Page 115 - JRCERT Pulse Newsletters

Page 6

Recognition of Clinical Settings and Observation Sites . . .

a little clarification

Accreditation Management System
(AMS) portal. Utilization of an un- Affiliation agreement?
recognized clinical setting for stu-
An affiliation agreement is not re-
dent clinical experience will result in
quired for recognition of a new clinical
a fine to the program of $500.
setting if the setting is under the same
Observation Sites radiologic administrative control as an
associated, currently recognized clini-
As a method to broaden students’
cal setting or is owned by the pro-
clinical experience, programs may
gram’s sponsoring institution; howev-
elect to utilize, on a limited basis,
We receive several questions each month er, a memorandum of understanding
medical facilities for students’
regarding whether a clinical facility needs to “observation” of specialized proce- between the clinical setting and the
be recognized, “approved,” by the JRCERT dures not involving clinical competen- sponsoring institution is recommend-
for student clinical experience. Additional- cy achievement. An example might ed. At a minimum, the memorandum
ly, programs are, on occasion, being cited be one in which radiography program should address responsibilities of both
under Standard Two-Objective 2.5 parties and student professional liabil-
students observe bone densitometry
during a site visit for utilizing clinical set- at a freestanding women’s health ity insurance.
tings that have not been recognized. clinic. Students may not assist in, or For those situations in which an affilia-

Questions usually arise when a program is perform, any aspects of patient care tion agreement is not required, docu-
considering utilization of a “satellite” facili- during observation assignments, i.e., mentation that the new clinical setting
ty, such as an outpatient imaging center or no physical contact with the patient is in compliance with applicable state
medical office, as a clinical setting for the and no operation of the equipment. and/or federal radiation safety laws
program. To help decide if a facility needs Since the JRCERT does not recog- must still be submitted in support of
to be recognized as a clinical setting for the nize true observation sites, the the recognition of the setting.
program, you need to ask these two ques- “hands off” requirement is necessary
tions: to protect all parties involved, as
there is likely no affiliation agreement
1. Is the facility under different radiolog-
in place that addresses student liabil-
ic administrative control from the
ity. The JRCERT recommends estab-
currently recognized clinical setting or
lishing a memorandum of understand-
the program’s sponsoring institution?
ing between the clinical setting and A Consideration for Observation
2. Is the facility geographically dispersed the sponsoring institution that, at Sites...
from the associated, currently recog-
minimum, addresses the responsibili-
nized, clinical setting? Students may experience pressure to
ties of both parties and student liabil-
go beyond the “hands off” policy at
If the answer to either of these ques- ity. Additionally, facilities where
observation sites, thus placing the
tions is YES, the facility MUST be students are participating in service
student in an awkward, uncomforta-
recognized by the JRCERT as a sepa- learning projects or community-
ble, and potentially libelous situation.
rate clinical setting for the program. based learning opportunities do not
Programs will need to make applica- require JRCERT recognition.
tion for the new setting through the