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 - 2020

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 forums on Moodle

Feedback

Students enjoyed the peer presentation sessions. It encouraged student engagement and served as good revision and clinical education platform.

Recommendation

Continue peer presentation sessions.

Feedback from Student emails

Feedback

Some students were confused around when to apply for extensions, and when these were blanket approvals due to differing placement dates

Recommendation

Clarify the assessment due date information in both the unit profile and unit Moodle site and develop a due date tracking document for the unit coordinator.

Feedback from Student emails

Feedback

Students were confused on how to complete the details required for the clinical documents submission. This was specifically in relation to supervising sonographers ASAR registration number.

Recommendation

The required ASAR registration is public information made available via the website. Provide the students with more direction in how to fill out the clinical documents accurately, without errors to avoid confusion for future submissions.

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
Mina Shenouda Unit Coordinator
m.shenouda@cqu.edu.au
Jane Wardle Unit Coordinator
j.wardle@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Infection Control Begin Date: 09 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to infection control. Guest lecture from ASUM.  
  1. Revise appropriate infections control techniques and requirements for an ultrasound setting.
  2. How does Covid-19 affect an ultrasound department?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Abdomen Revision: Aorta, Abdominal Vascular and Pancreas Begin Date: 16 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

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

    
Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Aorta and pancreas" from MEDS12002,     
MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Abdomen Revision: Gallbladder and Biliary System Begin Date: 23 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

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

Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Gallbladder and Biliary System" from MEDS12002, MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Abdomen Revision: Liver and Spleen Begin Date: 30 Nov 2020

Module/Topic

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

Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - Liver and Spleen" from MEDS12002, MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Abdomen Revision: Urinary Tract Begin Date: 07 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

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



Revise "Upper abdominal ultrasound - the kidneys and urinary tract system" from MEDS12002, MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Revision: Female Pelvis Begin Date: 14 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the female pelvis.

Revise "Female pelvis - Uterus and Ovaries" from MEDS12006, MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Revision: Obstetrics Begin Date: 21 Dec 2020

Module/Topic

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the female pelvis.

Revise "Obstetrics within ultrasound" from MEDS12002, MEDS12004 and relevant anatomy from Moodle and textbooks.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Revision: Thyroid Begin Date: 04 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the thyroid.

Revise the thyroid and neck from MEDS12003 and assigned textbooks as well as relevant anatomy,

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Revision: Scrotum and Breast Begin Date: 11 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Recommended revision of knowledge and skills related to sonography of the neck.

Revise scrotum and breast ultrasound from MEDS12003 and textbooks, as well as relevant anatomy.  

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Please refer to Moodle for detailed assessment due dates and tutorial information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard University term dates. This unit consists of a clinical placement.

Clinical Decision Making Begin Date: 18 Jan 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Welcome to MEDS12007 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 1, the unit coordinator for this unit is Mina Shenouda. All student enquires related to this unit can be sent to m.shenouda@cqu.edu.au Ph (02) 9324 5070. I work for the university three days a week- Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. For any urgent matters on Wednesday and Friday, please contact Jane Wardle j.wardle@cqu.edu.au Ph (07) 3023 4200.


The clinical placement team are an integral part of this unit as they are coordinating the placement allocations for this unit. The other academic staff are Julie Cahill and the work-integrated learning (WIL) officer is Vanessa Henderson. The clinical placement team contact details are on the Moodle site. This clinical unit builds on the sonographic knowledge, skills and attributes developed during MEDS12003, MEDS12004 and MEDS12006. Students will be required to engage in medical diagnostic ultrasound examinations to begin progress towards the standards of the 'Australasian Sonographers Association Competency Guidelines for a Graduate Entry-Level Sonographer'. Students will evaluate findings to formulate a differential diagnosis and suggest further investigation where appropriate. Also, students will engage with their clinical supervisor in a critical appraisal with regards to professional behaviour, applying appropriate professional and interpersonal skills to sonographic practice, per CQUniversity graduate attributes and requirements for external professional accreditation by Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.


There are no specified texts for this unit however, students are expected to revise previous unit content related to abdominal ultrasound, obstetrics/gynaecological ultrasound and ultrasound of small parts. Furthermore, students must ensure that the texts for those units are available to consult whilst on placement. This unit requires students to attend a two-week clinical placement block, with a minimum requirement of 80 hours, from either the 1st February to 12th February (block 1) or 15th February to 26th February (block 2). The placement allocations or start date is subject to change depending on the COVID situation.


