CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS12007 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 1
Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 1
All details in this unit profile for MEDS12007 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 clinical unit will provide you with opportunities to apply and integrate theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and professional behaviour in the clinical environment, independently and under the supervision of qualified professionals. The practical focus in this unit includes the completion of an ultrasound scan to a beginner level of competence. You will learn to analyse images and solve problems. Behavioural aspects of professional practice are emphasised and you are expected to critically reflect on your own performance and exhibit a high level of safe patient care. Critical appraisal of performance will enable you to develop your own patient care, professional, technical and analytical skills in a work setting.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

MEDS12002 Abdominal Ultrasound Prerequisite And MEDS12003 Superficial Structures in Ultrasound Prerequisite And MEDS12001 Physics of Ultrasound Prerequisite And MEDS12004 Sonography Skills Development 1, which must have been successfully completed within the last twelve months. Should this time limit have elapsed the student must successfully complete a skills / clinical knowledge revision and assessment as determined by the discipline lead or designate. Prerequisite

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 - 2019

Mixed Mode

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. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Portfolio
Weighting: Pass/Fail
4. Written Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
5. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

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 feedback

Feedback

The changes to the written assessment were well received by the students

Recommendation

A similar written assessment to continue for the next delivery of this unit.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Inconsistencies in due dates results in student dissatisfaction.

Recommendation

Placement dates often do not correspond with the clinical calendar. Due dates to be set 1 week after final day of completion of placement rather than a set due date.

Feedback from UC feedback

Feedback

Engagement in the unit was disappointing as demonstrated by the lack of student number attendance in the tutorials. Consider alternative modes of engagement.

Recommendation

Student led activities could increase engagement in the unit. For example students presenting case studies or presentation of interesting topics during the tutorials.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Perform sonographic examination under supervision at a beginner-level of competency.
  2. Differentiate sonographic appearances and explain sonographic findings to solve straightforward diagnostic problems.
  3. Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity graduate attributes and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.
  4. Critically reflect upon your sonographic knowledge, technical skill, professionalism, teamwork, communication skills and safe clinical practice.

Australasian Competency Standards for Entry Level Sonographers

Unit 1 - 5
Unit 6, 7 and 12

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
1 - Practical Assessment - 0%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Portfolio - 0%
4 - Written Assessment - 0%
5 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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 - Practical Assessment - 0%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Portfolio - 0%
4 - Written Assessment - 0%
5 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
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: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jane Wardle Unit Coordinator
j.wardle@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 BLOCK 1 Begin Date: 11 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 1 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Aorta and pancreas" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "pancreas" and "vascular structures" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to the unit Moodle site for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a five (5) week clinical placement to a minimum of 200 hours.
Zoom tutorial Wednesday
Week 2 BLOCK 1 Begin Date: 18 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 1 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Liver and hepatobiliary system" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "GB and biliary system" and "Liver" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 BLOCK 1 Begin Date: 25 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 1 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - The Kidneys" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The kidneys" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Mid GAPA due Sunday 1st December 2019 12:00am.

Zoom tutorial Wednesday

Week 4 BLOCK 1 Begin Date: 02 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 1 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Lower urinary tract" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The lower urinary tract" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 BLOCK 1 Begin Date: 09 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 1 clinical placement:

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.

  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - The Spleen" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The Spleen" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

End placement GAPA due Sunday 15th December 2019 12:00am.

Zoom tutorial Wednesday

If you are a Block 1 placement student, it is requirement to submit Assessment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by Sunday 15th December 2019 12:00am.

Any student whose clinical dates have been negotiated beyond the standard Block 1 dates (Modified Block 1 dates) will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.

Week 1 BLOCK 2 Begin Date: 16 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 2 clinical placement.
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Aorta and pancreas" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "pancreas" and "vascular structures" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to the unit Moodle site for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a five (5) week clinical placement to a minimum of 200 hours.

