Mammography/ Breast Sonography Student Handbook

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

MAMMOGRAPHY/BREAST SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM STUDENT HANDBOOK

2026/2027

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

This handbook has been compiled to acquaint students with the policies and procedures utilized by the professional program in Mammography and Breast Sonography. It is the responsibility ~~ofthe~~of the student to read the entire handbook.

Students enrolled in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program are responsible for observing all policies and procedures stated in this handbook, in addition to any rules and regulations ~~whichare~~which are contained in the A-State Undergraduate Bulletin and/or the A- State Student Handbook. Failure to read this handbook does not excuse students from the requirements and regulations contained herein.

Students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of medical ethics in all periods of attendance in the clinical education centers. All clinical education centers (CEC), while ~~separatelylocated,~~separately located, are considered to be an integral part of the University campus. Any infraction of medical ethics in the clinical education center will be dealt with under the appropriate disciplinary policy of the University. It is the student’s responsibility to know what the appropriate policies and procedures are at each of the clinical education centers. This is covered during the orientation session.

The curriculum is based on the Mammography Curriculum published by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. A copy of this document may be found in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program Coordinator’s office.

The Program Faculty of the Mammography Program at Arkansas State University reserves ~~theright~~the right to make any additions or changes in program policies as deemed necessary at any time throughout the course of the program.

Students will be notified of new policies and/or changes in program policies in writing.

Arkansas State University Mammography/Breast Sonography Program Faculty:

Cheryl DuBose, Ed.D., RT(R)(MR)(CT)(QM)
Department Chair
Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences
CNHP Building, Room # 405A
(870) 972-2772
cdubose@astate.edu

Mary Grace Caubble, MSRS, RT(R)(M)(BS)(ARRT)
Mammography/Breast Sonography Program Coordinator
Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences
CNHP Building, Room # 404
(870) 972-3309
mcaubble@astate.edu

Mrs. Kristen Maxie, MSRS, RT(R)(M)(ARRT)
Instructor
Medical Laboratory & Radiation Sciences
kharper@astate.edu

Amber Wooten MSHS, RT(R), RDMS, RVT
Program Director/Assistant Professor
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
CNHP Building, Room # 408
(870)-972-2914
awooten@astate.edu

MISSION, PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

University Mission

Arkansas State University educates leaders, enhances intellectual growth and enriches lives.

College of Nursing & Health Professions Mission

The primary mission of the College of Nursing and Health Professions is to provide quality education to students, graduates and health care providers in a variety of health disciplines. Recognizing its unique position in the Lower Mississippi Delta region, the College provides educational programs that are designed to promote lifelong learning based on the expressed needs of its varied constituencies. The College assesses the attainment of this mission in terms of the contributions its graduates make to health care in the Delta region and beyond.

Program Philosophy

The Mammography/Breast Sonography Program was established to provide education and training opportunities for individuals seeking entry or advancement as registered Mammography technologists. Our program is based on the concept that education is a continuing process where by the learner determines goals, clarifies values, and develops such discipline and understanding as best meet individual needs for self-actualization. Our goal is to educate students for a successful professional career.

Program Mission

The mission of the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program is to prepare competent, entry-level Mammography technologists able to function within the healthcare community.

Goal: Students will be clinically competent.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will provide appropriate patient care.
Students will practice proper radiation safety.
Students will produce quality images.

Goal: Students will demonstrate communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.

Goal: Students will develop critical thinking skills.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will adapt positioning and imaging parameters for non-routine patients.
Students will critique images and recommend corrective action for suboptimal images.

Goal: Students will model professionalism.
Student Learning Outcomes: Students will demonstrate professional work ethics.
Students will summarize the value of life-long learning

AMERICAN REGISTRY OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS CODE OF ETHICS

The registered technologist acts in a professional manner, responds to patient needs, and supports colleagues and associates in providing quality patient care.

The registered technologist acts to advance the principal objective of the profession to provide services to humanity with full respect for the dignity of mankind.

The registered technologist delivers patient care and service unrestricted by the concerns of personal attributes or the nature of the disease or illness, and without discrimination on thebasis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected basis.

