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

In your final year of study, you are transitioning from student to independent practitioner. Nearing completion of your tertiary studies to begin a career in your selected profession is a huge learning milestone. This transition phase of your learning journey is also a starting point for another learning journey, that is your continuing development as a professional. To support your transition, you will critically reflect on your progress in developing the knowledge, skills and judgement to meet the national registering body’s Professional Capabilities and on your clinical practice in adhering to the Shared Code of Conduct of registered health professionals. You will apply clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice and risk management to the analysis and discussion of clinical incidents and near misses. You will further develop your ability to advance your profession through peer support and education.

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 ESSC11004 Study and Research Skills for Health Science MEDI13008 Imaging Pathways in the Diagnostic Process

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 3 - 2024

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: 30%
2. Presentation
Weighting: 30%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 40%

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 Student informal comments and SUTE data

Feedback

The case study assessment was challenging, but students found it very useful in developing an understanding of the important role radiographers play in patient safety.

Recommendation

Maintain the case study. Refine the questions asked to maintain academic integrity and currency.

Feedback from Student informal comments and SUTE data

Feedback

Some students felt that the presentation assessment was very similar to that required in a previous unit.

Recommendation

Work with the unit coordinator of the previous unit to review the assessments and amend if necessary.

Feedback from Emails from students and coordinator reflection

Feedback

The portfolio assessment gave students freedom in their choice of professional capabilities being discussed. This caused anxiety among some students.

Recommendation

Review the portfolio assessments and investigate methods of increasing clarity of requirements.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply evidence-based practice to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making.
  2. Integrate concepts and processes of facility accreditation, quality improvement and risk management to analyse and discuss clinical incidents and near misses relative to clinical governance standards such as National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards.
  3. Critically reflect on your experiences and associated evidence which demonstrate the continued development of your professional capabilities and adherence to the Professional Body's Code of Conduct and requirements for practice.
  4. Undertake continuing professional development, supporting other medical radiation practitioners and your professional peers through presentation at a simulated conference and participation in peer assessment.
  5. Communicate professionally in written and presentation tasks.

The unit links to the following Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practitioners as detailed by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (effective March 2020):

Domain 1: Medical radiation practitioner:

  • 2. Use clinical information management systems appropriately (Part a: Understand and comply with legislative responsibilities about data privacy, the ownership, storage, retention and destruction of patient/client records and other practice documentation, Part d: Identify and respond appropriately when clinical information is incorrectly associated with the identity of a patient/client and/or examination/treatment, Part f: Respond appropriately to data errors and/or system failures & Part g: Ensure clinical information is made available to the appropriate persons involved in the care of the patient)
  • 7. If the practitioner identifies any urgent or unexpected findings, take appropriate and timely action to ensure the immediate management of the patient/client.

Domain 2: Professional and ethical practitioner:

  • 1. Practice in an ethical and professional manner, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements (Part h: Exercise appropriate levels of autonomy and professional judgement in a variety of medical radiation practice settings)
  • 3. Take responsibility and accountability for professional decisions (Part a: Make appropriate professional decisions about the care of patients, Part b: Recognise and respond appropriately to unsafe or unprofessional practice & Part c: Integrate organisational policies and guidelines with professional standards and apply to practice)
  • 5. Seek opportunities to progress the profession (Part a: Provide developmental support to other medical radiation practitioners and other members of the healthcare team)

Domain 4: Evidence-informed practitioner:

  • 1. Resolve challenges through application of critical thinking and reflective practice (Part a: Identify the challenge or question and the information that is needed to respond, Part b: Find, critically appraise, interpret and apply best available research evidence to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making & Part d: Recognise opportunities to contribute to the development of new knowledge through research and enquiry)
  • 2. Identify ongoing professional learning needs and opportunities (Part a: Comply with legal and professional responsibilities to complete CPD, Part b: Critically reflect on own strengths and limitations to identify learning needed to improve and adapt professional practice & Part d: Plan and implement steps to address professional learning and development needs)

Domain 5: Radiation safety and risk manager:

  • 1. Perform and provide safe radiation practice (Part f: Identify radiation risks and implement effective and appropriate risk management systems and procedures & Part g: Recognise and report on near misses and their consequences, in addition to adverse events and relevant contributing factors)
  • 2. Protect and enhance patient/client safety (Part b: Review, communicate, record and manage patient/client information accurately, consistent with protocols, procedures and legislative requirements for maintaining patient/client records & Part e: Apply relevant quality frameworks to practice)
  • 4. Maintain safety of the workplace and associated environments (Part a: Identify safety hazards in the workplace and respond to incidents [including radiation and radioactivity incidents] in a timely manner, in accordance with protocols and procedures, Part b: Report on all incidents [including radiation and radioactivity incidents] as needed & Part g: Provide information on radiation -related hazards and control measures to others in the workplace).