Zoom tutorial Wednesday

Week 2 BLOCK 2 Begin Date: 23 Dec 2019

Module/Topic

Students on block 2 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Liver and hepatobiliary system" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "GB and biliary system" and "Liver" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 BLOCK 2 Begin Date: 06 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Students on block 2 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - The Kidneys" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The kidneys" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Mid-placement GAPA due Sunday 26th January 2020 12:00 am.

Zoom tutorial Wednesday

Week 4 BLOCK 2 Begin Date: 13 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Students on block 2 clinical placement:
Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.
  1. Revise "Lower urinary tract" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The lower urinary tract" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 BLOCK 2 Begin Date: 20 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Students on block 2 clinical placement:

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the upper abdomen.

  1. Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - The Spleen" from your Sonographic skills development - 1 unit.
  2. Revise the "The Spleen" from your abdominal ultrasound unit and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial Wednesday

End placement GAPA due Sunday 9th February 2020 12:00 am.

If you are a Block 2 placement student, it is requirement to submit Assessment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by Sunday 9th February 2020 12:00am

Any student whose clinical dates have been negotiated beyond the standard Block 2 dates (Modified Block 2 dates) will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.

Week 10 Begin Date: 27 Jan 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 03 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 10 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Feb 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

The unit coordinator for this unit is Ovini Wanigasekera. I can be contacted on: 08 9260 4084 and o.wanigasekera@cqu.edu.au The clinical placement team are an integral part of the staffing of this unit. The other clinical academic staff include Rebecca Armstrong and Julie Cahill and the work integrated learning (WIL) officers, Vanessa Henderson and Kathleen Mossemenear. The clinical placement team contact details are on the unit Moodle site. This clinical unit builds on the sonographic knowledge, skills and attributes developed during MEDS12004 Sonographic Skills Development 1. You will perform medical diagnostic ultrasound examinations to begin your progress towards the standards of the 'Australasian Sonographers Association Competency Guidelines for a Graduate Entry-Level Sonographer'. You will evaluate findings to formulate a differential diagnosis and suggest further investigation where appropriate. You will engage with your clinical supervisor in a critical appraisal of your professional behavior and you will apply appropriate professional and interpersonal skills to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity graduate attributes and requirements for external professional accreditation by Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.


There are no specified texts for this unit. However you are expected to revise previous unit content related to abdominal ultrasound. This includes content from the units abdominal ultrasound and Sonographic Skills Development 1. To this end you must ensure that the texts for those units are available for you to consult whilst on placement. Clinical supervisors often assign 'homework' such as researching a clinical case seen that day - so be prepared with appropriate texts for support. You are expected to consult texts regularly to enhance your knowledge and understanding during this clinical unit. This unit requires you to attend a five (5)-week clinical placement, to a minimum of 200 hours, from either 12th November to 14th December 2018 inclusive (block 1) or 7th January to 8th February 2019 inclusive (block 2). You will have been allocated a specific clinical facility (or facilities) to attend for the placement. You must attend your allocated clinical placement for the entirety of each working day, including the last day of placement, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed by both the unit coordinator and clinical supervisor. Please note that there maybe public holidays during your clinical placement. These can be entered as 8 hours on your clinical attendance form and do
not need to be 'made up'. Please advise the unit coordinator if you need to extend your placement end date in order to complete unit requirements. Any students who have negotiated to extend placement dates will be eligible to apply for assessment extensions by email to the unit coordinator. If you are experiencing difficulty meeting unit assessment requirements please contact the unit coordinator. You will require regular internet access, word processing and document scanning technology in order to complete assessment requirements. Most clinical sites do not provide computer or internet access so it is your responsibility to provide your own. Please note this important information from the University Assessment of Coursework Procedures 4.36. This is a non-graded (pass/fail) course. All coursework must be submitted by the due date, as there is no opportunity to apply a 5% penalty due to the pass/fail nature of the assessment tasks. A student who fails any assessment in a pass/fail course or a pass/fail component of a graded course will be deemed to have failed that course.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Ultrasound Assessment

Task Description

A large part of being a sonographer is your ability to perform a sonographic examination. Following completion of your Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography course you will achieve a level of 'competent' however it will take many years to improve your skills to achieve a proficient or even expert level. You have been assessed to an advanced beginner level during MEDS12004 Sonographic Skills Development 1 on normal volunteers, so while expert should be your eventual aim, you are expected to achieve a beginner level for your first clinical placement.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

On successful completion of this assessment task you will be able to perform a sonographic examination under supervision at a beginner level competency.

