the radiation dose to an embryo or fetus as a resultof occupational exposure of the expectant mothershould not exceed 0.5 rem because of possible increasedrisk of childhood leukemia and cancer. Since this 0.5rem is lower than the dose generally permitted to adultworkers, women may want to take special actions toavoid receiving higher exposures, just as they might stopsmoking during pregnancy or might climb stairs morecarefully to reduce possible risks to their unbornchildren.
Bibliography
1. Donald G. Pizzarello and Richard L. Witcofski,Basic Radiation Biology, Philadelphia: Lea andFebizer., 1967.
2. National Academy of Sciences - National ResearchCouncil, The Effects on Populations of Exposure toLow Levels of Ionizing Radiation, Washington,D.C., November 1972.
3. National Council on Radiation Protection and Mea-surements, Basic Radiation Protection Criteria,NRCP Report No. 39, Washington, D.C., January15, 1971.
4. United Nations, Ionizing Radiation.: Levels andEffects, 2 vol., Reports of the United NationsScientific Committee on the Effects of AtomicRadiation, Report No. A/8725, United Nations,New York, 1972.
5. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Division of Tech-nical Information, Understanding the Atom Series:
Atoms, Nature and Man
The Genetic Effects of Radiation
The Natural Radiation Environment
Your Body and Radiation
8.13-5
UNITED STATESNUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, 0. C. 20555
OFFICIAL BUSINESSPENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE. $300
POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
10/11
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312.704.5300 ● (Fax) 312.704.5304
www.jrcert.org
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
Process for Reporting Allegations
Important Notes
1. The JRCERT cannot advocate on behalf of any student(s). An investigation into allegations of
non-compliance addresses only the program’s compliance with accreditation standards and will not affect
the status of any individual student.
2. The investigation process may take several months.
3. The JRCERT will not divulge the identity of any complainant(s) unless required to do so through legal
process.
Process
1. Before submitting allegations, the individual must first attempt to resolve the complaint directly with
program/institution officials by following the due process or grievance procedures provided by the
program/institution. Each program/institution is required to publish its internal complaint procedure in an
informational document such as a catalog or student handbook. (Standard One, Objective 1.6)
2. If the individual is unable to resolve the complaint with program/institution officials or believes that
the concerns have not been properly addressed, he or she may submit allegations of non-compliance to
the JRCERT:
Chief Executive Officer
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Ph: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 704-5304
e-mail: [email protected]
3. The Allegations Reporting Form must be completed and sent to the above address with required
supporting materials. All submitted documentation must be legible.
4. Forms submitted without a signature or the required supporting material will not be considered.
5. If a complainant fails to submit appropriate materials as requested, the complaint will be closed.
The Higher Education Opportunities Act of 2008, as amended, provides that a student, graduate, faculty or any other
individual who believes he or she has been aggrieved by an educational program or institution has the right to submit
documented allegation(s) to the agency accrediting the institution or program.
The JRCERT, recognized by the United States Department of Education for the accreditation of radiography, radiation
therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry educational programs investigates allegation(s) submitted, in writing,
signed by any individual with reason to believe that an accredited program has acted contrary to the relevant accreditation
standards or that conditions at the program appear to jeopardize the quality of instruction or the general welfare of its
students.
10/11
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
Allegations Reporting Form
Please print or type all information.
Name of Complainant:
Address:
City: State: Zip Code:
Signature:____________________________________ Date: ___________________________________
Institution sponsoring the program:
Name:
City: State:
Type of Program (Check one):
Radiography Radiation Therapy Magnetic Resonance Medical Dosimetry
The following materials must be submitted:
1. Attach a copy of the program’s publication that includes the due process or grievance procedure.
2. Provide a narrative that identifies what you did at each step of the due process or grievance procedure and copies
of materials you submitted as part of your appeal and copies of correspondence you received in response to your
appeal.
3. List the specific objective(s) from the accreditation standards (available at www.jrcert.org/acc_standards.html)
and indicate what the program is alleged to have done that is not in compliance with the cited objective(s).
Example
Objective Allegation
4.4 direct supervision pre-competency Students often do patient exams without supervision
before they have completed a competency check-off.
May 2004, (608) 785-8504. Personally identifiable information will not be used for secondary purposes.
University of Wisconsin – La CrosseGeneral Incident Report
(Complete the following as applicable)
Name Work Phone Home Phone
Home Address Date of Incident
City State Zip + 4 Hour AM PM
Full Description of the incident including specific location and activity involved in at the time of the incident.(Use the back of this sheet if additional space is needed.)
Injuries
Describe full extent of injuries, no matter how minor.
Name Full Mailing Address Phone No. Including Area Code
Witnesses
PropertyDamage
Type of Property Type of Damage
If different than home address, address where damaged property may be seen Estimated Repair Cost
I certify that the information in this report is a completeand accurate description of the incident.
Signature Date
Return Completed Report To: University of Wisconsin – La CrosseAttn: Risk Manager125 Graff Main HallLa Crosse, WI 54601