A supervised, clinical practicum which requires hands-on experience within a medical imaging setting. Provides directed practice under the supervision of a medical imaging informatics or picture archiving and communication system (PACS) professional. Emphasizes the need to integrate information from all previous courses within a live clinical setting. Lab activities.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Teleradiography
- PACS System Architecture
- Image Acquisition per Modality
- Image Evaluation per Modality
- DICOM Basics
- Imaging Informatics Technical Troubleshooting
- Imaging Informatics System Failure and Business Continuity
- Perform all entry level duties assigned to a medical imaging informatics professional.
- Arrange a clinical rotation location at a local picture archiving and communication system (PACS) equipped facility, and obtain a signed authorization form prior to start of externship.
- Identify key site information such as names of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) related vendors and number of PACS personnel.
- Identify local picture archiving and communication system (PACS) architecture and configuration.
- Analyze facility processes for radiology image sharing between facilities.
- Identify clinical rotation site quality control tools and methodology.
- Explain and defend key clinical rotation site downtime policies and procedures.*
- Identify paper document handling methodology within a clinical facility.
- Appraise film digitization processes within a clinical facility.*
- Examine and assess the after-hours reading process within a clinical facility.*
- Demonstrate use of clinical rotation radiologist dictation system technology within a clinical facility.
Assessment and Requirements
The final course grade will be calculated using a combination of online work, course project, and clinical participation. The grading scale is:
93-100 % A
85-92 % B
80-84 % C
73-79 % D
72% & under E
Clinical experience will need to be arranged and approved ahead of time by both program and clinical site officials. Whenever possible a medical facility near to the student’s home will be chosen. Instructors may assist students in locating a facility for this clinical externship.
If relocation is necessary, it will be solely the student’s responsibility to acquire and financially fund all aspects of temporary relocation.
Completion of this externship completes the program in its entirety, and completing students will receive a certificate. This course is seven (7) weeks long.