CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS20016 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3
Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3
All details in this unit profile for MEDS20016 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this graduate clinical unit, you will build on knowledge and attitudes using best available evidence developed during your studies to competently perform diagnostic scans in areas appropriate for attainment of graduate competency to the 'Level of Competent Sonographer', as defined by the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers adopted by the Australasian Sonographers Association and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Register. You will evaluate findings to formulate a differential diagnosis and initiate further investigation when appropriate. You will demonstrate reflective practice to expand your core knowledge and experience. You will also behave professionally using interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 18
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.375

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

PrerequisiteMEDS13006 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 2 Medical Sonography Clinical Course 2 must have been successfully completed within the previous twelve months. Should this time limit have elapsed the student must successfully complete one (or more) technical skill, professional behaviour and diagnostic knowledge-based assessment (s) after a period of technical skill / knowledge revision, as determined by the discipline lead or designate.

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

Offerings For Term 1 - 2023

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 18-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 37.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 450 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. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)
Weighting: Pass/Fail
4. Reflective Practice Assignment
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 Unit Teacher Evaluation

Feedback

Due to the recent changes made in the assessment forms for this unit, students did not always find the unit requirements to be clearly understood.

Recommendation

Consider going through a summary of the unit requirements in the first Zoom tutorial to provide students the opportunity to ask any questions regarding unit requirements during the tutorial or via other mediums such as email or phone call.

Feedback from Unit Coordinator Reflection

Feedback

Some students did not engage well with the unit thus limiting their learning opportunities. Those that did engage, particularly in the case study presentations, received significant benefit.

Recommendation

Consider a unit change to alter assessment items so that students are required to engage with content more frequently.

Feedback from Email

Feedback

Students enjoyed the revision questions provided in the Zoom tutorials and found it relevant in their preparation for the following unit (MEDS20017) OSCE assessment task.

Recommendation

Provide ongoing revision and learning materials for the students in the Zoom tutorials and scaffold for the following clinical unit.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Complete individualised diagnostic ultrasound examinations in specified areas which meet the recognised standard of graduate level sonographer according to the Professional Competency Standard for Sonographers and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.
  2. Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems.
  3. Display professional behavior, teamwork and communication skills consistent with safe sonographic practice in accordance with the CQUniversity postgraduate attributes, the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers, and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.
  4. Critically reflect and improve upon own professional practice and sonographer psychomotor skills

Australasian Sonography Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer Units 1-5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

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 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs) - 0%
4 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

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

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

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gina Zhang Unit Coordinator
g.zhang@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 13 Feb 2023

Module/Topic

Clinical placement begins four weeks before Term 1 commences.


Clinical Placement Checklist

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This unit consists of 19 weeks / 760 hours of clinical placement from Monday 13th February 2022 until Friday 23th June 2022 inclusive or otherwise agreed with the unit coordinator.

Clinical Placement Checklist due 5pm AEST Friday Week 1.

Week 2 Begin Date: 20 Feb 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 23/2/2023 7pm AEST.

Week 3 Begin Date: 27 Feb 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 9/3/2023 7pm AEST.


Week 5 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance due 5pm AEST Monday Week 5.

Week 6 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 23/3/2023 7pm AEST.

Week 7 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic



Week 8 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 6/4/2023 7pm AEST.


Week 9 Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance


Mid Placement GAPA 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance due 5pm AEST Monday Week 9.

Mid GAPA due 5pm AEST Monday Week 9.

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 20/4/2023 7pm AEST.

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 4/5/2023 7pm AEST.


Week 13 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance due 5pm AEST Monday Week 13.

Week 14 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 18/5/2023 7pm AEST.

Week 15 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 16 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 1/6/2023 7pm AEST.


Week 17 Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Log Book and Attendance due 5pm AEST Monday Week 17.

Week 18 Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Zoom Tutorial

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom Tutorial Thursday 15/6/2023 7pm AEST.

Week 19 Begin Date: 19 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Final Clinical Log Book and Attendance, Practical Assessments and Final GAPA due 5pm AEST Monday after your placement is completed.
Term Specific Information

The unit coordinator for this unit is Gina Zhang. She can be contacted via email g.zhang@cqu.edu.au (preferred method of contact) or phone 0458 974 753 on Wed, Thurs or Fri. 

