CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDI14001 Transition to Independent Practice
Transition to Independent Practice
All details in this unit profile for MEDI14001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit enables you to apply previously learned content and consolidate knowledge, skills and competence that will assist you in your transition to practice as a registered medical radiation professional or practitioner. In this unit, you will apply evidence-based practice to focus on the appropriateness of ethical practice, clinical decision-making and problem solving applied to every day. You will learn about quality improvement and risk management principles in health care and relate these to documented standards, adverse events, dealing with the unexpected and clinical audit. You will further develop your understanding of facility accreditation, diagnostic imaging pathways, preparation for graduate practice and your responsibilities in maintaining registration.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-Requisites: MEDI13005 Medical Imaging Clinical Course 3 and ESSC11004 Study and Research Skills for Health Science and ALLH12006 Evidence Based Practice for Allied Health OR NURS13117 Research in Healthcare

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2020

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Case Study
Weighting: 40%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Have your say student evaluation

Feedback

Topics covered in the unit were perceived to be informative and applicable to the students as they prepared for their transition to independent practice.

Recommendation

Maintain the topics and ensure they remain relevant in the future delivery of the unit.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator Self-reflection

Feedback

All students scored relatively high marks in the assessment items despite different levels of performances in the group.

Recommendation

Review the marking rubric for the different assessment items to ensure that they are appropriately designed to gauge the different levels of performances against the set criteria.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator Self-reflection

Feedback

Some students found the Zoom drop-in sessions useful in reviewing and consolidating the content covered but the Zoom sessions were not that effective in meeting with students for group work discussions and progress.

Recommendation

Investigate other methods for checking group work progress and discussions related to group work.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply evidence based practice, appropriateness criteria, ethical practice, clinical decision-making and problem solving to clinical practice
  2. Apply quality improvement and risk management principles in discussing healthcare facility accreditation, documentation standards, clinical incidents and clinical audit
  3. Reflect on and prepare for the transition from student to independent qualified practitioner.

Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia Accreditation Standards:

  • 6.1 - Professional and ethical conduct. Domain 1 of Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practice.
  • 6.3 - Evidence Based Practice and Professional Learning. Domain 3 of Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practice.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Case Study - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Case Study - 40%
2 - Written Assessment - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Reshmi Kumar Unit Coordinator
r.d.kumar@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Effective meeting guidelines, Healthcare Facility Accreditation and Quality Management

  • Planning, running and documenting meetings
  • Purpose, scope and benefits of accreditation and quality management in a diagnostic imaging facility
  • Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS)
  • Medical Imaging Accreditation Program (MIAP)
  • Quality standards, indicators and benchmarks used in quality improvement
  • PDCA (PDSA) and FADE models
  • Barriers to quality improvement processes encountered in a clinical workplace

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Week 2 Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Risk Management

  • Purpose, scope and benefits of risk management
  • Root cause analysis
  • Adverse events, near misses and sentinel events
  • Risk register
  • Hierarchy of control of hazards
  • Preventative strategies
  • Risk management tools and processes in clinical practice

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Week 3 Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Clinical audit

  • Purpose, scope and benefits of clinical audit
  • Clinical audit versus regulatory inspection
  • Clinical audit cycle and checklist
  • Barriers and facilitating factors for effective clinical audit
  • Application of clinical audit in medical imaging

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Week 4 Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Clinical problem solving, appropriateness criteria and decision-making

  • Appropriateness criteria and its application in clinical practice
  • Benefits and limitations of Appropriateness criteria
  • Clinical problem solving versus decision-making
  • Problem solving strategies
  • Barriers and facilitating factors for effective clinical problem-solving and decision making

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Part 1 and Self and Peer Assessment (1) of Assessment 1 Due: Thursday 02/04/20 11:45 pm AEST

Week 5 Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Applying evidence-based practice and ethical practice

  • MRPBA Professional capabilities Domain 4: Evidence based Practitioner
  • Purpose and benefits of evidence-based practice
  • Sources of evidence in clinical practice
  • Evaluating evidence
  • Applying evidence-based practice in medical imaging

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.


Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

University Vacation Week

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Transition to Independent Practice

  • Transition versus Transition to Independent practice
  • Preparing for transition to graduate practice
  • Barriers impacting transition from student to Independent practice
  • Possible ways of enhancing the transition process from student to newly qualified graduate

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.


Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Preparation for Graduate practice - Registration and Licensing perspectives

  • Fitness to practice and behavioral attributes for independent practice - MRPBA Professional capabilities Domain 2
  • AHPRA registration
  • QLD radiation use licensing

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Part 1 of Assessment 2 Due: Thursday 30/04/20 11:45pm AEST

Week 8 Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Preparation for Graduate practice - Employer perspectives

  • Common and specific employer expectations in the workplace
  • Benefits of employing new graduates
  • Challenges of employing and managing new graduates

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Self and Peer Assessment (2) and Part 2 of Assessment 1 Due: Thursday 07/05/20 11:45pm AEST

Week 9 Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

Applying for a job

  • Resume versus curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Checklist and tips for preparing a CV or resume
  • Tips for writing a cover letter for a job posting
  • Checklist and tips for addressing selection criteria using STAR (Situation/task, Action, Result) technique

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Part 2 of Assessment 2 Due: Thursday 14/05/20 11:45pm AEST

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

Interviewing for a graduate job

  • Types of interviews
  • Tips for preparing for graduate job interviews
  • Common interview questions

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.


Week 11 Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Preparing for Independent practitioner role

  • Graduate versus graduate practice
  • Preparedness for clinical practice as a newly qualified graduate
  • Challenges impacting preparedness for graduate practice
  • Ways to reinforce preparedness for graduate practice

Chapter

  • Refer to the unit Moodle site for assigned readings.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.


Week 12 Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Review and consolidation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom drop-in session.

Part 3 of Assessment 2 Due: Thursday 04/06/20 11:45pm AEST

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 15 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Being a 6-credit unit, students are expected to spend on average 10 - 12 hours of time each week in their study activities for this unit. A suggested time budget for weekly study is:

  • 2 - 3 hours for completing assigned readings for the weekly module
  • 2 hours for creating study notes from Module materials
  • 2 hours for completing other posted learning activities
  • 1 hour for preparation for drop-in zoom session and/or targeted group zoom session
  • 1 hour for participation in the online zoom session
  • 1 hour for group meetings regarding the group assessment
  • 1 - 2 hours for preparing and completing assessment tasks

There will be online Zoom drop-in sessions and Targeted group zoom sessions in this unit. Students are strongly advised to attend these in order to be successful in the unit.

Assessment Tasks

1 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study

Task Description

In Medical imaging, adverse events can arise as a result of the complex nature of the equipment, the imaging procedure or patient condition. In future practice, you will be required to follow the policies and procedures outlined by your workplace to minimise the occurrence of adverse events. It is important that you are able to report any medical imaging adverse events to improve procedural guidelines and to develop a safe culture at your workplace.


For this assessment, you will work in a group of 3 - 4 students to research on a case study. The case study will focus on a hypothetical clinical imaging facility's handling of an adverse event (to be assigned by the unit coordinator). You will work on this assessment item both individually and as a group, discussing and sharing your ideas in weekly group meetings.


For your case study report, your group will

  • discuss the event that occurred
  • outline a reporting mechanism that could be used to document and communicate the event
  • analyse contributing factors to the event's occurrence
  • discuss the risks of detriment that could arise from the event, including severity and likelihood of the detriment
  • formulate preventative strategies that the clinical facility could adopt to manage the risk of recurrence
  • consider the costs and benefits of the strategies proposed
  • relate the event and preventative strategies to the facility's adherence to Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme standards
  • document team meetings and group task progress accurately and concisely using formal agenda and minutes


Task Process

Work on this assessment will be between weeks 1 - 8. You will be assigned into a group by your unit coordinator. Information and guidance on working in the groups and investigating the topics will be provided on the unit Moodle site and in the online zoom drop-in sessions. You are required to take an active part in this assessment and attend your group meetings to discuss and share your ideas. Take note that a lack of contribution to group work by Week 4 may result in you being removed from the group by the unit coordinator. You will then be required to complete Part 2 of the assessment alone. Lack of contribution by a student will be evidenced by group meeting minutes.