In consultation with your clinical supervisor, you will pick ONE (1) of the following examinations: abdominal, renal, female pelvic (transabdominal and/or transvaginal) OR thyroid. You will then complete a practical assessment under supervision to the level of 'beginner'. This means that you will be able to scan your chosen examination while requiring direction most (60%) of the time. If you are unable to perform the practical assessment on any of the categories listed above (due to specialist clinic placement), please contact the unit coordinator to discuss further options. 

Detailed marking guidelines and scoring criterion is outlined in the practical assessment clinical document form. This document is made available on the unit Moodle site.

A copy of the practical assessment form has been emailed to your clinical site but it is advisable to provide a printed copy to your clinical supervisor at the commencement of your placement and/or on the day of the assessment.

It is suggested you attempt this task by the end of week 4 of your clinical placement in case you need to repeat the assessment. If you do not meet the required standard on your first attempt, you must seek detailed feedback from your assessor so you can develop a strategy to improve your performance. You should share your plan for improvement with your assessor. You may then repeat this assessment and must achieve the required level. Your clinical supervisor must complete and sign the assessment form before you submit it through the assessment block in the unit Moodle site.



Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 15th December 2019 AEST. Block 2 due date 9th February 2020 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended that you submit as soon as you have completed your placement. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
A beginner competency level must be achieved in order to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

The Assessment Criteria will address the following areas of your performance:

  • Patient care and communication
  • Pre-scan, scan and post-scan preparation and tasks
  • Knowledge of instrumentation including optimisation of survey and images through appropriate selection of parameters and technique
  • Interrogation of anatomy and acquisition of relevant images to demonstrate diagnostic sufficiency and completeness of information obtained
  • Recognition and understanding of the relevant anatomy and pathology demonstrated
  • Ability to recognise the need to and extend the clinical examination where appropriate
  • Accurate documentation and communication of findings
  • Occupational health and safety including ergonomics


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform sonographic examination under supervision at a beginner-level of competency.
  • Differentiate sonographic appearances and explain sonographic findings to solve straightforward diagnostic problems.


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

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Clinical Attendance

Task Description

In your future workplace as a qualified sonographer, you will be expected to adhere closely to the attendance requirements arranged with your employer.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

It is expected that you attend 100% of the time during your 5 week clinical placement to achieve the minimum 200 hours (5 X 40 hours) of clinical attendance. All hours worked must be entered into the clinical attendance form. This form must be verified and signed by your clinical supervisor, or a sonographer / radiologist / sonologist delegated this task by your clinical supervisor. A copy of the form has been emailed to your clinical site. Please print this form and read it carefully so you understand the criteria against which your clinical attendance will be evaluated.

Public holidays are included as hours worked. You can log 8 hours worked for each public holiday. These do not need to be 'made up'. Any time you are away from your clinical institution, you MUST supply a verifiable supporting document indicating why you have not attended. Both your clinical supervisor and the unit coordinator MUST be informed of any absences from your clinical placement. Failure to do so will result in penalties. Any absence during a working day must be made up after negotiation with your clinical site.

Pre-clinical day [held on 10th October 2019 - end of Term 2] - You were required to attend this day to help prepare you for clinical placement. During this day you will participate in various activities to help you prepare for your upcoming clinical placement. Topic of discussions such as clinical supervisor / patient / clinical site expectations during your clinical placement will be addressed. You will have the opportunity for face to face discussions regarding effective communication strategies and there will be several case studies to study and discuss. There is also a role-play activity to participate and discuss several clinical scenarios. Feedback Form will be available on the units Moodle site for your feedback regarding this day. 


Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 15th December 2019 AEST. Block 2 due date 9th February 2020 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended that you submit as soon as you have completed your placement. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
The passing requirement for this assessment is a minimum of 200 hours of clinical placement attendance.

Assessment Criteria

To pass this assessment you must achieve a minimum of 200 hours (5 X 40 hours) of attendance documented on your clinical attendance form. This is required to be uploaded in conjunction with the pre-clinical day feedback form via the unit Moodle site.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity graduate attributes and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Clinical Case Log

Task Description

For this clinical placement you are required to record all ultrasound examinations that you have either completely or partially performed. The clinical logbook serves as a record of your depth and breadth of experience attained during the placement. It will show your skill development progressing with many different examination types. 

Each case will be categorised into one of the following areas: abdomen, renal, superficial structures (thyroid, testes, lumps / bumps, etc), breast, obstetrics (first, second or third trimester), gynaecology, vascular (carotid, DVT or other) and musculoskeletal. Each week the logbook must be signed by your clinical site supervisor, radiologist, or a sonographer delegated by the clinical supervisor.  



Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 15th December 2019 AEST. Block 2 due date 9th February 2020 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended that you submit as soon as you have completed your placement. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
Minimum mark is 5 examinations logged in any one of the log book categories.

Assessment Criteria

You will pass this assessment if you logged a minimum of 5 scans in any one of the log book categories (abdominal, renal, female pelvic - (transabdominal and/or transvaginal) OR thyroid) by the end of the placement. Detailed instructions will be provided on the unit Moodle site. If you are unable to log the minimum of 5 scans on any of the categories listed above (due to specialist clinic placement), continue to record and log studies (following clinical log book instructions) and contact the unit coordinator to discuss further options


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform sonographic examination under supervision at a beginner-level of competency.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Information Technology Competence

4 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

ASSESSMENT TASK:

Image Critiquing and Clinical Reflection (Word count 1500 excluding references)

On your journey to becoming a great sonographer there are many skills you must learn. One of these skills is to critically reflect on your sonographic knowledge, technical skill and clinical experience. It is important to accurately interpret a referral to understand what they are wanting to know. Following this is reflecting whether your selected images accurately represent what you have discovered during the scan and whether you have answered the referring question. You must be able to explain sonographic findings (using sonographic terminology) to solve straightforward diagnostic problems whilst analyzing the technical aspects done well and identifying technical and/or optimizing errors. This task is also chance to make meaning of your first clinical placement experience and critically reflect upon your professionalism, communication skills, team work and safe clinical practice.

Choose 3 images taken of a study scanned by you and export these selected anonymized images along with a copy of the anonymized referral. Discuss and analyse the referral and the 3 images. If you have discovered any pathology, describe the image in sonographic terms and discuss a possible diagnosis as well as what else it could be. If the image demonstrates a 'normal' image, explain why you have taken and selected this image. Discuss the sonographic features that lead you to believe it is normal. For all images comment on findings, technical aspects done well, technical and/or optimization errors, challenges (if any) and lastly your clinical experience during the scan. Upon critically reflecting on your clinical experience, give an example where you have had to demonstrate and/or have witnessed the following: professionalism, communication, teamwork and safe clinical practice. Describe these aspects in bullet point formation. Use Vancouver referencing and refer to the marking rubric provided in the unit Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 15th December 2019 AEST. Block 2 due date 9th February 2020 AEST.. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended that you submit as soon as you have completed your placement. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Feedback for this assessment will be provided to you within two weeks of submission.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
PASS/FAIL

Assessment Criteria

This assessment is assessed upon:

