CQUniversity Unit Profile
MEDS20017 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 4
Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 4
All details in this unit profile for MEDS20017 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 graduate clinical unit builds on the sonographic skills, knowledge and attitudes developed during Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3. You will build on knowledge and attitudes developed during your studies to competently perform diagnostic scans in areas appropriate for an 'Entry Level Sonographer' (as described by the Australasian Sonography Association). You will evaluate findings to formulate a differential diagnosis and initiate further investigation when appropriate. You will solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge.You will also behave professionally using interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry 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

PrerequisiteMEDS20016 Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3Medical Sonography Clinical Unit 3 must have been successfully completed within the last 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 2 - 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 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. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
4. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
5. Portfolio
Weighting: Pass/Fail
6. 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

Consistency of tutor marking at final on campus (OSCEs)

Recommendation

We will continue to align marking across multiple campuses. Clearer expectations of tutors will be embedded within the marking tool based on this feedback. This is the 2nd year a different marking tool has been implemented in this unit and it is expected that tutor familiarisation of the requirements will improve the consistency of marking will improve with time.

Feedback from Student feedback / self-reflection

Feedback

Introduction of weekly tutorials which are recorded to watch at a convenient time was very well received

Recommendation

To continue with weekly zoom tutorials and record all sessions.

Feedback from Student feedback / self-reflection

Feedback

Introduction of guest lecturers was great.

Recommendation

Continue to provide tutorials by guest university lecturers to reinforce prior learning.

Feedback from Student feedback

Feedback

Image interpretation quiz needs more time

Recommendation

The quiz duration will be reviewed and potential revisions considered by the academic team.

Feedback from Broader feedback - clinical placement sites / employers

Feedback

Adjustment of practical assessment / competency tests to give clear expectations of marking. The marking tool is extremely open to interpretation

Recommendation

The learning outcomes and assessment tasks of this unit will continue to align with external accreditation requirements.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
  2. Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge
  3. Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.

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

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
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

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical Assessment - 0%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%
4 - Practical Assessment - 0%
5 - Portfolio - 0%
6 - 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)
  • Zoom Meetings
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 Begin Date: 08 Jul 2019

Module/Topic

The clinical placement component of this unit runs from Monday 8th July to Friday 25th October 2019 inclusive or as otherwise agreed with the unit coordinator / head of course.

Please refer to the unit Moodle site for detailed assessment due dates and schedule information, as this clinical unit occurs outside of standard university term dates.

Zoom session - assessment requirements, OSCEs.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Students should be aware that they are required to attend their campus of enrollment for the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for the WHOLE WEEK 11-15 November 2019.

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Jul 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 19th July 2019

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Jul 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Jul 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 2nd August 2019

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Aug 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 6 Begin Date: 12 Aug 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 16th August 2019

Week 7 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 8 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Mid placement GAPA due: Friday 30th August 2019

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 30th August 2019

Week 9 Begin Date: 02 Sep 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic



Week 10 Begin Date: 09 Sep 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 13th September 2019

Week 11 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 12 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 27th September 2019

Week 13 Begin Date: 30 Sep 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 14 Begin Date: 07 Oct 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Clinical Logbook Due: Friday 11th October 2019

Week 15 Begin Date: 14 Oct 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 16 Begin Date: 21 Oct 2019

Module/Topic


Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

ALL assessments MUST be complete and submitted by Friday 25th October 2019.

Any students with outstanding assessments may not be permitted to attempt OSCEs.

OSCEs week Begin Date: 11 Nov 2019

Module/Topic

Objective Structured Clinical Examination

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Students should be aware that they are required to attend their campus of enrollment for the OSCEs for the whole week 11th - 15th November 2019.

Term Specific Information

The unit coordinator for this unit is: Rebecca Armstrong. Contact details are: 07 4940 7841 or r.armstrong@cqu.edu.au Please be aware that in my role as clinical academic I travel to visit clinical sites frequently. The best way to contact me is by email.

The rest of the clinical placement team are an integral part of the staffing of this course. They are Julie Cahill and Ovini Wanigasekera, and the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) officers, Vanessa Henderson, and Kathleen Mossemenear. The clinical placement team contact details are on the unit Moodle site.

There are no specified texts for this unit. You must take your academic texts with you if you relocate to attend 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 sixteen (16)-week clinical placement, to a minimum of 640 hours, from 8th of July to 25th of October inclusive or as otherwise agreed with the unit coordinator. You must also attend your campus of enrollment for the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) from 11th - 15th November 2019.

