Medical Radiography Acknowledgment of Physical and Program Requirements

Medical Radiography is a mentally and physically demanding profession. It requires a high level of resilience, manual dexterity, physical strength, controlled sensitivity to disturbing medical scenarios and the ability to function effectively in a busy and sometimes stressful environment.

Individuals practicing medical radiography must have:

• Physical and mental resilience
• Fine motor control/manual dexterity
• Physical strength, including the ability to stand for long periods of time
• Good visual perception and discernment of grey colour scale
• Strong critical thinking and communication skills (including hearing and speaking)

As part of this program, examples of clinical skills/competencies students must be able to demonstrate include:

• Transport and transfer patients safely, including (but not limited to)
  • pushing wheelchairs and stretchers;
  • aiding patients with limited mobility;
  • and safely moving and handling severely injured/ill patients for radiographic imaging.
• Recognize and respond to medical and facility emergencies.
• Employ routine practices and additional precautions for infection prevention and control, including wearing personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection).
• Apply standardized procedures for handling and disposing of sharps and biohazardous materials.
• Perform venipuncture (insert needle into a vein for the purpose of IV contrast injection).
• Perform rectal tube insertion.
• Maneuver and operate mobile imaging equipment in high threshold environments, such as the operating room, emergency room, and intensive care unit.
• Prepare pharmaceutical agents, such as drawing pharmaceuticals out of a vial, or loading a power injector.
• Use proper body mechanics.
• Ensure a safe working environment.
• Operate a computer (hardware and software) and digital literacy

Student Training

The Medical Radiography Program at Camosun uses a blended approach (a combination of in person and online learning) to provide the necessary knowledge and skills to practice safely in the clinical setting. Training includes laboratory simulations to practice procedural and patient care skills that must be demonstrated to a satisfactory level prior to entering the clinical setting. Some learning activities will require students to act as simulated patients for each other. The necessary safety precautions will be taken, including the use of phantoms to practice procedures involving ionizing radiation, or the use of task trainers/lifelike models to practice invasive procedures such as rectal tube insertion or venipuncture. With appropriate supervision, students may have the opportunity to volunteer to have venipuncture performed on them by one of their peers. These learning activities require students to be prepared and employ due care and attention in their completion.

Clinical Placements

Clinical placements for Camosun’s Medical Radiography Program are located at accredited clinical sites across Vancouver Island. After the application deadline, the program will issue a site preference survey to the top 16 successful applicants (including 2 seats for qualified indigenous applicants, if applicable). Although the program takes individual preferences into consideration where possible, there is no guarantee students will be placed at their preferred site(s). Should an offer of admission be declined, the program will offer that seat to the next highest ranked applicant on the waitlist. Waitlisted applicants will be offered clinical placements based on what is available.

Students must be prepared to attend their assigned placements located at any of the clinical sites on the island. Students are responsible for all aspects of travel and accommodation arrangements to attend clinical placements and are required to comply with all Camosun and healthcare facility policies while attending clinical placements, including any vaccination requirements. Since students may be working with children and/or vulnerable adults during their clinical placements, they must have a Criminal Record Check (CRC) conducted by the British Columbia Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General (MPSSG), Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP). After accepting a seat in the program, Camosun provides students with an access code needed for the online CRC application.

Accommodation

Students in the Medical Radiography Program must be physically and mentally capable of performing the tasks required to practice in the clinical setting and must do so according to the expected standards of the profession and the learning outcomes of the program. To ensure public, staff, and student safety while providing diagnostic imaging services, it may not be possible for the program to offer reasonable accommodations for students with personal limitations or conditions that impair them from demonstrating skills or competencies safely and effectively. For example, if a student suffers an injury during the program, such as a fracture (broken bone), they may not be able to continue in the program until they are fully recovered and safe to perform the tasks required in the laboratory or clinical setting. All circumstances and requests for accommodation will be considered on an individual basis.

Duty to Inquire

If Camosun staff observe that a student is unable to perform skills and competencies safely and effectively in circumstances where a medical condition may be impacting their performance or participation in the program, they may inquire with that student about medical information that will allow the program to understand whether the student has a medical condition impacting their performance or participation in the program, and whether there are any recommended accommodations. In some situations, the program may request a medical assessment from a doctor.

Student Request for Accommodation

Students requiring academic accommodation are encouraged to register with Camosun’s Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) as early as possible. CAL supports students who self-identify with a documented, diagnosed disability in achieving their educational goals by arranging and coordinating appropriate academic accommodations and related services. The centre also provides expert guidance to the college community, enabling faculty and staff to create a more accessible learning environment.

DECLARATION

I am aware of the program requirements as described above and agree to participate in classroom, laboratory, online and clinical experiences that impart necessary knowledge and skills for practice in the field.

I understand that if I am unable to demonstrate the skills and competencies according to the expected standards of the medical radiation technology profession, I may be unable to successfully complete the program.

I am aware of the mental and physical requirements for the Medical Radiography Program as described above. I confirm that I possess the mental and physical attributes to perform these functions, and that I understand the process of seeking accommodation for any medical condition that may affect my ability to participate in the Program, in advance of starting the Program.

I understand that if I cannot obtain a "clear" criminal record check, I will be unable to progress or complete this program.