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 4 5
1 - Case Study - 30%
2 - Presentation - 30%
3 - Portfolio - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
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
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)
  • Camera and microphone for attending Zoom tutorials and completing presentation assessment task
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Karen Finlay Unit Coordinator
k.finlay@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 04 Nov 2024

Module/Topic

What does it mean to be a graduate radiographer?

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 11 Nov 2024

Module/Topic

Clinical reasoning and decision-making. Applying evidence-based and ethical practice

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 18 Nov 2024

Module/Topic

Healthcare accreditation, quality management, risk and incident management

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 25 Nov 2024

Module/Topic

MRPBA Professional Capabilities and Code of conduct

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 02 Dec 2024

Module/Topic

MRPBA Professional Capabilities and Code of conduct

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 09 Dec 2024

Module/Topic

Career planning

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 16 Dec 2024

Module/Topic

Preparing for the independent practice role

Chapter

See readings on Moodle

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 23 Dec 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 30 Dec 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 Jan 2025

Module/Topic

CPD presentation and portfolio development time

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case Study Due: Week 8 Friday (10 Jan 2025) 7:00 pm AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 13 Jan 2025

Module/Topic

CPD presentation and portfolio development time

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 Jan 2025

Module/Topic

CPD presentation and portfolio development time

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation assessment due on the allocated time during the virtual conference sessions.

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 Jan 2025

Module/Topic

Portfolio development time

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Feb 2025

Module/Topic

Portfolio development time

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (7 Feb 2025) 7:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Feb 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The unit coordinator for this unit is: Karen Finlay.

 

I can be contacted on k.finlay@cqu.edu.au or 07 4940 7598.

 

As a 6-credit unit you should spend 150 hours studying and completing assessments over the term. The learning materials are ‘front-loaded’ into the first half of the term with the expectation that you will apply them as you work through the assessment activities. The three assessment activities are designed to support development of your knowledge and skills associated with the unit learning outcomes, so expect to spend about 100 engagement hours working through those three activities. Note that you will need to sign up for and attend a one-hour virtual conference in Week 10 where you will be both a presenter and audience member. Specific date/time session options will be available for selection.

Assessment Tasks

1 Case Study

Assessment Title
Case Study

Task Description

In Medical Imaging, adverse events may arise as a result of the complex nature of the equipment, the imaging procedure or the 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.

 

Instructions

Read the coroner’s report and recommendations, together with the MRPBA response to the recommendations. All these documents are available through the Moodle site, within the case study tile. Note that this incident took place at the time of a previous MRPBA Professional Capabilities for Practice requirement.

 

Respond to the following:

 

  • To what extent did the radiographers involved meet their obligations in regard to the MRPBA Professional Capabilities for Practice, as described in the most recent document? Give evidence for your decision and provide external references to support your position.
  • Would any part of this situation put at risk the facility’s DIAS accreditation? If so, explain the nature of the risk to accreditation. Give evidence for your decision and provide external references to support your position.
  • What could the facility do in terms of processes or policies to better manage the risk of this type of situation occurring in the future? Give evidence for your decision and provide external references to support your position.
  • NSQHS Standard 8 - Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard. From the evidence given in the coroner's court, was this standard met by the facility and the radiographers? Give evidence for your decision and provide external references to support your position.

 

You must use ideas and content from other sources and you must acknowledge those sources using in-text citation and referencing. Failure to formally acknowledge external sources is a breach of academic integrity. 

 

Word-count

You should aim for approximately 2000 words for this assessment task; approximately 400 - 600 words per main section, excluding your reference list. This suggestion is provided to guide you in the depth and breadth of your responses as you address the assessment criteria.

