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Clinical Experiences

The online Bachelor of Science in Advanced Medical Imaging is divided into two distinct phases: pre-advanced medical imaging and a modality year. The modality year typically takes place during your final year in the program and includes modality-specific courses and clinical experiences.

Clinical experiences prepare you for licensure exams and allow you to gain real-world, hands-on experience with patients in your community. During these experiences, you will apply what you have learned in class and practice providing patient care, assessment and medical imaging in a real clinical setting while building your professional network — all while being supervised by established medical imaging providers.

Clinical experiences are required for each modality in the advanced medical imaging program. To learn more about finding and securing an appropriate clinical experience for your modality, visit the program resource site in Canvas.

Log Into Canvas

Note: The Canvas program resource site is only accessible to students who have been admitted to the pre-advanced medical imaging phase.

Setting Up an Approved Clinical Experience

To participate in clinical experiences, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Find a clinical location within reasonable driving distance of where you live.
  2. Obtain a verbal agreement for clinical placement. If your site does not have a current clinical affiliation agreement, our clinical affiliation coordinator will work with your site to create one. This process can take from six to 12 months.
  3. Finalize your clinical placement by providing the clinical site’s contact information and a site survey filled out by the department manager with your AMI Application Packet.

Application Deadlines

To be eligible for clinical experiences, the department must receive your application materials by March 1 for fall semester clinical experiences.

Time Commitment

Once you begin your modality year, you are required to shift to a full-time schedule. Clinical experiences range from 24 to 40 hours per week in addition to the time allotted for online coursework.

Each modality in the advanced medical imaging program requires clinical experience; however, your time commitment will vary depending on which modality you choose to pursue.

We understand that shifting to a full-time schedule may impact your financial situation. Some clinical sites offer compensation for clinical hours and/or tuition assistance; contact your clinical site directly for more information about additional funding opportunities.

Note: Diagnostic medical sonography sites do not offer compensation for clinical time.

Finding a Clinical Location

U.S map of the treasure valley
The Treasure Valley covers a section of Idaho and Oregon and includes, but is not limited to, the following cities: Boise, Cascade, Caldwell, Idaho City, McCall, Meridian, Mountain Home, Nampa, Ontario, Payette and Weiser.

Clinical experiences must be performed in the United States and in your local area.

If you live within the Treasure Valley, modality program directors will only accept the number of students for which clinical placement is available. Clinical placements in the Treasure Valley are being utilized and reserved for students within our on-campus program. You must submit the on-campus program application prior to the deadline to be considered for one of these clinical placements. Learn more about the on-campus program application process for each modality on our Radiologic Sciences website.

If you live outside the Treasure Valley, you are responsible for finding your own clinical sites within a reasonable driving distance from where you live.

Securing Clinical Placement

This content only applies to students who plan to complete their clinical outside of the Treasure Valley.

After identifying your clinical location, you are responsible for contacting the clinical site and achieving a verbal agreement to host you. The department’s recruitment coordinator can help you make contact and script a conversation to achieve a verbal agreement. AMI 234 Introduction to Clinical Experience will also walk you through this process.

Clinical sites must have a clinical affiliation with Boise State University. Boise State has hundreds of clinical affiliation agreements across the United States. If the clinical site you prefer is not affiliated with Boise State, our clinical affiliation coordinator will work to create one. This process can take from six to 12 months.

To learn more about finding and securing an appropriate clinical experience for your modality, visit the program resource site in Canvas.

Note: The Canvas program resource site is only accessible to students who have been admitted to the pre-advanced medical imaging phase.

Finalizing Clinical Placement

This content only applies to students who plan to complete their clinical outside of the Treasure Valley.

To finalize your clinical placement, you will provide the department with the clinical site’s contact information and a site survey filled out by the department manager within your advanced medical imaging application packet.

Clinical Site Requirements

The College of Health Sciences requires a background check, proof of vaccination/titers, drug tests and current CPR certification for health care professional certification. Requirements by clinical site may vary, and it is your responsibility to understand and follow the requirements of the clinical site.

Information from the background check or drug and alcohol testing deemed to be detrimental to the care of patients will result in revocation of admission status. Visit the Department of Radiologic Science website for more information about the criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing and health status verification policies.

To participate in clinical experiences, you must also meet physical and sensory standards to perform the essential functions of the profession. These standards are also criteria for your success in the Department of Radiologic Sciences at Boise State University, including the advanced medical imaging program. Learn more about physical and sensory standards.

Criminal convictions may prevent applicants from taking national certification examinations and/or gaining employment after graduation. Refer to the ARRT website or your credentialing body for more information.

Requirements by Modality

Computed Tomography

The computed tomography modality requires one semester of clinical experience to satisfy your clinical experience in computed tomography.

Clinicals must be completed in the fall semester and consist of three eight-hour shifts per week.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The diagnostic medical sonography modality requires three semesters of clinical experience to satisfy your clinical experience in diagnostic medical sonography.

Clinicals must begin in the fall semester and continue through the spring and summer semesters. For the fall and spring semesters, clinicals consist of three eight-hour shifts per week. For the summer semester, clinicals consist of five eight-hour shifts or four ten-hour shifts per week.

Interventional Cardiology

The interventional cardiology modality requires two semesters of clinical experience to satisfy your clinical experiences in interventional cardiology.

Clinicals must begin in the spring semester, continue through the summer semester and consist of five eight-hour shifts or four ten-hour shifts per week.

