Performing simulated radiography techniques in the x-ray lab environment allows you to apply your learned skills, by positioning your peers as patients for simulated x-ray examinations and modifying technical factors. Attending the supervised and independent practice lab sessions is crucial to your learning success and preparation for your clinical placements.

Practical Assessment 1 is an individual 12 minute practical assessment in the x-ray suite. You will perform one simulated conventional radiography examination on one anatomical region using a peer as your patient. Feedback provided from this assessment will enable you to structure your learning and make improvements to your performance in preparation for Practical Assessment 2 in Week 13.

Practical assessment 1 will focus on patient care, examination justification, patient positioning, imaging technique, safe practice and management of the radiographic process.

You will be required to perform only one simulated x-ray projection that has been covered in the unit material from Weeks 1-3.

Please note:

• This is a timed examination. You will have 12 minutes to complete the assessment. If all of the practical elements of the assessment are not completed within the allocated 12 minutes, the assessment will be stopped and you will be marked based on your performance up to that point.
• You must present for your individual practical assessment dressed as you would present to the clinical environment. Any student not adhering to the dress code may be excluded from the assessment.
• This assessment task may be recorded using a video camera to enable moderation.
• As this is a simulation of a clinical procedure, you must perform this assessment without referring to any guidance resources (e.g. notes, texts, electronic devices) – this is a closed book assessment.
• If you do not achieve the minimum score you will be given two additional opportunities to perform the assessment. The first re-attempt will be scheduled within 7 calendar days of receiving the scores and feedback of the original assessment.
• If you do not achieve the minimum score at the first re-attempt, a second re-attempt will be scheduled within 7 calendar days of receiving the scores and feedback of the first re-attempt. The 7 calendar days do not include Vacation Week.

This is a pass/fail assessment item that must be completed by the specified due date.  If you have extenuating circumstances that cause you to be unable to attend your practical at your timetabled date and time, you must apply for an assessment extension.  See Section 5 of the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details regarding assessment management, specifically around assessment extension.  If your request for an extension is approved, you will be assigned a new practical date/time which will be set according to the availability of the imaging facilities and supervising staff.  It is your responsibility to ensure that you can attend at that new assigned date/time.  In the absence of an approved extension, you will not be able to complete this task at a later date and would thus receive a Fail grade for the assessment task, which would result in a Fail grade for the unit.

Areas assessed:

• Interpretation and justification of the clinical request
• Preparation of the x-ray room and ancillary equipment
• Positive identification of patient and introduction
• Verification of anatomical area and relevant clinical history
• Determination of pregnancy status
• Gaining informed consent
• Projection performed effectively
• Projection performed in a timely manner
• Use of primary anatomical markers
• Correct application of appropriate radiation shielding
• Safe use of equipment
• Appropriate debrief and dismiss of patient
• Infection control
• Communication skills
• Professionalism

Each main category has one or more tasks. Each task has a minimum score required for a pass. Some tasks are of a more critical nature than others, therefore require a higher level of performance.

Please note:

• Detailed performance and assessment criteria and a scoring rubric will be available on the unit Moodle site.
• Each performance criterion has a specified target score of 3, 4 or 5 out of 5.
• Specified critical criteria requires achieving a score of 5 out of 5, allowing for no errors or omissions.

To achieve a 'Pass' for this assessment, you must:

• attain a score of 5 for ALL critical criteria, AND
• attain the minimum specified target in all but one non-critical criteria.

Performing simulated radiography techniques in the x-ray lab environment allows you to apply your learned skills, by positioning your peers as patients for simulated x-ray examinations and modifying technical factors. Attending the supervised and independent practice lab sessions is crucial to your learning success and preparation for your clinical placements.

Practical Assessment 2 is an individual 15 minute practical assessment in the x-ray suite. You will perform a simulated radiography examination on one anatomical region using a peer as your patient.

This assessment will focus on patient care, examination justification, patient positioning, imaging technique, safe practice and management of the radiographic process.

You will be required to perform one simulated x-ray examination (including two views/projections) that has been covered in the unit material for this term.

