NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGY

PROGRAM

STUDENT POLICY AND PROCEDURES HANDBOOK

2008 - 2010

Nuclear Medicine Technology Program School of Health Professions

University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 35294

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Table of Contents I. Mission Statement and Goals ......................................................................................................................... 4

II. Program Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................ 5

III. Student Responsibilities .................................................................................................................................. 6

IV. Attendance Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 7

V. Program Grading Policy .................................................................................................................................. 9

VI. Disability Support ......................................................................................................................................... 11

VII. Textbook List ................................................................................................................................................ 12

VIII. Assessments & Evaluations ........................................................................................................................... 14

IX. Accreditation ................................................................................................................................................. 15

X. Appendices:

A. Statement of Patient’s Bill of Rights ...................................................................................................... 16

B. Code of Ethics for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist .......................................................................... 17

C. ARRT Standards of Ethics ...................................................................................................................... 18

D. Equal Opportunity Policy ........................................................................................................................ 24

E. Student Pregnancy Policy ....................................................................................................................... 26

F. Communicable Disease and Infection Control Policies ........................................................................... 27

G. Hepatitis B Exposure Protocol ............................................................................................................... 28

H. Immunization Policy ............................................................................................................................... 30

I. Readmit Policy/Remediation Policy ......................................................................................................... 31

J. Student Employment................................................................................................................................. 33

K. Academic Conduct Policy ....................................................................................................................... 34

L. SHP Grievance Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 37

M. Student Appeals Procedures .................................................................................................................. 43

N. Essential Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 44

O. School of Health Professions and Nuclear Medicine Technologist Procedures for Drug Screening ...... 45

P. Statement of Non-Abuse of Chemical Substances .................................................................................. 46

Q. Consent and Release for Drug Testing .................................................................................................... 47

R. Background Check Policy ....................................................................................................................... 48

S. Consent to Federal Background Check ................................................................................................... 50

T. Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Statement of Understanding ..................................................... 51

U. Student Awards & Scholarships .............................................................................................................. 52

V. Student Records Policy ........................................................................................................................... 54

W. AIDS and HIV Infection Policy - See SHP Catalog online*

X. Alcoholic Beverages Policy – See SHP Catalog online*

Y. Drug Free Campus Policy – See SHP Catalog online*

Z. Sexual Harassment Policy - See SHP Catalog online *

*www.uab.edu/rtt link to SHP catalog then to UAB policies

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I. Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Mission and Goals

Mission

The UAB Nuclear Medicine Technology Program is dedicated to providing a quality baccalaureate program by offering didactic and clinical coursework in a curriculum that is designed to prepare students to become competent and productive technologists. The program also serves the profession through its offering of continuing education activities and educational products.

Goals

1. Provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure employment as an entry-level nuclear medicine technologist.

2. Provide students with the knowledge necessary to pass national certification. 3. Provide health care employers with competent graduates. 4. Offer educational activities and materials to the health care community 5. Provide help for students with future graduate school request.

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II. Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Curriculum

Professional Phase Curriculum 2008-2010

Term Course Credits Fall 08 AHS 330 Health Care Systems 3

NMT 400 Intro to Clinical Nuclear Med. 2 NMT 404 Patient Care 2

NMT 410 Medical Radiation Physics 4 NMT 431 Nuclear Medicine Procedures I 4

Total Credits 15

Spring 09 AHS 318 Law for Health Care Professionals 3 NMT 421 Instrumentation I 3 NMT 441 Radiation Protection & Biology 3 NMT 442 Appl of Radiation Protection & Biology 1 NMT 443 Regulatory Issues 2 AHS 460 Research Methods 3

Total Credits 15 Summer 09 NMT 432 Nuclear Medicine Procedures II 4 NMT 451 Communication Skills 1 NMT 491 Clinical Practice I 5 NMT 405 Cross-sectional Anatomy 3

Total Credits 13 Fall 09 NMT 423 Computed Tomography 3 NMT 422 Instrumentation II 3 NMT 460 Radiopharmacy 2 NMT 492 Clinical Practice II 7

Total Credits 15 Spring 10 NMT 493 Clinical Practice III 10 NMT 499 Correlative Imaging 3

Total Credits 13

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III. Student Responsibilities Maintain academic integrity by refraining from cheating. Incidents of cheating among others should be reported if and when it is witnessed. Refer to the UAB undergraduate academics honor code. Check email on a daily basis. Turn off all cell phones and/or beepers prior to beginning class. Report to all class meetings on time. Bring all course materials to class. Assist in maintaining a constructive classroom environment by refraining from inappropriate disruptions or outbursts. Respectful behavior toward instructors, classmates, and guests is expected. It is recommended that you join the Society of Nuclear Medicine as a student member. It is recommended that you join the Alabama Nuclear Medicine Society as a student member. Have access to a computer with Office 2007 software for participation in on-line work (available at UAB bookstore at reduced cost to students.) Refer to the Student Policies and Procedures Handbook when in need of program and or didactic policy information. Refer to the clinical handbook when in need of information pertaining to clinical education. Failure to meet student responsibilities may lead to counseling, reprimand and/or probation.

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IV. Attendance Policy

1. To find out if class cancellation occurs due to bad weather (snow and ice) on an assigned class day these are the official sources:

* WBHM 90.3 as well as other local media. Your safety should always take precedence * The UAB Web site at www.uab.edu * BlazerNET at blazernet.uab.edu * The UAB inclement Weather Hotline at 205/934-2165 2. University Attendance Policy: The University regards certain absences as excused and in those instances requires that

instructors provide an accommodation for the student who misses assignments, presentations, examinations, or other academic work of a substantive nature by virtue of these excused absences. Examples include the following:

Absences due to jury or military duty provided that the official documentation has been

provided to the instructor in a timely manner in advance. Absences of students registered with Disabilities Services for disabilities eligible for “a

reasonable number of disability-related absences” provided students give their instructors notice of a disability-related absence in advance or as soon as possible.

