Technical Standards for Health Science Programs at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) for Radiography (APRAD) Mammography (CPMAM) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CPMRIP)
The technical standards aim to inform students choosing to enter a Health Sciences Certificate and Degree Program at WCC with the bare minimal technical standard requirements, which must be met to complete all coursework objectives and student outcomes. The listed standards encompass what is minimally required to perform the tasks necessary, with a few associated examples provided. This list is not exhaustive and can be modified as the College deems necessary. Students enrolled in a Health Science program at WCC must provide safe and effective care. These technical standards apply to any student enrolling in any one of the health sciences programs. To meet program technical standards, the student must demonstrate sufficient cognitive, emotional, professional, motor (physical), sensory, and other abilities, with or without accommodation.
Students with documented disabilities or who believe that they may have a protected disability can request accommodations that may assist with meeting the technical standards for Health Science Programs at WCC. Please contact the WCC Learning Support LSS Office at 734-973-3342 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment with an LSS Counselor.
DISCLAIMER: EXAMPLES PROVIDED ARE NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF ASSOCIATED TASKS TO MEET PROGRAM TECHNICAL STANDARDS.
| Requirements | Standard | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking and Cognitive Competencies | Sufficient critical thinking and cognitive abilities in classroom and clinical settings | Make safe, immediate, well-reasoned clinical judgments. Identify cause/effect relationships in all clinical situations and respond appropriately. Utilize the scientific method and current standards of evidence-based medicine/practice (EBM) to plan, prioritize, and implement patient care. Evaluate the effectiveness of health-related interventions. Accurately follow course syllabi, assignments, directions, academic and facility patient protocols, and any action plan(s) developed by the dean, faculty, administration, or healthcare institution. Measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and/or synthesize data as it applies to patient care and medication administration. |
| Professionalism | Interpersonal skills sufficient for professional interaction with a diverse population of individuals, families, and groups | Establish effective, professional relationships with clients, families, staff, and colleagues with varied socioeconomic, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds. Capacity to comply with all ethical and legal standards, including those of the healthcare profession and the corresponding policies of the College and Clinical Placements Facilities. Respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Displays attributes of professionalism such as integrity, honesty, responsibility, accountability, altruism, compassion, empathy, trust, tolerance, and unbiased attitudes. |
| Communication | Communication sufficient for professional interactions | Explanation of treatment, procedure, initiation of health teaching (e.g., teach-back or show-me method). Accurately obtain information from clients, family members/significant others, health team members, and/or faculty. Documentation and interpretation of health-related interventions and client responses. Read, write, interpret, comprehend, and legibly document in multiple formats using standard English. |
| Mobility | Physical abilities sufficient for movement from room to room and in small spaces | Functional movement about patient's room, workspaces, and treatment areas. Administer rescue procedures such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The physical ability to transition quickly to accommodate patient needs and to maneuver easily in urgent situations for client safety. |
| Motor Skills | Gross and fine motor abilities that are sufficiently effective and safe for providing Allied Health Care | Ability to effectively calibrate and use radiography equipment, accessories, and ancillary devices as needed for patient imaging. Strength to carry out patient care procedures, such as assisting in the turning and lifting/transferring of patients. Perform and/or assist with expected procedures, treatments, and contrast media administration using appropriate sterile or clean techniques (for example, barium and iodinated contrast administration, CPR, a n d insertion of catheters for barium-based procedures). Physical endurance is sufficient to complete all required tasks during the assigned period of clinical practice. |
| Sensory | Auditory and visual ability sufficient for observing, monitoring, and assessing health needs | Ability to detect monitoring device alarms and other emergency signals. Ability to discern sounds and cries for help. Ability to observe client's condition and responses to treatments. Ability to collect information through listening, seeing, smelling, and observation and respond appropriately. Ability to detect foul odors, smoke, changes in skin temperature, skin texture, edema, and other anatomical abnormalities. |
| Observation | Ability to sufficiently make observations in a health care environment, consistent with program competencies | Accurate interpretation of information obtained from digital, analog, and waveform diagnostic tools such as temperatures, blood pressures, and cardiac rhythms as well as diagnostic tools. Observation and interpretation of the following: client's heart and body sounds, body language, the color of wounds, drainage, urine, feces, expectoration, sensitivity to heat, cold, pain, and pressure, and signs and symptoms of disease, pain, and infection. |
| Tactile Sense | Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment | Ability to palpate topographic landmarks for radiographic positioning. Feel vibrations (pulses) to detect temperature changes and palpate veins for cannulation. |