Please note:

• This is a timed examination. You will have 15 minutes to complete the assessment. If all of the practical elements of the assessment are not completed within the allocated 15 minutes, the assessment will be stopped and you will be marked based on your performance up to that point.
• You must present for your individual practical assessment dressed as you would present to the clinical environment. Any student not adhering to the dress code may be excluded from the assessment.
• This assessment task may be recorded using a video camera to enable moderation.
• As this is a simulation of a clinical procedure, you must perform this assessment without referring to any guidance resources (e.g. notes, texts, electronic devices) – this is a closed book assessment.
• If you do not achieve the minimum score you will be given only one additional opportunity to be re-assessed. The re-attempt will be scheduled within 7 calendar days of receiving the scores and feedback of the original assessment.

This is a pass/fail assessment item that must be completed by the specified due date. If you have extenuating circumstances that cause you to be unable to attend your practical at your timetabled date and time, you must apply for an assessment extension. See Section 5 of the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details regarding assessment management, specifically around assessment extension. If your request for an extension is approved, you will be assigned a new practical date/time which will be set according to the availability of the imaging facilities and supervising staff. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can attend at that new assigned date/time. In the absence of an approved extension, you will not be able to complete this task at a later date and would thus receive a Fail grade for the assessment task, which would result in a Fail grade for the unit.

• Interpretation and justification of the clinical request
• Preparation of the x-ray room and ancillary equipment
• Positive identification of patient and introduction
• Verification of anatomical area and relevant clinical history
• Determination of pregnancy status
• Gaining informed consent
• Projection performed effectively
• Projection performed in a timely manner
• Use of primary anatomical markers
• Correct application of appropriate radiation shielding
• Safe use of equipment
• Appropriate debrief and dismiss of patient
• Infection control
• Communication skills
• Professionalism

Each main category has one or more tasks. Each task has a minimum score required for a pass. Some tasks are of a more critical nature than others, therefore require a higher level of performance.

Please note:

• Detailed performance and assessment criteria and a scoring rubric will be available on the unit Moodle site.
• Each performance criterion has a specified target score of 3, 4 or 5 out of 5.
• Specified critical criteria requires achieving a score of 5 out of 5, allowing for no errors or omissions.

To achieve a 'Pass' for this assessment, you must:

• attain a score of 5 for ALL critical criteria, AND
• attain the minimum specified target in ALL non-critical criteria.

The purpose of this assessment is to prepare you for the clinical environment and the professional responsibilities required of a radiographer. You will also reflect on your skill development and set a SMART goal.

This assessment consists of two parts to complete and upload:

• Reflection & Action Plan - due Week 6 Friday 24th Apr 2020 at 4pm
• Professional Behaviours - due Week 13 Friday 12th Jun 2020 at 4pm

Reflection & Action Plan

This assessment further develops your skills of reflection on your practice so that you may apply what you have learned to improve your practice. You learned how to reflect in MEDI11004 Professional Practice, and you will now use reflection to develop as a professional by self-assessing the weaker areas of your performance. You will also receive feedback from your lab supervisor and peers during weekly practical lab sessions that you will document and use to reflect upon.

During lab sessions, each student will be required to observe their peers and provide constructive feedback to the student who is playing the role of "radiographer". You will provide feedback based on the technical performance and patient care and communication skills demonstrated. You are to log on the Feedback Form any feedback you receive from your lab supervisor or peers, plus add your own observations. Then, select an attribute/s that you feel requires improvement and reflect on your performance for this attribute.

By applying a deeper understanding of your thinking and actions that you have obtained from your reflection, you must develop an action plan that you will implement in the labs for the remainder of the term in preparation for your up-coming clinical placement. Discuss how you plan to raise the performance of your selected attribute by setting a SMART goal (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-based). By addressing each item in the SMART acronym you will articulate specific actions that you will implement in order to improve your performance related to that attribute.

Format of submission - A Word template will be provided for this assessment item, so that you can enter your response under each heading to address the required content points. As this is a reflective report, you are to write in the first person. The Reflection and Action Plan should be 600-800 words in length, with a maximum word count of 1000.

Upload the Reflection & Action Plan Assessment onto the unit Moodle site.

Professional Behaviours

Professional behaviour is a vital component of competency as a health care professional. As such you will be expected to demonstrate this consistently whilst working in the simulated clinical environment of the imaging labs.

