In your future career as a qualified sonographer, you will be required to competently perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen accurately and within a timely manner. To begin your journey to competency in these scans, you will undertake training and practise in our realistic simulation facilities to achieve advanced beginner level competency of the full abdomen in 'normal' patients within a specified time frame.

There are two (2) parts to assessment 1: PART A (Sonographic Scanning Skills Assessment of the Liver) and PART B (Sonographic Scanning Skills Assessment of the full abdomen).

PART A - SONOGRAPHIC SCANNING SKILLS ASSESSMENT OF THE LIVER

You will be required to complete a sonographic assessment of the liver as per the liver imaging protocol within a specified time. Following this assessment, you will then answer academic questions to test your knowledge of the anatomy and pathology of the liver. In summary, this is an assessment of the scanning skills that are further discussed and emphasised in the unit lab manual, instructed labs, lectures, and tutorials, as well as knowledge of anatomy and pathology that has been learned in MEDS11002 and MEDS12002. Students will be assessed using the ‘Assessment of Readiness for Clinical’ (ARC tool) which is available on Moodle.

To pass the Liver Practical Skills Assessment (PART A) overall, both the academic and technical components of this assessment must be graded as a ‘pass’ individually. The following lists the sub-assessment components:

Technical (scanning) Component for the Liver Assessment:

• You will be required to perform routine sonographic scanning techniques, image optimisation and acquisition of images of the liver in a reasonable time period, to a beginner level.
• The scanning time limit for this assessment is 20 minutes.

Academic Component for the Liver Assessment:

• Following the technical component of the practical skills assessment of the liver, you will then be asked by your assessor to answer six (6) academic questions in total to test your anatomical and pathological knowledge of the liver. Three questions will be in relation to anatomical structures in the liver, and three questions will be in relation to liver pathology.

PART B - SONOGRAPHIC SCANNING SKILLS ASSESSMENT OF THE FULL ABDOMEN

You will be required to complete a sonographic assessment of the abdomen as per the abdomen imaging protocol in a reasonable time period to advanced beginner level. In summary, this is an assessment of the pre-scan, scanning, and post-scan skills that are further discussed and emphasised in the unit lab manual, instructed labs, lectures, and tutorials. Students will be assessed using the ‘Assessment of Readiness for Clinical’ (ARC tool) which is available on Moodle.

To pass the Abdomen Scanning Skills Assessment (PART B) overall, both the professional and technical components of this assessment must be graded as a ‘pass’ individually as these indicate the required standard to progress to the first clinical placement. The following lists the sub-assessment components:

Professional (pre-scan and post-scan) component

You will be required to:

• Apply correct patient care techniques and effective communication to obtain relevant patient history, informed consent, and to direct 'patients' accordingly.
• Apply professionalism in dealing with equipment and the scanning setting.
• Use correct ergonomics during the scan to prevent injury
• Apply correct infection control techniques before, during and after the skills assessment.

Technical (scanning) component

• You will be required to perform routine sonographic scanning techniques, image optimisation and acquisition of images of the abdomen in a reasonable time period, to an advanced beginner level.

• The scanning time limit for this assessment is 45 minutes.

Please carefully review the assessment information and ARC tool posted on the unit Moodle site.

Attendance for all practical assessment days and re-sit practical assessment days is mandatory. If you cannot attend a practical skills assessment on the scheduled day due to illness or injury and have provided acceptable medical documentation, you need to apply for an extension through the Assessment Extension Request on the unit Moodle site, and the unit coordinator and local co coordinator will arrange for the practical skills assessment to be undertaken at another time. Acceptable reasons for adjusting assessment for exceptional circumstances are articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (HE Coursework), section 5.21, and are applicable for practical skills assessments, quizzes and written assessment components.

