Programs handbooks

Medical Imaging: Fieldwork

Fieldwork requirements

Health profession student clinical training administrative requirements

In order for students to complete the required clinical training, PCC requires all students to meet the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) Chapter 409 – Division 30 for students in clinical training prior to clinical placement. Students are to meet any requirements mandated by their clinical site as well. A detailed description of these requirements are listed in Requirements for Clinical & Field Education. They include:

  • Requirements to be met before the start of clinical course work in the fall of the first year:
  • Successfully pass a criminal background check
    • Students who have a criminal history are strongly encouraged to go to the ARRT Ethics Requirements webpage to learn more about which offenses would negate their eligibility to take the ARRT National Registry Exam. See the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging for state license requirements regarding background checks.
    • Students may also find assistance with expungement through the PCC CLEAR Clinic.
  • CPR: Students are required to obtain and maintain current certification in BLS (CPR) for Healthcare Providers by the American Heart Association. A lapse in certification may result in missed clinic time that will need to be made up.
  • Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen compliance training modules.
  • Submit proof of current immunizations.
Additional clinical guidelines
  • Communicable diseases: Students are expected to follow the infection control policies of the assigned clinical site. Students, who have developed signs or symptoms of communicable diseases that pose a hazard to patients or other clinical personnel, are expected to report this status to the CIIC and Clinical Coordinator at the earliest possible time.
  • Transportation requirements for clinical/field sites: Students are assigned to clinical facilities and other sites off the Sylvania Campus. The college does not provide transportation for these activities.
Clinical assignments, guidelines, and processes

Students are assigned to their first and second year clinical sites in the second week of summer term. Each clinical affiliate identifies a clinical instructor in charge (CIIC) to supervise and evaluate students according to clinical objectives and clinical grading policies. The CIIC will provide specific details and assignments based on the program guide for each clinical education course. Student assignments will be limited to 8-hour shifts and no more than 40 hours per week. Any additional time spent in clinical must be agreed upon by the CIIC, the student, and the clinical coordinator. If agreed upon, students may complete up to but not to exceed ten hours per shift. While in the clinical setting, students may be scheduled for days, evenings, and/or weekend shifts.

Clinical objectives

Students must demonstrate the ability to perform the following tasks under direct or indirect supervision of registered radiologic technologists or physicians:

  • Provide proper patient care and communicate effectively
  • Protect patient, personnel, and self from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation.
  • Correctly process radiographic images for diagnostic purposes.
  • Properly position patient for purpose of performing authorized diagnostic examinations.
  • Assist in the maintaining of appropriate files of radiology records.
  • Assist in maintenance and troubleshooting of radiological equipment and maintain supplies, cleanliness, and order in radiographic rooms.
  • Manipulate and operate equipment properly in the radiology department, surgical suite, emergency room, and at bedside.
  • Critique images for the purpose of evaluating techniques, positioning, and other pertinent technical qualities.
  • Provide care and comfort for the patient, demonstrate aseptic technique, and assist the radiologist or other physicians with procedures requiring the use of ionizing radiation contrast media or sterile techniques.
  • Select exposure factors to achieve optimum radiographic technique with minimal radiation to the patient, personnel, and self.
  • Become familiar with the various types of radiographic and fluoroscopic machines, mobile units, injectors, contrast agents, emergency protocols, and equipment.
  • Produce images of any given anatomical region with optimum diagnostic quality.
  • Perform necessary diagnostic procedures with a minimum discomfort to the patient and utilize the best possible radiation protection measures which are appropriate for the examination.
  • Apply academic material concepts in the clinical setting under the direction and guidance of an ARRT certified radiographer.
  • Identify and explain the following items that may be unique to individual hospitals:
    • Radiographic examination routine
    • Radiographic room preparation
    • Contrast media preparation
    • Patient instruction for specific radiological exams
    • Interpretation of radiologic examination request form
  • Make and maintain a positioning/technique pocket manual.
  • Develop proper professional standards, attitudes, and ethical conduct.
Clinical supervision – direct, indirect, and repeat

In compliance with standard 5 (5.3, 5.4) of the JRCERT, the program has procedures that promote the health, safety, and optimal use of radiation for students, patients, and the public The following defines criteria for educationally valid clinical supervision:

  1. Students should be directly supervised until they achieve competency.
  2. Once students have achieved competency they may be indirectly supervised by a qualified radiographer who is immediately available.
  3. Students must be directly supervised for all mobile radiography and fluoroscopy (C-arm) exams, regardless of level of competency.
  4. A student may only repeat an image under the direct supervision of a qualified radiographer.
    1. Until a student achieves and documents competency in any given procedure, all clinical assignments shall be carried out under the direct supervision of a qualified radiographer who:
      • reviews the request for examination in relation to the student’s achievement
      • evaluates the condition of the patient in relation to the student’s knowledge
      • is physically present during the procedure
      • reviews and approves the procedure and/or image
    2. After demonstrating competency, students may perform procedures with indirect supervision.
      1. Indirect supervision is defined as that supervision provided by a qualified radiographer immediately available to assist students regardless of the level of student achievement.
      2. “Immediately available” is interpreted as the presence of a qualified radiographer adjacent to the room or location where a radiographic procedure is being performed. This availability applies to all areas where ionizing radiation equipment is in use.
    3. Supervising radiographers shall be registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in diagnostic radiologic technology. Radiologists must be certified by the American College of Radiology.
    4. The supervising radiographer shall be identified on the students’ daily clinical activity log.
    5. In the absence of the College faculty, the clinical instructor in charge shall be responsible for maintaining student’s records and ensuring that appropriate learning experiences are being assigned to students.
Repeat image supervision requirement

A qualified radiographer must be physically present in the examination room during the conduct of any/all repeat images and must approve the student’s procedure prior to re-exposure, regardless of the student’s level of competency.

