General Clinical Education Requirements

Clinical Education Assignment Policy

Radiologic Science students who complete all prerequisite in-residence course-work with a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have current financial status with NWHSU will receive an appropriate clinical education placement. CE locations for both radiologic science programs are within the Minneapolis/St. Paul area; within the state of Minnesota as well of out of state locations.

Students must be prepared to relocate for clinical education. Students may be required to spend time at another clinical site for the purpose of observation and/or additional clinical experiences.

Students are allowed the opportunity to rotate sites to observe different modalities of treatment procedures, allowing equitable learning opportunities if available.

The assignment process takes place during the trimester preceding the clinical education experience.

To ensure selection of quality clinical sites, placement is made only in facilities approved by the University and the JRCERT (for radiation therapy sites). All arrangements are made by NWHSU, and students may not contact facilities without the knowledge and approval of NWHSU program faculty.

The appropriate clinical education site for each student will be chosen by the Clinical Coordinator including consultation with the Program Director as well as faculty of the radiologic sciences program at NWHSU, allowing for student success.

Students will be provided a list of clinical sites available for their cohort placement. They are allowed to make 3 choices. The program attempts to place students in their desired site/geographic location, however, does not guarantee placement at a site of the students choosing. The program considers where the student has the best likelihood of success or succeeding as criteria when making their decision.
GPA (general education and core classes) is considered when more than one student desires a particular site.
Family situations and/or living arrangements etc. will not be taken into consideration under any circumstances.
Failure to complete in-residence course work as outlined, may affect timely placement of clinical education.
When a student receives a clinical site placement, this is a final decision. Refusal of a site at any time may result in the unsuccessful completion of the Radiologic Sciences Program.
In the event there is an unforeseen opening at a clinical site after placements are made, that site will not be available to those students already placed. Once a student has been placed at a clinical site, it is expected that the student will complete the rotation. This preserves continuity and trust with the many clinical sites with which we are affiliated. Students may be required to spend time at another clinical site for the purpose of observation and/or additional clinical experiences.
Students may not contact any clinical education site prior to being assigned to a site - no exceptions.

Students should not ask the Clinical Coordinator or Program Director for special considerations in clinical site assignments.

During clinical education, professional behavior, dress, cleanliness and appearance requirements are the same as for lab and may include additional specific clinical site requirements (according to the site’s dress code). Failure to abide by these requirements may lead to probation and dismissal from the program. Dismissal from a clinical site would result with a failing grade for RAD/RTH 2290 or RAD/RTH 2291 or 3291.

Students should refer to the program specific clinical training handbook for all requirements that must be completed prior to beginning clinical training.

Clinical Training – things to know

Clinical grades will reflect competency attainment as well as evaluation of ability, behavior, knowledge, professionalism, and mock board exam results.
If a student is removed from a clinical education site, and the school/program determines that another placement is warranted, the student will be expected to accept the next available site. No exceptions are allowed.
Students will receive ARRT exam application information during CE II. Students are encouraged to apply for the ARRT credentialing examination 6 weeks prior to the conclusion of their clinical training.

Students need to be mindful of their “work” and keep the paperwork in a confidential area.

Clinical Education Attendance Policy

Students who are in Clinical Education for the Radiologic Science programs must adhere to the attendance policy. It is important that all students adequately prepare themselves for multiple months of clinical training. This preparation should include consideration of any and all concerns (i.e. finances, family) that may otherwise interfere with the student’s ability to complete clinical training at any offered clinical site in the recommended time.

Students are not allowed to attend clinical training when the NWHSU campus is closed; otherwise the student will observe their clinical site’s holiday closings. Holidays are listed in the Clinical Training Handbook.