Absences due to participation in university-sponsored activities when the student is

representing the university in an official capacity and as a critical participant provided that the procedures below have been followed.

Before the end of the add/drop period, students must provide their instructor a schedule

of anticipated excused absences in or with a letter explaining the nature of the expected absences from the director of the unit or a department sponsoring the activity.

If a change in the schedule occurs, students are responsible for providing their instructors

with advance written notification from the sponsoring unit or department. Absences due to other extenuating circumstances that instructors deem excused. Such

classification is at the discretion of the instructor and is predicated upon consistent treatment of all students.

In these instances, instructors must devise a system for reasonable accommodation

including, for example, policies allowing for dropped exams/quizzes, make-up exams, rescheduling of student classroom presentations or early or later submission of written assignments.

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3. The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program attendance policy is as follows for all courses and labs:

If an unexcused absence (see UAB attendance policy above for excused absences) occurs

there will be a 1% overall grade reduction for that course or lab per absence. Two tardies will equal one absence. A tardy is considered being more than 10 minutes late to class.

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V. Program Grading Policies

A. The following grading scale is utilized in all nuclear medicine technology courses with the prefix NMT. It is to be pointed out that this is based on an 8 point scale rather than a 10 point scale.

A = 92 - 100 B = 84 - 91 C = 75 - 83 D = 67 - 74

B. A current student who receives a “D” or an “F” in any required course while admitted to

the nuclear medicine technology program will be dismissed from the program unless there are mediating circumstances. These circumstances must be extreme in order to be considered.

In the case of extreme circumstances, the student will be suspended from the program rather than expelled, and must wait until the next time that course in which the grade was made to be offered again. The student will then be allowed to take the course again. Under the recommendation of the program director, the student may be required to take remedial courses prior to repeating a nuclear medicine technology course. If the student passes the course, then the student may petition the program director for re-entry into the program. If the class size warrants, the student MAY be allowed to re-enter the program at the discretion of the program director. Re-entry into the nuclear medicine technology program is NOT guaranteed. If the student takes the course again and still fails to make a 75 or greater, the student will be expelled from the program. The student may reapply to the program, and must complete the full application process again and enter the program as a new student. Entry into the program is still not guaranteed, but will be on a competitive basis with the other applicants.

C. Cheating: If a student is caught and proven to be cheating, the student is in violation of

the UAB Honor Code (found on the Home Page under Course Information) and will be subject to the UAB policies on Academic Misconduct. At the least, the student will receive a zero for the exam or assigned work and will be put on Academic Probation (see Program Policies and Procedures on Academic Misconduct/Probation). If placed on Academic Probation, a second infraction OF ANY KIND will result in dismissal from the program.

D. Plagiarism: All papers and assignments must be the original work of that student, or

have the work of another in quotation marks with proper reference notations immediately following the direct quote. If a student is proven to have plagiarized another individual’s work, claiming that work as his or her own, the student is in violation of the UAB Honor Code (found on the Home Page under Course Information) and will be subject to the UAB policies on Academic Misconduct.

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V. Program Grading Policies (continued) D. Plagiarism (continued): At the least, the student will receive a zero for the assigned work in question, and will be put on Academic Probation (see Program Policies and Procedures on Academic Misconduct/Probation). If placed on Academic Probation, a second infraction OF ANY KIND will result in dismissal from the program due to flawed ethics and the inability to follow the rules.

The written work of all students will be monitored for plagiarism through the use of the instructor assessment, internet browsers such as Google.com, and the use of TurnItIn.com a software program in Vista WebCT that automatically checks several data bases for plagiarism.

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VI. Disability Support Students requesting support or accommodations for a disability must be registered with UAB Disability Support Services (DDS) dss@uab.edu (205) 934-4205 (Voice) (205) 934-4248 (TDD) Fax: (205) 934-8170 Physical Address: 516 Hill University Center, 1400 University Blvd. Mailing Address: HUC 516, 1530 3RD AVE S, BIRMINGHAM AL 35294-1150. If you are registered with Disability Support Services, please make an appointment with the nuclear medicine technology program director as soon as possible to discuss accommodations that may be necessary. You will have to provide an accommodation request letter before receiving academic adjustments.

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VII. UAB Nuclear Medicine Technology Program 2007-2008 Textbook List

The following books must be purchased for use during participation in the program. This list is subject to change. Quick and Accurate 12-Lead ECG Interpretation, 4th Edition Dale Davis Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins Publishing Co 1582553793 Physics in Nuclear Medicine Sorenson, Phelps, and Cherry 072168341X Nuclear Medicine Technology Procedures and Quick Reference Pete Shackett Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 9780781774505 Medical Imaging Physics Hendee and Ritenour Wiley-Liss 4th Edition, 2002 9780471382263 Fundamentals of Nuclear Pharmacy, 5th Edition Gopal B. Saha Springer-Verlag New York, Inc. 0387403604 Nuclear Medicine Technology Bernier Harcourt 0323019641 Essentials of Radiation Biology and Protection Steve Forshier Delmar 0766813304 Intro to Radiography & Patient Care, 4th Edition Adler & Carlton Elsevier 0721676626

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VII cont. UAB Nuclear Medicine Technology Program

2007-2008 Textbook List

Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Technology and Techniques, 6th Edition Christian & Waterstram-Rich Mosby-Elsevier 032304395X

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VIII. UAB and Program Assessments and Evaluations

The student is requested to do several types of assessments throughout their participation within the program. A list of those assessments and a brief explanation are below. By completing the evaluations of the program, the program can identify areas in need of improvement or enhancement in order to better meet the educational needs of the student.

1. Course / Instructor Evaluation a. This is done by the student electronically at the completion of each course at the

end of each semester. b. While the student is not required to do the evaluation, the information is vital for

the instructor to use to improve the course. c. The evaluations are anonymous.

