Computed Tomography Clinical Internship

Purpose Statement

The CT Internship is designed so the intern gains the clinical experience needed to function in an active CT department and to document the needed clinical procedures to sit for the ARRT-CT certification examination.

Information

The CT clinical internship will provide 20 weeks of continuous clinical experience to include:

• Thirty-two hours of scheduled clinical time each week at UI Hospitals and Clinics’ Computed Tomography Department, including day (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) and evening shift (3:00 - 11:30 pm) experience.

  Computed Tomography Department

  The Computed Tomography Department is an active, fast paced area within the Radiology Department that continually grows, keeping up with the exciting CT advancements. Currently, the department is staffed from 7 am to 11:30 pm with CT technologists and has Siemens and Toshiba scanners for a total of seven scanners with a range of 4 to 64 slice capability. The department performs 871 plus-CT exams per week, scheduling outpatient procedures from 7 am to 4 pm. In the 2005-2006 fiscal year the CT department performed 45,334 head and whole body scans. To best serve the hospital and clinic patients, the CT department performs an array of procedures, to include routine head and body scanning, spine, joint and extremity scanning, biopsy and abscess drainage, stealth studies for stereotactic studies, 3D imaging, cardiac CT, CT urograms, coronary calcification studies, facet injections for pain therapy treatment, CT Enteroclysis for Crohn’s, and CT angiograms.

• Rotations through each of the CT department scanning rooms, the 3D lab, and the Center of Excellence in Image-Guided Radiation Therapy.
• Experience that is facilitated under the guidance of 17 full-time CT technologists, 4 pediatric, 5 orthopedic, 5 body, 4 chest and 7 head/neck Radiologists, Radiology Residents, and a Clinical Coordinator.
• Participation in routine head and body scanning, spine, joint and extremity scanning, biopsy and abscess drainage, stealth studies for stereotactic studies, 3D imaging, cardiac CT, CT urograms, coronary calcification studies, facet injections for pain therapy treatment, CT Enteroclysis for Crohn’s, CT angiograms (to include head, neck, abdomen, renal, and coronary), hepatic and splenic artery, perfusion Head CT, and Tertiary I trauma center exams.
• During the rotation through the Center of Excellence in Image-guided Radiation Therapy the students will be exposed to CT simulation exams on a Siemens 64 slice scanner, set-up for treatment planning, positioning, and targeting, and perform 4D imaging CT scans.
• Competency and objective based education with required testing for each rotation..
• Weekly clinical performance evalutions, providing constructive feedback from the CT staff and clinical coordinator. Clinical coordinator will facilitate your schedule, rotations, learning objectives, evaluations, and competencies.
• Twelve hours of General and CT Iowa Continuing Education Credits.
• Six semester hours of UI elective credit toward BS in Radiation Sciences.

Contact Information

Refer questions relating to the CT internship to:

Stephanie Harris, B.S., R.T.(R)(CT)(M)
CT Coordinator
Radiology, C727 GH
Tel: 319-356-4334
stephanie-harris@uiowa.edu

Internship Completion

Intern is required to attend all clinical rotations and complete all competencies and objectives prior to being awarded the final course grade.

Internship Dates

Spring 2013: January 7 to May 24

Fall 2013: August 5th to December 20

Spring 2014: January 6 to May 23

Student Selection Process

All applicable admission requirements must be received by February 1st for an applicant to be considered for both of the following year's internship start dates. Promising applicants are invited for personal interviews with the Admissions Committee throughout the month of February. The Admission Committee considers all aspects of each applicant's record and offers admission to the best-qualified individuals. Positive applicant attributes include maturity, knowledge of, and motivation toward, a career in computed tomography technology, previous health care experience and an aptitude for academic achievement. Preference is given to residents of Iowa. Three students will be selected for each of the sessions.

The University of Iowa prohibits discrimination in employment and in its educational programs and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The University also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to University facilities. For additional information on nondiscrimination policies, contact the Coordinator of Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA in the Office of Affirmative Action, (319) 335-0705 (voice) or (319) 335-0697 (text), The University of Iowa, 202 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1316

Upon Acceptance into Internship

The following must be completed after notification of acceptance into the internship and before the internship starting date. Specific instructions for completion will be provided with the acceptance notice. Fees concurred for these requirements are the interns responsibility.

• ARRT Primary Certification in radiologic technology, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy
• Obtain an Iowa Permit to Practice
• Completion of the UIHC Compliance Training
• UIHC Radiation Safety Training and Dosimeters Course
• Healthcare Provider CPR
• Proof of Health Insurance
• TB and TB respirator-fitting tests
• Complete medical history & health screen forms

UI Course Registration Requirements

The following UI Distance Education CT courses must be completed before entering the internship or intern must show proof of enrollment concurrently with the CT internship. Select the related "Distance Education" link from the left NavBar to learn more about this coursework.

• For semester accepted Fall or Spring: 676:140 CT Clinical Internship
• Summer: 676:100 Sectional Anatomy & 675:110 Vascular Anatomy
• Fall: 676:120 CT Procedures I & 676:130 CT Physical Principles & QC
• Spring: 676:125 CT Procedures II & 676:110 Pathology for Imaging Sciences

Clinical Dress Code

When the student is on clinical assignments, the student is required to comply with the following dress code. Uniforms:

• Black colored scrubs.
• Must be clean and wrinkle free.
• If you need additional warmth, an "above-the-knee-length" lab coat may be worn.
• An all white, crew or turtleneck T-shirt may be worn under the scrub top. No printing is allowed on the T-shirt and they may not be worn inside out. The T-shirt must not hang below the bottom of the scrub top.

Student Identification - All students are required to wear UI Hospitals and Clinics identification badges at all times while on clinical assignment. The ID badge must be worn above the waist, without attachments, and with picture and name forward, immediately visible to patients, visitors, and other staff. Badges will be issued during the first week of internship.

Jewelry

• Two SMALL pair of earrings may be worn per ear.
• NO bracelets.
• Rings – two rings total may be worn, they must be small and plain.
• Necklace - one small, short, gold or silver chain may be worn with or without a small pendant.

Fingernails

• Artificial nails/nail enhancements are not permitted.
• Fingernails are to be neatly maintained and no longer than ¼ inch beyond the fingertips.
• Clear nail polish is preferred; this allows staff members to visualize the subungual area to determine if it is clean. If nail polish is worn, it should be in good repair, without defect (chips, peeling or cracks). Nail polish, if worn, must be under four days old.

Hair - Shoulder length or longer hair must be tied back during clinic time. Student’s hair must be kept out of student and patient’s face.

Shoes - All white or black leather – Only blue nursemate hearts are acceptable, otherwise NO colored emblems or colored writing or lines. (Small emblems may be covered with white polish or fabric paint.) Shoes are to be polished and have clean shoestrings at all times.

Stockings/socks - All white. No bare feet or visible bare legs are permitted.

Facial hair - Clean shaven or neatly trimmed mustache or beard.

Personal hygiene - Be aware that you will be working closely with patients and peers. Pay particular attention to foot, underarm, and breath odors. Do not wear any perfumes or shaving lotions.

Body piercing - No visible body or tongue piercing may be worn while on clinical rotations.