Radiologic Technology Clinical Information

Our Program Faculty and Staff

Program Director
Susan M Fitzsimons, MAED, R.T. (R)
434-832-7683

Clinical Coordinator
Priscilla Liggon, BS, R.T. (R)
434-832-7694

Science Faculty
N. Tim Wilhelm M.Ed., R.T. (R)
 434-832-7688

 

Clinical education refers to educational program components that provide developing professionals with practical and skills-oriented instruction under the supervision of skilled practitioners and clinical instructors. 

Beginning with the first semester of the program, students are actively involved in the clinical setting, working directly with patients and learning from staff technologists as well as program faculty and staff. Lynchburg General Hospital, Virginia Baptist Hospital, Radiology Consultants Inc. /Central Va. Imaging, Southside Community Hospital, Bedford Memorial Hospital, and Gretna Medical Center serve as clinical affiliates. The staff and administration of these institutions provide enormous support and assistance in maintaining the quality of the educational program. Most of them are graduates of this program. 

During clinical education, our students can expect to develop age and gender appropriate communication skills, mechanical skills necessary to operate equipment, positioning skills necessary to obtain diagnostic quality images, and critical thinking skills necessary to perform more advanced imaging procedures. Professionalism is expected throughout the clinical rotations and will be stressed. 

 As part of the educational requirement to sit for the ARRT Certification Examination, students must demonstrate clinical competency by performing clinical procedures specified by the ARRT. Clinical competencies are examinations and duties performed at the clinical facilities. Information about the ARRT requirements can be found at ARRT Radiography Credential
 
From the ARRT website:
“Statement of Purpose: The purpose of the clinical competency requirements is to verify that individuals certified by the ARRT have demonstrated competence performing the clinical activities fundamental to a particular discipline. Competent performance of these fundamental activities, in conjunction with mastery of the cognitive knowledge and skills covered by the certification examination, provides the basis for the acquisition of the full range of clinical skills typically required in a variety of settings. Demonstration of clinical competence means that the candidate has performed the procedure independently, consistently, and effectively during the course of his or her formal education.”

Please refer to the Program Student Handbook for more on clinical competencies and clinical education Student Handbook (PDF)

Vaccination Requirements

The clinical facilities will require immunizations and the COVID 19 vaccination. Students will be required to sign a statement on immunizations and vaccinations stating that they must comply with the immunization and vaccination policies of clinical providers in order to enter these facilities.

Because students may be at risk for acquiring hepatitis B viral infection, it is strongly recommended that students be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine prior to caring for patients. Those who do not wish to receive the hepatitis B vaccine upon entry into the program must sign a declination form to this effect. If a student does obtain the Hepatitis B vaccination during the program, proof of vaccination shall be provided to the Program Director or Clinical Coordinator upon completion of the vaccination series.
 
Yearly, students in the program will be required to obtain a PPD test and the flu shot when directed by the Clinical Coordinator. Students may obtain the PPD at their doctor’s office or at their local health department. The flu shot is offered many places around the area including local drug stores, Walmart, and of course the doctors’ offices. These vaccinations are a requirement of the clinical facilities and are as much about protecting the patients as they are about protecting you. The flu can be deadly to the elderly and the very young. 

Clinical Sites

Graduates of the CVCC Radiologic Technology program benefit from the school's curriculum and multiple clinical sites which reflect the ever-changing nature of clinical practice and patient care. All students will rotate through every clinical site as a program requirement. ​Students must furnish their own reliable transportation to and from clinical facilities.

Our clinical sites include:

• Lynchburg General Hospital
• Virginia Baptist Hospital
• Central Virginia Imaging / Radiology Consultants
• Bedford Memorial Hospital
• Southside Memorial Hospital
• Gretna Medical Center

Clinical hours and rotations may change at any time to reflect changes in workflow or meet accreditation requirements. Students must be flexible to meet these changing conditions. Clinical hours are determined by the clinical facility you are assigned.

All students will go to all clinical sites when assigned. There is no program option for a student to skip a clinical rotation at any clinical facility. Evening and weekend rotations are required of all students beginning in the third semester. Clinical rotations will not be altered to fit a student's work schedule or other extracurricular activity. 

Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical sites. Carpooling is an option that is encouraged when possible.

Clinical Hours Per Semester

*Clinical Times: (Times do not reflect the student’s lunch break and afternoon break)
*Clinical times are subject to change slightly to meet student learning objectives.

Semester 1 (Fall) 16 hours/week

Tuesdays/Thursdays 7-3:30 or 8-4:30

Semester 2 (Spring) 16 hours/week

Tuesdays/Thursdays 7-3:30 or 8-4:30

Semester 3 (Summer) 32 hours/week

Mondays/Wed/Fridays 7:00- 3:30 occasionally 8-4:30 
Tuesdays/Thursdays 730-1130  Class from 1-3 at CVCC
 Weekend Rotations 7-3:30
 Evening rotations  (2-10:30 or 3-11pm) 

Semester 4 (Fall) 24 hours/week

Mondays/Wed/Fridays 7-3:30 and 8-4:30
Weekend Rotations 7-3:30
Evening rotations  (2-10:30 or 3-11pm) ) 

Semester 5 (Spring) 24 hours/week

Mondays/Wed/Fridays 7-3:30 and 8-4:30
Weekend Rotations 7-3:30
Evening rotations  (2- 10:30 or 3-11pm) 

Semester 6 (Summer) 24 hour/week

Mondays/Wed/Fridays 7-3:30  occasionally 6- 2:30 and 8-4:30
T, TH clinical scheduled as required per student situation with class at CVCC from 9-11am
Weekend Rotations 7-3:30
Evening rotations  (2- 10:30 or 3-11pm) 

Total Program Clinical Hours: 1840

The radiography candidate must be able to perform with reasonable accommodation the following tasks of a clinical radiographer:

• Excellent gender and age specific communication skills to satisfactorily converse with patients, physicians, co-workers, and ancillary staff
• Have vision and hearing adequate to observe changes in patient status
• Have vision adequate to read emergency monitoring information
• Have vision adequate to evaluate radiologic images
• Have vision adequate to enter and receive information from computer consoles
• Have hearing adequate to receive and interpret equipment signals
• Be able to work with arms extended overhead
• Be able to stand in place for long periods of time (.5 – 3 hours)
• Be able to lift 50 pounds at or below waist level
• Be able to prolong walking while carrying 20-25 pounds
• Be able to stoop, bend, or otherwise assist patients who may faint or become unable to assist themselves
• Be able to write patient reports dictated by Radiologists and make entries on computers
• Possess manual dexterity skills pertinent to all aspects of radiology

* The candidate should be aware that student radiographers are, by the nature of the profession, potentially exposed to ionizing radiation, infectious diseases, and combative or difficult patients.