2. Student End-of-Term Evaluation a. This is done at the end of each semester the student is enrolled in the clinic. b. The student is requested to submit a self assessment of how they perceived their

performance was in clinic for that semester. c. If necessary, a meeting with the student and the program director will be arranged

to work out any identified problem areas.

3. Exit Interview a. This is done at the end of the last semester of the program. b. The student is requested to do an evaluation of the program’s strengths and

weakness as perceived by the student. c. The evaluation is anonymous.

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IX. Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT). The JRCNMT can be reached by mail at 2000 W. Danforth Rd., Ste 130 #203, Edmond OK 73003 or by telephone at (405) 285-0546. The standards for an Accredited Nuclear Medicine Technology program are available in the office of the program director as well as online: http://www.jrcnmt.org. A copy will be provided upon request.

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X. APPENDICES

A. Statement of Patients Bill of Rights Affirmed by the Board of Trustees of the American Hospital Association

Replacing the AHA's Patients' Bill of Rights, this plain language brochure informs patients about what they should expect during their hospital stay with regard to their rights and responsibilities.

The brochure is available in multiple languages:

http://www.aha.org/aha/issues/Communicating-With-Patients/pt-care-partnership.html

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B. Code of Ethics: For the Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologists, as Certificants of the health care profession, must strive as individuals and as a group to maintain the highest of ethical standards. The Principles (SNMTS Code of Ethics) listed below are not laws, but standards of conduct to be used as ethical guidelines by nuclear medical technologists. These Principles were adopted by the Technologist Section and the Society of Nuclear Medicine at the 2004 Annual Meeting. They are standards of conduct to be used as a quick guide by nuclear medicine technologists.

http://www.snm.org/index.cfm?PageID=1740&RPID=936

Principle 1: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will provide services with compassion and respect for the dignity of the individual and with the intent to provide the highest quality of patient care.

Principle 2: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will provide care without discrimination regarding the nature of the illness or disease, gender, race, religion, sexual preference or socioeconomic status of the patient.

Principle 3: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will maintain strict patient confidentiality in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Principle 4: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will comply with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the practice of nuclear medicine.

Principle 5: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will continually strive to improve their knowledge and technical skills.

Principle 6: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will not engage in fraud, deception, or criminal activities.

Principle 7: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will be an advocate for their profession.

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C.

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X. APPENDICES D. Equal Opportunity Policy http://www.iss.uab.edu/Pol/EeoEtab.pdf May 27, 2004

Policy Statement The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hereby reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity in education and employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Alabama at Birmingham is expressly committed to maintaining and promoting nondiscrimination in all aspects of recruitment and employment of individuals at all levels throughout regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability unrelated to job performance, disabled veteran status, or Vietnam era veteran status. UAB also complies with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act which prohibits employment discrimination against persons 40 years or age or older. UAB will not tolerate any conduct by an administrator, supervisor, faculty, or staff member which constitutes any form of prohibited discrimination.

All personnel actions, programs, and facilities are administered in accordance with equal opportunity and affirmative action policies.

Implementation in Employment In working toward the implementation of this policy, UAB will state its position as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer in all solicitations and advertisements for employment vacancies placed by, or on behalf of, UAB. UAB will broadly publish and circulate its policy of equal employment purposes. Further, UAB will consider, through appropriate and designated procedures, complaints or grievances of any individual who has reason to believe that he or she has been affected by prohibited discrimination. Equal Education Opportunity As an institution of higher education and in the spirit of its policies of equal employment opportunity, UAB hereby reaffirms its policy of equal educational opportunity. All applicants for admission will be considered without regard to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability unrelated to program performance, disabled veteran status, or Vietnam era veteran status. Complaints or grievances of any student who has reason to think he or she has been affected by discrimination will be considered through established procedures.

This policy is included in all student handbooks and catalogs.

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The University of Alabama at Birmingham prohibits discrimination in admission, educational programs, and other student matters on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability unrelated to program performance, disabled veteran status, or Vietnam era veteran status.

Inquiries and Complaints

Any inquiries or complaints concerning the application of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Executive Order 11246, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; or other legislation and its implementing regulations as they related to the University of Alabama at Birmingham should be directed to any one of the following persons, as appropriate:

Dr. Pamela Burks Director, Cultural Diversity and Career Development Staff Affirmative Action Officer 420 Medical Towers Building (205) 934-8988 Dr. Doug Rigney Vice President for Student Affairs Student Affirmative Action Officer Title IX and 504 Coordinator 503 Hill University Center (205) 934-6290 Dr. Louis Dale Vice President for Equity and Diversity Faculty Affirmative Action Officer 401 Campbell Hall (205) 934-8762

Overall Implementation

The Office of Vice President for Financial Affairs and Administration is responsible for procedures to implement this policy.

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X. APPENDICES

E. Policy Regarding Student Pregnancy

All students are encouraged to inform the program director immediately in writing once pregnancy has been confirmed. If students choose not to inform the program of their pregnancy, the program will not consider them pregnant and cannot exercise options that could protect the fetus. For students who voluntarily disclose pregnancy the program director will discuss factors to be considered in cases of pregnancy with the student based on acceptable professional guidelines. A student is offered three alternatives after the consultation with the program director. These are:

1. Immediate withdrawal in good standing from the program. Readmission to the program after the pregnancy will be in accordance with the Readmit Policy.

2. Continuation in the program after being given specific instruction regarding radiation safety practices, additional radiation monitoring, and specific clinical and laboratory assignments.

3. Continuation in the program with additional radiation monitoring but without modification of assignments.

The student must be able to progress in her educational experiences, both clinical and academic. If the student cannot, she will be strongly advised to withdraw as in alternative number 1.

If there are any questions regarding any aspect of the above statements, please call the Program Director at 934-2004.

SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________

DATE: ________________________________________

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X. APPENDICES

F. Communicable Disease and Infection Control Policies Contraction: Students exposed to communicable diseases must notify the program director immediately. The program director arranges to meet with the student and discuss the circumstances of exposure and any follow-up which has occurred to date. The student will be advised to see the Student Health Services physician for continued follow-up, analysis and treatment if necessary. If the student is subsequently diagnosed as having the communicable disease, the general policy for communicable disease(s) is then followed. General: Students, upon diagnosis of a communicable disease(s), must notify the program director immediately. The program director will counsel the student in concert with the advice of the diagnosing physician. Counseling will focus on the health and welfare of the student involved as well as individuals with whom, it is reasonable to assume, he/she will be associated personally and educationally (didactic and clinical). Infection control Policy Infection control policy for students who are in contact with patients with infections or infectious diseases: Because students are working with patients having low immunities, the clinical supervisor reserves the right to send any student to Health Services if the need arises. The clinical supervisor will call Health Services and request that the student be sent off duty if he/she has an infection of any kind. The student must then acquire a doctor’s written permission to return to clinical education. Students are required to adhere to the policy of the clinical affiliate for working with patients with local infections or infectious diseases. Students are required to inquire about this policy at the beginning of rotation through a clinical affiliate.

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X. APPENDICES

G. Student Health Protocol for Hepatitis B Exposure

I. Student reports exposure to supervisor who details the following information in an incident report: A. Type of exposure: parental or mucous membrane, blood or other body

fluid.

B. Hepatitis B status of patient. 1. If status is unknown, patient's attending physician will be notified

and requested to obtain permission for serologic testing as to HBsAg.

II. Student should report to Student Health Service with data. If Student Health

Service is closed the student should go to the University Hospital emergency room where protocol will be followed.

III. Management of exposure to student will be determined by the degree of exposure, status of patient and degree of immunity of student. A. Student's HBV vaccination status is established by drawing blood for

HBsAg and anti HBs. 1. All students should have completed Hepatitis Vaccine series in

which case only anti HBs may need to be drawn. 2. Background on patient as to sex, age, life style, and why in

hospital or clinic. B. If contact patient is known to be HBsAg positive and the student is not

known to be immune, HBIG (0.06 ml/kg) is given immediately.

C. If contact patient is in moderate risk category and the student's immunity unknown, IG (0.06 mg/kg) is given while testing is in progress.

IV. It is important for all health related schools to work out an agreement between off

campus health care facilities where students participate in patient care and the school that source patients to whom a student may be exposed cooperate in obtaining the appropriate specimens. If the health care facility is unwilling to cover the cost of testing that cost should be passed on to Student Health Service. All laboratory work ordered on the exposed student will be covered by Student Health.

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VI. It is the responsibility of the health related school to see that exposed students report to either the Student Health Service or if the Service is closed, the University Hospital emergency room.

VII. It is the responsibility of the Student Health Service to see that exposed students

receive reports of any positive tests.

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X. APPENDICES

H. UAB and School of Health Professions Immunization policy

1. Students are required to submit documentation of the required immunizations to UAB Student Health. Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on the student’s registration.

2. Failure to keep immunizations current once enrolled in the program will result in

the student being removed from clinic until the immunizations are brought up to date. The missed clinic time must be made up before the student may receive a grade for that clinical course in that semester.

3. If the immunizations lapse during the last semester of the senior year, and the

student misses clinical time, causing the student to be lacking in clinical hours, the student may receive an incomplete for that semester. This would mean that the student would not receive their certificate from the program and could possibly delay graduation.

4. Because of the nature of their work, students engaged in health professional

training programs could have a higher risk of contracting Rubeola, Rubella, Mumps, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Varicella (Chickenpox), Tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B. Therefore, all UAB students in the Joint Health Sciences programs and in the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry, Public Health, Nursing, and Health Professions are required to be immunized against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Varicella (Chickenpox), Mumps, Rubella (Red Measles), Rubella (German Measles), and Hepatitis

5. In lieu of being re-immunized, such individuals may present proof of having had

such immunizations. Proof must be either official medical documentation or certificates of immunization or positive titer. If students do not have such proof or have not been immunized, they must begin the immunization process against these diseases prior to being admitted, attending, enrolling, or participating in UAB academic, research, or clinical programs and activities.

6. Students completing their Hepatitis B series of vaccines must obtain Hepatitis B

titer 1 to 2 months after their third vaccine to see if additional boosters are necessary. If the titer is negative, students will be given the option either to repeat the entire Hepatitis B series or to take 1 to 2 Hepatitis B “booster” shots to try to attain a positive titer. Students who have completed their Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to matriculation are required to take a Hepatitis B titer prior to participating in a clinical environment to see if additional boosters or labs are required.

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X. APPENDICES

I. Readmit Policy

Readmission to the program is not automatic. The academic assignment of a student readmitted to the program is based on the following:

- Length of absence. - Reasons for the leave (e.g., personal, scholastic, illness). - Availability of clinical education assignment appropriate to the

needs of the student. - Compliance with all remedial activities prescribed by the faculty.

A student may be approved for re-admission to the program only once. Cases of academic misconduct are not addressed in this policy. Procedure:

1. Students applying for readmission to the program must submit another application to the program director with a letter formally requesting re-entry.

2. The admissions committee of the program interviews the student,

and then considers the request with documentation of any prescribed remedial activities. The committee notifies the Associate Dean of SHP Student Affairs Office of their decision relative to a student seeking readmission to a baccalaureate degree program. The student is informed of the decision by the Admissions Office.

3. If the request is approved, the term of readmission will be specified

and will be synchronous with courses previously successfully completed. The requirements for completion of the program curriculum will be specifically outlined for the applicant.

4. Permission to re-enter a program is effective only for the readmission

date specified by the program. 5. A readmitted student is on probationary status for the term

readmitted.

