The assessment task will require you to complete two (2) separate quizzes.

It is the student's individual responsibility to commence each online quiz allowing adequate time for completion.

The quizzes will automatically close and submit the completed student answers once the allocated time has elapsed.

Questions:

Questions will be drawn from a resource bank to allow quizzes to be different for each student. Each quiz will be comprised of a variety of multiple choice, short answer and long answer style questions.

Students are reminded that IT support from the university Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours.

This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS. Refer to to the assessment policy document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.

Students will be required to answer a variety of online questions.

Question responses will be assessed according to the:

• Use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling;
• Student’s ability to appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data;
• Student's ability to succinctly respond with accurate answers.

The number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the quiz. Question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth and breadth of required responses. Your score from each individual quiz will contribute 20% to your final grade. Thus, your combined score from the quizzes will contribute to 40% of your final unit grade (2 quizzes x 20% = 40%).

The specific dates that each quiz opens and closes are outlined in the due description. Please note that the quizzes must be completed before the quiz closure time listed.

In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five percent per day.

Any quiz not attempted by the scheduled due date and time, without approved extension granted, will receive a mark of zero. 

Students must submit one case study during this clinical placement.

The purpose of this case study submission is to:

• Provide the unit coordinator with an opportunity to critically evaluate and moderate student's technical performance on a case that they have performed as part of their clinical workload.
• Facilitate the continued development of student clinical reasoning.
• Encourage student reflection and self-improvement, of both technical and research skills, pathology knowledge and assessment strategies.

The submitted case study must demonstrate:

Ventricular function assessment including a comprehensive systolic and diastolic evaluation

• Ventricular function assessment including a comprehensive systolic and diastolic evaluation
• The case study cannot have normal diastolic function.

There are two parts to this assessment task:

Part 2a: Written case study.

Part 2b: Accompanying echocardiographic DICOM study.

The student must have completed the majority of the echocardiographic scan submitted (i.e. obtained no less than 60% of the submitted digital clips). Images obtained by the clinical supervisor must be identified in the written case study or on the DICOM digital clips themselves. The student must have performed the submitted case study during the current academic term.

2a: The case study submission must include:

• Referral details provided by requesting doctor
• Patient care considerations.
• Brief discussion of any previous imaging or medical testing available.
• Variations in scanning protocol used, including justification.
• Identification of study limitations (imaging and/or measurement).
• Detailed description of study findings and pathology identified, including grading of severity in accordance with ASE guidelines.
• Discussion of aetiology and pathophysiology.
• Discussion of appropriate additional investigations indicated (ie: stress or Dobutamine, left or right heart catheterization/angiography, MRI, CTCA etc), including how this could influence patient management).
• Brief explanation of likely or expected disease progression and patient management (including any follow up consultation or testing details if available at the time of case study completion).
• A copy of the anonymized provisional or final echocardiographic report.
• Clear identification of any supervisor assistance provided to complete the examination.

The echocardiographic case study presented must be accompanied by the submission of de-identified digital images in DICOM format.

All clinical information must be de-identified to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. Time and date stamp along with technical information should be retained on the echocardiographic image display. If all attempts to de-identify the echocardiography images have failed, the student must request permission from the patient to provide their images to CQUniversity for educational purposes. The patient must provide written consent by completing the form provided on the unit Moodle site. The patient consent form must be submitted with the case study. A detailed marking rubric can be found on the Moodle site.

The case study will be deemed an automatic fail if the images are not de-identified or patient consent not provided.

This is a PASS/FAIL assessment.

Word count: Strictly 1500-2000 words. Word count does not include headings or references but does include diagram explanations and labelling.

Both part 2a Written case study and part 2b Accompanying echocardiographic DICOM study will be critiqued using the the marking rubric which can be downloaded from the unit Moodle site.

Both assessment components (part 2a and part 2b) must be passed in order to pass the case study overall. 

To pass each assessment component ALL associated criteria descriptors must be successfully demonstrated. 