 

MRPBA Professional Capabilities and NSQHS Standards

 

This assessment task maps to the following MRPBA professional Capabilities (2020) and NSQHS Standards (2021):

MRPBA Domain 1, Key Capability 4, 5, 7, 8

MRPBA Domain 2, Key Capability 1, 2, 3, 4

MRPBA Domain 3, Key Capability 1, 2

MRPBA Domain 4, Key Capability 1

NSQHS Standard 1, 2, 4, 6, 8


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (10 Jan 2025) 7:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (24 Jan 2025)


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • Depth of analysis of the incident
  • Quality of reasoning and decision-making [logic of arguments, consideration of salient facts]
  • Selection of relevant, current and authoritative evidence to support arguments in discussions
  • Use of evidence to support clinical reasoning and decision-making  
  • Quality of academic communication [clarity of statements, organisation of information, acknowledgement of external sources]

 

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply evidence-based practice to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making.
  • Integrate concepts and processes of facility accreditation, quality improvement and risk management to analyse and discuss clinical incidents and near misses relative to clinical governance standards such as National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards.
  • Communicate professionally in written and presentation tasks.


Graduate Attributes

2 Presentation

Assessment Title
Presentation

Task Description

In your final year of study, you are transitioning from student to independent practitioner. Nearing completion of your tertiary studies to begin a career in your selected profession is a huge learning milestone. This transition phase of your learning journey is also a starting point for another learning journey; your continuing professional development (CPD). CPD is a vital aspect of being an imaging professional and is a requirement for your professional registration with the medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA). It ensures that we remain up-to-date in our practice through reading journal articles, attending workshops, and attending and presenting at educational sessions and conferences. This task is designed to develop your skills in CPD and help you become familiar with the concept, in preparation for registration.

 

Your task is to create a presentation that is suitable for a professional e-conference in terms of both format and content and to deliver this as an e-presentation live during a virtual conference. The presentation must be 7-minutes long and you must be prepared to respond to questions from the audience of your peers and assessor. You have 2 options to choose from for the topic of presentation.

 

Choose only one (1). 

 

Develop a 7-minute audio-visual presentation suitable for a radiography conference on the theme of “From Student to Supervisor”. The target audience is newly qualified radiographers who are about to start their clinical career. 

 

The presentation must include the following:

 

·         What challenges is the radiographer likely to experience during the transition from student to supervisor?

·         What knowledge and skills must be developed to become an effective supervisor and how should the audience gain the required knowledge and skills?

·         In what ways are supervisors important in the development of student skills in the clinical workplace?

 

Literature to support the presentation - at least 3 published journal articles, not more than 5 years old since publication.


OR  

 

Choose one (1) innovative technology, procedure or practice in medical imaging. For that technology, develop a 7-minute audio-visual teaching presentation on that technology. The target audience is qualified radiographers who have not been exposed to this technology. 

The presentation must include the following:

·         Benefits and limitations of the chosen technology in terms of radiation dose, diagnostic ability and patient care

·         Scientific details of the chosen technology. 

·         Details of how to safely operate the chosen technology

 

You must not present on the same technology, procedure or practice used for the poster presentation in MEDI13008 - Imaging Pathways in the Diagnostic Process.

 

Literature to support the presentation - at least 3 published journal articles, not more than 5 years old since publication.


The marking rubric will be provided on the unit Moodle site.

 

MRPBA Professional Capabilities and NSQHS Standards

 

This assessment task maps to the following MRPBA professional Capabilities (2020) and NSQHS Standards (2021):

MRPBA Domain 2, Key Capability 5

MRPBA Domain4, Key Capability 1, 2


Assessment Due Date

At allocated time for virtual conference in week 10


Return Date to Students

The results will be released within two weeks of the presentation


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

The presentation will be assessed in each of the following areas:

       

1. Content of presentation

Relevance to audience of peers for current and future practice
Choice of topic in building knowledge beyond entry to practice level
Depth of discussion of topic
Use of correct terminology
Use of authoritative information sources
Content selection and organisation including: selection of key points, relevance to audience
Correct technique for in-text citations and reference list
       

2. Organisation and formatting of slide contents

Logical sequencing
Visual clarity of slides
Inclusion of references
        

3. Oral presentation

Clarity of speech
Ability to speak beyond slides
Cohesiveness in aligning verbal component with slide content
Adherence to time requirements

 

A marking rubric detailing the minimum requirements for each category will be posted on the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Undertake continuing professional development, supporting other medical radiation practitioners and your professional peers through presentation at a simulated conference and participation in peer assessment.
  • Communicate professionally in written and presentation tasks.