Interventional Radiology

The interventional radiology modality requires two semesters of clinical experience to satisfy your clinical experiences in interventional radiology.

Clinicals must begin in the spring semester, continue through the summer semester and consist of five eight-hour shifts or four ten-hour shifts per week.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The magnetic resonance imaging modality requires two semesters of clinical experience to satisfy your clinical experiences in magnetic resonance imaging.

Clinicals must begin in the fall semester, continue through the spring semester and consist of three eight-hour shifts per week.

Mammography

The mammography certificate includes one semester of clinical experience in mammography.

Clinicals must be completed at the same time as your didactic instruction and consist of three eight-hour shifts per week.

Vascular Ultrasound

The vascular ultrasound certificate includes two semesters of clinical experience in vascular ultrasound.

Clinicals must be completed at the same time as your didactic instruction and consist of three eight-hour shifts per week.

Your Roadmap to the Clinical Experience Process

Clinical experience is a key part of your journey in advanced medical imaging. If you’re in the Treasure Valley (Greater Boise area), and have been accepted into the on-campus program, you’ll be placed at a clinical site. If you’re outside the area, you’ll be supported through the process of clinical placement.

This guide breaks down each step, from researching potential sites to securing an agreement, so you can confidently complete your required clinical hours. By starting early and staying proactive, you can make the process smoother and open up more opportunities.

Step 1: Consider where you live

Where you live determines your clinical placement process.

  • If you live in the Treasure Valley (near Boise), apply for the campus-based program. Once accepted, you’ll be placed at a clinical site.
  • If you live outside the Treasure Valley, you’ll secure an approved clinical site. This guide will walk you through the process.
Step 2: Start early

Finding a clinical site can take time, so don’t wait. Begin the process at least a year in advance to give yourself the best chance of securing a spot.

Step 3: Know the requirements for your modality

Each modality has different clinical experience requirements, so be sure to review the details for your chosen field. Refer to the “Requirements by Modality” list on this page for a breakdown of clinical expectations, including semester length, weekly shifts and scheduling options.

Step 4: Research the profession and our program

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.

Step 5: Research clinical sites

Not all facilities can support every modality, so it’s important to find a clinical site that meets the certification and credentialing requirements. Large hospitals and dedicated imaging centers are typically the best options for Boise State’s advanced medical imaging program. Some large clinics may also work, but they must be evaluated through a site survey. Leverage your personal and professional connections, including family, friends and coworkers, to help identify an appropriate site.

Step 6: Expand your search

Finding the right clinical site takes time and persistence, so be prepared to reach out to multiple facilities. Contact hospitals, imaging centers and large clinics within a reasonable driving distance. Rejections are common, so don’t get discouraged. Casting a wide net will increase your chances of securing a placement.

Step 7: Contact a potential clinical site

Start by calling the imaging department at your chosen facility — phone calls are typically more effective than emails, which should only be used as a backup option. When you call, ask to speak with the department manager for your specific modality. Be prepared to be put on hold or transferred between staff before reaching the right person.

When you connect with the manager, introduce yourself as a Boise State University student pursuing a degree in advanced medical imaging. Let them know you are looking for a clinical site to complete your required experience in your modality. Be ready to explain why you want to work in this field, which semester(s) you will complete clinicals and provide relevant details about the Boise State program.

If possible, schedule an in-person meeting or a Zoom/phone call with the department lead or manager to discuss further. In areas where other medical imaging programs operate, clinical sites may already have commitments to students from those schools. However, this doesn’t mean they won’t consider you. Remind them that you are flexible and can complete your hours on days and times that fit their schedule. Persistence and flexibility can improve your chances of securing a spot.

Step 8: Meet with the clinical site

When meeting with a potential clinical site, preparation is key. Dress professionally and present yourself as a serious candidate. Bring a cover letter, your resume, the clinical facility letter and the clinical site survey provided by Boise State. These documents will help demonstrate your commitment and provide the facility with important information about the program.

If the site agrees to host you, ensure they fill out the clinical site survey completely. Let them know they can reach out to the Boise State modality program director if they have any additional questions. Please provide them with your program director’s email address so they can get in touch easily.

We are happy to talk to the staff at the sites you are interested in if they want to speak to us directly.

Step 9: Leverage your connections

Networking can be a powerful tool in securing a clinical site. If you have professional connections in the medical imaging field, contact them for guidance or potential placement opportunities.

If you don’t have direct experience in health care, consider taking on a clinically-based job or volunteer role that provides access to the medical imaging department. Positions such as a transporter, lab technician, registration desk attendant or patient aide can help you establish relationships with imaging professionals and potential clinical instructors.

Step 10: Meet the deadline

To apply for the advanced medical imaging program, you must have a verbal agreement from a clinical site and a completed clinical site survey. Secure these requirements before the March 1 deadline for a fall start.

Step 11: Stay in contact with your clinical site

Once a clinical site expresses interest, maintain regular communication to show your commitment. If a facility is unsure about your level of dedication, they may offer the spot to another student. Stay engaged by checking in periodically and following up as needed.

As soon as your site agrees and completes the clinical site survey, submit your advanced medical imaging program application. Since this process can take weeks or even months, it’s best to start early and submit as soon as possible.

Step 12: Celebrate!

Congratulations! Once you’ve secured a clinical site and submitted your application, Boise State will handle the final steps of securing a clinical affiliation agreement. You can now focus on preparing for the exciting hands-on experience ahead.

More Program Details

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact our enrollment and student success team for support by emailing us at AMIonline@boisestate.edu or calling (208) 426-5921.