Radiographers regularly work in imaging teams when imaging complex patients or in complex environments.  Each team member must contribute technical expertise and operate as an effective team member to optimise the examination outcomes.  In the clinical environment, your team mate may be whomever is rostered to the same working area or is available, so you must be adaptable and communicate well.

The Practical Assessment is a 20 minute group and individual assessment in the Imaging Labs.

In teams of two students you will be presented with a referral for a simulated complex imaging scenario. In your team you must analyse the referral, plan your approach to the imaging task and work together to safely, effectively and efficiently complete the imaging procedure on a full body anthropomorphic phantom, whilst demonstrating a high level of patient care and imaging technique. You will then critique your images and your performance.

Please note:

• Pairs of students for the practical assessment will be chosen at random by the unit coordinator just prior to the assessment.
• The is a timed examination. You will have 20 minutes to complete the practical elements of the task. If the practical element of the examination is not completed within the allocated 20 minutes, the practical element will be stopped and you will be marked based on your performance to that point.
• You must present for your 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 carry out this assessment without referring to any guidance resources (eg. notes, texts, electronic devices) - this is a closed book assessment.
• You must achieve the minimum required score for the assessment. If you do not achieve the minimum score, you will be given only one additional opportunity to perform the assessment, timetabled for day after the original practical assessment.

Please note the following advice from the University Assessment Policy and Procedure:

This assessment task must be completed as specified in the Assessment Due Date below. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date.

You will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Effective planning of the imaging procedure
• Interpretation and justification of the clinical request
• Positive identification of the patient and introduction
• Verification of anatomical area and relevant clinical history
• Determine pregnancy status
• Gaining consent
• Effective teamwork in completing the task
• Individual contribution to completing the task
• Patient care
• Infection control
• Professional communication
• Choice of views and safe adaptation of technique
• Choice of imaging parameters
• Use of primary anatomical markers
• Quality of the resultant images
• Accurate critique of the procedure and resultant image/s

Each main category has one or more tasks. Some tasks are of a more critical nature than others, therefore require a higher level of performance.

Please note:

• Your mark will be a combination of your team score and an individual score.
• You must pass both the team criteria and the individual criteria as listed in the Marking Rubric.
• Detailed assessment criteria and a scoring rubric will be made available on the unit Moodle site.

A two hour in-class written assessment.

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 offers written scenarios and images in the form of photographs, radiographic images and line-drawn images. You will then be asked a series of questions surrounding the scenario/s. You are required to review all of the images offered and to answer all of the questions related to each of the images.

This is a formal closed-book test and no notes, texts or electronic devices are allowed into the class during this assessment task. You will have a five minute perusal time prior to the allotted writing time. You will write the in-class test under supervised test conditions, and will submit your test paper and rough paper at the end of the test period.

This test must be written at the timetabled date and time. As per the Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during a defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty. If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test, however, you will still be required to submit your test at the standard test end time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts.

Please note the following advice from the University Assessment Policy and Procedure:

This assessment task must be completed on the specified day and time.  In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity for you to complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero for the assessment.

You will be assessed on:

• Accurate use of scientific terminology
• Description of effective and safe imaging practices for the given scenario
• Accurate description of normal, normal variant and abnormal appearances
• Accurate description of patient positioning
• Critical analysis of imaging procedures
• Accurate interpretation of radiographic appearances
• Consideration of interprofessional collaboration

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. 

Radiographers are required to make efficient informed imaging decisions on how to approach each examination based on the patient and clinical presentation.

For this task you will write an essay on one scenario related to imaging in a complex situation. This could relate to any of the imaging procedures studied in the unit. You must consider how you would approach this examination in relation to best practice, patient care and radiation safety. Discuss the technical and psychosocial aspects of the given scenario and how best to complete the procedure safely, effectively and with as little physical and psychological impact as possible on you, the patient or any other relevant party.

Complete the essay in the form of a Word document. The essay is to be approximately 2000 words in length, with a maximum of 2500 words, using references where appropriate.

You will be assessed on the following criteria:

- Critical analysis of the technical requirements of the imaging procedure

- Critical analysis of psychosocial aspects of the imaging procedure

- Effectiveness of proposed strategy in addressing the following:

• Efficiency in use of time and resources
• Effectiveness of approach in answering the clinical question
• Minimisation of detriment to patient, self and others
• Use of the literature to support argument

- Communication:

• Conciseness, clarity and organisation
• Adherence to assignment instructions regarding referencing, structure and length

A detailed rubric outlining the scoring criteria will be provided on the unit Moodle site.

The purpose of this assessment is to prepare you for the clinical environment and the professional responsibilities required of a radiographer. 

Professional behaviour is a vital component of your competencies 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.

A 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.

As a pass/fail item in a graded unit, this assessment item MUST be passed in order to pass the unit.

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. The total number of available points for the term will be calculated on a pro-rata basis where scheduled lab sessions could not be held due to unforeseen circumstances.

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

• receive 70% of available points for the professional behaviours evaluation
• complete and upload the professional behaviours evaluation form by the due date.