This assessment has three parts:


Part 1 - Individual work (15%) Due: Thursday 02/04/20 in Week 4 at 11:45 pm AEST

Each team member will be allocated by group consensus one of the following components to complete in preparation for the group report:

  • Adverse event reporting mechanism (documentation and process)
  • Analysis of contributing factors
  • Risks of detriment

The word count limit is 500 words +/- 10% per person. You will submit this work individually through the submission link on the unit Moodle site. You will also distribute your individual component to the rest of your group.


Part 2 - Group work (20%) Due: Thursday 07/05/20 in Week 8 at 11:45 pm AEST

It is expected that group meetings will take place weekly and by common agreement through an appropriate on-line method with documentation of each meeting that takes place. This summary report will be prepared by the group as a whole and build upon the contributions from the individual group member task in Part 1. The report must include:

  • Preventative strategies
  • Costs and benefits of those strategies
  • Connection of event and strategies to external standards
  • Agenda, minutes and action plans of team meetings

Each group will be submitting only one summary report per group. The mark and feedback will apply to each group member named on the front page of the submission.

The word count limit is 1000 words +/- 10%


Part 3 - Self and Peer Assessment (SPA) (5%)

To ensure that each group member is proactive in the group work, each group member will be required to assess each individual team member's contribution towards the group work. This will be accomplished by each group member taking part in TWO self and peer assessments.

  • You will submit your SPA form in Week 4 (Due: Thursday 02/04/20 at 11:45 pm AEST) and Week 8 (Due: 07/05/20 at 11:45 pm AEST). In confidence, you will score yourself and each of the team members for their degree of contribution to the team work process. Each time you will be asked 10 questions concerning your own and your peers' participation as team members. The average of your assessment by your peers will form part of your mark for this part of the group assessment.


For Parts 1 and 2, your submission must be a word-processed document with appropriate layout including relevant headings and sub-headings that enable information to be easily read.

  • Acceptable file types are Word document (either .doc or .docx format) or pdf file that is a conversion of a word-processed document (NOT an image file such as a scanned document).
  • All submissions must be processed through TURNITIN.

Please note that further details regarding the requirements for this assessment will be provided on the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Individual work and SPA (1) due on Thursday 07/04/20 at 11:45 pm AEST. SPA (2) and Group work due on Thursday 07/05/20 at 11:45 pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

Feedback for each part will be provided within two weeks of the due date for the part.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

The individual and group work will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • completeness of each section of the report relative to the content requirements listed in the Task Description
  • application of best practices and existing standards
  • clarity and completeness of explanations and discussions
  • factual correctness of explanations and discussions
  • relevance of written content to core concepts
  • correctness of definitions and use of terminology
  • adherence to word limit

The SPA will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • peer assessment of team work process (dependability, task acceptance, timely productivity, contribution to team discussions and collaboration with team members)


Further details and the scoring guide will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply quality improvement and risk management principles in discussing healthcare facility accreditation, documentation standards, clinical incidents and clinical audit


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

This portfolio provides evidence of your transition to independent practice. The portfolio components will help you plan your entry to practice in multiple steps - analysing your pathway and creating an action plan, preparing for joining the job market and demonstrating higher order thinking skills. You will need to complete three (3) parts for the portfolio - one part with items that are 'must complete' and the other two with components that are 'scored'. The three parts are as outlined below:


Part 1: Demonstrating higher order thinking skills (20%): Due on Thursday 30/04/20 in Week 7 at 11:45 pm AEST

You will be presented with evidence related to an aspect of clinical practice. You will apply the concepts of clinical problem solving, appropriateness criteria and decision making to analyse the evidence presented to you. You will identify the possible issue(s) and discuss the action(s) that you will take to address the issue(s). The word count limit is 1000 words +/- 10%


Part 2: Applying for graduate registration with AHPRA and amending QLD radiation use licence: Due on Thursday 14/05/20 in Week 9 at 11:45pm AEST

You will generate an information sheet outlining the process and a list of what attachments will be required (without attachments) to:

(a) change from student to graduate registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration

(b) amend your QLD radiation use licence for graduate practice

Your target audience for this information sheet would be your peers (pre-graduate students).