  • Ability to recognize pathology and normal findings
  • Discuss clinical associations
  • Provide possible diagnosis and differential diagnosis to demonstrate problem solving.
  • Critically reflect on your images to assess sonographic knowledge and technical skill
  • Provide examples of professionalism, communication skills and team working ability to demonstrate critical thinking.
  • Referencing

 You are required to achieve a 'requirements met' score in all areas of the marking rubric. In the event that the first submission does not meet minimum requirements as per the rubric, you will be provided with feedback and guidance by the course coordinator. You will then have an opportunity to revise and resubmit the report within one week of receiving feedback.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online submission of the completed form, through the unit Moodle site. This is a pass/fail assessment item. You must pass this assessment to pass this unit.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Differentiate sonographic appearances and explain sonographic findings to solve straightforward diagnostic problems.
  • Critically reflect upon your sonographic knowledge, technical skill, professionalism, teamwork, communication skills and safe clinical practice.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Ethical practice

5 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA)

Task Description

Clinical placement occurs in the professional workplace. As a clinical student you are provided access to that workplace on the condition that you demonstrate behaviours and attributes of a healthcare professional and present a positive image to the clinical facility's staff and clients. As a student in the medical sonographer profession in Australia, you are required to be in consistent compliance with the Code of Conduct for Medical Sonographers

Clinical sites mention professional behaviour, particularly team work and empathy, as paramount in their decision to employ a sonographer. This assessment considers your ability to communicate professionally with a diverse cultural audience of patients, staff and the general public, demonstrate professional respect for all, and function as a reliable, well organised member of the health team.

Your clinical supervisor, or delegate, will be working in the sonography area with you, directly observing your day-to-day performance, and/or obtaining feedback from supervising sonographers who are doing so. These observations and collected feedback relate to your demonstrated knowledge, skills and behaviours over a span of time, not limited to a particular scan type or patient case. The observations and feedback are then used to complete the Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA) form provided.


There are three main sections to the GAPA form:

Section 1: initiative and communication

Section 2: responsibility and demeanour

Section 3: overall technical knowledge and skill


In each section there are multiple observable behaviours that you are required to demonstrate throughout your placement. Your assessor will score your performance based on how frequently and to what extent you demonstrate each of the listed behaviours. Your assessor is also encouraged to provide comments to expand on the scoring feedback. This assessment occurs twice during the placement. The first occurs at the mid-placement point, at the end of Week 3. The mid-placement GAPA assessment is formative, meaning its function is to provide you and your unit coordinator with formal documented feedback on your performance, but there are no minimum required scores related to your final grade. You are expected to use that feedback to reflect on your performance, develop an action plan to address any areas of performance that are not yet at the target level for this placement, and use the remaining weeks to achieve those targets. For any behaviour that you score well on at the mid-placement assessment, it is expected that you will continue to meet that level of performance or surpass it for the rest of the placement.


The second GAPA assessment occurs toward the end of Week 5, the last week of the placement. The end-of-placement GAPA assessment is summative, in that its primary use is to evaluate and document your performance relative to the stated performance targets. The minimum required scores are listed in the Assessment Criteria section below. Your final overall grade in this assessment depends on where you stand relative to those performance targets.


The GAPA form and marking criteria is available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site. A copy has been emailed to your clinical site but it is advisable to provide a printed copy to your clinical supervisor at the commencement of your placement. Please print this form and read it carefully so you understand the criteria against which your professional behaviour will be evaluated. Your clinical supervisor (or designated assessor) will meet with you after completing each assessment to discuss it with you. This is your opportunity to get clarification on any score or comment on the assessment. Once you have had that discussion, you both need to sign and date the assessment. You should complete a brief summary of the discussion. You need to ensure that each completed assessment form has all required documentation, including the name, dated signature and registration number of your assessor as well as your dated signature. Your supervisor will provide you with a copy of the completed assessment form. You will then scan it and upload the file into the unit Moodle site using the link provided.