PART A: LIVER SCANNING SKILLS ASSESSMENT

• The assessor on the day will observe the student's performance of the full scanning procedure of the liver and assess each task relative to the stated standards of the Assessment of Readiness for Clinical (ARC) tool. The ARC tool and supporting details are available on Moodle for more specific marking guidelines.
• A pass rate of 50% of the available marks must be achieved to pass the technical component. A pass rate of 66% of the available marks must be achieved to pass the academic component.
• To achieve an overall pass, both the Academic and the Technical components of the Liver Skills Assessment must be graded as a pass individually.
• There is only one attempt per student.

Re-evaluation options:

• In the event of the student failing the Liver Practical Skills Assessment in week 5 and achieving more than 50% for the liver survey and images in the Abdomen Practical Skills Assessment, this Liver Practical Skills Assessment will be deemed as a pass for the technical component.

• In the event of the student failing the Liver Practical Skills Assessment in week 5 and achieving less than 50% for the liver survey and images in the Abdomen Practical Skills Assessment in week 9, there is only ONE (1) further opportunity to re-sit the technical/and or academic components of the Liver Practical Skills Assessment item in Week 12.

PART B: ABDOMEN SCANNING SKILLS ASSESSMENT

• The assessor on the day will observe the student's performance of the full scanning procedure and assess each task relative to the stated standards of the Assessment of Readiness for Clinical (ARC) tool. The ARC tool and supporting details are available on Moodle for more specific marking guidelines.
• A pass rate of 65% of available marks in EACH of the technical AND professional behaviour components must be achieved to pass the assessment overall. Additionally, ALL critical requirements (bolded items on the ARC tool) in the professional component must receive full marks in order to pass the professional component of the assessment.
• To achieve an overall pass, both the Professional and the Technical components of the Abdomen Skills Assessment must be graded as a pass individually. If the student does not achieve a pass in the professional component, the full assessment will be repeated, but the student will only be marked on the professional component.
• There is only one attempt per student.

During re-evaluation:

• All assessments will initially be marked live by your assessor on the day. Moderation of results will then be conducted. Moderators will be allocated from another campus and will use video recordings and/or images from your assessment which provides a more robust marking process than the live assessment. One grade (pass/fail) will be awarded after the moderation process is complete. Provisional grades will be released once the moderation process is complete.
• Students who do not pass the sonographic scanning skills assessment of the full abdomen (professional and/or technical) in week 9, will be provided feedback on their performance and will be given ONE (1) opportunity to re-sit the technical and/or professional item in Week 12. This test will be conducted on a different patient to that of the first test.

Both part A and part B of assessment 1 must both be passed individually to pass this assessment overall.

Please be aware that ALL practical skills tests and re-sits will be video recorded for moderation purposes. Videos may be viewed by CQU sonography staff and tutors for the purposes of marking and moderation of assessments and may be required to be viewed by other CQU staff in the event of a student requesting either a Review of Grade or an Appeal of Grade. These videos will not be released to students for review.

This is a pass/fail assessment task in a pass/fail unit - a fail grade for any component of a pass/fail assessment task will result in a fail grade for the assessment task, and subsequently the entire unit.

For this assessment, you will be required to acquire static sonographic images of the male and female pelvis and then critique/reflect on these images.

There are two (2) components to this assessment: PART A and PART B. 

PART A: PRACTICAL COMPONENT - Acquisition of static sonographic images

In your future career as a qualified sonographer, you will be required to competently undertake a sonographic assessment of the male or female pelvis. Sonographically, we need to identify anatomical structures and determine if they appear sonographically within normal limits or appear altered from their normal sonographic appearance. As a student sonographer on your journey to competency in performing a sonographic assessment of the pelvis, you are required to obtain static representative transabdominal sonographic images of normal pelvic structures using simulation facilities in the sonography labs here at CQUniversity. You will be required to individually obtain static sonographic images of pelvic structures from student peers. Optimised and correctly documented seventeen (17) static sonographic images of the following structures are required to be obtained:

• Male or female: Protocolled static images to be acquired of:

