POLICY HANDBOOK
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Related Professions
Arkansas Health Education Centers, NW & SW
Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences
Division of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
Little Rock, Arkansas
Class 2005 - 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROGRAM
Mission Statement.................................................................................................... 4
Responsibilities......................................................................................................... 4
STUDENTS
I. Attendance .......................................................................................................... 7
II. Absenteeism .......................................................................................................... 7
III. Tardiness .......................................................................................................... 8
IV. Class and Laboratory Responsibilities:
A. Conduct........................................................................................................ 8
B. Grades………………………...................................................................... 9
C. Academic Probation..................................................................................... 9
D. Academic Withdrawal ................................................................................ 10
E. Graduation................................................................................................... 10
F. Withholding of Grades and Transcripts....................................................... 11
V. Clinical Responsibilities:
A. Clinical Directors and Coordinators ............................................................ 11
B. Clinical Supervisors/Associates ................................................................... 11
C. Dress and Appearance.................................................................................. 12
D. Conduct........................................................................................................ 14
E. Safety Procedures........................................................................................ 16
F. Student Reporting of Exposure to or
Contraction of Communicable Diseases...................................................... 16
G. Clinical Infection Control Procedures.......................................................... 18
H. Clinical Probation......................................................................................... 18
VI. Professional Responsibilities.................................................................................... 19
VII. Advising………....................................................................................................... 19
VIII. Breaks and Holidays................................................................................................ 20
IX. Policy on Pregnancy................................................................................................. 20
X. Student Awards and Honors................................................................................... 20
XI. Infractions of Departmental Policy and Procedure.................................................. 20
XII. Guidelines for Professionalism................................................................................ 22
Appendix I. UAMS Administrative Guide Number 11.4.10
Appendix II. Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Appendix III. Scope of Practice for the Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional
Appendix IV. Code of Ethics for the Profession of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound
Appendix V. Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (SDMS)
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM
MISSION STATEMENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Department of Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Division of Diagnostic Medical Sonography , parallels and complements that of UAMS and the College of Health Related Professions. That mission is to provide progressive, quality education to its students through review, development, and applied research. In turn, the Department provides the community and the state with graduates prepared to join health care services in advancing levels of responsibility. As a dynamic program, the Department promotes continued and advanced education for its faculty and the professional community.
CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITIES
While new goals may be established, the DMS Program maintains active efforts toward the maintenance of established responsibilities. Its ongoing responsibilities are to:
1. Provide an equal opportunity for admission to all qualified applicants regardless of race,
creed, color, or sex. Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age. Accommodation for the acceptance of the handicapped is available.
2. Provide an educationally sound environment to all students without discrimination.
3. Provide equal opportunities in classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences to all students.
4. Continually review and upgrade the curriculum.
5. Accommodate new technologies and professional responsibilities, as required, through expansion of the curriculum.
6. Promote the competency of graduates as employable, capable, and professional medical
sonographers.
7. Integrate the faculty and students of the DMS Program among the three campuses of UAMS, AHEC-Southwest, and AHEC-Northwest.
8. Maintain responsibility and accountability to the College and the University.
9. Maintain responsibility and accountability to educational and professional accrediting
agencies.
10. Maintain responsibility and accountability to professional and health consumer populations.
11. Provide opportunities for the professional development and evaluation of all faculty.
12. Encourage faculty toward applied research in the sonographic sciences.
13. Promote and sponsor professional continuing education opportunities throughout the state.
14. Participate in UAMS in-service and resident education programs.
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY
STUDENTS
RESPONSIBILITIES
AND
RIGHTS
I. ATTENDANCE
The Department's policy on attendance is as follows:
The student is expected to:
1. Attend all classes, laboratories, and clinical sessions.
2. Maintain the schedule for non-classroom, Web-based courses and submit assignments in a timely manner.
3. Be in the scheduled area (class, lab, or clinic) at the specified time.
4. Remain in the scheduled area (class, lab, or clinic) for the specified
length of time.
