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Medical Imaging Science/CT and MRI, BPS: Technical Standards

Applies To

This policy applies to Medical Imaging Sciences students in the College of Health Professions.

Policy Statement

SUNY Upstate Medical University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. All applicants and students are held to the same academic and technical standards of admissions and training. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with a disability. However, the student is expected to perform these functions in a reasonably independent manner.

Technical Standards

Medical Imaging Technologists are licensed healthcare professionals who produce diagnostic images of patients. Medical Imaging Technologists need to demonstrate academic standards as well as a core of technical standards to ensure competent imaging services are being delivered. All Medical Imaging Sciences applicants and Medical Imaging Sciences students are held to the same academic and technical standards of admission and training. Technical standards must be met with or without reasonable accommodation.

Medical Imaging Sciences students are held accountable for the following Technical Standards:

  1. Observation:
    1. Students must have sufficient capacity to:
      1. Visualize information presented in digital images and images on film, video, or on paper.
      2. Observe laboratory and/or lecture demonstrations.
      3. Observe patients and accurately assess special needs.
  2. Communication:
    1. Students and candidates for admission should be able to speak intelligibly, hear sufficiently, elicit and transmit patient information in oral and written format to members of the healthcare team, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and communicate effectively and sensitively with patients.
    2. They must possess demonstrated reading and writing skills at a level sufficient to accomplish curricular requirements and provide clinical care to patients.
    3. They must possess effective verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
  3. Sensory and Motor Skills:
    1. Students and candidates for admission must have functional sensory and motor skills to directly perform patient transfers, patient positioning, imaging equipment maneuvers and transport, handling of image receptors, and quality management procedures..
    2. Display safe body mechanics in the treatment of all patients: including lifting, carrying, and moving equipment (grids, positioning devices, portable/mobile equipment, and MR coils)
    3. They must possess functional sensory and motor skills to perform venipuncture and contrast media injections
    4. They must possess functional sensory and motor skills to execute quick and purposeful movements required for imaging procedures performed on trauma patients and for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  4. Intellectual:
    1. Critical thinking is a necessary skill for Medical Imaging Technologists. Students and candidates for admission must have the intellectual capacity to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate, and synthesize information to effectively generate diagnostic images and to provide optimal patient care.
    2. Students and candidates for admission must have the ability to comprehend spatial relationships of structures and three-dimensional models.
    3. They must be able to learn through a variety of teaching modalities including classroom lecture, laboratory exercises, cooperative learning, small group activities, individual and group presentations, the use of technology assisted learning, online learning, and hands-on clinical practice.
  5. Behavioral and Social Attributes:
    1. Students and candidates for admission must at all times demonstrate the emotional stability to be able to exercise good judgment, prompt completion of all responsibilities related to the generation of diagnostic images and to the provision of optimal patient care, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and their families.
    2. They must perform problem solving skills in a timely manner.
    3. They must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads.
    4. They must be able to function effectively under stress.
    5. They must have the ability to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, and learn to function in an environment of uncertainty inherent in the practice of medical imaging procedures.
    6. They must treat all patients, families, colleagues, and other members of the healthcare team with dignity and respect.
    7. They must demonstrate honesty, integrity, dedication, compassion, nondiscrimination, and motivation.
    8. They must be able to accept constructive criticism and respond appropriately with an acceptable modification of behavior.

Definitions

Technical Standards are a set of standards necessary for a student to be able to succeed in the curriculum.

Related Information

  • Student Code of Conduct
  • College of Health Professions Program Website

Policy History

Review Date:

Change Description:

6/4/20

Policy from Student Handbook Website reformatted for MCN Policy System. Policy reviewed and approved by the Dean’s Advisory Council

5/19/22

Policy reviewed and reapproved by the Dean’s Advisory Council with no changes.

12/5/24

Policy reviewed and reapproved by the Dean’s Advisory Council with no changes.

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