• Urinary bladder

• Female: Protocolled static images to be acquired of:

• Uterus

• Endometrium

• Rt ovary

• Lt ovary

• Male: Protocolled static images to be acquired of:

• Prostate

PART B: WRITTEN COMPONENT: critique and reflection of static sonographic images acquired in part A:

You are required to provide a critique of the static sonographic images you acquired in part 1 of this assessment task. You will then reflect on whether the images adequately represented the anatomy demonstrated or whether other sonographic techniques could have implemented to improve the sonographic documentation of pelvic structures. (1500 words +/- 10%).

Not all images will be subject to this discussion of the critique and reflection in the written component (part B), only those ten (10) listed below. 

1. Uterus long with measurements
2. Uterus trans with measurement
3. Endometrium long with measurement 
4. Endometrium long with colour 
5. Rt ovary long with measurements
6. Lt ovary with measurement
7. Rt ovary long with colour 
8. Bladder long with measurements
9. Bladder trans with measurement 
10. Prostate long and trans with measurements (on single image using dual screen)

For the critique:

You are required to discuss the quality of the sonographic static images. This includes an evaluation of technical factors (ultrasound unit image optimisation settings), adequate placement of the sonographic transducer to obtain images and plane of sonographic imaging used for each structure, and whether the correct anatomy was adequately demonstrated.

For the reflection:

You are required to discuss how you felt the practical imaging went, and what things you have learnt to inform how you will sonographically assess pelvic structures in the future.

Your discussion must show that you have based your evaluation on current literature to demonstrate how you have used this to inform evidence-based practice.

PART A-PRACTICAL COMPONENT - Acquisition of images

The static sonographic images that you have submitted will be assessed for:

• correct use of optimisation settings
• imaging window used
• adequate transducer placement to obtain images in the correct scan plane
• accuracy of measurement/s
• accuracy of annotation
• correct use of ultrasound machine features
• accurate demonstration of sonographic anatomy
• submission of complete set of protocolled sonographic images of the female and male pelvises.

PART B: WRITTEN COMPONENT: critique and reflection of static sonographic images acquired in part A will be assessed for:

• the ability to critically evaluate the technical quality of the images submitted
• suggestions for improvement of images submitted (both technical and non-technical factors)
• reflection on the image acquisition process
• suggestions for improvement in future practise including relevance to the clinical setting
• spelling, grammar, academic writing
• referencing and the use of current literature to inform your discussion
• adherence to 1500 word count +/- 10% (words over 1650 words will not be assessed and may lead to marks not being allocated for images in Part A or discussion in Part B outside of this word count)

Please carefully review the assessment information and marking rubric on the Moodle site for this assessment.

Referencing is a vital component of any academic work and plagiarism is taken seriously by the university. Please refer to the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure document. See support on Vancouver referencing on the unit Moodle site.

This is a pass/fail assessment task in a non-graded pass/fail unit. In a non-graded pass/fail unit, all assessment items must be correctly and accurately submitted by the due date, as there is no opportunity to apply a five percent penalty, due to the pass/fail nature of each assessment task. Students who are not successful in achieving a pass in a single assessment task in a pass-fail unit, will subsequently fail the entire unit. 

There are two (2) separate online quizzes to complete for this unit. These will assess:

• your understanding of sonographic anatomy
• your ability to identify normal variants and discriminate these from pathological processes
• your knowledge of sonographic techniques and protocols

The purpose of these quizzes is to ensure adequate review of anatomy and their sonographic appearences sufficient preparation of protocol and procedures is undertaken prior to sonographic labs.

Once available, quizzes are open for 32 hours.

• The first quiz is in week 4 and covers the male and female pelvis, aorta, IVC, liver, porta hepatis and patient positioning and scanning planes. 

• The second quiz is in week 7 and covers the gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys.

• You are allowed ONE attempt at each quiz, so please ensure you are prepared beforehand.