This rubric will evaluate:

• The diagnostic quality of the examination performed, in particular, the scan technique and protocol adopted by the student.
• Image optimisation and image selection representative of pathology.
• Measurement technique.
• Discussion of clinical presentation, aetiology, pathophysiology, echocardiographic findings, patient management and likely follow-up.
• Student's reflective analysis identifying components of the scan that could have been improved.
• Ability to construct a scholarly report that is succinct and demonstrates appropriate application of scientific and language conventions.
• Ability to reference correctly according to the Vancouver guide.

Case studies submitted without accompanying echcoardiographic DICOM images will not be marked, and will automatically be awarded a FAIL grade.

Case studies that do not achieve a pass grade will be returned to the student with appropriate feedback. Students are permitted one re-submission opportunity only (imaging component and/or written component as required). Any re-submission attempt is required within two (2) weeks of receiving feedback.

This online test will assess your understanding of the content presented within this unit. Questions may be drawn from content presented in lectures, additional resources provided (eg: prescribed readings) and tutorial presentations. 

• This online test carries a 60% weighting toward the final unit grade. 
• Perusal time and online test duration will be 130 minutes in total. 
• Open book conditions. 
• It is recommended that you have a calculate available when sitting the online test. 

Once started, the online test cannot be paused or restarted. Only one attempt is permitted. 

• The online test will automatically close and submit completed student answers once the allocated time has elapsed. 
• The duration of this test is tailored to promote recall of fact, rather than research of answers unknown. 

Students will be required to answer a variety of online questions. 

Questions: 

• May include multiple choice, short answer, essay style or image interpretation format. 
• Will be drawn from a resource bank, to allow tests to be different for each student. 
• Will require students to be familiar with both normal and pathological echocardiographic anatomical images. 

Students are reminded that IT support from the university Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours. It is recommended that the online test is completed during business hours. 

In the absence of an approved extension, this assessment cannot be completed at a later time. Students will receive a mark of zero (of fail) for this assessment, if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time. 

The online test question pool in its entirety will not be released to students. 

This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct and may lead to action being taken by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS. 

Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) document' for additional university guidelines regarding assessments. 

Question responses will be assessed according to the:

• Use of appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.
• Student’s ability to appropriately interpret presented sonographic images and cardiac assessment data.
• Student's ability to succinctly respond with accurate answers.

The number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the online test. Question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth and breadth of required responses.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Cardiac Ultrasound complete clinical placement and training within the professional workplace. 

The purpose of this GAPA assessment is for the student to demonstrate key attributes considered fundamental for sonographer practice. This assessment considers your ability to communicate professionally with a diverse cultural audience of patients, staff and the general public, demonstrate professional respect for all and function as a reliable, well organised member of the health team (including meeting technical expectations appropriate to experience). 

Students commence each academic unit of enrolment having successfully demonstrated the professional attributes (including knowledge and practical skills) consistent with the competency level of the previous requisite unit. Students commence course enrolment as novices, before progressing to advanced beginner level of competency mid enrolment, finally achieving entry level sonographer competency in preparation for graduation at the completion of course offering.

There are two different parts to complete for this GAPA.

Part 4a: The Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA).

Part 4b: The Echocardiographic Practical Assessment.

Both of these marking rubrics can be downloaded from the unit Moodle site and must be completed in conjunction with each other. This assessment task must be completed by the student Clinical Supervisor or designate. 

This practical assessment will: 

• help the clinical supervisor evaluate the development of the student's ultrasound scanning abilities when undertaking a normal echocardiographic ultrasound examination; 
• assist the clinical supervisor with completion of the GAPA evaluation; 
• foster formative feedback and communication between the student, academic staff and the clinical supervisor. 

At the time of the practical assessment and GAPA document completion, feedback should be discussed with the student. Both supervisor and student must sign the GAPA document verify conversation and reflection. 

• The GAPA (and related practical) assessment are to be performed TWICE during unit enrolment - at the midpoint (week 6) and at the completion (week 12). 