II. ABSENTEEISM
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled didactic (classroom and Web-Based) and clinical education experiences. Absenteeism is defined as not being present for an assigned educational activity, or not submitting Web-Based assignments on time. Students should schedule all appointments, medical and other, during times when they are not participating in didactic or clinical education sessions.
Students must notify the DMS Program Office if they are unable to attend class. In addition, students must notify their Clinical Site Instructor of Record and the DMS Program Office if they’re unable to attend clinic.
If a student is not present in clinic at the appropriate times, and does not notify both the Clinical Site Instructor of Record and the DMS Program office PRIOR TO the program faculty’s discovery of the absence, an automatic five (5) points will be deducted from the final Clinical Practicum grade for each occurrence.
The student may have a total of two Personal Days Off per semester for personal business, personal illness, or illness within the immediate family. Personal Days Off may be used in half-day or whole-day increments and, with the Program Director’s approval, can be carried forward to the next semester. However, students may not take these days off in advance, i.e. taking time off in the Fall by using the Spring semester’s days off.
Students absent more than two days in a row due to personal illness must submit a written physician’s certification that the student is fit to resume clinical activities. The Program Director reserves the right to request a physician certification at any time.
Students who miss five or more days per semester will be counseled by the Program Director.
Absences in excess of two days per semester will be made up during the following times:
1. Time missed from August through December will be made up during the Christmas break.
2. Time missed from January through March will be made up during the Spring break.
3. Time missed from March through July will be made up during the Summer break.
4. During the Senior year, time missed after the Spring break will be made up during the Summer break and will result in the student remaining in the program until such time is made up.
5. Students must schedule make-up days with the DMS faculty. Failure to attend a scheduled make-up day will result in another clinical absence and that day, plus the first clinical absence day, will have to be made up.
6. Failure to make up missed time will result in an Incomplete (I) grade for that semester’s class or clinic. Continued failure to make up the time will result in an F for the final grade.
III. TARDINESS
Students are expected to arrive at their scheduled time to all classroom, laboratory, and clinical assignments. Tardiness is defined as not being present in one’s assigned area at the assigned time.
IV. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE CLASSROOM AND LABORATORY
A. CONDUCT
1. Come adequately prepared for class.
2. Attend all classes and laboratories as scheduled, unless previous arrangements have been made with the Instructor or Program Director.
3. Request instructor/student conferences when needed.
4. Maintain an unbiased, open point of view during class sessions.
5. Request and take make-up examinations (if permitted by the Instructor) within the specified period of time for the given course.
6. Act as a favorable role model for your health profession at all times.
7. Assume responsibility for the condition of the instructional area during, and at the completion of, a class or laboratory session.
8. Refrain from smoking anywhere on the UAMS campus; and refrain from eating or drinking in the classroom or in such designated areas during class or laboratory sessions.
9. Maintain and arrange class materials in a form which will be usable in the future as a professional reference.
10 Respect furniture and equipment by careful handling and use. Do not mark on desks.
11. Cheating in any form is not tolerated. Any student found exhibiting either of the following types of behavior during, or in the preparation of, any quiz, project, report, test, or final examination will receive a score of zero (0) for that assignment. The student conduct violation will be referred for administrative review:
a. Cheating, defined as the act of obtaining or providing information, data, or clinical documentation improperly or by dishonest or deceitful means; and,
b. Plagiarism, defined as copying or imitating the language, ideas, or thoughts of another author and presenting them as one’s original work; the copying of a theme or section from a book or journal without giving credit in a footnote; or copying from the manuscript of another person.
12. Develop an appreciation for high personal standards in conduct and achievements.
13. Refrain from using abusive, provocative, or profane language and/or gestures.
14. Avoid creating, or being party to, a disturbance or physical violence.
15. Observe the principle of mutual respect in their contacts with patients, visitors, employees, and in their working relationship with faculty and other students.