Part 3: Preparing for the job market( 40%): Due on Thursday 04/06/20 in Week 12 at 11:45pm AEST

(a) You will write a discussion paper or reflection on specific behavioral attributes required for independent practice (as opposed to supervised student practice) or fitness to practice as defined in the MRPBA professional Capability Domain 2. The word count limit is 1000 words +/- 10%. This part of the portfolio will contribute 15% towards the assessment grade.


(b) You will be presented with three hypothetical radiographer job postings (e.g. in a large urban tertiary care public hospital, private outpatient clinic in an urban/suburban location or a sole radiographer in a rural health facility). You will choose one of the job postings and address the following:

  • You will apply the information learned in the unit to create your curriculum vitae or resume (maximum 2 A4 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 A4 page) for the job posting. This part of the portfolio will contribute 15% towards the assessment grade.
  • You will respond to the selection criteria for the job posting that you have selected. You will write up STAR responses to show how you have developed the required attributes and provide examples from your life experience. The word count limit is 1000 words +/- 10%. This part of the portfolio will contribute 10% towards the assessment grade.


Your submission must be a word-processed document with appropriate layout including relevant headings and sub-headings that enable information to be easily read.

  • Acceptable file types are Word document (either .doc or .docx format) or pdf file that is a conversion of a word-processed document (NOT an image file such as a scanned document).
  • All submissions must be processed through TURNITIN.
  • Ensure that your document includes a header with your name and student number and a footer with the unit code and term/year.


Further details for each part and the scoring guide will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

Part 1: Due Thursday 30/04/20 in Week 7 at 11:45pm AEST. Part 2: Due on Thursday 14/05/20 in Week 9 at 11:45pm AEST. Part 3: Due on Thursday 04/06/20 in Week 12 at 11:45pm AEST.


Return Date to Students

Feedback for each part will be provided within two weeks of the due date for the part.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50% for the graded components and Pass for the non-graded components

Assessment Criteria

  • This item contributes 60% of the marks to your unit total.
  • To pass this assessment item you must:
    • Attain a combined score of at least 30/60 based on the weighted contributions of Parts 1 and 3
    • Meet the minimum stated criteria for completion of Part 2

Part 1 and Part 3(a) will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • completeness of each section of the report relative to the content requirements listed in the Task Description
  • clarity and completeness of explanations and discussions
  • factual correctness of explanations and discussions
  • relevance of written content to core concepts
  • correct use of terminology
  • application of foundation concepts to the question asked
  • clarity, thoroughness and completeness of explanations
  • correct and complete citing of information sources
  • adherence to word limit

Part 3(b) will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • structure and organisation of CV or resume
  • clarity and applicability of cover letter to the hypothetical radiographer job posting
  • ability to present education, skills and experience gained to date as relevant to the hypothetical radiographer job posting
  • clarity, appropriateness and applicability of STAR responses to the hypothetical radiographer job posting
  • evidence of proofreading
  • adherence to word limit

Part 2 will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • structure and organisation of information sheet for graduate registration with AHPRA and QLD radiation use licence amendment
  • completeness of all required sections of the information sheet with respect to graduate application with AHPRA and QLD radiation use licence amendment
  • factual correctness of information presented in the information sheets
  • clarity and appropriateness of information outlining process for graduate registration with AHPRA and QLD radiation use licence amendment
  • listing of required attachments

Further details and the scoring guide will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply evidence based practice, appropriateness criteria, ethical practice, clinical decision-making and problem solving to clinical practice
  • Reflect on and prepare for the transition from student to independent qualified practitioner.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?