The Department of Radiologic Sciences has some monies available on an annual basis to fund basic monetary scholarships.  Students interested should obtain an application from the department secretary and return by the appropriate deadline.  Faculty will make decisions about awarding scholarships based on cumulative GPA, academic progress in the program and need.  Scholarships are announced prior to the scholarship ceremony in May.  All scholarship recipients of a donated award will write a thank you letter to the donor. 

            Additional loan, scholarship or financial information can be obtained from the financial aid office on campus. 

            Students are expected to acquire the required textbooks (appropriate editions) and syllabi.  Required and recommended textbooks are available in the BSU bookstore.  Textbook costs vary from semester to semester and can involve considerable expense.  The faculty work to reduce book costs by using a selected text for more than one course or semester when appropriate.  Each faculty will inform students on the process to obtain syllabi, but most often it will be via blackboard.  Please keep your textbooks for the tenure of the program.  Once purchased, assignments may be given from that text during any semester. 

1.       Students are encouraged NOT to bring their children to class—we do not have extra seating.  In the event of an emergency, this may be allowed with prior consent of the instructor.  Ill children should not be in class.  If children are allowed in class, they must not become disruptive.  Faculty cannot guarantee the content nor the discussion presented during class will be suitable for a child.

2.       Children are not allowed in the laboratory classes.  

A student may request changes in faculty decisions or exceptions to program policies through use of a petition.  All petitions must be submitted to the faculty responsible for the test or assignment, or to the advisor, program director or student representative.  The petition must include a statement of the problem, supporting data, a proposal of one or more acceptable solutions and any identified time frame with potential costs/benefits for each solution. 

The chain of communication for individual concerns is:

1.            a. Course instructor, if a course related problem

b.       University faculty assigned to the clinical site if a clinically related problem

c.       Student representative if necessary

d.       Advisor

2.       Program Director or Clinical Coordinator

3.       Chair of Department of Radiologic Sciences

4.       Dean, College of Health Sciences

5.       Executive Vice President Student Affairs/Provost

6.       President, Boise State University

7.       State Board of Education 

            The National Council of Radiation Protection (NCRP) advises that control measures should be taken to avoid or reduce the risk of ionizing radiation exposure to the human embryo or fetus.  It should be noted, however, that the risks of probability of detectable effects induced by medical diagnostic exposure are very small.  However, due to well-documented sensitivity of the fetus to radiation during the early stages of pregnancy, it is the policy of the Radiologic Sciences Program at BSU to communicate information to all incoming female students concerning this subject area so an informed decision can be made if necessary. 

            The policy at Boise State University, Radiologic Sciences Program is to provide reasonable radiation protection to student radiographers occupationally exposed to radiation.  Pregnant students are expected to follow the additional protective measures detailed below which have been developed to restrict the fetal dose below an effective dose limit as recommended to the NCRP and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). 

            While the program is independent in thought concerning pregnancy, any female student who becomes pregnant during the course of the program is encouraged to declare pregnancy in writing to the Program Director according to NRC guidelines (Federal Register, May 21, 1991, § 20.1004, 20.1208).  This is strictly at the discretion of the student to declare.  Whether a student chooses to declare her pregnancy in writing or not, the student will be treated equitably by the program in all cases.  (It should be remembered that a non-declared pregnant student is not considered pregnant and cannot ask for special considerations due to her health status unless pregnancy is actually declared). 

            All students declaring pregnancy will be given a copy of the USNRC Regulatory Guide 8.13 which concerns prenatal radiation exposure.  The pregnant student must make the final decision as to their acceptance or non-acceptance of this minimal risk. 

The following procedure will be followed:

1.       The program strongly encourages the student to notify the Program Director immediately upon medical verification of pregnancy to ensure that protective measures for the fetus and mother are initiated.  All students are to practice professional standards for radiation protection throughout the program. Upon declaration, a second radiation monitoring device will be immediately obtained for abdominal monitoring.

2.       The Program Director and student will review all prior radiation exposure records.  The student will be given a packet of information, including a copy of NCR 8.13.3, and will review protective actions and the risks associated with radiation exposure to the fetus.

3.       Upon medical certification that pregnancy exists and after consultation with the student’s healthcare provider (see Healthcare Provider’s Confirmation of Pregnancy form), the Program Director will collaborate with the student to provide a curricular plan for the extent of the pregnancy.  Changes in the student’s physical status should be updated from the student’s healthcare provider throughout the pregnancy.   

Some possible options that may be considered in the curricular plan are:

·         Continuation in the program with no special considerations made in any way. Generally, the student must minimally meet the requirements of the assigned clinical agency, which usually consists of limited exposure for the first trimester of pregnancy. 