B. GRADES
All credit courses are required. Receiving a grade of “D” or “F” in a course may result in an additional year's work or dismissal from the program.
The student's grades are kept by each program and are available for the student to inspect. Official transcripts must be requested from the CHRP Registrar.
For further information regarding grades and academic standing, see the section on Academic Regulations in the College Catalog.
C. ACADEMIC PROBATION
The department may initiate academic probation of the student:
1. Whose performance places others in physical or emotional jeopardy; or
2. Who fails to meet legal standards, ethical standards, or standards of practice for allied health students; or
3. Who misses three or more days per semester.
D. ACADEMIC WITHDRAWAL
The Department may initiate withdrawal of the student:
1. Who receives a course grade of less than a “C” in a course of the Professional Curriculum; or
2. Whose repeated performance places others in physical or emotional jeopardy; or
3. Who repeatedly fails to meet legal standards, ethical standards, or standards of practice for student sonographers; or
4. Who has accumulated five absences from educational assignments; or
5. Who commits four or more minor infractions or two or more major infractions of departmental policy or procedure.
Physical jeopardy is defined as any action or inaction which directly threatens the physical safety or well-being of another person. Emotional jeopardy is defined as any action or inaction which directly threatens the emotional or mental well being of another person.
E. GRADUATION
The specific Departmental requirements for graduation are:
1. A grade of “C” or higher in each course of the Professional Curriculum and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher.
2. Satisfactory completion of all clinical requirements.
No student will graduate until he/she has satisfied all program and college requirements. See the College Catalog for further information.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Health Related
Professions reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time on grounds the
University and College judge to be appropriate. Each student, by their own admission to the College, recognizes this right of the University and the College.
The continuance of any student on the roster of the College, the receipt of academic credit, graduation, and the granting of a degree rests solely within the powers of the University and the College.
F. WITHHOLDING OF GRADES AND TRANSCRIPTS
The Registrar is authorized to withhold grades and transcripts and refuse registration to any student or former student who fails to return athletic, library, or other University property entrusted to his or her care. This policy also applies to those who fail to comply with the rules governing the audit of student organization accounts, or who has failed to pay any fees, tuition, room and board charges, fines, or other charges assessed against them by a University or AHEC official, any clinical education center, or by the campus judicial system.
V. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE CLINICAL AREA
The clinical education phase of the program is designed to enhance student learning. This is achieved through observation, assistance, practice, and evaluation of sonographic and patient care principles learned in the classroom and lab. The curriculum offers a wide range of learning experiences and patient contacts by providing clinical rotations through many different healthcare institutions. Clinical Education Centers, contact persons, and phone numbers may change; the most current listings will usually be on the UAMS-DMS web pages: http://www.uams.edu/chrp/dms/ClinicalRecords/clinrecords.asp
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Terry J. DuBose............................................................................................. 686-6510
INSTRUCTOR/CLINICAL COORDINATOR
Anthony L. Baker.......................................................................................... 686-6510
INSTRUCTORs/ASSISTANT CLINICAL COORDINATORs
Barton David Rands AHEC-SW..................................................... 870-779-6009
Lori Kimbrow AHEC-NW.................................................... 479-684-5105 x3
A. LOCAL CLINICAL SITE SUPERVISORS
UAMS MEDICAL CENTER
UAMS Diagnostic Sonography - Mrs. Lynette Place................................... 686-5763
UAMS Freeway Medical Center – Staff Sonographer................................. 296-1745 ext. 3212
UAMS Community Women's Clinic – Staff Sonographer............................ 280-3383
V. A. HOSPITAL
Ms. Terri Butler.............................................................................................. 257-1000 ext. 76651
ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