All students will be allocated a specific clinical facility (or facilities) to attend for the duration of their placement and must attend the allocated clinical placement for the entirety of each working day. Please note that there may be a public holiday during your clinical placement, these can be entered as 8 hours on your clinical attendance form and are counted as a full day of placement. If there have been changes to placement end dates and hence there is a requirement to have an extension for assessments, please advise the unit coordinator. Students will require regular internet access, word processing and document scanning technology to complete assessment requirements. Most clinical sites do not provide computer or internet access hence, its the student's responsibility to provide all the required tools to complete assessments. Please note this important information from the University Assessment of Coursework Procedures 4.36. This is a non-graded (pass/fail) course and all coursework must be submitted by the due date, as there is no opportunity to apply for a 5% penalty due to the pass/fail nature of the assessment tasks. Any student who fails any assessment in a pass/fail subject or a pass/fail component will be deemed to have failed that subject.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment and Quiz

Task Description

PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT

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, with the emphasis on patient care and team work.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

On successful completion of this assessment task you will be able to successfully interact with a patient and perform a portion of an ultrasound examination.

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 interact with the patient from the beginning of the patient's examination and successfully communicate with both the patient and the multi-disciplinary team during this process. You will attempt to perform a portion of the ultrasound examination under the guidance of your supervisor.

Detailed marking guidelines and scoring criterion are 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.

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.

Students on Block 1 placement: assessment due Monday 22nd February 2021.

Students on Block 2 placement: assessment due Monday 8th March 2021.

QUIZ

A large part of being a sonographer is the ability to critique and interpret ultrasound images. Following the completion of the Bachelor of Medical Sonography/Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography course, students will be able to interpret normal vs abnormal sonographic findings, critiquing ultrasound images, know all relevant anatomy within the ultrasound image and the ability to extend the ultrasound scan further when required. Students have been exposed to several different ultrasound images throughout the course of their study.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

On successful completion of this assessment task, students will be able to understand the importance of image optimisation, image interpretation and critical thinking.

There is only one attempt for this online quiz. If students don't meet the minimum requirements for the quiz, they will receive a fail for this assessment task and will lead to failure for this subject. Students need to ensure that they have adequate computer and internet facilities in completing this assessment. If students are requiring assistance with regards to connectivity issues, please ensure that communication is made prior to the attempt with the unit coordinator. Practice questions will be provided in the fortnightly tutorials. The quiz will cover content related to:

Small parts

Upper abdominal ultrasound

Obstetric and Gynaecology ultrasound

The quiz will cover aspects of ultrasound that will require students to name anatomical structures in ultrasound and will require students to explain normal and abnormal findings and demonstrate critical thinking.The quiz will be open in week 10- week beginning 25th of January 2021.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (25 Jan 2021) 6:00 pm AEST

One attempt


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria will address the following areas:

  • 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 the 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 
  • Infection control


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

Throughout the placement term, students will be expected to adhere closely to the attendance requirements arranged with the employer.

ASSESSMENT TASK:

It is expected that students attend 100% of the 2-week clinical placement to achieve a minimum of 80 hours (2 X 40 hours) of clinical attendance. The placement allocations or start date is subject to change depending on the COVID situation. All hours worked must be entered into the clinical attendance form. This form must be verified and signed by the clinical supervisor, or a sonographer/radiologist who has been delegated by the clinical supervisor. A copy of the form has been emailed to the clinical site, please also print this form and read it carefully to understand the criteria of the requirements throughout the clinical placement.

Public holidays are included as hours worked and can be logged as 8 hours worked for each public holiday. At any instance that students are unable to attend placement, they MUST supply a verifiable supporting document indicating why they have not attended. Both the clinical supervisor and the unit coordinator MUST be informed of any absences throughout the duration of the clinical placement and failure to do so will result in penalties. Any absence during a working day must be made up after negotiation with the clinical site. A medical certificate or supporting documentation must be supplied as per the Clinical Handbook.


Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 13th February 2021 AEST and block 2 due date 27th February 2021 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through Moodle by the Monday 5pm after the last day of the placement block. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will need to communicate with the unit coordinator.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
The passing requirement for this assessment is a minimum of 80 hours of clinical placement attendance.

Assessment Criteria

To pass this assessment students must achieve a minimum of 80 hours of attendance documented on the clinical attendance form. This is required to be uploaded on the Moodle assessments section. 


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, students are required to record all ultrasound examinations that they have either completed, partially performed or observed. The clinical logbook serves as a record of depth and breadth of experience attained during the placement. It will show the 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 the 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 13th February 2021 AEST and block 2 due date 27th February 2021 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through Moodle by the Monday 5pm after the last day of the placement block. Any students whose clinical placement dates have been negotiated to extend beyond these due dates will need to communicate with the unit coordinator.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
Minimum mark is 5 examinations.

Assessment Criteria

Students will pass this assessment if they have logged a minimum of 5 scans in any one of the logbook categories (abdominal, renal, female pelvic - (transabdominal and/or transvaginal) OR thyroid) by the end of the placement. Detailed instructions will be provided on Moodle. If students 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 logbook 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 1000 excluding references)

There will be two submissions for this written assessment. They are comprised of a pre-clinic reflection and a post-clinic reflection. The ability for students to reflect on the clinical work prior and after the placement allocation will provide insight on the readiness of students as they embark on the journey of becoming a qualified sonographer.

