The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
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
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 - 2021
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).
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
Assessment Overview
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.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
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 - Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students enjoyed the weekly tutorials and found them to be a great source of revision, they found the content to be easily relatable to their current clinical placement.
Consider continuing to provide the weekly interactive tutorials, to support the ongoing revision and learning of the students.
Feedback from Student feedback - Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students felt that the UC provided plenty of clarification and reassurance.
Maintain student contact through regular emails, zoom tutorials and phone check in.
Feedback from Student feedback - Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students found the comparative imaging, case studies, practice MCQ's and short answers provided during the tutorials, supported their learning in becoming competent sonographers.
Consider continuing to provide weekly case studies, image comparison, example MCQs and short answer questions to facilitate the student learning experience and outcomes.
- 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.
Australasian Sonography Association Competency Standards for the Entry Level Sonographer Units 1-5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
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
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom Meetings
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.cahill2@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
The clinical placement component of this unit runs from Monday 5th July to Friday 22nd October 2021 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.
Clinical Supervisor Checklist
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Students should be aware that they are required to attend their campus of enrolment for the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) for the WHOLE WEEK. Due to possible COVID19 and placement disruptions the OSCE date will be advised in due course.
Assessment 6 Part A (ii) -Clinical Supervisor Checklist due Friday 9th July 22:00 AEST for those on official clinical block placement dates.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Clinical Log Book
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Log Book due Monday 2nd August 20:00 AEST
Module/Topic
OSCE Online Image Interpretation Quiz 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This will be the first of three Online Image Interpretation Quizzes that form part of the OSCEs.
See unit Moodle Site for Details.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
MID-GAPA Assessment to be completed this week.
It is your responsibility to print the Mid-GAPA and ensure that your clinical supervisor has a copy. This Mid-GAPA needs to be completed by your supervisor and emailed directly to the UC by Monday 30th August.
It is your responsibility to check with your clinical supervisor to ensure that they have emailed the assessment.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Mid-GAPA to be completed and emailed to the UC by the clinical supervisor.
Module/Topic
Clinical Log Book
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Logbook Due Monday 30th August 20:00 AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Clinical Log book
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Logbook Due Monday 27th September 20:00 AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
OSCE Online Image Interpretation Quiz 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The online Image Interpretation Quiz 2 for the OSCE assessment will be open this week. See unit Moodle site for details.
Module/Topic
Final clinical placement week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
For students that commenced their MEDS20017 Clinical Unit 4 block on the official start date, Monday 5th July 2021, this is the final week of your placement.
All assessments are due by Saturday 23rd October 22:00 AEST.
All assessments must be completed and submitted before the OSCE, any students with outstanding assessments may not be eligible to sit the OSCE. Due to truncated placement opportunities students who have not completed Assessment 6 Part A (i) Clinical Hours may be eligible to sit the OSCE on a case by case basis.
In order to sit the OSCE, all competency assessments 9assessments 1,2 &3) must have been passed.
Module/Topic
OSCE
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
All students that are eligible to sit their OSCE are required to attend their campus of enrolment for the duration of this week.
The OSCE schedules will be posted on the unit Moodle site.
The unit coordinator for this unit is: Julie Cahill. Contact details are: 07 30234109 or j.cahill2@cqu.edu.au, this the only email that I check, please do not send emails to a cqumail email address, as a cqumail address is a student email address and IT IS NOT monitored. Please be aware that in my role as a clinical academic I travel to visit clinical sites frequently. The best way to contact me is by email. It is important to check your student email regularly to receive the updates about the unit form the coordinator.
The rest of the clinical placement team are an integral part of the staffing of this unit. They are the clinical academics, Ovini Wanigasekera (Perth), Gina Zhang (Sydney) and Antony Egan (Melbourne), and the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) officer, Vanessa Henderson. The clinical placement team contact details are on the unit Moodle site. There are no specified texts for this unit. I do advise you however to 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 5th July to 22nd October 2021 inclusive or as otherwise agreed upon with the unit coordinator. You are also required to attend your campus of enrolment for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Due to possible COVID19 and placement disruptions the OSCE date will be advised in due course. 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. If you are experiencing difficulty meeting unit assessment requirements apply for extension via your UC. You will require regular internet access, word processing and document scanning technology in order to complete assessment requirements. Clinical sites may 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. Please be aware that any absences MUST be reported to the site supervisor and the UC as soon as possible. Medical certificates are required for any sick leave taken. Any hours lost due to absences (other than Public Holidays) must be made up.