Mr. David Kinder.......................................................................................... 364-1177
ST. VINCENT’S INFIRMARY MEDICAL CENTER
Ms. Charlotte Doshier.................................................................................... 552-2972
ST. VINCENT’S INFIRMARY MEDICAL CENTER, SHERWOOD
Ms. April Crocker………………………………………………….............. 552-7183
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
Ms. Torri Brady............................................................................................. 202-1303
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER, NORTH LITTLE ROCK
Ms. Melissa England………………………………………………….......... 202-3499
REBSAMEN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Mr. David Johnson........................................................................................ 985-7352
CONWAY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Ms. Rhonda Hambuchen…………………………………………………... (501) 450-2186
B. DRESS AND APPEARANCE
The wearing of uniforms is required in the clinical area. Approved uniforms consist of the following:
Male: 1. Approved Caribbean Blue scrub pants
2. Approved Caribbean Blue scrub top
3. White hospital shoes (closed toe and heel) and white socks
Female: 1. Approved Caribbean Blue scrub pants and top or Caribbean Blue scrub dress
2. White hosiery with dresses, white hosiery or plain white socks with scrub pants
3. White hospital shoes (closed toe and heel)
All Students: The following items are considered part of the uniform and, as such,
must be on your person daily:
1. UAMS ID badge
2. Watch
3. Clinical records book
The following policies concerning clinical appearance will be in effect at all clinical sites unless otherwise specified:
1. Uniform tops, pants, and dresses will be neat and clean at all times. All will be starched or finished with spray starch. The pants will have front and back vertical creases. Sleeves will be creased. The pant length will cover the top of the shoes. Uniforms will remain in good repair. No rips, tears or holes will be tolerated.
Uniforms must not be binding or constricting, but allow for ease of movement while bending or reaching. Dresses must be of a length appropriate for bending or reaching over the head.
Uniforms must be properly buttoned/zipped to insure a neat, modest appearance. Conventional undergarments are required.
2. A white lab coat may be worn as part of the uniform (except at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital). For ease in hand washing, it is strongly recommended that the lab coat should have 3/4 length sleeves (hemmed, not rolled) or ribbed-cuff sleeves. Lab coats will be kept clean, white, stain-free, and neatly starched and pressed.
3. Hospital shoes with closed toe and heel will be solid white and should be polished daily. Athletic shoes are acceptable, but must also be solid white, all leather, low-cut, and polished daily. Regardless of style, footwear must be kept in good repair. Shoestrings will be solid white and clean at all times.
4. White hosiery or plain white socks must be worn when in uniform. Socks will be long enough so that skin is not visible while seated. Socks should form a smooth line and not be folded or bunched around the ankles.
5. No rings may be worn on the hand during the performance of sonographic procedures or during the provision of patient care services, for reasons of patient safety. Other jewelry is strongly discouraged. Jewelry permitted during patient care includes:
- earrings, not to extend past the earlobe
- one necklace, worn close to neck
6. Fingernails must be kept clean and neatly trimmed. To avoid patient injury, fingernails may not extend more than 1/2 centimeter beyond the fingertips. The use of clear nail polish is permitted.
7. The hairstyle chosen must be neat and well groomed. Unless hair is cut short enough to remain close to the head and off the collar, it must be pulled away from the face and secured in such a manner that no strands fall downward onto the shoulders or into the face. Hair will be secured with plain black, brown, Caribbean Blue, or white clasps or elastic bands. Bows or ribbons are not acceptable.
8. Make-up and cologne, if worn, will be applied sparingly.
9. Proper personal hygiene (breath and body) should be practiced at all times.
10. Official identification badges will be worn on the uniform such that the student’s identity is readily visible to the patient.
HOSPITAL GOWNS
The wearing of hospital gowns for any purpose other than the following is not permitted:
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Isolation
Morgue
Hospital/clinical - Isolation
SCRUB SUITS
Scrub suits, other than the uniform, will be worn only when required by the individual rotation or department.
Scrub suits of any kind are not for personal use and may not be worn outside the assigned area of use.