Clinical conduct

Each clinical affiliate has policies that govern the conduct of its students and all students are expected to follow these policies during all rotations.

Additionally, students are expected to:

  • Arrive promptly and be prepared to begin clinical experiences
  • Wear designated clinic uniform and name and radiation badges
  • Exhibit proper conduct in the work environment
  • Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practice
  • Be responsive to instruction, evaluations, and constructive criticism
  • Demonstrate radiation awareness and protection
  • Learn, follow, and practice department routines and policies
  • Be aware of and responsive to patient condition, care, and confidentiality
  • Learn and demonstrate good radiographic practice
  • Follow affiliate HIPAA requirements for image use
  • Adhere to PCC and affiliated clinic site cell phone and social media policies

Repeated violation of these expectations may result in a disciplinary review process. See the Due process for violations section.

Clinical work stoppage/strikes

The program will implement the following when a work stoppage or strike is declared:

  • Students assigned to clinical affiliates declaring a work stoppage/strike will be placed in another clinical affiliate as soon as arrangements can be made by the program.
  • The program director will contact the Healthcare and Emergency Professions pathway dean, the CIIC of the striking clinical affiliate, and the CIIC of the proposed interim clinical affiliate to determine where students can be accommodated.
  • Students will be assigned to another participating clinical affiliate based on authorization and consultation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), evaluations of clinical affiliate student capacity, supervision of students, and sound educational judgment.

When the work stoppage/strike has ended, students will return to the original assigned clinical affiliate.

Clinical transfer

Should a student request a clinical transfer, rationale for the request must be put in writing and discussed with the program director, clinical coordinator, and the current CIIC. If there are any vacancies at other clinical affiliates, the director will provide this information to the student with no guarantee of transfer. Clinical affiliates are not obligated to agree to a transfer of another student to their site.

The program director will have discussions with the student, the current CIIC, the proposed CIIC, and the clinical coordinator. If all parties agree that the student would benefit by such action, the clinical coordinator will arrange the date of the transfer and ensure onboarding procedures are completed, and that the student’s file and clinical records are shared to the new CIIC.

Extended modality rotations

The program is a primary radiography degree program and does not prepare students for board examination or certification in post-primary certification such as CT, MRI, mammography, or cardiovascular/interventional lab. However, it may be possible for second year students to spend extended rotations in such modalities at the discretion of and with prior approval from BOTH the clinical coordinator and home site CIIC. Students must review and sign the guidelines delineating these extended rotations before time is spent on such a rotation.

Fieldwork grading

Term Number of required competencies
2 (fall, first clinical course) 2
3 6
4 9
5 18
6 10
7 10
8 10
Program completion 65 minimum, must cover all specific required competencies

The program provides all students and clinical instructors in charge (CIICs) with a current copy of the competency log and guidelines. All competences for the term must be completed by the last clinical week. If students fail to obtain the required number of competencies for the term, the instructor may lower the final grade, or consider granting the student an Incomplete until competency requirements are met (the CIIC and clinical coordinator will determine this).

Clinical competencies cannot have more than two minor errors. If there are more than two errors or a repeat is required due to a student error, the competency will be rejected and another attempt will be necessary. A clinical competency form must be completed by the student for each successful attempt. Incomplete forms will not be accepted by the CIIC. Original competency forms must be submitted to PCC Radiography faculty to be kept on file at the college.

Students must demonstrate continued competency in all required procedures to remain in the program and earned competencies can be rescinded if continued competency is not evident. Failure to demonstrate continued competency may result in daily/weekly performance evaluations and implementation of a formal “performance improvement” plan.

Fieldwork attendance

See the Attendance section.

Fieldwork sites

Main clinical sites
  • Adventist Medical Center, 10123 SE Market St. Portland, O 97216
  • Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, 10180 SE Sunnyside Rd. Clackamas, OR 97015
  • Kaiser Westside Medical Center, 2875 NW Stucki Ave. Hillsboro, OR  97214
  • Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, 2801 N. Gantenbein, Portland, OR 97227
  • Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1015 N.W. 22nd Ave. Portland, OR  97210
  • Legacy Meridian Park, 19300 SW 65th Ave. Tualatin, OR 97062
  • Legacy Mt. Hood, 24800 SE Stark St. Gresham, OR  97030
  • Legacy Salmon Creek, 2211 NE 139th St. Vancouver, WA 98686
  • OHSU, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239
  • Peacehealth SW Medical Center, 400 NE Mother Joseph Pl. Vancouver, WA 98664
  • Providence Milwaukie, 10150 SE 32nd Ave. Milwaukie, OR 97222
  • Providence Newberg, 1001 Providence Dr. Newberg, OR 97132
  • Providence Portland, 4805 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97213
  • Providence St. Vincent, 9205 SW Barnes Rd. Portland, OR 97225
  • Providence Willamette Falls, 1500 Division St. Oregon City, OR 97045
  • Hillsboro Medical Center (OHSU Tuality), 335 SE 8th Ave. Hillsboro, OR 97123
Specialty rotation clinics
  • Orthopedic & Fracture Specialist, 11782 SW Barnes Rd Suite 300, Portland OR 97225
  • The Portland Clinic, 9250 SW Hall Blvd. Tigard, OR 97223
  • Providence Medical Group Clackamas, 9290 SE Sunnybrook Blvd, Suite 120, Clackamas, OR 97015
  • Providence Medical Group Sherwood, 16770 SW Edy Rd, Suite 102, Sherwood, OR 97222
  • Rayus-Nimbus, 8950 SW Nimbus Ave. Beaverton, OR 97008
  • Rayus-Gateway, 233 NE 102nd Ave. Portland, OR 97220

Continue to next section

Health and safety