Please be aware that the impact of COVID-19 has resulted in the need to make some alterations to the requirements of placement hours for Term 2 2021, Clinical Placement 6 - Part A (i). Please see Assessment 6 for further details.
There will be regular zoom tutorials. See unit Moodle site for schedule.
1 Practical Assessment
In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20016 and MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice. You must complete and Pass all six (6) domains of practice to be eligible to sit the on campus OSCE component - Assessment 4.
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 to competency level,
- musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
- abdomen to competency level,
- obstetric - choose one of the following - 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level. (Note: If you are to complete the assessment on an 18-22 week scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) 18-22 week cases before you can attempt the assessment OR if you are to complete the assessment on a 3rd trimester scan then you must log a minimum of ten (10) cases of a 3rd trimester examination before you can attempt the assessment).
For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above not already completed. 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 tab - Assessment Forms - 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].[cited March 30 2021] Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards_%20I1V3.pdf
2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited March 30 2021]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf
Completed assessment must be submitted by Saturday 23rd October 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following completion of Week 16 of your clinical placement for those on non standard placement block. 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.
Performance assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. Feedback will provided to you by your clinical supervisor following completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.
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 to competency level, - musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level, - abdomen to competency level, - obstetric - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level. To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner' (obstetric 18-22 week morphology scan only) you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 3, and no scores of 1. To achieve a Pass in all competencies you 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 required in other components of the competency. You have two (2) opportunities to pass the competency. If both attempts at the competency are failed, this will result in a fail grade for this unit.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
2 Practical Assessment
In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20016 and MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice. You must complete and Pass all six (6) domains of practice to be eligible to sit the on campus OSCE component - Assessment 4.
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 to competency level,
- musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
- abdomen to competency level,
- obstetric - choose one of the following - 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level.
For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above not already completed. 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 tab - Assessment Forms - 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].[cited March 30 2021] Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards_%20I1V3.pdf
2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited March 30 2021]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf
Completed assessment must be submitted by Saturday 23rd October 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following completion of Week 16 of your clinical placement for those on non standard placement block. 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.
Performance assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. Feedback will provided to you by your clinical supervisor following completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.
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 to competency level, - musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level, - abdomen to competency level, - obstetric - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level. To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner' (obstetric 18-22 week morphology scan only) you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 3, and no scores of 1. To achieve a Pass in all competencies you 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 required in other components of the competency. You have two (2) opportunities to pass the competency. If both attempts at the competency are failed, this will result in a fail grade for this unit.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
3 Practical Assessment
In MEDS20016 you demonstrated competence in three (3) domains of practice. In this unit you must complete the remaining three (3) domains of practice not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical assessments on completion of MEDS20016 and MEDS20017, one for EACH domain of practice with no two assessments in the same domain of practice. You must complete and Pass all six (6) domains of practice to be eligible to sit the on campus OSCE component - Assessment 4.
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 to competency level,
- musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level,
- abdomen to competency level,
- obstetric - choose one of the following - 2nd trimester morphology scan to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester scan to competency level.
For this practical assessment choose one of the domains of practice above not already completed. 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 tab - Assessment Forms - 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].[cited March 30 2021] Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASAR_Accreditation_Standards_%20I1V3.pdf
2. Australian Sonographers Association. ASA standards for the entry level sonographer [Internet] 2011 [cited March 30 2021]. Available from https://www.asar.com.au/public/90/files/ASA_Competency_Standards.pdf
Completed assessment must be submitted by Saturday 23rd October 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following completion of Week 16 of your clinical placement for those on non standard placement block. 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.
Performance assessments will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. Feedback will provided to you by your clinical supervisor following completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.
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 to competency level, - musculoskeletal (shoulder) to competency level, - abdomen to competency level, - obstetric - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level. To achieve a level of 'competent', you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 4, and no scores of 1 or 2. To achieve a level of 'advanced beginner' (obstetric 18-22 week morphology scan only) you must attain a minimum of sixteen (16) scores of 3, and no scores of 1. To achieve a Pass in all competencies you 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 required in other components of the competency. You have two (2) opportunities to pass the competency. If both attempts at the competency are failed, this will result in a fail grade for this unit.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
4 Practical Assessment
The scanning clinical scenario component of the OSCEs is to be conducted on your campus of enrolment over a one (1) week period. Due to possible COVID19 and placement disruptions the OSCE date will be advised in due course. The online image interpretation quizzes to be conducted in week 6: 9th - 13th August and week 15: 11th - 15th October and on campus during the OSCE week. See unit Moodle site for assessment dates and schedule information.