C. CONDUCT
The student should demonstrate respect, concern, and courtesy to all patients and their families, all other health professionals, and hospital staff. This should be done in a professional and diplomatic manner.
1. The student will be in the
assigned clinical area, on time, as scheduled, from
8:00AM to 4:30PM, unless otherwise assigned.
2. Upon arrival in and departure from the clinical area, the student will sign the attendance record, if required.
3. The student will not leave the clinical area without the knowledge of the supervising sonographer or the clinical supervisor and/or faculty. For absences of 15 minutes or less the student should notify their sonographer or clinical supervisor. For absences of more than 15 minutes, the student will get approval from their supervising sonographer and the faculty assigned to their site. Once approval has been given, the student will sign out on the attendance record and back in upon return, if required. Attendance and punctuality will be evaluated by the clinical instructors on the Student Evaluation form.
4. Eating or drinking is not permitted in the front offices, hallways, or imaging rooms.
5. During periods of inactivity, the reading of textbooks and professional literature is encouraged within the student’s assigned imaging room or as specified. Novels or crafts are not permissible in the clinical area.
6. Students should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
7. The student is not to use phones in the clinical area for personal use. Cell phones will be turned off during class or clinicals. In addition, cell phones will not be used in the clinical or classroom setting except for valid emergencies.
8. At no time, for any reason, will a student leave a patient on a stretcher unattended.
9. Student lunch breaks will be concurrent with the lunch break of the student’s assigned staff sonographer.
10. No gum chewing will be allowed while in the clinical area.
11. Students are not to return to the clinical area at night or on weekends, unless for specific pre-approved assignments.
12. All accidents occurring on campus, whether involving a patient and/or student, shall be reported within one hour of the incident. Appropriate medical treatment shall be obtained and the proper accident forms filled out completely.
13. Smoking is prohibited in all buildings.
14. Gratuities may not be accepted from patients.
15. The use of intoxicating drugs or beverages is prohibited in the clinical assignment areas and in other portions of the University as posted.
16. The use of profanity or disrespectful actions is not permitted in the clinical and classroom areas.
D. SAFETY PROCEDURES
1. Immobilizing procedures or devices are to be used whenever possible for patients who cannot cooperate or when the examination requires strict motion control. Hospital personnel, guests, or family may be called on to assist when other restraints are not possible.
2. Clean and neat floors and work benches are not only to be expected in a hospital setting, it is the responsibility of the sonographer in charge of a room to ensure that equipment is clean and in good working condition. Any soiling or unsafe condition, which cannot be immediately corrected, must be reported to the Senior Sonographer on duty.
3. Transducers must be cleaned and dried at the end of each examination.
4. The quality of examinations and the safety of personnel and patients are of the highest priority; it is the personal responsibility of each member of the staff to identify, notify, and assist in correcting deficiencies as they occur.
5. All patients must be properly identified by checking an armband or by having the patient repeat his or her name and other identifiable data before initiating a sonographic procedure.
6. All students must maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification during enrollment in the Professional Curriculum.
7. Proper patient privacy and modesty must be observed at all times. Doors to examination rooms must be closed during all sonographic procedures.
E. STUDENT REPORTING OF EXPOSURE TO, OR CONTRACTION OF, COMMUNICABLE DISEASE:
Exposure to, or contraction of, infectious diseases must be reported immediately. The student will assume the responsibility of disclosure to minimize the risk of contagion to patients, personnel, and others. Confidentiality will be preserved within the required investigative, treatment, and notification limits of the disease process.
1. Notify Student/Employee Health by completing an Incident and Accident Report form describing the exposure to, or contraction of, a communicable disease.