·         Rescheduling of potential high exposure rotations during the pregnancy taking into consideration other student’s access to equitable clinical experience.  A student may have to extend their clinical time if all required graduation requirements are not met in the normal time frame.

·         Reduction/change in clinical hours during the pregnancy per student and/or healthcare provider request.  If a student does not return to clinic within 6 months following the end of pregnancy, the program reserves the right to require the student to demonstrate additional clinical and/or didactic competency.

·         Take a leave of absence from the clinical portion of the program for any desired part of the pregnancy.  If a student does not return to clinic within 6 months following the end of pregnancy, the program reserves the right to require the student to demonstrate additional clinical and/or didactic competency.

·         Completely withdraw for the Radiologic Sciences Program

·         Other options or combinations of the above will be considered during the planning session.

4.       The Program Director will document the student’s decision in regard to the curricular plan

5.       The student shall complete and sign documentation acknowledging the receipt of all associated information regarding pregnancy (See Pregnancy/Radiation Safety Protection Form).  All documentation will be kept in the student’s permanent file. 

However a female student chooses to handle the declaration of pregnancy or the associated curricular plan, the program is committed to equitable treatment of all students in the program no matter what their situation.  Students will be expected to complete all clinical and didactic requirements of the program to become eligible for graduation and national registry examinations.  Program and clinical requirements cannot be skipped or shortened due to pregnancy status. 

Each student enrolled in the program is expected to maintain a personal appearance and dress appropriate to the professional setting of the health care area.

Please remember the dignity of your profession and the personal regard for your patients.  They may feel threatened by extremes in appearance.  No matter what the ends of the spectrum may be, moderation in appearance and action will engender the most confidence and impart the most comfort to the patient. 

Dress Code:

1.       Slacks/trousers may be white or navy blue.  Slacks should be loose fitting and lay at least to the shoe tops.  There should be no advertising or rivets on the slacks/trousers.  Athletic clothing is not acceptable.  Draw-string scrub pants are not acceptable.  No “see-through” material is acceptable.

2.       Students will wear a short white lab jacket with no design on the material.  Long lab-coats or pullover tops are not acceptable.

3.       Blouses/shirts must be collared, polo-type with no advertising.  No tee shirts or low cut shirts are allowed.  No “see-through” material will be allowed. Colors will be modest (i.e., light blue, light pink, white, light yellow –no red, fuscha, etc.)  BSU Radiologic Sciences logo polo shirts are appropriate.

4.       Shoes should be white, brown or black, hospital type.  White leather shoes without advertising are acceptable.  Clogs, open-toed shoes, sandals or boots are not acceptable.

5.       Make-up, perfume/cologne, and jewelry should be kept to a minimum.  Any jewelry will follow healthcare facility guidelines.  Large hoop or dangling earrings are not permissible.  Other than pierced ears (two pair maximum) no other visible piercing is allowed.  This includes:  nose rings, lip rings, eyebrow or tongue ornamentations.  Use of antiperspirants or deodorants is suggested as necessary to prevent offensive odors.  Oral care is essential to prevent offensive breath.  Tattoos may need to be covered while in the clinical setting according to agency policy.

6.        Hair should be clean, neat and a natural color at all times.  In order to maintain medical asepsis, all students with long hair must have it pulled back when it has a tendency to cover the face or fall into sterile or clean fields while working.   The hairstyle worn will not interfere with delivery of patient care.  Beards and mustaches should be clean and neatly trimmed.  Fingernails will be short and  trimmed.

7.       Chewing of gum, tobacco and candy is unacceptable behavior in the clinical setting.

8.       BSU name-badge must be worn on the outside of the uniform top at all times.  The radiation monitor badge must be worn on the uniform collar at all times. 

The dress code from BSU states that appropriate dress includes a laboratory jacket.  It is the responsibility of each clinical instructor to determine times when jackets may not be worn, i.e., if it is too hot, if the student is involved in an examination where lead aprons must be worn, etc. 

ANY CLINICAL SITE HAS THE OPTION OF SENDING STUDENTS HOME IF INAPPROPRIATELY DRESSED.

Students within the Radiologic Sciences Program will abide by the policies of the agency, the State of Idaho, and the Federal Government (“Privacy Rule”, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—HIPAA) when accessing information or communicating with the patient or the public.  The privacy rule regulates the way covered entities (health care groups, organizations, etc.) handle the individually identifiable health information, known as protected health information (PHI).  This rule establishes the conditions under which covered entities can use or disclose PHI for many purposes, including education and research.  Although BSU may not have to comply with the Privacy Rule for educational purposes, the manner in which the rule protects the patient information will affect how we use and access information to perform our educational duties.  Students will always be under the direct supervision of a registered radiographer (agency employee) who will be responsible for mentoring the proper process of protecting patient information. 