The Professional Behaviours Assessment Form is available on the unit Moodle site. You must bring it with you to each of your scheduled supervised practical lab classes. This form details the behaviours required. Your lab supervisor will assess your performance relative to the stated standards. Your lab supervisor will complete and sign the form every session.

Once completed this form must be uploaded via the unit Moodle site for review by the unit coordinator.

Please ensure you check due dates and times for submissions, and that all paperwork is completed correctly and accurately. Failure to do so will result in a fail mark for that assessment item.

This is a pass/fail assessment item that must be completed by the specified due date. If you have extenuating circumstances that cause you to be unable to submit your assessment at the due date and time, you must apply for an assessment extension. See Section 5 of the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details regarding assessment management, specifically around assessment extension. If your request for an extension is approved, you will be assigned a new due date/time. In the absence of an approved extension, you will not be able to submit this task at a later date and would thus receive a Fail grade for the assessment, which would result in a Fail grade for the unit.

Reflection and Action Plan

The reflection and action plan submissions are assessed for:

• completeness of the submission (providing a response in each area of the template to address the stated questions and instructions in the task description)
• depth of discussions (analysis, interpretation, evaluation, recognition of own thinking and actions)
• relevance and practicality of the proposed actions
• clarity and format of writing (including logical flow, spelling, punctuation, grammar and correct use of Harvard system in citing external sources)
• adhering to word limit

A marking rubric will be posted on the unit Moodle site to specify the 'Pass' requirements for each criterion listed above.

In the event that your submission does not meet the 'Pass' requirements as per the rubric, you will be provided detailed feedback and guidance by the unit coordinator. You will then have one week to respond to the feedback and resubmit the Reflection and Action Plan assessment.

Professional Behaviours

Assessed upon:

• Attendance
• Punctuality
• Professional Attire
• Preparedness
• Productivity
• Teamwork
• Professional decorum
• Feedback

Detailed assessment criteria and a marking rubric are available on the unit Moodle site.

You will receive 8 points per lab class if all assessment criteria are met. Points will be deducted for any criteria, including attendance, where you have not demonstrated the behaviour to the required standard. 

To attain a 'Pass' for this assessment, you must:

• submit the reflection and action plan by the stated due date
• meet the 'Pass' requirements in all criteria of the reflection and action plan after a maximum of two attempts (initial submission and one re-submission)
• receive 80% of available points for the professional behaviours evaluation
• complete and upload the professional behaviours evaluation form by the due date.

A one hour and thirty minute (1.5 hours) in-class written test.

As health care professionals, radiographers must consider many variables during the radiographic imaging process and be able to apply their imaging knowledge and skills to solve problems as they present clinically.

This in-class test includes the use of images in the form of photographs, radiographic images, and line drawings. These images are used as a basis for a series of questions related to each image. Subjects covered include amongst others, patient positioning, image quality and improvement, anatomy, radiographic pathology, and patient care. You are required to review the included images and to answer all questions related to each image.

The radiographic images offered may be of the following examination categories:

• Upper extremity
• Shoulder girdle
• Abdomen
• Thorax

This test is a closed-book assessment of 1 hour and 30 minutes duration. You will have a five minute settling in period and 5 minute perusal time prior to the allotted writing time. You will write the test under supervision. You are responsible for conducting yourself as you would in a formal examination as detailed in the Assessment Procedures. You will hand in your test paper and rough paper at the end of the test period.

This test must be written at the timetabled date and time. There is no provision for a late submission and no late penalty can be applied. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time. If you have an approved extension, you will be assigned a new test date and time as soon as possible after the original test date, according to availability of a test supervisor and an appropriate room. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can attend at that new assigned date/time. Please see Section 5 of the the University's Assessment Policy and Procedure for details regarding Assessment Management, specifically around assessment extension.

Assessment on:

• Patient care and comfort
• Radiation safety
• Identification of normal anatomy
• Identification of abnormalities on x-ray images
• Scientific description of technical sufficiency of images
• Accurate description of patient positioning
• Application of knowledge to correct positioning errors
• Application of knowledge to correct technical insufficiency of images

Question responses will be scored on the following criteria:

• Correct use of scientific terminology
• Correct selection and application of core concepts to the specific content of the question
• Clarity, correctness, relevance and completeness of the response in addressing the question that was asked.

The number of marks for each question are allocated based on the depth and breadth of the required response, and will be indicated on the test paper.