Cancer Information Management Practicum/Capstone

The Capstone or otherwise known as a Practicum/PPE is designed to provide students with practical work experience in Cancer Information Management profession. A Practicum Handbook was also provided upon enrollment, and you will most likely receive it again when you start preparing for your Capstone journey in case there have been any updates, as the Practicum Handbook is updated yearly. Please note that the Practicum does require a student to successfully pass five areas of competency before the student may pass the course and graduate from the program, more information on this can be found in the Practicum Handbook.

Selection of Practicum Site

The Cancer Information Management program has a designated Healthcare Site Coordinator, Amber Hotchkiss, who will assist the student in locating a site for them to complete their Practicum hours. It is imperative that if you already have a site you notify the Healthcare Site Coordinator immediately so that she is not taking additional time to locate a site for you.

The practicum consists of directed practice clinical on-site experience (96 hours) at an ACOS (accredited hospitals, and/or central registries) and under the direct supervision of a certified tumor registrar (CTR). Prior to a site being confirmed students must have completed and submitted to the Site Coordinator all medical forms, background checks, and any other forms required. Once a site is confirmed, the student and Healthcare Site Coordinator will then work together to assure that all paperwork that the site requires is complete. The student will be expected to complete 96 hours during their Practicum experience and all required activities both on-site, in the online classroom, and additionally students must pass five core competency assessments that are given by the NCRA. The activities that will need to be completed during this time will be available to the student within the Canvas classroom. Regardless of when the student begins their first day at their site, all students will be expected to login to their Canvas class and begin participating in the online portion of the class on the first day of each semester.

Practicum sites can be difficult to place and it can take months for paperwork to be completed before a Practicum can begin. All student required paperwork/documentation need must be turned into the Healthcare Site Coordinator before a site can be secured. Additional paperwork may be requested from what is required by the program once a site is secure. The Healthcare Site Coordinator works very hard to assure that students have sites to complete all of their activity hours. Please note finding sites for students can be limited and that the college does not control whether a site will take a student or not, and we cannot guarantee placement of a site when the student is ready, there may be a delay or alternative options if a site cannot be located for a student.

Practicum Professional Conduct

Students and employees absolutely must conduct themselves in a professional manner during all practicum experiences and at all health care agencies. They are forewarned that a series of minor violations or any serious violation may be just cause for their immediate dismissal from the program. Practicum sites are providing are students with a learning opportunity on their own time and during their business hours. Please be respectful of their time and understand that not every day will be the same and that they may not have time every day to do the things that the student needs or feels they are ready for.

1. Students must be aware that this is a learning opportunity and that they are not responsible for deciding their day to day activities or responsibilities, the site will determine this. Sites give their time and dedication for the student and this must be respected.
2. The student is responsible for being available and ready for instruction in his/her assigned area or location.
3. The student will be present and ready for work at the assigned time, and will report to the clinical instructor or department supervisor.
4. The student is the responsibility of the clinical instructor, or in the instructor’s absence, the department supervisor.
5. The student must develop a sense of protection and responsibility for the health and well-being of the patient by careful, complete, and professional medical record practices.
6. The student must complete and follow SCC HIPAA training, as well as the Clinical Site’s HIPAA policies and procedures regardless of if the student is completing the practicum virtually, hybrid or fully on-site.

The following is a list of examples of misconduct which will not be tolerated. These are merely examples and this list is not to be construed as all-inclusive.

• Dishonesty
• Falsifying records or information
• Theft
• Destruction or misuse of property
• Failure to follow directions or neglect of assigned duties
• Violating confidentiality, or disclosing information about patients, fellow students or workers, technicians or physicians and their practices
• Leaving without permission
• Undue absenteeism or tardiness
• Conducting personal business or making personal calls during practicum hours
• Any immoral conduct, use of alcohol, or illegal drug activity will on duty or on the premises.
• Any disorderly conduct, fighting, horseplay, overly loud talking
• Possession of a weapon on the premises
• Making treats of any nature to any person on a health care setting
• Discourtesy, including vile, abusive, or vulgar language, towards patients, visitors, physicians, or follow workers
• Abuse of break or lunch times
• Disregard for HIPAA and safety rules, policies, or procedures
• Dress code violation or unprofessional attire
• Discrimination toward any patient, visitor, co-worker, student, or physician because of race, color, sex, age, religion, or handicap

Practicum Requirements

During practicum assignments, students may be in direct contact with patients at clinical sites. It is required for each student to have a physical examination prior to starting a practicum assignment to assure both the student and the clinical affiliate that the student can participate as required, this is required regardless of On-Site, Hybrid or Virtual. Cost of the physical examination and updating any required vaccinations is the responsibility of the student. Please note that each site may have different requirements, the requirements listed below need to be completed prior to an agreement being made with a site. The Health Form is located at the end of the Handbook as well as within the Practicum Handbook. If the student refuses to comply with the requirements the college cannot guarantee completion of the practicum and may be dismissed from the program.

All students are strongly recommended to have their own health insurance policy. The clinical agencies do not provide insurance coverage for students injured or who become ill while in their respective organizations. Student need to assume full responsibility for their own accidents, injuries, or illness that may occur in any of the practicum settings.

Each student must have a physical performed by a licensed physician, with name, location, and phone number required on the health form. In addition, documentation and/or results of the following tests and immunizations are required:

• MMR or Rubella
• Two-Step Tuberculosis Test - within the last 12 months prior to starting your Capstone.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria Booster - within last ten years.
• COVID-19
• Influenza
• Hepatitis B (optional)

A criminal background check will also be required of every student regardless of virtual, hybrid, or on-site. The completed form(s) will be kept in the student’s permanent file. This background check is performed by CastleBranch and is at the cost of the student, $62.00. portal.castlebranch.com/CT58 Please note that if a background check comes back unsatisfactory, we may not be able to place you in a Capstone site, which means you may not be able to graduate from the program.