1.  A patient’s medical record includes diagnostic images and reports.  These records are the property of the healthcare facility.  They are maintained for the benefit of the patient, caregiver and healthcare facility.  It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard both the record and its informational content against loss, defacement, tampering, and from use by unauthorized individuals.

2. The only medical information or patient history to be discussed with the patient is that which is needed to completely and accurately treat the patient.  Students are to never allow a patient access to their record unless under the direct supervision of the agency staff.  Students are to only access the patient record for information pertinent for the current case at hand.

3. Necessary conversation with other healthcare workers must take place outside the hearing range of any patient, their family or visitors.  Never converse about patient cases or make reference in the hallways, lounges, cafeteria, and especially away from the healthcare facility.

4. Patient information is not allowed to be given to any family member or friend unless authorized by the patient and the agency.

5. Do not discuss healthcare facility incidents.

6. Refer any inquiries about medical information to the clinical instructor.

7.   Any information utilized for educational purposes will be de-identified according to the Privacy Rule.  The Privacy Rule allows covered entities to de-identify data by removing all 18 elements that could be used to identify the individual or individual’s relatives, employers, or household members.  Any case studies or information shared during the educational process will have all of the 18 identifiers removed. (see How Can covered Entities Use and Disclose Protected Health Information for Research and Comply with the Privacy Rule?)

All students admitted to the Radiologic Sciences AS Program are required to meet the health and CPR listed below.  Students must be officially registered in a clinical radiology course to be eligible for liability coverage purchased by the College of Health Sciences.  Submit documentation to the Radiologic Sciences Program by the Wednesday prior to the first day of class either via mail or FAX unless otherwise specified.   The Radiologic Sciences office is closed from about June 1 to August 1.  Failure to meet these health, CPR, health insurance requirements may result in cancellation of a student’s admission or enrollment.  

Health Requirements: 

A.     Pre-entrance self assessment health forms:  (information will be forwarded to you—bring the completed forms with you the first day of orientation)

·         Latex allergy self assessment form

·         Technical standards self assessment form

·         Pregnancy policy affirmation form

·         Hepatitis B choice form 

B.     Verified negative T.B. Skin test (Mantoux test) or negative chest radiograph report. *  The report submitted by the student must state that the student is negative for TB  (annual requirement) 

C.     Rubella (German Measles) titer that indicates the student is protected (serologically immune). *  If the titer is “equivocal” or indicates that the student is not protected, immunization and follow-up titers to show immunity are required.  NOTE:  The process may take 6-8 weeks and must be completed by the deadline.  This is an initial blood draw for evaluation, not a MMR vaccination. (results good for 5 years) 

D.     Rubeola (“hard measles”) titer that indicates the student is protected (serologically immune). *  If the titer is “equivocal” or indicates that the student is not protected, immunization and follow-up titers to show immunity are required.  NOTE:  The process may take 6-8 weeks and must be completed by the deadline.  This is an initial blood draw for evaluation, not a MMR vaccination.  (results good for 5 years) 

*The Radiologic Sciences Department will NOT interpret the results.  The reports submitted by the student must state that the student is protected (serologically immune).  Students who do not seroconvert after two MMR immunizations will be handled on an individual basis by the Program Director.           

Further information about cost and availability of these tests (B,C,D) can be obtained from the student health center, the Central District Health Department, or a health care provider of your choice. 

Regarding Pregnancy--You should NOT receive the MMR vaccines if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the next 3-4 months.  Please make an appointment with the program director to discuss your options. 

E.      It is strongly recommended that students receive the series of three Hepatitis B Vaccinations and have a positive titer.  All students must sign the Hepatitis B Choice form.  Further information about cost and availability of the vaccine can be obtained from the student health center, the Central District Health Department, or a health care provider of your choice.

F.      All students must provide proof of either private health insurance or student health insurance.

·         Private health insurance:  copy of card or proof from your insurance provider

·         Student health insurance:  Provide a copy of your fee payment receipt both fall and spring semester.  NOTE:  Fee receipts are either stamped with “No insurance” for full time students who DO NOT have student health insurance or include the insurance cost for those purchasing insurance.   

Other health screening requirements may become necessary as affiliation agreements with clinical agencies are re-evaluated.

 CPR Certification:

 Written verification of CPR certification (usually a card) or active CPR instructor status verification to include adult, children, one/two person, choking victim, and automatic external defibrillators.  The Radiologic Sciences only accepts annual certification, even if you have a card that is verified for two years.  Courses must be either through the American Heart Association (Healthcare Provider) or the American Red Cross (Professional Rescuer).  You may find offerings through BSU, the yellow pages, or area hospitals.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE—courses may not be scheduled when you think you need them.   