6. The Nuclear Medicine Technology program director will determine what, if any, clinical education course(s) will be taken by a student in the probationary period. This determination will be based on:

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i. Student status under which readmission occurs. Generally a readmitted student will be required to take a special clinical education course during the probationary period.

ii. Previous evaluations for competency will be honored. However, the student will be required, after a period of clinical practicum, to be closely re-evaluated for continued competency in the performance of these procedures.

Remediation Policy Remediation must take place during the term, before the final grade is assigned. Extra work, makeup examination, etc. may not be used to raise the final grade after it has been assigned. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor in a timely fashion to determine the appropriate remedial activity. It is the instructor’s responsibility to communicate grading policies and to provide feedback about the student’s progress in the course.

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X. APPENDICES

J. Student Employment in Nuclear Medicine

Students who are employed by affiliating or other nuclear medicine facilities are not covered under student liability insurance and must sign the Waiver of Program Liability form.

University of Alabama at Birmingham

WAIVER OF PROGRAM LIABILITY: Employment Form/Student

I,___________________________________ , have applied for employment with (NAME OF STUDENT) _______________________________________as (a) (an) ______________________ (EMPLOYER NAME) (ACTIVITY) This application has been accepted and I (will begin, began) this employment on _________________, 20______________. I expect to work a shift of ___hours per week, beginning at _______________(a.m.) (p.m.). I understand that the of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, in which I am enrolled, assumes no liability for any act I may commit in connection with or during the performance of responsibilities concomitant with my employment. Furthermore, I understand that duties fulfilled as part of employment, cannot substitute for clinical competency requirements of the program. If employment is outside a UAB core facility (UAB Hospital, UAB Highlands, The Kirklin Clinic) then the employer must provide their own radiation dosimeters for the employee. _____________________ ______________________________________ (DATE) (STUDENT SIGNATURE) UAB ID#__________________

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X. APPENDICES

K. Academic Conduct Policy http://main.uab.edu/Shrp/Default.aspx?pid=42022

All UAB students are expected to read and agree to the UAB Academic Honor Code. The code represents a commitment to integrity in the academic community and a respect for an individual’s educational endeavors: I have read and, by choosing to become a member of the UAB academic community, accept the UAB Academic Honor Code. I understand that violation of this code will result in penalties as severe as expulsion from the University. I promise and confirm that I will not, at any time and under any circumstances, involve myself with abetting, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, or misrepresentation while enrolled as a student at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The UAB Academic Honor Code The University of Alabama at Birmingham expects all members of its academic community to function according to the highest ethical and professional standards. Students, faculty, and the administration of the institution must be involved to ensure this quality of academic conduct. Academic misconduct undermines the purpose of education. Such behavior is a serious violation of the trust that must exist among faculty and students for a university to nurture intellectual growth and development. Academic misconduct can generally be defined as all acts of dishonesty in an academic or related matter. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following categories of behavior: ABETTING: helping another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Allowing someone to copy your quiz answers or use your work as their own are examples of abetting. CHEATING: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, study aids, the answers of others, or computer-related information. PLAGIARISM: claiming as your own the ideas, words, data, computer programs, creative compositions, artwork, etc., done by someone else. Examples include improper citation of referenced works, use of commercially available scholarly papers, failure to cite sources, or copying other’s ideas. http://www.uab.edu/images/shrp/Student%20Forms/Plagiarism_Policy.pdf FABRICATION: presenting as genuine falsified data, citations, or quotations. MISREPRESENTATION: falsification, alteration, or misstatement of the contents of documents, academic work, or other materials related to academic matters, including work substantially done for one class as work done for another without receiving prior approval from the instructor.

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Violations of the UAB Academic Honor Code are punishable by a range of penalties from receiving a failing grade on an assignment or examination to an F in the course. Any course grade of F for academic misconduct supersedes any other grade or notation for that class. Withdrawal from a course while a possible violation of the Academic Honor Code is under review will not preclude the assignment of a course grade that appropriately reflects the student’s performance prior to withdrawal. Procedure for Suspected Violation In the event of a suspected violation of the Academic Honor Code, the following procedure is followed.

1. Upon reaching the conclusion that academic dishonesty may have occurred and that action is warranted, the instructor should inform the student of the charge as soon as possible. The student has the right to hear the instructor’s reasons for making the charge, to inspect all relevant evidence in the instructor’s possession, and to respond to the charge. Based on the student’s response and all the evidence, the instructor will determine if a penalty is appropriate. If a penalty is deemed appropriate, the instructor informs the student of the action to be taken. If the student is not in agreement with the findings or the penalty, the instructor will provide the student with a written statement of the action taken and the basis for it. A copy of this letter will be sent to the chair of the department.

2. Within two weeks of this notification of a judgment of academic dishonesty, the student may appeal the instructor’s decision by letter to the chair of the department or his/her designated representative. The chair, acting expeditiously, should take testimony from the student, the instructor, and all appropriate witnesses and make a decision. If the chair reverses the finding of academic misconduct, the instructor must re-examine the work in question and assign credit without prejudice. In the event that the chair is the instructor in the course, the dean will replace the chair in the appeal process.

3. In those cases where a grade of F is assigned in the course and the student has utilized the appeal process described above (2), the student has two weeks to appeal the decision by letter to the dean of the school responsible for the course. The dean should acknowledge receipt of the student’s appeal and inform the student of the course of action within 10 working days of the date the appeal is received in the dean’s office. At the dean’s discretion, an advisory panel may be appointed to study the appeal and make a recommendation to the dean. However, it is the responsibility and prerogative of the dean alone to make, in a timely manner, the final decision. The decision of the dean is final.

4. In cases where the final decision concerning an academic misconduct charge is an F for the course, a letter to this effect will be sent to the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs and kept on file. The course repeat policy will not apply to course grades resulting from instances of academic misconduct. In these cases, the grades of F received will be computed in the UAB grade point average.