Following completion of all of the OSCE components students will be informed of the results.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the effects of COVID-19 during 2020 and 2021, some students have had truncated placement/s, and may not fulfill the requirements of Assessment 6 (Part A (i)) before the end of this designated placement. The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) have provided leniency in placement hours in these circumstances, provided students are able to demonstrate their competency level. As a result, these students may still be permitted to attempt their clinical competencies and OSCE assessments (Assessments 1-4) with the rest of the cohort to enable graduation, on a case by case basis, see unit Moodle site for details. If they are deemed eligible to sit the OSCE with their cohort and do not reach competency in any area, their graduation will be delayed and they will be provided additional placement hours to enable the completion of Assessment 6 (Part A (i)) before a final attempt at Assessments 1-4 (whichever applies). The date for these students to attempt their second and final OSCE will be determined on a case by case basis.
Students who have not had their placement/s affected by COVID-19 are not eligible for this additional opportunity.
- 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.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Leadership
5 Portfolio
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.
- Extra's (paediatric, interventional or other)
Each week of the logbook must be signed by your clinical site supervisor, or a sonographer with the appropriate ultrasound qualifications delegated by the clinical supervisor. The assessment document and information on how to complete including minimum numbers required can be found in the Assessment tab.
Copies are available online for your clinical site.
Please read these forms/information sheets carefully so you understand the criteria against which your logbook will be evaluated.
Optional: You can submit 'outside clinical placement logbook' if you undertake employment in an ultrasound department between the end of your clinical unit 3 placement and the commencement of your clinical unit 4 placement.
Please note:
- The logbook must be verified (signed) by an ASAR accredited sonographer, radiologist or sonologist with appropriate ultrasound qualifications.
- Details of your employment must be entered onto the outside clinical placement logbook for insurance purposes.
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.
Log book submission is required every 4 weeks. This will be on the Monday following week 4,8,12. Completed log book submission must be submitted by Saturday 23rd October 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following completion of Week 16 of your clinical placement for those on non standard placement block. 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.
Log book numbers will be collated by the unit coordinator following completion of the assessment. Feedback will provided to you by your clinical supervisor following completion of the assessment. If assessment conditions are not met the unit coordinator will follow up.
You will pass this assessment if you achieve the following minimum numbers in your clinical case log by the conclusion of this clinical placement.
Complete the remaining three (3) of the six (6) requirements below that you have not already completed in Clinical Unit 3.
- Vascular (carotid) - 10 studies
- Superficial Structures (thyroid or testes) - 10 studies
- Breast - 10 studies
- Musculoskeletal (shoulder) - 10 studies
- Abdomen - 10 studies
- Obstetric - choose one in which you will undertake your competency - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology OR 3rd trimester growth scan - 10 studies
- Perform diagnostic scans to meet the Competency Standards for an Entry Level Sonographer
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Self-management
6 Professional Practice Placement
PART A (i) - Clinical Attendance
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 qualification.
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 (320 hours), the number of hours permitted to be submitted are at the discretion of the UC and the Head of Course. 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.
Due to truncated placement opportunities, if students Pass assessments 1,2,3,5,6- Part A (ii), Part B(i&ii) and 6-Part C, however they have not completed the required hours for assessment 6 -Part A (i), they will be eligible to sit assessment 4 the OSCEs. If a student that has passed all assessment requirements except assessment 6- Part A and is eligible to sit the OSCEs and is found to be not competent in the scanning clinical scenario competent, that student will be allowed to have a second attempt of this component after completing and passing assessment 6- Part A (i). Any student that completes and passes assessment 6 - Part A (i) prior to the OSCEs and does not pass the scanning clinical scenario component will not be eligible to have a second attempt.
PART A (ii) - Clinical Placement Checklist
The Clinical Placement Checklist document, must be downloaded and handed to your clinical supervisor and completed by them within the first week of your clinical placement. It is your responsibility to upload this document via the Moodle unit site once completed. It will need to be uploaded by you before 22:00 AEST of week 1 of your clinical placement.
PART B (i) - Mid-GAPA, (ii) - End GAPA
Task Description
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.
• Section 2: responsibility and demeanour
• Section 3: overall technical knowledge and skill
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.
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.
PART A (I): Due on Saturday 24th October 2020 at 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following the end of your 16 week placement. The completed clinical attendance form must be uploaded by online submission through the unit Moodle site. PART A (ii) : Clinical Placement Checklist, for those on the normal clinical placement block this will be due by Friday 9th of July before 22:00 AEST. For those on non standard placement block dates it is due Friday before 22:00 AEST of week 1 of your clinical placement. PART B (i): