Course Number and Title:
NMT 295 Clinical Internship I
Prerequisites
Prerequisite: ENG 102 and NMT 115 and NMT 222
Co-requisites
Corequisite: NMT 201 and NMT 224
Course Credits and Hours
4 credit(s)
0 lecture hours/week
18 lab hours/week
Course Description
This course provides initial clinical application in the field of nuclear medicine. Administration, clinical procedures, equipment operations, and health physics are mastered through supervised hands-on experience.
Additional Materials
Uniform, lab coat, goggles, and film badges Nuclear Medicine Program Policy Manual Allied Health/Science Department Program Student Policy Manual
Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)
- Prepare, develop, and practice all in-vivo and in-vitro nuclear medicine procedures under the direct supervision of a certified technologist. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 6; PGC 1, 5, 6)
- Assess, evaluate, and explain the procedure to the patient, and prepare the patient prior to commencing a procedure. (CCC 1, 2, 3; PGC 1, 3, 4, 6)
- Assess, interpret, and apply principles of radiation physics using Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and state regulations in the practice of radiation safety. (CCC 2, 4; PGC 1)
- Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals employing sterile techniques. (CCC 2, 6; PGC 1)
- Select and prepare appropriate quality control and quality assurance procedures on all instrumentation prior to a patient's study. (PGC 1, 2)
- Develop competency in designated assigned techniques and computer analysis. (CCC 3; PGC 1, 2)
See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.
Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
- Prepare, develop, and practice all in-vivo and in- vitro nuclear medicine procedures under the direct supervision of a certified technologist.
- Differentiate between gross and microscopic anatomy and the relationship among cellular, organ, and tissue physiology.
- Describe, identify, and reference the correct anatomical organs and structures for procedural positions.
- Identify surface landmarks on the body.
- Choose the correct position for the patient in all exam views to correlate with the initial suspected pathology.
- Identify and choose the correct label, and develop patient films for each procedure.
- Objectively analyze each study for technical mistakes encompassing additional images, and repeat images when necessary.
- Prepare and administer the radiopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical to the patient.
- Assemble all patient films, paperwork, and billing for presentation to the assigned instructor and/or physician.
- Assess, evaluate, and explain the procedure to the patient, and prepare the patient prior to commencing a procedure.
- Demonstrate the proper methods for moving and handling the patient during a procedure.
- Demonstrate proper verbal and nonverbal language before, during, and after the patient procedure.
- Determine the following vital signs: temperature, respiration, pulse and blood pressure, and tend to the patient's progress throughout the procedure.
- Implement emergency procedures when the patient is in distress.
- Prepare each patient for the proper IV technique.
- Assess, interpret, and apply principles of radiation physics using Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and state regulations in the practice of radiation safety.
- Practice wearing whole-body and thermoluminescence dosimeters at all times in clinical restricted and non-restricted areas.
- Use appropriate procedural protection techniques to keep radiation exposure to the patient, public, occupational workers, and oneself as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).
- Practice and implement all facets of the department's NRC and state radiation licensing requirements and/or restrictions that apply to:
- Decontamination and storage
- Disposal of radioactivity
- Records of radioactive use
- Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals employing sterile techniques.
- Demonstrate the correct procedure for the elution of a 99Mo/99mTc generator.
- Assay the eluate in the dose calibrator, and record results in the proper radiopharmaceutical log and/or computer.
- Determine the concentration of the eluate, and adjust volume to correlate with daily patient schedule.
- Demonstrate the proper preparation of each required radiopharmaceutical kit.
- Assay each radiopharmaceutical kit and/or unit dose in the dose calibrator.
- Select, prepare, and evaluate quality control and quality assurance procedures on all instrumentation prior to a patient's study.
- Define and perform uniformity floods, bar phantoms, sensitivity checks, center of rotation (COR), CHI squares, and full width at half maximum (FWHM) on each scintillation detector.
- Evaluate each quality control result.
- Describe NRC and state instrumentation regulations.
- Develop competency in designated assigned techniques and computer analysis.
- Identify and choose the correct patient.
- Analyze and verify the doctor's orders.
- Examine paperwork completed to make sure it is filled out properly.
- Practice time, distance, and shielding.
- Assist the patient in all their needs.
- Review and enter patient's name and information into the computer.
- Adjust the camera to correctly peak for the procedural isotope.
- Select the correct procedural protocol, and enter all pertinent information into the computer.
- Prepare the patient correctly before beginning the procedure (empty bladder, sign consent form, start IV, etc.).
- Prepare and inject the patient properly, and return radiopharmaceuticals to the hot lab.
- Develop and critique images to insure all views are taken correctly for the particular study and patient case.
- Adjust and align the camera correctly for each view (body contour, correct SPECT ellipse, etc.).
- Demonstrate the ability to display images on film/paper correctly.
- Label images correctly for all views and times.
- Identify the correct file for the images to be placed in the patient's chart.
Evaluation Criteria/Policies
The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:
| 90-100 |
= |
A |
| 80-89 |
= |
B |
| 70-79 |
= |
C |
| 0-69 |
= |
F |
Students should refer to the
Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.
Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)
- Integrate principles of theoretical knowledge and demonstrate entry-level skills pertaining to nuclear medicine in-vivo and in-vitro procedures, radiation safety, quality control, quality assurance, NRC regulations, patient care, radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration, instrumentation and medical informatics.
- Perform all entry-level procedural computer analysis.
- Exhibit critical thinking and problem solving skills during the practice of nuclear medicine.
- Abide by the profession's code of ethics as stated in the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Boards (NMTCB).
- Competently perform all in-vivo and in-vitro procedures.
- Exhibit verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills during patient care, research, and professional scope of practice.
Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)
- Apply clear and effective communication skills.
- Use critical thinking to solve problems.
- Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
- Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
- Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
- Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.
Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability
We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.