• The time limit for the quiz is 20 mins and there are 20 multiple choice questions.

• These assessment tasks must be completed on or before the due dates.

• No late submissions are permitted after each quiz has closed, so please ensure adequate time for completion, with additional time for computer mishaps. If you have computer/quiz access difficulties, you need to contact TaSAC as soon as possible for assistance. Take a screenshot of the issue. After you have contacted TaSAC, please contact the unit coordinator for assistance if you cannot complete the quiz in the allocated time before the end of the quiz.

• In the event you are unable to complete the quiz in the allocated time and have suitable medical/supporting documentation, you can apply for an extension through the Assessment Extension system on the unit Moodle site before the end of the quiz to be granted an extension to the quiz time without academic penalty.

In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete a quiz after it has closed.

Answers will be either correct or incorrect and tabulated by the unit's online Moodle system.

Once started, the quiz cannot be paused, stopped or re-started. Once the time limit is reached any open questions will be automatically submitted. Once you have completed the test, it cannot be retaken.

Students must achieve a cumulative pass rate of 70% across the two quizzes to pass this assessment. (Please note that if one of the quizzes is not completed, a maximum cumulative score of only 50% can be achieved).

This is an open book quiz, so you have the opportunity to consult your notes, lecture slides, text books, and Moodle page. However, this assessment is to be undertaken as an individual, and is not approved as group work. As per the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, Section 3.25 "If evidence shows that plagiarism, collusion, cheating or academic misconduct of any kind has occurred, the conduct will be considered a breach of academic integrity." Colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and will be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit.

This is a pass/fail assessment task in a pass/fail unit. - a fail grade for any component of a pass/fail assessment task will result in a fail grade for the assessment task, and subsequently the entire unit.

Sonographers work clinically with patients, and both patients and physicians rely on quick, efficient, and complete documentation to issue results, a delay of which may delay treatment. The purpose of this assessment is to prepare you for professional behaviour, attendance, and documentation responsibilities on clinical placement, as well as to develop self-reflection skills by setting weekly goals and following up on progress.

This task requires you to:

• Demonstrate understanding the lab processes, procedures and Code of Conduct.

• Agree to take part in scanning procedures with due regard for volunteer consent processes.

• Attend scanning labs as scheduled.

• Collect tutor and peer feedback on your skills in ultrasound scanning, image optimisation, and documentation, patient care, communication, and ergonomic performance.

• Respond to feedback with your own reflections and objectives for practice and improvement.

This assessment will require you to correctly complete and correctly upload the following documentation to Moodle:

The following documents are due week 1 (12th July 2021 at 5pm AEST)

• A signed Student Acknowledgement and Lab Agreement

• A signed Consent Form - Sonographic Examination for Teaching Purposes ** ONLY if first lab unit for 2021**.
• Lab Induction Checklist (hard copy to be brought to the first lab of the term) ** ONLY if first lab unit for 2021**.

The following documents are due week 12 (8th October 2021 at 5pm)

• 22 Completed Formative Feedback Forms (including self reflection forms) plus cover sheet

• Completed Scan Lab Attendance Record

This assessment also ties in with the Professional Behaviour Assessment. You are required to complete your Formative Feedback Forms before leaving at the end of each lab (as you would be required to complete documentation for each patient's scan before the end of a clinical shift) and to have it signed by your tutor. Self reflection forms will need to be completed at the end of each week. If you do not have all lab days signed off on your Lab Attendance, you will need to write in the reason for this (e.g. "sick - certificate sent in to UC", "did not get signed", etc.); however all forms in this assessment must be completed accurately and either signed off or an explanation given to pass this assessment. Please note, LiP points will be given for each day not signed off for anything other than an absence approved by the UC.