The mid placement week 6 GAPA is formative. 

• At the midpoint GAPA, the student should be given sufficient feedback to improve their behavioural performance as required. 
• It is expected that the student will continue to meet this midterm level of performance or surpass it in the end of term GAPA. 
• Any significant issues should be brought to the attention of the unit coordinator following the midpoint GAPA (or earlier if required). 

The end-of-term week 12 GAPA assessment is summative and is a PASS/FAIL assessment. 

For ECHO28002, students must achieve Advanced Beginner level of competence (Level 2).  "Advanced Beginner" students have working knowledge of basic aspects of practice, and are regularly (but not consistently) applying theoretical concepts and past practical experience to their everyday work. Students perform simple tasks autonomously or under minimal supervision to an acceptable standard and are becoming aware of their own limitations and will seek expert advice where appropriate.

Students at an "Advanced Beginner" level:

• Regularly demonstrate listed GAPA behavioural attributes, but not consistently.
• Require indirect supervision for overall tasks, and direct supervision for more complex tasks.  
• Practically, students typically require some direction when scanning (40%) of the time.

For each of the behavioural attributes listed on the GAPA rubric, the supervisor must score the student based on their day-in, day-out performance in the department.

• A score of 1 indicates that the student demonstrates this behaviour attribute but needs some improvement and frequent supervisor assistance - NOVICE level competency.
• A score of 2 indicates that the student demonstrates this behaviour attribute but not consistently, and only requires supervisor assistance for more complex tasks - ADVANCED BEGINNER level of competency.
• A score of 3 indicates that the student demonstrates this behaviour to a high standard consistently and can work unsupervised for most tasks- COMPETENT.

If the student's behaviour has significantly changed during the assessment period, supervisors are advised to score based on performance during the most recent two weeks. A space is provided for explanatory comments, identification of student areas of strength and areas for improvement.

To PASS this assessment task, the student must:

• achieve scores of 2 or higher against all attribute descriptors listed, with no scores of 1 on the end-of-term GAPA assessment;
• completed and uploaded both forms 4a the GAPA rubric and form 4b the Practical Marking tool.

Students must maintain access to suitable clinical experience for the duration of the course enrolment. In accordance with the Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Program Accreditation Guidelines, it is recommended that students be engaged in cardiac ultrasound practice for a minimum of three days/week over a two-year period, full time equivalent, in an Australian or New Zealand clinical setting (minus standard leave privileges).

Clinical experience is the component of sonographer education that allows students to put theoretical knowledge into practice within the patient care environment. It includes, but is not limited to, the hospital setting, and may include general practice, remote and rural health clinics, and community care environments.

A clinical attendance log book submission can be requested at any point during course enrolment, at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

This assessment task requires the submission of a Clinical Attendance Log Book, detailing clinical attendance since course enrolment.

• All hours spent in attendance within the echocardiography laboratory (either observing, participating, or performing related activities) must be documented.
• These hours must be signed off on and approved by your ASAR registered clinical supervisor or appropriately qualified medical practitioner, verifying the accuracy of entries.

A student is required to complete a total of 2200 hours of clinical attendance prior to graduation and ASAR registration as a qualified sonographer.

• It is recommended that a student complete a minimum of 270 hours of clinical attendance per term of course enrolment.

A template for the Clinical Attendance Log Book is supplied in a word document format on the Moodle site. Students were supplied this same Clinical Attendance Log Book at the time of course enrolment.  The word document is designed to facilitate easy electronic submission at various checkpoints throughout unit and course enrolment. The clinical supervisor's digital signature can be used to verify authenticity of entries on the word document.  Alternatively, the word document can be printed, manually completed and scanned to a digital file format for submission.

To be awarded a PASS, all documentation must be completed and submitted by the corresponding due date and time.

The Clinical Attendance Log Book will be reviewed to ensure that:

• hours of attendance have been documented appropriately,
• leave from clinical practice has been documented appropriately.