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JRCERT Update

Student Supervision in the Clinical Setting

Repeat Policy to be guilty of misconduct, can damage a program’s
The policy addressing supervision of students dur- reputation. Furthermore, defending against such allega-
ing repeat image acquisition procedures applies only to tions can be a long and costly process. Establishing clear
radiography. The presence of a qualified radiographer policies and procedures to establish proper supervision
during a repeat image procedure stemming from an will help programs defend against such allegations and,
unsatisfactory initial image protects patient safety and more importantly, help prevent incidents that could lead
proper educational practices; therefore, a qualified to such allegations.
radiographer must be physically present during the Ultimately, the program is responsible for over-
repeat image procedure and must approve the student’s sight of the students in their clinical rotations.
procedure before re-exposure occurs. This tactic is Communication among program officials, clinical staff,
imperative for patient care and safety because it protects and students is essential to provide assurance of student
patients from exposure to excessive and unnecessary supervision. The following are additional best practices
1
radiation from repeating the same image acquisition for securing patient safety :
error and because it ensures corrective action is taken. ƒ Include policies addressing student supervision in
multiple documents such as the program’s student
Legal Implications handbook, clinical handbooks, and course syllabi.
Supervision is a key component to establishing ƒ Provide professional development activities to
patient and student safety. Failure to provide proper educate clinical instructors, preceptors, and staff
supervision can have significant legal consequences about student supervision policies on a routine
for the clinical staff, student, and education program. basis. This action affords the opportunity for dis-
From the clinical staff perspective, failure to properly cussion and clarification.
supervise a student might lead to a claim by a patient ƒ Distribute or post student supervision policies
of malpractice or negligence if the student fails to per- and meeting minutes as a reminder to clinical
form a procedure properly and it results in injury to the staff and students.
patient. Licensure or certification also might be at risk if ƒ Encourage communication between students and
the failure to properly supervise is subject to discipline clinical staff regarding each student’s progress to
under the code of conduct or grounds for discipline of ensure that the appropriate level of supervision
the certifying or licensing body. required for each procedure occurs.
From the student perspective, failure to ensure ƒ Document student supervision activities or
that one is being properly supervised might result in a mechanisms of assurance for inclusion in future
charge of practicing without a license, depending on the self-study or interim reports.
scope of practice as defined in licensure laws. Students Regardless of the education program, all programs
must be aware of what they can and cannot do in their accredited by the JRCERT require students to be
capacity as a student and when supervision is mandat- appropriately supervised in the clinical setting. As evi-
ed. Licensure laws exist in part to protect students from denced by the JRCERT mission statement—“JRCERT
being placed in the untenable position of performing promotes excellence in education and elevates the quali-
procedures for which they have not yet demonstrated ty and safety of patient care through the accreditation of
competency. educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy,
From the education program’s perspective, failure to magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry”—patient
ensure that supervisors are properly monitoring their care is of utmost importance and is reflected in its
students might result in a charge of negligence against Standards. 2
the program should a patient experience a negative con-
sequence resulting from the student’s action or inaction To review the entire 2014 Standards for an Accredited
stemming from a lack of proper supervision. Such legal Program, visit the JRCERT website at jrcert.org.
action, even if the program or individuals are not found

210 asrt.org/publications
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.