Meeting & Agendas

The meeting was called to order by Rudy Garza while waiting the arrival of Paul Dubiel. Those in attendance were: Eileen Klein, Rudy Garza, Paul Dubiel, Fred Ramirez, D. D. Stiles, Fred Bode, Shanna Wyatt, Dick Hurdis, Dr. Marcus Lines, Les Handlen, Cheryl Stevenson, Margaret Bishop, Karla Eaton, Justin Maxwell, Mary Wagner, Nathan McGowen - student, David McAlister - student.

a. CT b. MRI c. Cardiovascular-Interventional Currently we have CT, MRI and CVI in our college catalog, but they have lain dormant for the past 3 years. Very soon we will be asked for an action plan. What are your feelings if we do clinical rotations at your sites? It was stated that Bob Jones, Central Texas Medical Center, wanted students at his site. MRI classes are generally in the evening - MWF + clinic. For Radiographers who want to learn CT, Paul Dubiel, Seton Medical Center, said they are promoting from within. The consensus of the committee is to keep the MRI first, second would be CT and third is Cardiovascular-Interventional in order of importance.

Gina gave a brief update on the Sonography program. In 2006 they had 18 graduates with 2 not working for 88%. In 2007 there were 14 students and 14 graduated; vascular technology had 4 students. The department has new equipment for their vascular technology program which is a big help. In this program the students take 1 course per semester for 2 semesters and 2 courses per semester for 1 semester. The 2 courses per semester for 1 semester are taken as an additional semester beyond the AAS degree plan. http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/sono/State_of_the_Program_DMS_November_07.doc Gina thanked everyone for taking our students for clinicals. There are going to be changes to the profession, but they won\'t be published until next year. This is something we are all looking forward to. One comment made by Gina was that students at clinicals have noticed improper cleaning of instruments and hands by staff. Due to the outbreak of MRSA, this is extremely important. The situation was discussed by everyone and it was decided that Gina would bring this to the attention of the department. Also mentioned was the poor ergonomics in the workplace. Poor ergonomics equal workman\'s compensation claims. Proper equipment should be purchased and the sonographers should be using it. This would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Mary Wagner stated that the documentation on the Registry results was: 2007 = 92% throughout the country. We had 88% last year. This is well above the national average.

Rudy Garza will be giving the state of the program.

In 2007 there were 41 students who entered the program; 32 graduated. All but 2 of these graduates are employed. The other 2 may have moved out of town and be working but we have no contact. In 2006 all the students are employed except 2, and we have no contact with the two. For 2008 40 students were admitted with 11 dropping and leaving a total of 29 students. For the class of 2009 42 were admitted and 2 dropped for personal reasons. One of them has already indicated she wants to return.

We currently have 15 clinical sites; south as far as Central Texas Medical Center and ARA in San Marcos to north, Georgetown ARA offices. Many new facilities will be opening up. Summer, Feb. 4 Seton Hospital will open a facility. Pat Lowther is the person to talk with about placing students at new sites. Williamson County Round Rock and Scott & White - Wayne Stockberger is the person to talk to. They have already hired 3 of our graduates. We are waiting for them to call us, but they can\'t take us now. They are waiting to see what type of patient load they will have. The new Cedar Park Hospital is located at the corner of FM 1435 and Hwy 183A. One problem will be faculty to staff these new sites. We are currently looking for adjunct faculty for clinical visits and working with students in clinical areas. The requirements for adjunct faculty are a minimum of an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography, be credentialed with ARRT and at least 2 years experience post certification. Current faculty trains these individuals to be clinical instructors. With new growth we may have to expand our lab facilities which would mean extending classes into early evening if we don\'t. Possible new clinical sites - ARA is opening 3 new facilities: Children\'s Imaging, Midtown, 38th and Medical Parkway, and a new office at William Cannon. Dr. Lines asked about having a site accredited in the event we don\'t lose students and we have returning students, we still have a site available and we can keep numbers to 42. Returning students are given a deadline to come back. We let them come back on a \'\'space available\'\' basis. CHOA at CEC could possibly be used for lab space.

During our site visit we were cited for a job description for Rudy Garza, which was already being worked on, and clinical coordinator, which was also worked on but not available at the time. We were awarded 8 years of accreditation, which is the maximum. In 2010 we need to submit a mini self study. Although we weren\'t cited on our program goals, it was suggested that we add some additional goals. One new goal would be to demonstrate competency with the following radiographic equipment: Film/Screen Radiography; C-Arm Procedures; Digital Radiography; Portable Radiography. Mr. Dubiel asked the committee who was in favor of approving the new goal changes and there was a unanimous vote. The motion passed.

1. Entry Level Skills: Met all for 2006/2007. 2. Employment Rate: 85% employment for graduates. 2006 all but 2 students. In 2007 there were 30 students and all but 2 were employed. No contact. 3. Credentialing Examination: 4. Retention Rate: We require 75%. In 2006 we had 67% and 2007 was 76%. Students who were not successful left program for reasons voluntarily and/or involuntary.

Mr. Garza reported that the Radiology Program received a Perkins Grant to buy new equipment. As part of the revised program goals, Mr. Garza would like to purchase a Mobile X-ray Unit and a Mobile C-Arm Fluoroscopic Unit. For a Perkins Grant purchase, the equipment must be in-house by August 1st. The FDA has stopped production of the OEC by GE. Currently there aren\'t any OEM\'s being built. Mr. Garza asked for suggestions on other manufacturers.

The Radiology Department is currently working on an online information session. http://www.austincc.edu/health/radr/infosession/introRadiology.php

Eileen Klein, Executive Dean, discussed the expansion of ACC into Round Rock. The initiative will be on the May ballot and an architectural firm has already been hired. The campus is due to open in 2010. Some of the health sciences programs will be moved to this campus which will be completed in phases. In phase I Nursing and Kinesiology will be moved. With all the new facilities being built, Radiology will also be moved, but not during Phase I. This will mean hiring 3 additional full time faculty. Another possibility would be to expand the current facility (EVC), hire additional faculty or have interactive classes. Mr. Garza found that to emulate the same equipment currently at Eastview for the Round Rock facility would cost approximately one-half million dollars. The problem with hiring clinical instructors (adjunct faculty) for new facilities is the salary offered to them; it is too low. It was suggested that we could possibly add a stipend to encourage them to become clinical instructors. Their work schedule would be approximately 2 to 3 days per week.
RR Expansion Plans - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/radr/RR_plans.pdf