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A student who has received the grade of F for two instances of academic misconduct will be expelled from the university. Under certain circumstances, a student may be expelled on the first offense. The student will be duly informed of the pending expulsion and will be provided the opportunity to be heard. The student has two weeks after notification to request in writing a hearing with the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programs. Students expelled for academic misconduct will have this noted on their transcripts. In addition, students should consult the policies of the school/program in which they are enrolled to determine school/program guidelines and penalties regarding academic misconduct and suspension for academic misconduct. Schools which suspend a student on the first offense may post this offense on the student’s academic record.

A student suspended from a UAB school for academic misconduct will have a hold placed on his/her registration and will not be permitted to enroll in another UAB school without that school’s permission. Some UAB programs have policies preventing enrollment of students with past academic misconduct offenses.

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X. APPENDICES L. Grievance Procedures for Violation of Academic Standards http://www.snm.org/index.cfm?PageID=1740&RPID=936

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41

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X. APPENDICES

M. Student Appeals Procedures

problem unresolved problem unresolved problem unresolved

Attempt to resolve problem informally

Submit written report to program director

Initial conference convened

Request Appointment And Ad Hoc Committee

Ad hoc committee hearing

Committee recommendation to program director

Final decision of program director

Initiate SHP Appeals Procedure

End

End

End

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X. APPENDICES N. Essential Requirements

The following skills are needed by applicants to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program. Applicants and students should possess these abilities, or with the help of compensatory techniques and/or assistive devices, be able to demonstrate the ability to become proficient. Manual dexterity: Use of extremities for patient care purposes wrists (both) grasping pulling twisting hands (both) fingering holding (rotation) arms (both) pushing extending cutting Sensation: palpation auscultation percussion capable of hearing voices of normal range in the presence of background noise Visual Perception: depth acuity (corrected to 20/40) ability to distinguish shades of gray/color Physical strength: to support another person to position another person to transfer/ambulate with walker, cane, crutches, bed, wheelchair to stand for long periods of time to perform CPR; resuscitation to walk at a rapid pace for eight hours to lift 10-15 pounds Ability to operate and maintain equipment (eg., nuclear medicine instrumentation, ventilator, electronic monitor, etc.) Interpersonal skills: able to function (consult, negotiate, share) as part of a team able to use oral communication skills able to respond to others’ requests willing to accept direction and supervision Perform duties while under stress Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request with the UAB Disability Support Services dss@uab.edu (205) 934-4205 (Voice) (205) 934-4248 (TDD) Fax: (205) 934-8170 Physical Address: 516 Hill University Center, 1400 University Blvd. Mailing Address: HUC 516, 1530 3RD AVE S, BIRMINGHAM AL 35294-1150

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. X. APPENDICES

O. School of Health Professions Drug Screening Procedures

Some clinical facilities require that the School of Health Professions provide proof that students attending their clinical sites have been tested for specific drugs prior to beginning the clinical experience. The Program director or Director of Clinical Education will assist students to find out if they need drug testing prior to going to a clinical facility. Some facilities may require drug testing to be completed at the facility. Students attending sites that require prior drug testing can have the test performed by The Workplace. The following are the procedures to be followed:

• Student obtains from the Program director the School of Health Professions Consent

to Drug Testing and Release of Drug Test Results form. Once signed, the Program director will give the student an Authorization to Provide Medical Treatment form. (Check "pre-hire drug screen", and the program director will sign as "Authorized by:").

• The student will take the authorization form to The Workplace, 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL for the drug screening test. Students will need to bring a picture I.D. Drug tests are done on a walk-in basis between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., or students may call 933-5300 to schedule an appointment. The test should take approximately 20-30 minutes.

• Students will take a 10-Panel, pre-hire drug screening test. The cost is $40 to be paid by the student to The Workplace at the time of the drug screening test. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit card.

• Results will be faxed within 1-2 days to the Office of the Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs on a dedicated, secure fax line. Once received, the results will be provided to the Program director, who will then provide a copy of the results to the clinical education site.

Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Drug Screening Policy / Procedures

The NMT Program can request a drug screen “with cause” for any student currently enrolled within the program. “With cause” means for any reason when the program director and /or clinical coordinator have reason to be believe a student is under the influence of illicit drugs. This drug screen will be conducted by Workplace in the same manner as the School of Health Professions Drug Screening Procedures.

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X. APPENDICES

P. Statement of Non-Abuse of Chemical Substances

University of Alabama at Birmingham Nuclear Medicine Technology Program

As a student in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, I understand that chemical substance abuse will not be tolerated in the School of Health Professions. My signature below indicates that I do not abuse chemical substances NOR do I have any current administrative action or prior convictions pertaining to the use, possession, sale or other distribution of illegally controlled substances; pertaining to or related to the abuse of alcohol or any other chemical substances; and the consequences of any such proceedings.

_______________________________ _____________________ Student’s Signature (if 19 over) Date

_______________________________ Signature of parent/legal guardian (sign only if student is under 19) Approved by UAB Office of Counsel July, 2002

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X. APPENDICES

Q. Consent to Drug Testing and Release of Drug Test Results

UAB School of Health Professions Consent to Drug Testing and Release of Drug Test Results

For and in consideration of my participation in clinical education experiences, I understand that I may be required to submit to drug testing as a prerequisite to my assignments to certain clinical sites. I hereby consent to be tested for drugs and consent to the release of such drugs test results by the program director to the clinical site that required the test.

_______________________________ _____________________ Student’s Signature (if 19 over) Date ___________________________ Signature of parent/legal guardian (sign only if student is under 19) Approved by UAB Office of Counsel July, 2002

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X. APPENDICES R.