Continuing Progression (second year): 

A.     Annual verified negative T.B. skin test (Mantoux test) or negative Chest Radiograph report.  The report must state that the student is negative for TB. 

NOTE:  If the student has a positive skin TB test the first year in the program, but was certified to be clear of the disease, he/she will be given a form prior to each subsequent year to ascertain whether or not there has been a change in health status.  A repeat skin test, chest radiograph or complete exam will not be required unless there is a report of change in health status.

         B.     Repeat verification of Hepatitis, Rubella or Rubeola immunization is not required. 

C.     If the student has had a change in emotional or physical health status, the student must submit documentation from his/her health care provider regarding the student’s fitness to continue in radiographic sciences courses. 

D.     Written verification of CPR certification or active CPR instructor status. 

E.       All students must provide proof of either private health insurance or student health insurance

·         Private health insurance:  copy of card or proof from your insurance provider

·         Student health insurance:  Provide a copy of your fee payment receipt both fall and spring semester. 

Withdrawal from the Program

         A Radiologic Sciences student may be withdrawn via two mechanisms:  student initiated withdrawal or faculty initiated withdrawal. 

 Student initiated withdrawal.

A student may voluntarily withdraw from the radiologic sciences program.  The program director will direct the student to submit a withdrawal letter to the program.  Upon acceptance of the letter, the program director will notify the appropriate clinical or didactic faculty.  The program director will assist the student with the withdrawal process through the university following university deadlines and policies.  The student must understand that withdrawal may have implications for progression within the program.   

 Faculty initiated withdrawal.

Faculty members have the right to initiate a student withdrawal from a radiologic sciences course (See university catalog—faculty initiated withdrawal).

 Students withdrawn during the first semester of the professional program must reapply for admission using the currently accepted application process at the time of reapplication.  Students who withdraw after successful completion of the first semester must apply for readmission through a letter of request to the radiologic sciences faculty.  Depending upon the reason for withdrawal and the resolution of the contributing factors, faculty may choose to accept or not accept the request or accept the request with certain requirements.  All readmission is based on space availability. 

             Students are responsible to provide their own transportation to and from school and to and from clinical assignments.  Some clinical agencies have parking regulations relating to student vehicles.  Students will be oriented prior to each clinical rotation or during the first day of clinical rotation concerning appropriate parking.  BSU is not liable for any parking ticket.  Students should follow the BSU parking policy when attending campus.

Each clinical facility is expected to practice standard precaution procedures in the care of patients.  The student technologist is educated in, and is expected to be

Knowledgeable about the practice of these precautions and care for patients.  Clinical grades are awarded according to student performance. Refusal to render

care to any patient may result in dismissal from the program.

 The clinical experience should be regarded as a learning experience.  Students are not to be substituted for staff radiologic technologists.  They shall not take the responsibility or the place of qualified technologists.  Students may be employed outside of regular education hours, provided the work does not interfere with regular academic responsibilities.  The work must be non-compulsory, paid and subject to employee regulations.  Administrative responsibility for this process shall be external to the program.   Academic responsibilities are the first concern of the student and the first concern of the University Faculty.  Consequently, students will be counseled if excessive work hours or untimely work hours are affecting their performance.  The student may perform clinical competency examinations only during assigned clinical periods.  Examinations done during employment periods will not be graded.

Students will adhere to the code of medical ethics as described by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist conducts himself/herself in a professional manner, responds to patient needs, and supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care. 

¨   The Radiologic Technologist acts to advance the principle objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for human dignity. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by the concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination regardless of sex, race, creed, religion, or socioeconomic status. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist practices technology founded upon theoretical knowledge and concepts, utilizes equipment and accessories consistent with the purposes for which it has been designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist assesses situations, exercises care, discretion and judgment, assumes responsibility for professional decisions, and acts in the best interest of the patient. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information from the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment management of the patient, and recognizes that interpretation and diagnosis are outside the scope of practice for the profession. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist utilizes equipment and accessories, employs techniques and procedures, performs services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice, and demonstrates expertise in limiting the radiation exposure to the patient, self, and other members of the health care team.   

¨      The Radiologic Technologist practices ethical conduct appropriate to the profession, and protects the patient's right to quality radiologic technology care. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice, respects the patient's right to privacy, and reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community. 

¨      The Radiologic Technologist continually strives to improve knowledge and skills by participating in educational and professional activities, sharing knowledge with colleagues and investigating new and innovative aspects of professional practice.  One means available to improve knowledge and skill is through professional continuing education.