Clinical Experiences

If you live in the Treasure Valley area surrounding Boise, apply to the campus-based version of this program.  If you are accepted, you will be placed for clinicals. 

If you don’t live in the Treasure Valley, you will secure an approved clinical experience. These panels will guide you through that process.

• Securing a clinical site may take a lot of time.
• Begin the process at least a year in advance.

Clinical experience requirements differ by modality.: Here is a break down of what the requirements look like:

Computed Tomography – One semester of clinical experience, (3) 8-hour shifts per week

Diagnostic Medical Sonography – 3 semesters of clinical experience to be performed:

• Fall & Spring semesters, (3) 8-hour shifts per week
• Summer semester, (5) 8-hour shifts or (4) 10-hour shifts per week

Interventional Cardiology (Cath Lab) – 2 semesters of clinical experience to be performed:

• Spring & Summer semesters, (5) 8-hour shifts or (4) 10-hour shifts per week

Interventional Radiology – 2 semesters of clinical experience to be performed:

• Spring & Summer semesters, (5) 8-hour shifts or (4) 10-hour shifts per week

Magnetic Resonance Imaging – 2 semesters of clinical experience to be performed:

• Fall & Spring semesters, (3) 8-hour shifts

Clinical sites will be more willing to accept you if you have a good understanding of the field. Consult online resources, obtain shadow experience and speak with working technologists to deepen your knowledge and present yourself as a prepared candidate.

Not all facilities are suitable for every modality. You need a clinical site that performs the required exams in volumes that meet certification and credentialing needs. For Boise State AMI programs, large hospitals and dedicated imaging centers are ideal. Some large clinics may be suitable, but this must be confirmed with a site survey. Use your connections, including family, friends or coworkers, to help locate an appropriate site.

Search every hospital system, imaging center, large clinic, etc., within reasonable driving distance, and begin contacting them. This process may take time and persistence, as you might receive rejections before getting a positive response. Cast a wide net to increase your options.

• Start by calling the imaging department. (Emails are less effective and a secondary option.)
• Ask to speak to the department manager for your modality. Expect to be put on hold and passed amongst personnel.
• Introduce yourself as a Boise State University student preparing to pursue a degree in Advanced Medical Imaging.
• Tell them you’re looking for a host facility for your clinical experience in your modality.
• Be prepared to tell them why you want to work in this modality, which semester(s) you are performing clinicals and information about the Boise State program.
• Set in-person appointments or scheduled Zoom/phone calls with the department leads or managers if possible.
• If you live in an area with other local medical imaging schools, clinical sites may already be in use by those programs. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t complete your clinical hours there. Remind sites that you’re available to complete hours on days and times that work for them.

• Go to this meeting prepared!
• Dress professionally and appropriately.
• Bring a cover letter, resume, clinical facility letter and clinical site survey that we provided to you.
• If they agree to host you, ensure they fill out the clinical site survey completely.
• Let them know that they can contact the Boise State modality program director if they have further questions that you are unable to answer. Provide them with your program director’s email address.
• We are happy to talk to the staff at the sites you are interested in if they would like to speak to us directly.

Leverage any clinical connections to help get your foot in the door. If you lack experience in healthcare, consider getting a clinically based job or volunteer role that allows access to the medical imaging department, such as a transporter, lab tech, registration desk attendant or patient aide. This can provide you with direct access to potential clinical instructors.

You must have a verbal agreement from a potential site and a completed clinical site survey as part of your AMI program application. The deadline is March 1 for a fall start.

Reach out to your potential site regularly to show that you’re serious. If they’re unsure of your commitment, they may take on another student. Once they’ve agreed and completed the clinical site survey, submit your AMI program application. This process may take several weeks or even months, so submit early.

Now you can relax and let us handle the final steps of securing a clinical affiliation agreement on your behalf.