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X. APPENDICES

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X. APPENDICES S. Consent to State and Federal Background Check for Clinical Assignment

For and in consideration of my participation in clinical education experiences, I understand that it is the policy of the School of Health Professions and of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program that I have a Criminal Background Check (CBC) completed prior to my placement into clinical practice, which would be Clinical Education I offered in the Summer Semester. If the background check is unfavorable, I understand that this may cause difficulty in placing me in the clinical arena and would interfere with my completing the clinical component of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program. Since the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, Inc. (NMTCB) requires a clinical component for certification, the inability to place the student into clinical practice would interfere with the student’s eligibility to take the registry exam. I understand that if I cannot complete the program requirements, then I will be dismissed from the program. I understand that if the criminal background check is unfavorable, my eligibility to take the registry exam would need to be established by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board, Inc. (NMTCB). “Conviction of a crime, including a felony, gross misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor with the sole exception of parking and speeding violations. All alcohol and drug violations must be reported. “Conviction” as used in this provision, includes criminal proceeding where the individual enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or a proceeding resulting in a military court-martial. All potential violations must be investigated by the NMTCB in order to determine eligibility.” According to Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board Disciplinary Policy http://www.nmtcb.org/ update 2006. ______________________________________ ________________________ Student Signature (if over 19 years of age) Date ________________________________________________________________________ Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian (sign only if student is under 10 years of age)

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X. APPENDICES T. Nuclear Medicine Technology Program Statement of Understanding

I have received and thoroughly read the Student Policies & Procedures Handbook

for students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program in the School of Health

Professions. I understand the policies and regulations contained therein and the

responsibilities to be undertaken.

I understand that failure to comply with the established policies may result in suspension

or expulsion.

I agree to comply with these policies.

Name:____________________________________________

Date:_____________________________________________

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X. APPENDICES U. Student Awards & Scholarships Scholarships Once the student is admitted to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, the student becomes eligible to apply for specific scholarships offered by the School of Health Professions as well as scholarships offered through the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), and the Alabama Society of Nuclear Medicine (ASNM). School of Health Professions: SHP Student Senate Association Scholarships Inaugurated in 1999, these non-need based scholarships are awarded to five students who are enrolled full-time in the professional phase of a SHP undergraduate or graduate program. Student applications are judged on grade point average, overall achievement, and involvement in college and SHP, and extracurricular activities. Inquiries should be directed to an SSA Senator or to the Office of SHP Student Services. Application is available through the SGA each year. $500.00.

1. Dean’s Merit Scholarship Several scholarships are available for outstanding students entering the professional phase of SHP's baccalaureate programs. New students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 to apply. Inquiries should be made to the director of the program in which the student will enroll. Deadline: May 1 prior to the expected date of enrollment in SHP. $500.00-$1000.00

2. Dean’s Diversity Scholarship A limited number of scholarships are awarded annually to minority students enrolling in the School of Health Professions. Inquiries should be directed to the director of the program in which the student is enrolled.

3. SHP Scholarship Pool Students with financial need not met by other sources may be recommended by their program director for funds from the scholarship pool. These funds are generally one-time awards.

4. Matthew F. McNulty, Jr., Health Services Emergency Loan Students enrolled in the professional phase of programs in the School of Health Professions are eligible to apply for this low-interest loan. The fund was originally established by the University Hospital Auxiliary, and its purpose is to provide support for students needing emergency assistance. The amount of the loan will depend upon the student's needs. Inquiries should be directed to the Office of SHP Student Services, Room 475, School of Health Professions Building.

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Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) The Society of Nuclear has various student and professional scholarships available. Applications can be found on the SNM website: www.snm.org. To apply the student must be a member of the SNM. There are student memberships available. Alabama Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM) The Alabama Society of Nuclear also has various student and professional scholarships available. Applications can be found on the ASNM website: www.alabamanucmed.org. To apply the student must be a member of the ASNM.

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X. APPENDICES V. Student Records Policy http://main.uab.edu/Shrp/Default.aspx?pid=42180 UAB Student Records Policy

The General Education Provisions Act, Section 438, as amended, and the regulations promulgated for the enforcement of the act, found at 45 Federal Register 30911, as amended at 45 Federal Register 86296, provide that all students enrolled or previously enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have the following rights in relation to their educational records:

I. General Policy No information from records, files, or other data directly related to a student, other than public information defined below, shall be disclosed to individuals or agencies outside the university without the written consent of the student, except those disclosures set forth in paragraph IX.

II. Definition of Educational Record Student educational records are defined as those records, files, documents, and other material which contain information directly related to students and which are maintained by UAB or a party acting for UAB. Records of instructional, supervisory, and administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker and accessible only to the maker or a substitute are specifically excluded from this definition of educational record. Educational records of students are not available to UAB Police personnel, and records of the University Police, which, at UAB, are maintained separately from educational records, are maintained solely for purpose of law enforcement, and are not disclosed to individuals other than law enforcement personnel of the same jurisdiction, are not part of the educational record. Records which are made or maintained by physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, or other professionals or paraprofessionals and which are maintained in connection with treatment and are not available to anyone else are also excluded from a student’s educational record, but such records are available to another physician or appropriate professional of the student’s choice if requested. Records which only contain information relating to a person after that person is no longer a student are not considered part of the student’s educational record.

III. Definition of Student For the purpose of this policy a student is defined as any individual currently or previously enrolled in any academic offering of UAB. It does not include prospective students.

IV. Public Information The following is a list of public information which may be made available by the university without prior consent of the student and which is considered part of the public record of the student’s attendance: Name, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and institution most recently previously attended. The information will not be made available if a student directs a written instruction to the appropriate records official prior to the end of the registration period for any given term.

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V. Types and Location of Records Each school maintains a file on each student enrolled, containing applications, grade reports or other performance evaluations, and correspondence. Some departments or programs maintain similar files. The counseling service, career services, and financial aid offices maintain a file on students who use those services. The university has designated the following officials as responsible for student records within their respective areas: University Registrar, Room 207, Hill University Center; Dean, Graduate School, Room 511, Hill University Center; Director of Student Affairs, School of Dentistry, Room 207, School of Dentistry Building; Assistant Director/Registrar,, School of Medicine, Room P100, Volker Hall; Director of Student Affairs, School of Optometry, Room 104, School of Optometry Building; The above shall hereinafter be referred to as “records officials.” Each of these records officials is responsible for maintaining a listing of student records within such records official’s area of responsibility, indicating the location and general content of the records. Any student request concerning records or files, including requests that public information not be disclosed, requests for disclosure to third parties, and requests for access by the student should be directed to this official. Forms for all such requests may be obtained from these officials. These persons will also act as hearing officers when the content of a record is challenged as provided below.