The pre-placement reflection:

This reflection is targetted at ensuring students are aware of the clinical journey they are to embark on. Students are required to discuss:

Their view of what they are expecting in the radiology practice.

Role of a student sonographer.

The ethical manner and practice in areas of ultrasound that require further assistance. These areas include fetal demise, deep vein thrombosis and testicular torsion.

The importance of teamwork in the radiology practice.

The area of ultrasound that students wish to further specialise/research in.

Post placement reflection:

The journey to becoming a competent sonographer requires many skills that will be developed to enhance students clinical judgement. One of these skills is to critically reflect on your sonographic knowledge, technical skills and clinical experience. It's important to accurately interpret a referral to understand what clinicians are requesting. Following this, reflecting whether selected images accurately represent what students have discovered during the scan and whether they have answered the clinician's question. Students must be able to explain sonographic findings (using sonographic terminology) to solve straight forward diagnostic problems whilst analyzing the technical aspects and identifying technical and/or optimizing errors. This task is also a chance to make meaning of the first clinical placement experience and critically reflect upon professionalism, communication skills, teamwork and safe clinical practice.

Students are required to pick 3 images taken of a study scanned/observed by themselves and export these selected anonymized images along with a copy of the anonymized referral. Discuss and analyse the referral and the 3 images that have been chosen. If any pathology is depicted, describe the image in sonographic terms and discuss a possible diagnosis including a differential diagnosis. If the chosen case demonstrates a 'normal' image, explain why this image was chosen and discuss what sonographic features are leading towards a normal finding. For all images, comment on findings, technical aspects, technical and/or optimization errors, challenges (if any) and lastly the clinical experience during the scan. Upon critically reflecting on the 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 on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

The due dates for this clinical unit do not align with standard term 3 dates. Block 1 due date 13th February 2021 AEST and block 2 due date 27th February 2021 AEST. The completed practical assessment form must be uploaded by online submission through Moodle. It is recommended that students submit the form 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 Moodle extension request.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
PASS/FAIL

Assessment Criteria

This assessment is assessed by the following points:

  • 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

Students 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, students will be provided with feedback and guidance by the unit coordinator. Furthermore, students 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 on Moodle. This is a pass/fail assessment item, students 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 will be during the beginning of February and will be conducted in the designated clinical facility. As a clinical student, you are provided access to that work on the condition that you can demonstrate the behaviour and attributes of a healthcare professional. Students also need to present a positive image to the clinical facility's staff and patients and are required to comply with the Code of Conduct for Medical Sonographers

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

The allocated clinical supervisor or delegate will be working in the sonography area, 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 students are required to demonstrate throughout the placement. The assessor will score your performance based on how frequently and to what extent you demonstrate each of the listed behaviours. The assessor is also encouraged to provide comments to expand on the scoring feedback. 



The GAPA form and marking criteria is available in the assessment block on Moodle. 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 to understand the criteria against which your professional behaviour will be evaluated. The clinical supervisor (or designated assessor) will meet with you after completing each assessment to discuss it in detail. This discussion is your opportunity to get clarification on any score or comment on the assessment. Once students have had that discussion, both the assessor and the student need to sign and date the assessment. Students should also complete a brief summary of the discussion. Furthermore, students need to ensure that each completed assessment form has all required documentation, including the name, dated signature and registration number of the allocated assessor as well as the dated signature. The supervisor will provide you with a copy of the completed assessment form and students will then scan it and upload the file onto Moodle.


It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they remind the clinical supervisor at least 3 days 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 the 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 students have not met all of the requirements listed in the Assessment Criteria section by the stated due dates, you will fail this assessment and due to the pass/fail nature of the subject it will be recorded as fail for this subject.


On the occasion that 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, then the placement allocation will be cancelled due to the nature of the incident. Students will then need to discuss this further with the unit coordinator and the 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 end-of-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 14th February 2021 by 12:00pm AEST. (Block Two) The end-of-placement assessment must be completed and uploaded by Sunday 28th February 2021 by 12:00pm 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 Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
Minimum mark or grade - This is a pass / fail assessment piece. Students 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, students must:

  • Undergo end-of-placement assessments by the due dates listed.
  • Meet the minimum required scores in all three sections.
  • Ensure the documentation of each assessment is complete.
  • Upload each completed assessment form and submit on Moodle.


If the minimum required scores in the placement GAPA are not met, students will be regarded as a "Student At Risk". The unit coordinator will contact students to advise of the risk of failing MEDS12007 and provide formative feedback. Students must respond to this email to understand the implications of this information and provide details of the plans for immediate improvement. 


Occasionally students behaviour is beyond acceptable risk to clinical sites. Clinical supervisors contact CQUniversity academics immediately if an incident may occur. 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 further and your continued progress within the sonography course may be at risk.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Online submission of the completed form via Moodle

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?