Continuing Studies
www.ufv.ca/cs

Medical Imaging Clinical Support Worker certificate

Enhance your skills as part of the health care team. This certificate program is designed to prepare people to work as Clinical Support Workers in the Medical Imaging department in hospitals.

The goal of the program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to perform the duties required of a Medical Imaging Clinical Support Worker.

Graduates will be able to:

• Communicate effectively within a hospital environment
• Understand the roles played by all disciplines involved in the continuum of patient care
• Recognize signs and symptoms of aggressive behaviour
• Recognize human anatomy as it relates to the skeletal, respiratory, vascular, digestive, and urinary systems
• Identify the subsections of a Medical Imaging department including section-specific examinations
• Be familiar with imaging vocabulary and abbreviations
• Have a basic understanding of the history of ionizing radiation and the role of the Medical Imaging Clinical Support Worker in radiation protection
• Join the medical imaging team
• Carry out all clerical duties including examination booking and patient preparation, as well as filing and billing
• Be familiar with PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications Systems) and be prepared to help facilitate the changes necessary for Medical Imaging departments to move from film-based departments to filmless imaging
• Be prepared to participate in 144 hours of clinical experience. Clinical placement allows students to put into practice the skills learned in the classroom plus it will provide the venue to develop skills that can only be learned in a Medical Imaging department

Entrance requirements

1. Medical Office Assistant or Nursing Unit Clerk certificate;

2. or a certificate in an allied health program (eg. RN, LPN, Lab technician, X-Ray technician, etc) ;

3. or have 2 years experience within the last 3 years in a Medical Imaging department.

4. Grade 12 or equivalent.

5. 50 wpm typing speed (attach copy of verification).

6. A 500 word statement outlining your reasons for wanting to take the program.

7. Strong oral and written knowledge of English.

8. Willingness to obtain inoculations to participate in hospital practicum placement.

9. Willingness to undergo a security clearance check.

10. Personal interview during which time the following areas will be assessed:

    a.) Evidence of professional or paraprofessional credentials

    b.) Personal suitability and knowledge of and interest in the program

How to apply and register

1. Complete a UCFV application for admission form.

2. Complete a Medical Imaging Clinical Support Worker application form.

3. Attach all required documentation and return completed registration package to Julie Laursen, Abbotsford campus.

4. Once advised of acceptance to the program, you may register.

5. Applications are accepted and instructor appointments held periodically throughout the year.

Course descriptions

Communication Skills in a Medical Imaging department

The role of communications for the Medical Imaging Clinical Support Worker
Successful telephone communication techniques
Hospital emergency procedures
Conflict resolution strategies and techniques
Multiculturalism in health care
Medical legal considerations in health care

Introduction to Medical Imaging

Introductory abbreviations and vocabulary
Identification and function of Radiology department
Human body anatomy
Radiology examinations
Contrast and Consent information
Radiology protection and shielding
Divisions within Medical Imaging departments
Diagnostic Imaging tests
Introduction to Nuclear Medicine, Cardiology and ECG tracing

Medical Imaging Practices and Procedures

Advanced vocabulary and abbreviations
In and Out patient preparation for examination in Medical Imaging
Pre-exam orders
Booking and scheduling exams
Requisitions, forms, requests, records and questionnaires
Registration, billing and filing
Hospital Insurance coverage
Filmless based technology
Image storage
Overview of work flow
PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)
Digital Imaging
Office ergonomics

Practicum

Student guidelines for clinical placement
Having successfully completed the three theoretical components of the program, students will
demonstrate competencies in these program learning objectives
Clinical conduct and checklists
Clinical performance and evaluation

Fees

$2800 (subject to change). All fees which total more than $100 in a calendar year are fully tax deductible.

Financial aid

Financial aid is available from a variety of sources. For more information, contact the Financial Aid and Awards office at either the Abbotsford or Chilliwack campus. A variety of bursary applications are also available from the Financial Aid and Awards offices.

Student evaluation

Students will be evaluated for each module in the program on classroom participation, classroom assignments, study projects examination and clinical placements. Students must maintain a grade of 80% and an attendance record of 90% per module. Students must successfully complete all theory components prior to practicum placement.

Challenge Policy

Students challenging components are required to pay the full tuition fee for that section prior to examination. (Based on the UCFV official policy on course challenge.)

Workload

In addition to classroom activities, students will be required to research, study and prepare assignments outside of class for approximately 5-6 hours per week.

Course Schedule

Classes will be two evenings per week plus some Saturdays. Courses are held at the Marshall Road Annex of UCFV.

For more information

Contact Julie Laursen at 604-864-4626 or 604-792-0025, local 4626, or toll-free (within Canada) 1-888-504-7441, local 4626. Email: julie.laursen@ufv.ca.