The registered technologist practices technology founded upon theoretical knowledge and concepts, uses equipment and accessories consistent with the purposes for which they were designed, and employs procedures and techniques appropriately.

The registered technologist assesses situations; exercises care, discretion, and judgment; assumes responsibility for professional decisions; and acts in the best interest of the patient.

The registered technologist acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient and recognizes that interpretation and diagnosis are outside the scope of practice for the profession.

The registered technologist uses equipment and accessories, employs techniques and procedures, performs services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice, and demonstrates expertise in minimizing radiation exposure to the patient, self, and other members of the healthcare team.

The registered technologist practices ethical conduct appropriate to the profession and protects the patient’s right to quality registered technology care.

The registered technologist respects confidences entrusted in the course of professional practice, respects the patient’s right to privacy, and reveals confidential information only as required by law or to protect the welfare of the individual or the community.

The registered technologist continually strives to improve knowledge and skills by participating in continuing education and professional activities, sharing knowledge with colleagues, and investigating new aspects of professional practice.

The registered technologist refrains from the use of illegal drugs and/or any legally controlled substances which result in impairment of professional judgment and/or ability to practice registered technology with reasonable skill and safety to patients.

STUDENT POLICIES

1.0 Academic Advising

Each Mammography/Breast Sonography student is assigned to the Program Coordinator astheir advisor as well as Rachel Post rpost@astate.edu. Regularly scheduled office hours are posted on the PC’s office door and other hours by appointment.

If a student plans to seek employment in addition to carrying a full-time academic load, this should be discussed with his or her adviser. A realistic workload is recommended. Under no circumstances should employment schedules interfere with academic or clinical responsibilities.

Regularly scheduled classroom and clinical activities may not exceed 40 hours per week.

An eight-semester program completion schedule is linked under the A-State Knowledge Base Mammography/Breast Sonography webpage on the University’s website https://www.astate.edu. Courses specific to the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program are listed below:

Mammography/Breast Sonography Program Courses and Schedules

Program name and description	Semester	Pre- requisites
RADG 44303 Radiography Clinical IV	Summer	Program Admission
RADG 33232 Radiography Clinic I	Summer	Program Admission
DMSO 44833 Breast Sonography	Summer	Program Admission
RISP 33102 Legal and Regulatory Environment of Rad*	Fall	Program Admission
RISP 44603 Mammography Procedures	Fall	Program Admission
RISP 44553 Breast Imaging Clinical Education I	Fall	Program Admission
DMSO 31003 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I	Fall	Program Admission
RISP 44903 Bone Density Image Production	Fall	Program Admission
RISP 44703 Mammography Instrumentation*	Spring	RADG 44303
RISP 44563 Breast Imaging Clinical Education II	Spring	RADG 44553
DMSO 44503 Physics and Instrumentation II	Spring	DMSO 31003
RISP 44753 Bone Density Procedures	Spring	Program Admission
RISP 44573 Imaging in Women’s Health Clinical Education	Summer	RISP 44563
RISP 33733 Geriatric Considerations in Radiology*	Summer	Program Admission
RISP 44802 Psychosocial Factors in Healthcare Delivery*	Summer	Program Admission

*May be offered in an online or hybrid format. Additional fees associated with online(distance education) courses may incur Student Identity Compliance Fees ($10/hour). Academic Responsibilities and Standards

1.1 Textbooks

Each student is responsible for purchasing the required textbooks before the second meeting of the class. Because the same textbook may be used in later courses again, it is strongly recommended that, before selling books, a student consult the Mammography/Breast Sonography faculty who will be teaching future courses.

1.2 Assignments

Each student is responsible for completing all reading, writing, and oral assignments made by the faculty. If a student is absent from class for any reason, he or she is still responsible for the material disseminated in class.

1.3 Classroom Etiquette

Each student is responsible for learning the content of any course in which he or she is enrolled and for respecting the rights of fellow students in the classroom.

The instructor has the right to request any disruptive student to leave the classroom. Continued misbehavior in the classroom is cause for disciplinary action.

The use of any tobacco product, cell phones, and personal laptops (unless required by the course instructor) are prohibited in the classroom and/or in the laboratory.