This unit, and associated placement, extends beyond the standard University term dates. Please refer to the unit Moodle site for further unit and assessment information. 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 may be 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 via the unit Moodle site. If you are experiencing difficulty meeting unit assessment requirements apply for extension via the unit Moodle site. You will require regular internet access, word processing and document scanning technology in order to complete assessment requirements. Clinical sites do not provide computer or internet access so it is your responsibility to provide your own.

This unit is a non-graded (pass / fail) unit. 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 1

Task Description

The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry1 and Australian Sonographers Association Competency Standards for the Entry-Level Sonographer2 state that you must demonstrate competence in all domains of practice, of which there are currently six (6): abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric and gynaecologic, superficial parts and vascular.

In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice.

This assessment task measures your overall aptitude and competence in completing an ultrasound examination in one of the six domains of practice that you have not achieved to date. The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level,
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level,
  • breast (female or male) to competency level,
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one of the following - 1st trimester 11-14 weeks scan to competency OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level.

For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above. Then complete a practical test in this domain of practice to achieve the appropriate competency level as stated above. This task will be assessed by your clinical supervisor, or a delegate sonographer, using the standardised form provided. These forms are 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 sonographic skill, and relevant theoretical knowledge, will be evaluated.

Discuss the best time to complete this assessment with your clinical supervisor. After the assessment ask for feedback so you can focus your efforts at improvement in the areas mentioned by your supervisor. 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.

In this assessment you will demonstrate your ability to carry out all tasks of the ultrasound examination with minimal intervention, guidance or correction by the assessor. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.

You are permitted two attempts to complete this assessment task. If repeat assessment is needed to achieve required level, only submit the successful attempt.


1. Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. Standards for the Accreditation of Sonographer Courses [Internet] 2011 [updated 2014 May 11]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards.pdf

2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 14]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf


Assessment Due Date

Due on Friday 25th October 2019 at 20:00 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

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


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
This is a pass / fail assessment. 'Competent' level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. 'Advanced beginner' (2nd trimester pregnancy only) level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria will address the following areas of your performance:

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

The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level
  • breast (female or male ) to competency level
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one (1st trimester 11-14 weeks or 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology to advanced beginner level).


To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

To achieve a Pass in all competencies your must achieve a score of 3 or 4 with no scores of 1 or 2 in Patient communication. A score of 1 or 2 in patient communication will result in a fail for the competency regardless of whether you achieve the minimum scores in other components of the competency.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

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

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
  • Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment 2

Task Description

The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry1 and Australian Sonographers Association Competency Standards for the Entry-Level Sonographer2 state that you must demonstrate competence in all domains of practice, of which there are currently six (6): abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric and gynaecologic, superficial parts and vascular.

In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice.

This assessment task measures your overall aptitude and competence in completing an ultrasound examination in one of the six domains of practice that you have not achieved to date. The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level,
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level,
  • breast (female or male) to competency level,
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one of the following - 1st trimester 11-14 weeks scan to competency OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level.


For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above. Then complete a practical test in this domain of practice to achieve the appropriate competency level as stated above. This task will be assessed by your clinical supervisor, or a delegate sonographer, using the standardised form provided. These forms are 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 sonographic skill, and relevant theoretical knowledge, will be evaluated.

Discuss the best time to complete this assessment with your clinical supervisor. After the assessment ask for feedback so you can focus your efforts at improvement in the areas mentioned by your supervisor. 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.

In this assessment you will demonstrate your ability to carry out all tasks of the ultrasound examination with minimal intervention, guidance or correction by the assessor. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.

You are permitted two attempts to complete this assessment task. If repeat assessment is needed to achieve required level, only submit the successful attempt.


1. Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. Standards for the Accreditation of Sonographer Courses [Internet] 2011 [updated 2014 May 11]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards.pdf

2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 14]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf


Assessment Due Date

Due on Friday 25th October 2019 at 20:00 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

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


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
This is a pass / fail assessment. 'Competent' level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. 'Advanced beginner' (2nd trimester pregnancy only) level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria will address the following areas of your performance:

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

The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level
  • breast (female or male ) to competency level
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one (1st trimester 11-14 weeks or 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology to advanced beginner level).


To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

To achieve a Pass in all competencies your must achieve a score of 3 or 4 with no scores of 1 or 2 in Patient communication. A score of 1 or 2 in patient communication will result in a fail for the competency regardless of whether you achieve the minimum scores in other components of the competency.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

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

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
  • Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment 3

Task Description

The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry1 and Australian Sonographers Association Competency Standards for the Entry-Level Sonographer2 state that you must demonstrate competence in all domains of practice, of which there are currently six (6): abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric and gynaecologic, superficial parts and vascular.

In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice.

This assessment task measures your overall aptitude and competence in completing an ultrasound examination in one of the six domains of practice that you have not achieved to date. The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level,
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level,
  • breast (female or male) to competency level,
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one of the following - 1st trimester 11-14 weeks scan to competency OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level.

For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above. Then complete a practical test in this domain of practice to achieve the appropriate competency level as stated above. This task will be assessed by your clinical supervisor, or a delegate sonographer, using the standardised form provided. These forms are 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 sonographic skill, and relevant theoretical knowledge, will be evaluated.

Discuss the best time to complete this assessment with your clinical supervisor. After the assessment ask for feedback so you can focus your efforts at improvement in the areas mentioned by your supervisor. 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.

In this assessment you will demonstrate your ability to carry out all tasks of the ultrasound examination with minimal intervention, guidance or correction by the assessor. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.


You are permitted two attempts to complete this assessment task. If repeat assessment is needed to achieve required level, only submit the successful attempt.


1. Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry. Standards for the Accreditation of Sonographer Courses [Internet] 2011 [updated 2014 May 11]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards.pdf

2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 14]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/root/UploadedFiles/Documents/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf


Assessment Due Date

Due on Friday 25th October 2019 at 20:00 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

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


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
This is a pass / fail assessment. 'Competent' level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. 'Advanced beginner' level requires a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria will address the following areas of your performance:

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

The required levels of competency are:

  • vascular (carotid) to competency level
  • superficial structure (thyroid or testes) to competency level
  • breast (female or male ) to competency level
  • musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level
  • abdomen to competency level,
  • obstetric and gynaecologic - choose one (1st trimester 11-14 weeks or 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level OR 2nd trimester morphology to advanced beginner level).


To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner', you must attain a minimum of eighteen (18) scores of 3, and no scores of 1.

To achieve a Pass in all competencies your must achieve a score of 3 or 4 with no scores of 1 or 2 in Patient communication. A score of 1 or 2 in patient communication will result in a fail for the competency regardless of whether you achieve the minimum scores in other components of the competency.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

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

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
  • Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

4 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Task Description


You are very close to becoming a graduate sonographer and at this point it is now that the University observes its duty of care as required by the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry to moderate students performance in each domain of practice. This is to ensure safe practice and patient and patient care in each graduate.

This assessment task measures your ability to complete ultrasound examinations AND interpret images / patient data to formulate differential diagnoses in the following areas:

Abdomen
Superficial Parts
Vascular (general)
Obstetric & Gynaecology
Breast (male or female)
Musculoskeletal (shoulder)


Assessment Due Date

OSCEs to be conducted on your campus of enrolment during the week of 11-15th November 2019.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
You must achieve an overall level of 'competent' to pass this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

This assessment task will be carried out at your campus of enrolment in review week from Monday 11th to Friday 15th of November 2019. You must make yourself available at your campus of enrolment for the duration of OSCE week. You will demonstrate your ability to carry out each task in the examination to a level of competency or advanced beginner as appropriate. You will demonstrate knowledge of the sonographic appearance of pathology and pathognomonic signs and symptoms. You will be able to formulate differential diagnoses from a range of clinical information provided. It is recommended that you engage in active revision of knowledge taking place within your year 4 clinical unit such as completing practice multiple choice questions and presentation of case studies. You will also undertake your own revision of your sonographic-specific units as required.
Please refer to the unit Moodle site for specific details regarding the assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


Submission Instructions
Attendance at campus of enrolment.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
  • Evaluate sonographic findings and formulate appropriate sonographic protocols to solve complex diagnostic problems demonstrating understanding of a broad and coherent core body of sonographic knowledge
  • Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility
  • Leadership

5 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Clinical Case Log

Task Description

The clinical logbook serves as a record of your depth and breadth of experience attained during the placement. It demonstrates the degree of progression of your skill development within and across examination type. You should analyse this record at regular intervals to assist in the formulation of learning goals that will support your achievement of the unit outcomes.

Each case will be categorised into one of the following areas: Abdomen (including renal), Superficial Parts (thyroid, testes, lumps / bumps, etc), Breast, Obstetrics (first, second or third trimester) & Gynaecology, Vascular (carotid, DVT or other) and Musculoskeletal. Each week of the logbook must be signed by your clinical site supervisor, radiologist, sonographer delegated by the clinical supervisor or sonologist with the appropriate ultrasound qualifications.
The clinical case logbook and further information on how to complete the logbook and minimum examination numbers required are available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site. Copies have been emailed to your clinical site.
Please print these forms/information sheets and read them carefully so you understand the criteria against which your logbook will be evaluated.
You can submit 'outside clinical placement' log books dated between the end of year 4 term 1 placement and the commencement of year 4 term 2 placement. The 'outside clinical placement' cases must be obtained as either an employee or in a learning capacity with you being supernumerary to workplace requirements.
The outside clinical placement logbook is available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site.
Please note: The logbook must be verified (signed) by an ASAR accredited sonographer, radiologist or sonologist with appropriate ultrasound qualifications.
Details of either your insurance, or employment, must be entered onto the outside clinical placement logbook.

If you are located at a site which does not provide access to certain scans then it is possible to credit surplus log book numbers from MEDS20016 to MEDS20017. Please contact unit coordinator for permission.



Assessment Due Date

Due on Friday week 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 at 20:00 AEST. The completed log book must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site.


Return Date to Students

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


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

You will pass this assessment if you achieve the following minimum numbers in your clinical case log by the conclusion of this clinical placement.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Case Log to be uploaded to unit Moodle site.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

6 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Clinical Attendance and Global Assessment of Professional Attributes

Task Description

PART A

As a health care professional your attendance is relied upon for the provision of quality patient care. Your absence impacts service delivery and safe patient care. It is expected that you attend 100% of the time during your 16 week clinical placement to achieve the minimum 640 hours (16 X 40 hours) of clinical attendance. All hours worked must be entered into the clinical attendance form. This form must be signed by your clinical supervisor, or a sonographer delegated this task by your clinical supervisor, radiologist or sonologist with appropriate ultrasound qualifications..

The clinical attendance form is available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site. A copy 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. Any absence for part, or all of, a working day must be made up after, or during (e.g Saturday / evenings if available), the clinical placement.

If you present a case study during the online tutorial for this unit you will be eligible to enter this time on your clinical attendance form. This can be entered as one hour per case study. You can also attend the zoom tutorial to listen and provide feedback to your peers to enter this time on your attendance form. This will NOT be available for students that only watch the recorded tutorial session as the unit coordinator will be unable to verify your attendance.

You can submit 'outside clinical placement' hours if appropriate, to a maximum of half the required hours (320hours).  You must be either employed by the clinical site or engaged in a learning capacity which means you are supernumerary to the workplace requirements. The outside clinical placement attendance form is available in the assessment block in the unit Moodle site. Please note: the hours must be verified (signed) by an ASAR accredited sonographer, radiologist or sonologist with appropriate ultrasound qualifications.

Details of either your insurance, or employment, must be entered onto the outside clinical placement attendance form.

PART B

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 that 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. 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 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 via the unit Moodle site. 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 applying student behavioural misconduct procedures in line with the CQUniversity Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedure.


Assessment Due Date

PART A: Due on Friday 25th October 2019 at 20:00 AEST. The completed clinical attendance form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. PART B: Mid placement GAPA due Friday 20:00 AEST week 8 of placement. End of placement GAPA due Friday 25th October 2019 20:00 AEST.


Return Date to Students

Attendance assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. Feedback will provided to you by your clinical supervisor. If the attendance requirements are not met the unit coordinator will follow up. Performance assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator. Feedback regarding the GAPA will be provided to you by your clinical supervisor following completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
This is a pass/fail assessment item. PART A: You must achieve a minimum of 640 hours of clinical placement to pass this assessment. PART B: You must achieve the minimum scores in the end-placement GAPA to pass this assessment.

Assessment Criteria

PART A

To pass this assessment you must achieve a minimum of 640 hours (16 X 40 hours) of clinical attendance. Any days away from your clinical site must be documented.

PART B

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, which has nine required behaviours, 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, which has ten required behaviours, 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, which has three required behaviours, 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 MEDS20017 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 MEDS20017.

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 MEDS20017. 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

No submission method provided.


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 postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

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?