It is important to check your student email and Moodle regularly to be aware of unit updates. 

The clinical placement team are an integral part of the staffing in this course. They are Antony Egan (Melbourne), Julie Cahill (Brisbane), Ovini Wanigasekera (Perth), and the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) officer Vanessa Henderson. The contact details of the clinical placement team are on the unit Moodle site.

There are no specified texts for this unit. However, it is advised to take your academic texts with you while on clinical placement to enable you to revise and complete tasks set by your clinical supervisor and this unit. 

This unit requires you to attend a 19 week clinical placement for a minimum of 760 hours from the 13th February to the 23rd June inclusive or as otherwise agreed upon with the unit coordinator. This unit and associated placement extends beyond the standard University term dates. 

There may be public holidays during your clinical placement which can be entered as 8 hours on your clinical attendance form and do not need to be 'made up'. Any absences must be reported to the site supervisor and the unit coordinator as soon as possible. Medical certificates are required for any sick leave taken. Any lost hours due to absences (other than public holidays) must be made up. Please advise the unit coordinator if you need to extend your placement to complete unit requirements. If you are experiencing difficulty meeting unit assessment requirements you should inform the unit coordinator and request for an extension via the Moodle site. 

You will require regular internet access, word processing and document scanning technology to complete assessment requirements. Clinical sites may not provide computer and internet access so it is your responsibility to provide your own. 

Please note this important information from the University Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework) 4.41. Students who fail a single assessment in a pass/fail unit or a pass/fail component in a graded unit will be deemed to have failed that unit unless the unit profile includes provision for students to re-attempt a failed assessment task and the student passes the re-attempted assessment.

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

This practical assessment examines your readiness to become a graduate level sonographer through the observation of your performance. You will demonstrate your ability to perform an ultrasound examination with minimal intervention, guidance, or correction by the assessor. 

There are six (6) competency domains that are assessed: 

  • Vascular (carotid)
  • Superficial structures (thyroid or testes)
  • Breast (female or male)
  • Musculoskeletal (shoulder)
  • Abdomen
  • Obstetric (18-22 week morphology or 3rd trimester growth scan)
You must attempt to achieve the required competency level as described in the assessment criteria for three (3) of the six (6) competency domains. You must challenge the remaining three (3) competency domains in MEDS20017. 

The assessment must be attempted before the end of your clinical placement block. 

Note: Before you can attempt a competency, you must log a minimum of ten (10) cases for that specific study. For example, if you intend on attempting a thyroid competency, you must log a minimum of ten (10) thyroid studies. 

Your clinical supervisor, or a delegate, will assess you using the standardised forms available in the 'Assessments' tile on the unit Moodle site. Print these forms and read them carefully so you understand the criteria that will be used to assess your sonographic skills and relevant theoretical knowledge. You should provide printed copies to your clinical supervisor at the commencement of your placement and discuss the best time to complete this assessment. You can also email the form to your clinical supervisor if preferred. After the assessment ask for feedback so you can focus on improving your weaker areas. 

If you do not meet the required competency level on your first attempt, you must seek detailed feedback from your assessor to critically reflect on and develop a strategy to improve your performance on the re-attempt. You must share your plan for improvement with your assessor and then re-attempt the assessment before the end of the clinical placement block. 

If you received a fail on your first attempt, you are permitted one (1) re-attempt in the competency domain that was failed with no more than (two) 2 attempts per domain. If a re-attempt is needed, submit the assessment documents from all attempts.


Assessment Due Date

Due by Monday 26th June 2023 5pm AEST. If you are on a non-standard placement block, it is due on the Monday following the completion of your clinical placement. The completed assessment forms must be submitted through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended the forms are submitted as soon as you have completed the assessment.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided to you by your clinical supervisor and assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. If assessment requirements are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

To successfully complete the competency at a Competent Level, you must achieve Level 3 on all assessment areas.

You can choose one (1) of the six (6) competency domains to be completed at an Advanced Beginner Level, allowing for circumstances where you may not have as much clinical exposure to a specific scan. If you choose to undertake a domain at an Advanced Beginner Level, to pass this competency, you must achieve Level 3 in patient communication and Level 2 or above in all other assessment areas.

You are permitted (one) 1 re-attempt in the competency domain that was failed with no more than (two) 2 attempts per domain. If you fail two (2) attempts for a competency domain, this will result in a fail for this assessment and this unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for the unit).

To pass this assessment:

  • You must achieve the required competency level in three (3) of the six (6) competency domains
  • The assessment forms need to be completed and signed by your assessor before you submit in the unit Moodle site.

1. Childs J, Thoirs K, Quinton A, Osborne B, Edwards C, Stoodley P, et al. Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers [Internet]. 2021 Oct [cited 2022 Nov 18]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit completed forms through the unit Moodle site before the due date.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Complete individualised diagnostic ultrasound examinations in specified areas which meet the recognised standard of graduate level sonographer according to the Professional Competency Standard for Sonographers and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.
  • Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems.
  • Display professional behavior, teamwork and communication skills consistent with safe sonographic practice in accordance with the CQUniversity postgraduate attributes, the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers, and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.

2 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Clinical Log Book and Attendance

Task Description

As a healthcare professional, your attendance is relied upon for the provision of quality patient care. Your absence impacts service delivery and safe patient care. It is required by the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR) for a medical sonography student to complete a minimum of 2000 clinical placement hours by the end of the CG91 course. This log book serves as a record of your clinical hours and the depth and breadth of experience you gained during placement. It shows how your skills have developed across different examination types. You should regularly review this record to help set learning goals that will support your achievement of the unit outcomes.

Your clinical supervisor/s will need to complete the 'Clinical Placement Checklist' to confirm that they understand the assessment requirements for this unit. This must be completed by your clinical supervisor/s in the first week of your clinical placement block.

For this assessment, you must record all the cases and hours you have completed during placement on the 'Clinical Log Book and Attendance' form.

Each case is categorised into one of the following domains:

  • Abdomen
  • Superficial Structures (thyroid, testes etc)
  • Breast (female or male)
  • Obstetrics (first, second, third trimester etc) and Gynaecology
  • Vascular (carotid, DVT etc)
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Other (paediatric, interventional etc)

This 'Clinical Log Book and Attendance' form must be signed each week by your clinical site supervisor, sonographer delegated by the clinical supervisor, radiologist or sonologist with the appropriate ultrasound qualification.

The 'Clinical Placement Checklist' and ‘Clinical Log Book and Attendance’ forms are available in the 'Assessment' tile on the unit Moodle site.

It is expected that you attend 100% of the time during your clinical placement to achieve the minimum requirement of 760 clinical attendance hours for this unit.

Any absences for a part or full day of placement (other than sick leave) or variance to the allocated clinical placement block dates are not permitted unless discussed prior with and approved by your unit coordinator and subsequently by your clinical supervisor. Failure to have approval for leave may result in a fail for this assessment and this unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for the unit).

Public holidays can be logged as 8 hours worked and do not need to be made up.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled shift due to illness, you must inform your clinical supervisor and unit coordinator immediately and provide valid supporting documentation explaining the reason for your absence during your clinical placement.

Any absence for part or all of a working day must be made up after or during the clinical placement (e.g. Saturdays, extension of work day or week). You will need to discuss with your clinical placement site whether they can accommodate this for you. If you attend outside of your normal rostered hours you must still be under direct supervision. You must include any absences, lateness or early departures on the 'Clinical Log Book and Attendance' form.


Outside Clinical Placement Form

You can submit a completed 'Outside Clinical Placement' form as a record of the studies you completed and hours worked between the end of year 3 term 2 placement and the commencement of year 4 term 1 placement. Further information and the 'Outside Clinical Placement' form can be found under the "Clinical Placement" tile in the unit Moodle site.

Note: The 'Outside Clinical Placement' form must be verified (signed) by an ASAR accredited sonographer, radiologist or or sonologist with the appropriate ultrasound qualification. Details of your insurance or employment, must be entered onto the 'Outside Clinical Placement' form.


Assessment Due Date

The Clinical Placement Checklist is due by 8pm AEST Friday Week 1. Draft submission for the Clinical Log Book and Attendance is due every 4 weeks on Monday 8pm AEST weeks 5, 9, 13, and 17. The final submission is due by 5pm AEST on Monday 26th June 2023. If you are completing placement in non-standard dates, it is due by 5pm AEST on the Monday following the completion of your clinical placement. The completed assessment form must be submitted through the unit Moodle site. It is recommended you submit this as soon as you have completed your placement.


Return Date to Students

Final clinical log book numbers and attendance hours will be collated by the unit coordinator following the completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

To pass this assessment you must achieve the following minimum requirements by the end of this clinical placement:

1. Upload the completed and signed 'Clinical Placement Checklist' form before the end of your first week of placement.

2. Complete three (3) of the six (6) requirements below. The remaining three (3) domains must be completed in Clinical Unit 4.

  • Abdomen - 10 complete studies
  • Superficial Structures (thyroid or testes) - 10 complete studies
  • Breast (female or male) - 10 complete studies
  • Obstetrics (2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology or 3rd trimester growth scan) - 10 complete studies
  • Vascular (carotid) - 10 complete studies
  • Musculoskeletal (shoulder) - 10 complete studies

3. Complete 760 hours of clinical attendance.

4. Document your clinical placement attendance and case logs accurately in your 'Clinical Log Book and Attendance' form before submission. Ensure the entirety of the form has been completed including checking that total numbers have been collated and your clinical supervisor/s have signed for each week. Any days away from your clinical site must also be documented.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Display professional behavior, teamwork and communication skills consistent with safe sonographic practice in accordance with the CQUniversity postgraduate attributes, the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers, and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.

3 Direct observation of procedural skills (DOPs)

Assessment Title
Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA)

Task Description

As a medical sonography student, you are provided access to a professional workplace to gain clinical hands-on experience. It is expected that you conduct yourself in a manner that reflects the behaviours and attributes of a healthcare professional and presents a positive image to the staff and patients at the clinical facility. As a medical sonography student in Australia you are required to abide by the Code of Conduct for Medical Sonographers. Professional behaviour, particularly in terms of team work and empathy, are key factors considered by clinical sites when employing sonographers.

This assessment is based on the 'Holistic Matrix' component of the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers that is fundamental for sonographic practice.1 You will be assessed on your ability to communicate professionally with patients and staff of diverse cultural backgrounds, demonstrate respect to all, and function as a reliable, well organised member of the healthcare team.

Your clinical supervisor, or delegate, will be observing your daily performance, and/or gathering feedback from supervising sonographers. These observations and feedback are based on your demonstrated knowledge, skills and behaviours over a period of time and are not limited to a specific scan or patient case. These observations and feedback are then used to complete the Global Assessment of Professional Attributes (GAPA) form provided.


There are three (3) main sections of the GAPA form:

  • Section 1: Applied Knowledge
  • Section 2: Psychomotor Skills (Scanning Skills) and Standard of Work
  • Section 3: Professionalism.

In each section there are multiple observed behaviours that you are required to demonstrate throughout your placement. Your assessor will score your performance based on the frequency and extent you demonstrate each of these behaviours. Your assessor is encouraged to provide comments to expand on this scoring feedback.


The assessment occurs twice during the placement.

1. The first occurs at the mid-placement point, the end of week 9. The mid-placement GAPA is formative, which provides you and your unit coordinator with formal documented feedback on your performance without affecting your final grade. Your clinical supervisor will email the GAPA directly to the unit coordinator, who will then determine if it is satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

A formative GAPA may be completed by your clinical supervisor at any time, before or after the mid-placement GAPA if there are concerns with your performance. This formative GAPA will be emailed directly to the unit coordinator. If the mid-placement GAPA or any other formative GAPA is assessed as unsatisfactory, feedback will be provided to you, and you are expected to use that feedback to improve your performance.

2. The second or end-of-placement GAPA occurs towards the end of Week 19, the final week of the placement. The end-of-placement GAPA is summative and your final grade depends on how well you meet the performance targets listed in the assessment criteria.


The GAPA form is available in the 'Assessment' tile on the unit Moodle site. Print these forms and read them carefully so you understand the criteria that will be used to assess your performance. You should provide printed copies to your clinical supervisor at the commencement of your placement. The form can also be electronically emailed to your clinical supervisor if preferred.

After each GAPA find an appropriate time to discuss the score and comments with your clinical supervisor. For the end-of-placement GAPA, you and your clinical supervisor will both need to sign and date the assessment. Your clinical supervisor will provide you a copy of the completed assessment form. You will need to submit this through the unit Moodle site.

It is your responsibility to remind your clinical supervisor, at least a week in advance, to complete the assessment and schedule a meeting with him/her afterwards to discuss it before the assessment due date. This allows your supervisor to collect feedback and arrange for an alternate assessor if necessary.

If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from being assessed in time before the assessment due date, you must inform the unit coordinator in a timely manner and request an extension through the Moodle site.

It is your responsibility to ensure regular access to technology needed to submit the assessment by the due date. Failure to meet the requirements listed in the assessment criteria by the due dates, without an approved extension, will result in failing the assessment and the unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for this unit)

Occasionally, clinical sites may inform us of student behaviour that compromise the reputation of the clinical site and/or the university, and/or compromise patient/staff safety and wellbeing. In such cases, the student will be notified that he/she must stop attending the clinical site and discuss his/her position with the unit coordinator and the Head of Course. This may result in student behavioural misconduct procedures in accordance with the university's policies.


1. Childs J, Thoirs K, Quinton A, Osborne B, Edwards C, Stoodley P, et al. Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers [Internet]. 2021 Oct [cited 2022 Nov 18]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.17148035.v2


Assessment Due Date

The mid-placement GAPA must be emailed by your clinical supervisor directly to the unit coordinator by 8pm AEST Monday Week 10. It is your responsibility to check that the supervisor has emailed the mid-placement GAPA to the unit coordinator. The end-of-placement GAPA must be completed and submitted on the unit Moodle site by the Monday following the end of your placement.


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator. After your mid-placement GAPA has been received and marked by the unit coordinator it will be uploaded on the unit Moodle site. Feedback regarding the GAPA will be provided to you by your clinical supervisor. If the assessment conditions are not met, the unit coordinator will follow up.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

There are 37 behaviours you are required to demonstrate during placement and are listed in the GAPA form.

These required behaviours are grouped into three (3) sections:

  • Section 1: Applied Knowledge has five (5) required behaviours
  • Section 2: Psychomotor Skills (Scanning Skills) and Standard of Work has twelve (12) required behaviours
  • Section 3: Professionalism has sixteen (16) required behaviours

You have demonstrated satisfactory performance if you achieved Level 2 or above for ALL 37 behaviours, which is either Level 2 - Advanced Beginner or Level 3 - Competent.

If you demonstrated unsatisfactory performance in the mid-placement GAPA, you will be deemed as a student at risk of failing and you will given a chance to improve. After consultation with your clinical supervisor, key performance indicators (KPIs) will be set and are required to be achieved within a given timeframe. If there is not sufficient, demonstrable improvement and these KPIs are not met, this will result in a fail for your second GAPA and therefore a fail for this assessment and the unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for the unit).

If you demonstrate unsatisfactory performance in the end-of-placement GAPA, this will result in a fail for this assessment and the unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for the unit).

If a student's behaviour fails to meet the minimum required levels in the GAPA at any stage of clinical placement, he/she may be identified as a 'student at risk' by the clinical supervisor or unit coordinator. Any ‘student at risk’ will be notified by the unit coordinator who will provide formative feedback. KPIs will be set and required to be met within a given time frame. Failure to meet these KPIs within the given time frame will result in a fail in the second GAPA and therefore a fail for this assessment and this unit. (A fail in any assessment in MEDS20016 will result in a fail for the unit).

Occasionally, a student's behaviour is beyond acceptable risk to clinical sites. The clinical supervisor may contact CQUniversity if this occurs. A GAPA may be requested at this time (which could be at any time of the placement). If the outcome of this GAPA is unsatisfactory, and/or the clinical site feedback indicates that they can no longer host a student due to the risk incurred, this will constitute a fail of the unit.

To pass this assessment:

  • Both the mid-placement and end-of-placement GAPAs must be completed and correctly submitted by the due dates.
  • You must demonstrate satisfactory performance (achieve Level 2 or above in all 37 behaviours) in the end-of-placement GAPA.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Mid-placement GAPA to be emailed by the clinical supervisor directly to the unit coordinator. Submission of the end-of-placement GAPA via the unit Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Complete individualised diagnostic ultrasound examinations in specified areas which meet the recognised standard of graduate level sonographer according to the Professional Competency Standard for Sonographers and the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry accreditation requirements.
  • Critically reflect and improve upon own professional practice and sonographer psychomotor skills

4 Reflective Practice Assignment

Assessment Title
Reflective Oral Presentation

Task Description

Reflective practice allows sonographers to identify their areas for improvement, evaluate their own actions and decisions, and make necessary adjustments using evidence-based practice to ensure they are providing the highest level of care and staying current in the field. The aim of this assessment is to encourage students to engage in reflective practice and share their insights with peers.

You will be allocated a date to present your reflection in a Zoom session. You will choose to discuss your reflection on two (2) of the following experiences you had during your placement, in which:

  • You displayed effective teamwork or you observed effective teamwork from another individual (such as your supervising sonographer, the receptionist, radiographer, radiologist etc). Describe what you or another individual did and why it worked well. Compare this to a time where there was poor teamwork and explain why it was ineffective. Share a journal article to reinforce your discussion on effective and ineffective teamwork.
  • You encountered a challenging patient interaction. Describe the patient interaction and explain why it was challenging. Describe how you overcame these challenges effectively or how they could have been overcome better. Share two (2) journal articles that either reinforces your strategies that were used to overcome the challenges or provides you a new perspective to overcome challenging patient interactions.
  • You encountered a complex ultrasound examination. Describe the ultrasound examination and explain why it was complex. Describe how you effectively managed the complexities of the examination or how they could have been managed better. Share a journal article that reinforces the way you managed the complex examination or provides you a new perspective on how to effectively manage a similar situation in the future. Include your deidentified ultrasound images (maximum of 5 images) to support your accounts. You must include your clinical site name and image acquisition date in your ultrasound images.

You have a time limit of 10 minutes to present your reflection.


Presentation References Document

A Word document with the references of the journal articles and/or the ultrasound images that you used during your presentation must be uploaded in draft form via the unit Moodle site 24 hours before your presentation. The ultrasound images must be deidentified and include your clinical site name and date.


Engagement with Peers Document

You must attend a minimum of three (3) Zoom presentation sessions and submit a question for at least ten (10) different presentations using the chat box.

For each Zoom presentation session you attend, you must record on a Word document:

  • The Zoom session you attended including the date of attendance
  • The presentation/s you watched
  • The question/s you asked and the response/s to the questions you received

This document will demonstrate your engagement with peers.

You must upload this document in draft form through the unit Moodle site within 48 hours after the Zoom presentation session.

Your records will be verified by the unit coordinator through the Zoom recordings.


Final Submission

Once you have uploaded all the documents necessary to meet the assessment requirements, 'submit' your files.


Assessment Due Date

The 'Presentation References' document must be submitted 24 hours before your allocated Zoom presentation session. Each 'Engagement with Peers' document must be uploaded within 48 hours after each Zoom presentation session you attended.


Return Date to Students

Assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator. If the assessment requirements are not met, the unit coordinator will follow up.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

To pass this assessment you must meet the following requirements.

  • Upload your 'Presentation References' document 24 hours before your allocated Zoom session.
  • Satisfactorily demonstrate all the requirements in the marking criteria for the Reflective Oral Presentation.
  • Attend a minimum of three (3) Zoom presentation sessions and submitted a question for at least ten (10) different presentations using the chat box. For each of these Zoom sessions you attended, upload your 'Engagement with Peers' document within 48 hours after each Zoom session.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Critically reflect and improve upon own professional practice and sonographer psychomotor skills

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?