To pass this assessment item you must:

• complete all paperwork accurately and on time
• save and upload in the format specified
• submit by the due date and time specified

Documentation in the clinical environment must be correctly issued, otherwise there can be dire consequences for patient and legal ramifications for the sonographer. Hence, in the lab, non-completed or incorrectly completed paperwork will attract a LiP point (per instance), and repeated errors will incur a fail of the assessment item. As sonographers, it is important for you to both understand and comply with requirements regarding paperwork and documentation.

This is a pass/fail assessment task in a pass/fail unit - a fail grade for any component of a pass/fail assessment task will result in a fail grade for the assessment task, and subsequently the entire unit.

Professional behaviour is a critical part of any medical imaging profession and encompasses the manner in which we treat our colleagues, patients, and the professional settings and equipment provided to us. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that students from the CQU Medical Sonography course are well-equipped to embody the standards of professionalism that are expected from CQUniversity students while on their upcoming clinical placements, and as graduate sonographers in their future careers. This assessment will require you to treat each of your lab sessions as a scheduled "work shift" and to exhibit high-quality professional attributes to ensure you are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills required to provide safe patient care and professional behaviour. As such, this assessment is based on continuous and ongoing assessment of student application and attendance during labs and throughout the term. Note: this extends to all behaviour exhibited by you during your time studying this unit, up until the end of exam week. This includes participation in forums and online tutorials, labs, social media etiquette, phone calls, attitude towards peers and staff; and all official correspondence with university staff, peers, and community.

This is a PASS/FAIL assessment. This assessment is marked using the Professional Behaviour Assessment (PBA) rubric and incorporates Lapse in Professionalism (LiP) points. 

All interactions with staff and peers pertaining to this unit will be treated as a replica of the clinical work environment.

You will be expected to demonstrate all of the professional behaviour that will be expected of you in a formal work environment. Lapse in Professionalism points can be issued in three different categories:

1. Professional behaviour towards colleagues

2. Professional behaviour towards patients.

3. Professional behaviour in professional settings and equipment.

Expected behaviour and its relevance to the clinical environment is listed under the Professional Behaviour Assessment Outline on the unit Moodle site. You must review this information and be aware of what is expected of you for this unit. Please be aware that not having your Formative Feedback Forms signed on your lab day would have consequences in a clinical setting and will warrant a LiP point. You will be required to fill out a Formative Feedback Form for each of your compulsory labs, but not for the dates of your practical skills test as outlined in the lab manual. It is very important that you familiarise yourself with the CODE OF CONDUCT in the Lab Manual as well as the ASA CODE OF CONDUCT and the CQU CODE OF CONDUCT. All of these documents are posted on the unit Moodle site for your information.

If unprofessional behaviour is reported by fellow classmates and not witnessed by a staff member, a written warning detailing the allegations will be issued to the student, and the student's response documented. If further evidence of an on-going unprofessional behaviour surfaces, then a LiP point may be issued.

Up to three LiP points can be issued before the assessment is graded as a fail. However, if any exhibited behaviour is deemed as unsafe or unacceptable for clinical practice and feedback given to the student around this issue is not taken on board, the professional behaviour assessment may be graded as a FAIL at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

There is a COMPULSORY Zoom session on MONDAY 12th July 2021 11AM AEST  regarding requirements for this assessment task. Failure to attend will incur a Lapse in Professionalism point

In the event that a LiP point is accrued, it will be discussed between the student and one of the teaching team. Written documentation explaining the reason for the issued LiP will be signed by the on-site lecturer or the unit coordinator, and sent to the student via email.

To pass this assessment, you must not accrue more than three (3) LiP points in the unit over the entire term. If a student accrues more than THREE LiP points, a Professional Behaviour Assessment Rubric will issued by the unit coordinator and the Assessment is graded as a fail. If a student accrues less than three LiP points, then the PBA is not issued.

This is a pass/fail assessment task in a pass/fail unit. - a fail grade for any component of a pass/fail assessment task will result in a fail grade for the assessment task, and subsequently the entire unit.