2. Treatment or prophylaxis will be initiated based upon the degree of exposure or contact.
3. Casual exposure (minimal patient contact) to the following diseases will not require treatment:
Chickenpox Pneumonia
Diarrheal Disease Poliomyelitis
Hepatitis A or B Rabies
Gonorrhea Staphylococcal disease
Herpes Simplex Streptococcal disease
Influenza Syphilis
Leprosy Tetanus
Measles Tuberculosis
Meningitis Typhoid fever
Mumps Whooping cough
Casual exposure to the following diseases will require management as indicated:
Diphtheria Rubella
4. Intimate exposure (prolonged physical contact or contact with blood or body fluids) will require a report to Student/Employee Health or the UAMS Emergency Department within one (1) hour of the incident. Examples of such exposure include:
a. needle sticks with used needles
b. aspiration of blood or blood products into the mouth
c. mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
d. splashing of body fluids into the conjunctiva or mouth
e. exposure to cerebrospinal fluid
5. Intimate exposure to the following diseases will require management as indicated:
Hepatitis A or B AIDS or HIV infection
Rabies Meningitis (Meningococcal)
Syphilis Tuberculosis
F. CLINICAL INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES
Clinical infection control procedures are printed and are available at each clinical location. Since some variation exists from site to site it is strongly recommended that the student review the procedures applicable to a given area in order to maintain department policies.
G. CLINICAL PROBATION
As the clinical education component is competency based and somewhat self-directive, students should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Identified weak areas may be improved by requesting assistance from any faculty member. However, if improvement does not occur, a formal mechanism must exist for this purpose. A student may be placed on Clinical Probation if there is found to be:
1. repeated neglect or disregard of the Clinical Conduct policy; or
2. skill levels persistently below those of the minimum requirement, (refer to the appropriate Clinical Education syllabus); or
3. an absence of more than the two Personal Days Off allowed per semester.
If a student does not achieve satisfactory evaluation for competency in any one examination type, this indicates below minimum performance levels in any or all of the following areas:
1. Sonographic scanning technique
2. Protocol compliance
3. Patient care
4. Image or case evaluation
The student will then receive notice to schedule a counseling session with his/her Clinical Instructor. Note: Due to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program’s accreditation policy, the Clinical Instructor must be appropriately credentialed (Registered). Upon completion of the counseling session, the faculty will review the student’s record. Recommendations will be made and the student will be informed of the recommendations within forty-eight (48) hours following the conference. The student will be assigned remedial activities which may include, but not be limited to, any of the following:
1. Sonographic scanning critique
2. Written report of proper protocols
3. Review of audiovisuals
4. Modeling, simulation exercises
5. One-on-one clinical instruction
Upon satisfactory completion of the remedial activities, the student may continue with the clinical competency program and attempt to pass the originally failed competency. Continued unsatisfactory completion of the competency will result in a counseling session with the Program Director and placement on Clinical Probation.
A student placed on Clinical Probation will have two (2) opportunities to satisfactorily complete the originally failed competency. During this Clinical Probation period, the student’s clinical assignment schedule may be revised to limit their clinical participation until such time that the clinical deficiency is corrected. During the Clinical Probation period, the student may not attempt to meet other clinical curriculum procedural objectives. Upon satisfactory completion of the Clinical Probation period, the student may continue with the clinical competency program.
Should the student be unsuccessful in the two attempts to pass the clinical competency during Clinical probation, a mark of “U” will be given for the semester’s Clinical Practicum course.
I. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Because students in Diagnostic Medical Sonography are training for a professional career as health care providers, they are expected to adopt a professional attitude. To this end the following responsibilities are expected:
1. Join the local, state, and national professional organizations.
2. Attend the local professional meetings and the state professional meetings, whenever possible.
3. Attend professional seminars held locally.
4. Devote a scheduled amount of time each month to the reading of professional literature and technological advances in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
5. Devote a scheduled amount of time each month to the reading of professional literature in other health care disciplines, i.e. nursing, medicine, etc.
VII. ADVISING
Students should feel free to seek counseling from the department faculty. In order to have better access to the faculty, students should request an appointment at a time that is mutually convenient.
VIII. BREAKS AND HOLIDAYS
Each year students receive the following holidays and breaks: