The program follows the ASRT Code of Ethics
Examples of professional behavior are given below, but are not limited to these examples.
Students will refrain from lying, (deliberately make an untrue written or oral statement or deliberately create a false impression through words or actions), cheating, (intentionally mislead or defraud, or to endeavor to mislead or defraud another. To use unauthorized assistance to submitted work or examinations designed to represent one's own effort), stealing, or intentionally misleading or deceiving anyone as to the known facts, plagiarism, (to steal and present the ideas or words of another as one's own without crediting the source) and intent, (to have in mind as a purpose or goal. An assessment of intent is essential to the consideration of the ethical violations previously defined. However, denial of intent does not provide exoneration from the charge since the intent can be inferred from the circumstances in which an unethical act was performed. This is seen as unethical behavior. The profession has no tolerance for unethical behavior per the ARRT. Any student found to be participating in lying, cheating, stealing, intentionally misleading or deceiving, plagiarism, or intent will automatically receive an F in the course.
Cheating will not be tolerated in the radiography program. Upon the 1st offense, a zero may be given for the assignment/test. A 2nd offense may be referred to the vice president of the Student Services Office.
Forging documents is an ethical violation and may result in immediate referral to the vice president of student services.
In addition, the following behaviors will also result in the student receiving an F in the course.
- The program faculty support and will uphold the college and division codes of student conduct. In addition, the student will be responsible for observing the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Code of Ethics. Any violation of the code of conduct will result in dismissal from the radiography program.
- Radiography students shall make every effort to protect all patients from exposure to unnecessary radiation.
- Radiography students shall provide services with consideration of human dignity and the uniqueness of the patient, unrestricted by consideration of age, sex, race, creed, social or economic status, handicap, personal attributes, or the nature of the health problem.
- Radiography students shall judiciously protect the patient's right to privacy and shall maintain all patient information in the strictest confidence. Current federal regulations apply to the security of patient health information, and certain violations will result in fines or prison sentences.
- Radiography students shall not diagnose, but in recognition of their responsibility to the patient, they shall provide the physician with all information they have relative to the patient that can lead to proper radiologic diagnosis.
- Radiography students shall be responsible for reporting unethical conduct and illegal professional activities.
- Provide services without regard to race, creed, national origin, sex, age, handicap, disease entity, social status, financial status, or religious affiliation.
- Protect the confidential nature of information gained from educational, practice, and investigation activities unless sharing such information could be deemed necessary to protect the well-being of the person served.
- Radiography students shall only utilize their personalized marker or assigned generic markers in the clinical and lab setting.
Any violations of the following behaviors may result in a range of actions, from warnings and/or being sent home (with attendance and point deductions) to dismissal from the program.
- Radiography students shall conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the dignity of their profession. Respect must be shown for clinical and didactic instructors as well as supervising technologists. Constructive feedback should be accepted positively. Insubordination in any manner will not be tolerated. Insubordination may include, but is not limited to, the following examples: failure to follow the requests of the faculty, clinical instructors, or clinical staff; refusing to adhere to dress code or other policies, etc.
- Abide by the regulations and policies of the program and training sites.
- Exhibit an attitude of respect, concern, and cooperation toward peers, faculty, and staff.
- Practice personal grooming and hygiene.
- Accept responsibility for one's own work and results; demonstrate willingness to accept suggestions for improvement.
- Recognize and respect the role and competencies of other professionals and cooperate with them for the benefit of the person served.
- Demonstrate sound judgment commensurate with his or her level of training and experience.
- Maintain physical, mental, and emotional composure in difficult situations.
Disciplinary violations are cumulative throughout the program.
Repeated violations of the student code of conduct will result in an immediate referral to the VPSS office.
Clinical sites can revoke your clinical training privileges at any time they feel you are a danger to patient care or have demonstrated noncompliance with their policies or procedures. If clinical privileges are revoked for any reason, you must withdraw from the allied health division. Your successful completion of clinical rotations is required for program completion.
The following guidelines are published to aid you in determining proper professional conduct while performing clinical rotations. Unless otherwise noted, any violations of these behaviors will result in a range of actions, from warnings and/or being sent home (with attendance and point deductions) to dismissal from the program.
- Report to the clinical assignment in an alert condition, adhering to proper sign-in/sign-out procedures with the proper person.
- Be in the assigned area at the designated time, wearing the proper complete uniform.
- Obtain permission before leaving clinical assignments for breaks and/or meals.
- Any time spent in unassigned areas will result in attendance and point deduction.
- Refrain from the use or possession of drugs or alcoholic beverages before or during clinical assignments or while on campus. Any odor resembling alcohol on a student's breath will not be tolerated while on clinical assignment, even residual odors from previous use. This is a representation of poor patient care practice, and you will be immediately referred to the college for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program. You will not be allowed to remain at the clinical site smelling of alcohol. In addition, no points for attendance will be given for the day. Additional drug screening may be done in any situation in which a student's behavior gives cause to believe illegal drug use may be involved.
- The use of a camera from any electronic device is strictly prohibited.
- Do NOT sleep on clinical assignments. If a student falls asleep, they will be asked to leave the clinic site immediately, and time and point deductions will accrue accordingly.
- Do NOT engage in theft of any articles from the clinical affiliate.
- Do NOT engage in immoral conduct.
- Adhere to the appropriate guidelines as published by the college for initiation of grievances concerning any aspect of clinical coursework.
- Maintain a professional attitude when in the presence of other students, staff technologists, program faculty, physicians, and patients.
- Smoke breaks are NOT permitted during clinical rotations, and a smoke-saturated uniform is considered offensive and will result in you being sent home to change, with time and points deducted.
- Students are required to properly wear a personal radiation monitor. Students WILL NOT be permitted in the clinical setting without a personal radiation monitor. Attendance and point deduction will apply.
- Students are required to wear a designated ID badge from A-B Tech as well as any site-required badge.
- Do NOT chew gum while on clinical assignment, but mints may be appropriate.
- Eat and drink only in areas designated for that purpose.
- Lunch breaks will be assigned by the clinical instructor. Due to the nature of the X-ray department, it is often impossible to predict a schedule of meals and breaks in advance.
- Lunch breaks will not take place in X-ray lounges.
- For a 7-hour clinical rotation, students must leave for lunch/dinner break within 4 hours into the shift, unless in an OR case, in the middle of an exam, or under special circumstances. Example 3:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. shift, must leave for dinner break by 7:30 p.m
- For an 8-hour clinical rotation, students must leave for lunch/dinner break within 5 hours into the shift, unless in an OR case, in the middle of an exam, or under special circumstances. Example 3:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. shift, must leave for dinner break by 8:30 p.m.
- Use of cell phones or ANY other electronic device is NOT permitted during clinical hours. A graduated point deduction per occurrence without warning will be taken from the daily clinical worksheet.
- Use of institution phones is prohibited.
- In case of emergency, students may provide the division Secretary as a contact. The phone number is (828) 398-7281.
- No computer use for personal reasons is allowed, for example, using clinical site computers, smartphones, or other electronic devices to access the internet or to access personal email. A 5-point deduction per occurrence without warning will be taken from the daily clinical worksheet.
- NOT loiter in the department of the clinical affiliate at times not specified for clinical assignment.
- Students will be expected to accept assignments by the clinical instructor commensurate with your capabilities, or to take direction from an individual designated by the clinical instructor.
- Students are expected to always follow proper channels to address problems they may experience in the clinical setting or classroom. Social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) during clinical hours and/or referencing clinical agencies or their employees at any time on a social network is unprofessional and is not an acceptable avenue to address these concerns. Any violation is grounds for disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program. You are encouraged to follow the proper channels to discuss clinical or didactic situations that you feel need to be addressed by talking to the clinical instructor, supervisor, or A-B Tech faculty.
- Social Networking opportunities (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) can create positive avenues for communication and sharing of professional activities and information. Please keep these suggestions in mind should you decide to use social media on your "off time" to discuss your experience as a medical imaging student: Be professional, use good judgment, and be accurate and honest in your communications. Errors, omissions, or unprofessional language or behavior reflect poorly on you, the College, and/or your clinical site, and may result in liability for you, the College, and/or your clinical site. Be respectful and professional to fellow students, faculty, clinical staff, and patients. You should also remember that many employers are "googling" prospective employees or may be a participant in the same network.
- Do NOT have visitors, including family and children, visit you during clinical hours or “hang out” waiting for you to get off.
- Park in designated parking areas for assigned clinical rotations.
- Do NOT engage in a technologist's personal communication.
- Follow supervision policies.
- Call labs, comps, and proficiencies BEFORE the procedure is started.