VI. Disclosure of Student Records to the Student The student is accorded the right to inspect, in the presence of a university staff member, records, files, and data primarily and directly related to the student. To inspect a file a student should go to the office of the appropriate records official and initiate a request in writing. If a student desires to obtain copies of the items in the educational record rather than personally reviewing the record, the written request to the records official for copies must be signed and notarized to prevent disclosure to persons other than the student. A time for inspection shall be granted within forty-five days of the date of the request, and copies will be mailed within the same time period. Copies shall be made and provided to the student at a cost to the student equal to actual cost of reproduction and payable in advance. The right of inspection does not include financial statements of parents, confidential recommendations placed in the file prior to January 1,1975, provided that such recommendations were solicited with a written assurance of confidentiality or sent or retained with a documented understanding of confidentiality and used only for the purpose solicited, and other confidential recommendations, access to which has been waived by the student in accordance with paragraph VIII.

VII. Challenging the Contents of the Record UAB will respond to any reasonable request for an explanation or interpretation of any item in a student’s file. Requests for such explanation or interpretation should be addressed in writing to the appropriate records official. If, after inspecting a record, a student believes that information contained in the educational record is inaccurate or misleading or violates his or her privacy, the student may request that the record be amended by presenting such request in writing to the appropriate records official. A request that the record be amended shall be answered by the records official within fifteen days of its receipt with information that the record has been amended as requested or that the record has not been amended and that the student has a right to a hearing on the matter. A written request for a hearing should be addressed

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to the appropriate records official as listed in V, who will set a date and time for hearing with reasonable notice of same to the student within forty-five days of receiving the request. The request for hearing should identify the item or items in the file to be challenged and state the grounds for the challenge, e.g., inaccuracy, misleading nature, inappropriateness. The records official shall examine the contested item, shall hear the person responsible for placing the item in the file if appropriate, and shall examine any documents or hear any testimony the student wishes to present. A student may be assisted or represented by individuals of his or her choice, including an attorney, at his or her own expense. The records official may decide that the item should be retained or that it should be deleted or altered. The records official shall issue a written decision, based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing, within ten days of the conclusion of the hearing. If the decision is adverse to the student, the notice of decision shall include a statement that the student has the right to place a statement in the record commenting on the information and/or setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.

VIII. Waiver of Access UAB may request that a student waive the student’s right to inspect confidential recommendations respecting that student’s application for admission, provided that the student be notified, upon request, of the names of all those providing the recommendations, the recommendations are used only for the purpose solicited, and the waiver is not a condition of admission or any other benefit. Confidential recommendations respecting application for employment or the receipt of an honor or other recognition may also be waived. A waiver may be revoked with respect to actions occurring after revocation by so notifying the records official in writing.

IX. Providing Records to Third Parties The general policy of UAB is to refuse access to or disclosure of information from student records to third parties without the written consent of the student. Should a student wish to have such records released, a signed and dated written request must be directed to the proper records official, specifying the records to be released, the reason for release, the party or class of parties to whom records are to be released, and a request for copies to the student, if desired. UAB will then transfer or grant access to the information. The transferred information shall contain a statement that the information may be used by the receiving party or, if an organization, by its officers, agents, and employees for the purpose requested, but that the party shall not transfer the information to any other party except with the written consent of the student. A charge not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction will be assessed against the student when copies are made for the party or the student.

Student records are available to the following persons with the accompanying conditions without written consent of the student:

1. Instructional or administrative personnel whose duties include responsibilities to students which in the institution reasonably require access to student records.

2. Officials of other schools in which a student seeks to enroll. UAB will make a reasonable attempt to notify the student of the transfer, as well as the student’s

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right to a copy, upon request, and the right to a hearing to challenge the contents if desired.

3. Certain representatives of federal departments or agencies or state educational authorities as provided by the law. In absence of consent or specific authorization by federal law of the collection of personally identifiable data, data collected by excepted officials shall be protected in a manner which will not permit personal identification of students and parents by other than those officials, and personally identifiable data shall be destroyed when no longer needed.

4. Financial aid officers or their assistants in connection with the application for or receipt of financial aid, provided that personally identifiable information may only be disclosed for the purpose of determining eligibility, amount, and conditions and to enforce terms and conditions.

5. Organizations conducting studies for administrative evaluation, tests, etc., provided that studies are not conducted in a manner which will permit personal identification of students or their parents by other than representatives of the organization and that the information will be destroyed when no longer needed for the purposes collected.

6. Accrediting organizations. 7. Other appropriate persons in an emergency to protect health or safety of students

or others. In determining appropriateness of disclosure, consideration will be given to the seriousness of the threat to health or safety of the student and others, the need for information to meet the emergency, whether the parties requesting information are in a position to deal with the emergency, and the extent to which time is of the essence.

8. In response to lawful subpoena or court order.

UAB will keep a record, indicating the name and legitimate interest, of all disclosures except those made to a student, those made pursuant to written consent, those designated as public information, and those made to persons at UAB with a legitimate educational interest. This record of disclosure will become a part of the educational record, subject to inspection and review.

X. The UAB Student Records Policy shall be published in the catalog of each school, and a copy shall be displayed prominently on a bulletin board in each school. In order to comply with the requirement that UAB give annual notice of this policy to enrolled students, a short notice of the policy shall be included in the Class Schedule for each term.

XI. Any student who believes that UAB has violated his or her right to access or privacy of educational records as established by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the accompanying regulations published at 45 Federal Register 30911, as amended at 45 Federal Register 86296, and this policy may address a complaint to:

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20202