Graduate Attributes

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Portfolio

Task Description

It is a requirement for all medical radiation practitioners to meet the MRPBA Professional Capabilities for Medical Radiation Practice, and to adhere to AHPRA Shared Code of Conduct. This assessment task relates to these professional requirements. 

 

The portfolio enables you to present your knowledge, skills and behavioural attributes, explain how you have reached your current level of performance and show how this relates to your readiness for independent practice. The portfolio also showcases your critical thinking and your ability to make connections between your experience and researched concepts and theories. 

Each ‘project’ of your portfolio will focus on either one specific key capability and stated enabling components or one specific principle of the Code of Conduct. You will provide attachments that provide evidence of your performance in that area. These attachments are items associated with your learning journey (within the course and/or in other areas of your life experience). They may include photos, certificates, other documents, presentations, videos as well as links to online items. You will discuss each attached item to explain how it demonstrates your development or achievement of the selected capability or principle. You must use published external sources to demonstrate how you meet or are working towards meeting the stated code of key capability. 

 

You must reflect on your progress toward being able to achieve that capability or principle. Your reflections must consider theories, concepts and best practices, drawing from authoritative sources. Your reflections will need to comply with standards for academic writing, including formal acknowledgement of external information sources.

 

For this assignment, you will address the following Capabilities and Codes:

 

  • Code of conduct 10 (specifically 10.1 and 10.2)  – Teaching, supervising and assessing.
  • Domain 1. Key Capability 7 (specifically 1.7a, 1.7b and 1.7c) - Deliver patient/client care
  • Domain 4. Key Capability 2 (specifically 4.2b and 4.2d) - identifying ongoing professional learning needs and opportunities
  • Code of Conduct 5.2 - Teamwork and collaboration

 

 

For one of these core topics, guided learning activities are provided, with links available in Moodle to support your development of the associated knowledge and skills. These may take some time for you to complete, so you should start these activities early in the term to make best use of them. 

 

For Code of Conduct 10, you must complete a feedback pro-forma for each of the presentations you attended during the virtual conference. You may also use your presentation as evidence of meeting part of this capability. 

 

For many other topics, the learning activities and assessments you have undertaken in other units throughout the course have already supported your development. You are encouraged to look back at your study over the past three years to consider how your learning journey has been supported and how you have achieved evidence of achievement of many capabilities and principles of conduct.

 

You may also have achieved significant learning through life experience, whether through employment, community involvement or team activities. You are encouraged to include this informal learning in your critical reflections.

 

MRPBA Professional Capabilities and NSQHS Standards

 

This assessment task maps to the following MRPBA professional Capabilities (2020) and NSQHS Standards (2021):

MRPBA Domain 1, Key Capability 7

MRPBA Domain 2, Key Capability 1, 5

MRPBA Domain 4, Key Capability 2

NSQHS Standard 8

 


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (7 Feb 2025) 7:00 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Results will be released within 2-weeks of the due date.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

 

This assessment is assessed on the following criteria:

 

  • Scope of capabilities and principles that have been addressed
  • Evidence of critical reflection
  • Evidence of clinical judgment and decision-making
  • Professional communication and presentation of information
  • Quality of academic communication
  • Scope and relevance of supporting evidence
  • Use of authoritative sources to inform reflections
  • Inclusion of completed feedback proformas for presentations
  • Relevance of evidence offered to capability
  • Depth and relevance of feedback on presentations


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply evidence-based practice to inform clinical reasoning and professional decision-making.
  • Critically reflect on your experiences and associated evidence which demonstrate the continued development of your professional capabilities and adherence to the Professional Body's Code of Conduct and requirements for practice.
  • Undertake continuing professional development, supporting other medical radiation practitioners and your professional peers through presentation at a simulated conference and participation in peer assessment.
  • Communicate professionally in written and presentation tasks.


Graduate Attributes

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?