It is your responsibility to ensure that you remind your clinical supervisor at least a week prior to the assessment that it needs to be done, and book a meeting with him/her toward the end of the week that the assessment is due.This gives your supervisor the opportunity to collect feedback and to designate an alternate assessor if he/she will not be available.


If there are extenuating circumstances at the clinical facility that prevent you from being assessed during the required weeks, you must contact the unit coordinator in a timely manner. This will require obtaining approval for an assessment extension. It is also your responsibility to ensure regular access to the technology needed to upload your assessment by the submission due dates. In the absence of an approved assessment extension, if you have not met all of the requirements listed in the Assessment Criteria section by the stated due dates, you will fail this assessment, and because this is a pass/fail course that means you will receive a Fail grade for the unit.


On occasion, clinical sites inform us of student behaviours which either: Compromise the reputation of the clinical site and/or the University, Compromise patient / staff safety and/or well-being. In these instances students are notified that they must cease attendance at the clinical site and discuss their position with the unit coordinator and head of course. This may result in student behavioural misconduct procedures in line with the CQUniversity Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedure.



Assessment Due Date

(Block one) The mid-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 1st December 2019 by 12:00 AEST. The end-of-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 15th December 2019 by 12:00 AEST. (Block Two) The mid-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 26th January 2020 by 12:00 AEST. The end-of-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 9th February 2020 by 12:00 AEST. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will be eligible to apply for an extension via the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
Minimum mark or grade - This is a pass / fail assessment piece. You must achieve an overall level of 'satisfactory' to pass this assessment

Assessment Criteria

The criteria for assessment are detailed on the GAPA form in the form of required behaviours and attributes. The assessor will use the stated 1 - 6 scale to indicate the frequency and extent to which you demonstrate each of those.The required behaviours and attributes are grouped into 3 sections, each with its own minimum required scores.


For Section 1: Initiative and Communication, the minimum required set of scores are:

  • no more than 1 score of 'No or insufficient opportunity to assess' (NA),
  • no scores of 1 or 2,
  • no more than 1 score of 3, and
  • the remainder of behaviours scored at 4 or higher.


For Section 2: Responsibility and Demeanour, the minimum required scores are:

  • no more than 1 score of NA,
  • no scores of 1, 2 or 3,
  • no more than 4 scores of 4, and
  • the remainder of behaviours scored at 5 or higher.


For Section 3: Overall Technical Knowledge and Skill, the minimum required scores are:

  • no scores of NA and
  • all behaviours scored at 4 or higher


In order to achieve an overall grade of 'Pass' in this assessment task, you must:

  • undergo both the mid-placement and end-of-placement assessments by the due dates listed,
  • on the end-of-placement assessment, meet the minimum required scores in all three sections,
  • ensure the documentation of each assessment is complete, and
  • upload each completed assessment form into the unit Moodle site by the due date.


If minimum required scores in the mid-placement GAPA are not met, you will be regarded as a "Student At Risk". The unit coordinator will contact you to advise you of the risk of failing MEDS12007 and provide formative feedback. You must respond to this email to show you understand the implications of this information and give details of your plans for immediate improvement. A phone call or visit will follow.

Review of your progress will be completed a short time after the mid placement one, at any time as requested by your supervisor or unit coordinator. Unsatisfactory scores at this second GAPA will result in a fail grade for MEDS12007.


Occasionally student behaviour is beyond acceptable risk to clinical sites. Clinical supervisors contact CQUniversity academics immediately when that occurs. A GAPA assessment is requested at this time (which could be at any time during your placement). If the outcome of this GAPA is unsatisfactory, and/or the site feedback indicates that they can no longer host you due to the risk incurred, then this one GAPA alone, or site refusal to host, will constitute a fail of MEDS12007. Where such risk exists your placement will terminate immediately. It is difficult to place such students in the clinical environment again. Your continued progress within the sonography course may be at risk.

 



Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online submission of the completed form via the unit Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity graduate attributes and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Team Work
  • 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?