Students are allowed, and at times encouraged, to use various social media sites foreducational or personal reasons. However, at no time shall students in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program post or contribute to conversations that may, in any way, violate patient rights or damage the relationship between the Mammography program and its clinical affiliates. Cyberbullying by any student within the program will not be tolerated.

1.5 Course Syllabus

Within the first two class meetings of the semester each instructor is required to provide each student in the course with a syllabus. The syllabus will contain a description of the course, the goals and/or objectives of the course, the method ofevaluating and grading students, make-up policy, and a description of written or oral assignments.

1.6 Evaluation and Grading

The program has established standards of grading that supersede the University’s grading policy and that are consistent with the minimum passing score on the certification exam for Mammography.

The grading scale used is:

A = 90 – 100
B = 80 – 89
C = 75 – 79
D = 60 – 74 F =< 60

Due to the uniqueness of the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program and the responsibilities of the Mammographer, a high level of academic and technical competence is required of all students in the program.

Therefore, the student must achieve a final of “C” or better to meet minimum academic standards in all RS and RSU courses.

1.7 Standards of Academic Achievement

If the cumulative, semester, or session grade point average falls below 2.00, the student will be placed on academic probation. At the end of the next semester or session of enrollment, the cumulative grade point average must be at least 2.00 for the student to remain in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program.

A student who receives a grade below “C” in any of the Mammography/Breast Sonography courses may not continue in the Program. The policy and procedure for readmission into the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program is clearly outlined in the A- State Undergraduate Bulletin, which is available on the University website.

Clinical and student self-evaluations will be completed each semester and may be used to set goals for future clinical assignments. Failure to progress in clinical may result in program dismissal.

1.8 Cheating and Plagiarism

The maintenance of academic standards and integrity includes the obligation of honesty. A student who uses dishonest or deceitful means to obtain a grade is guilty of cheating; a student who submits another’s work as his or her own without adequate attribution is guilty of plagiarism.

Submission of clinical hours other than those hours actually worked is also considered cheating and is considered subverting the integrity of the ARRT Examination and Code of Ethics. According to college-wide practice, cheating and/or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action according to the following:

First offense: The student will receive a zero on the assignment/test. If in a clinical situation, the first offense/warning is considered the signing of the Dishonesty Policy prior to the start of the program.

Second offense: The student will be dismissed from the Program.

1.9 Copyright Violation

It is illegal to copy any copyrighted material unless permission has been obtained from the copyright owner. A student guilty of copyright violation may face sanctions by the MIRS Department, A-State, the State of Arkansas, and/or Federal authorities.

2.0 Expenses

In addition to the normal university tuition, fees, and book costs, a student in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program will incur additional expenses.

These expenses include, but are not limited to:

Transportation:
Each student is responsible for transportation to his/her assigned clinical site. Transportation and all costs incurred for travel to the clinical site is the sole responsibility of the student. A valid driver’s license is required prior to the start of clinical rotations.

Uniforms:
Each student is responsible for providing his/her own uniforms and shoes. Uniforms and lab coats must be monogrammed, identifying the student as an A-STATE student.

Verified Credentials Account:
Each student must pay a one-time fee of $35.00 for an account. This program tracks all of the required vaccines, CPR certification, liability insurance, and background checks. Reminders of upcoming expiration dates are sent to the student. Students are responsible for keeping all of the required clinical documentation current.

Vaccination and skin testing:
Students ADMITTED to any program in the College of Nursing and Health Professions must present the following immunization and test documentation:

Rubella and rubeola (Arkansas statute).

Mumps and varicella vaccination or titer (clinical affiliate (hospital) requirements when working with infants and children).

If there is no hepatitis immunization or titer, then the student must begin the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to enrolling in a clinical practicum class.

TB skin test each year that the student is enrolled in a clinical practicum. If the skin test is positive, documentation of treatment status must be submitted.

Flu vaccination each year that the student is enrolled in a clinical practicum.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required before taking any practicum courses. Certification status must be maintained and documentation submitted to the appropriate department throughout enrollment in any program.

Drug screening: May be required prior to attending site-specific orientation.

Liability Insurance:
Proof of professional liability insurance is required before a student can begin clinical education. Students must apply online at http://www.hpso.com/. If applying for liability insurance with HPSO, select the student option for “Radiologic Tech.”

Background Checks:
Criminal background checks may be required by the College of Nursing and Health Professions and/or individual clinical sites. The appropriate forms and applicable fees will be distributed to students prior to the start of the clinical rotation.

Clinical software fee:
The MLRS Department programs at A-State use a clinical software program known as Trajecsys (https://www.trajecsys.com/). Students are charged a one-time fee for annual use of the software program.

Registry Review Software:
The MLRS Department program at A-State uses a registry review software program known as Clover Learning (https://app.cloverlearning.com). Students can be charged annually or monthly for use of the software program.

3.0 Change of Address

The Department of Medical Imaging & Radiologic Sciences and the University registrar’s office (http://registrar.astate.edu/) should be notified promptly of changes in name or address. Correct phone numbers should be filed with the Department of Medical Imaging & Radiologic Sciences and the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program so that students can be reached in case of an emergency.

4.0 Health

4.1 Health Examination

Students may be required to undergo additional health screenings and/or vaccines as designated by clinical affiliates. Students are solely responsible for the cost of these requirements and for having the requirements met by the deadline provided by the site and/or Program Coordinator.

4.2 Health Care

The Wilson Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday for the benefit of students. A description of services and the hours of availability are listed in the Undergraduate Bulletin and on the A-STATE website at http://healthcare.astate.edu/New_Pages/FAQ.html. Except for the services of the Student Health Center, the University assumes no responsibility for health care costs (http://registrar.astate.edu/bulletin.htm, page 50).

4.3 Illness

If the student is ill and unable to attend the clinical rotation, the Mammography clinical site supervisor and Mammography/Breast Sonography Program Coordinator must be notified as soon as possible prior to the scheduled starting time. A student is expected to use good judgment in determining whether or not to attend the clinical rotation because of illness.

If the student is ill and unable to attend class, the Program Coordinator should be notified. If a student has a suspected communicable disease, he/she should contact the clinical instructor before reporting for duty.

Communicable diseases may require that one or more of the following protective measures be taken. The student may be:

Required to use reverse isolation techniques while working with non-high-risk patients.

Reassigned to a non-patient care area.

Relieved from clinical duty until he or she is no longer contagious

4.4 Injury

Should a student become injured or acutely ill during the course of assigned clinical duties, the clinical site to which that student is assigned will provide treatment and emergency care, with any charges for treatment being the sole responsibility of the student.

Any injury, however minor, occurring while on duty at the clinical site must be reported to the clinical supervisor and the appropriate incident form completed with copies to the Mammography Program Coordinator at A- State.

4.5 Health Insurance

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain individual health insurance coverage. Information on Student Health Insurance is available through the Office of Student Affairs, 2105 Aggie Road, in the Administration Building. Professional liability insurance should not be misconstrued as including health insurance coverage.

4.6 Pregnancy

In compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, a female student who becomes pregnant has the option of whether or not to inform program officials of her pregnancy. If the woman chooses to voluntarily inform the officials of her pregnancy, it must be in writing and indicate the expected date of confinement (delivery). In the absence of this voluntary written disclosure, a student cannot be considered pregnant.

If the student does voluntarily disclose her pregnancy, she does have the option of continuing the educational program without modification of interruption. Another option can include modification in clinical assignments. At any point in time, the student may provide a written withdrawal of declaration.

If the pregnant student chooses to disclose her pregnancy, she will receive counseling and be required to sign a form releasing the university and the program of any responsibility should problems develop with the pregnancy. The Pregnancy Release form is found in the Program Documents section of this handbook.

4.7 Radiation Safety

Due to the unique concerns and health risks associated with ionizing radiation, students enrolled in the Mammography/Breast Sonography program are required to wear a personal radiation dosimeter at all times. Students ARE allowed to assist with invasive procedures or other patient care-related tasks during radiation exposure only as absolutely necessary. Students are expected to incorporate the principles of ALARA in all aspects of the Mammography/Breast Sonography suite.

4.8 Physical and Mental Performance Requirements

Because of the nature of the work required in the Mammography/Breast Sonography Program offered at A-State, the applicant must be: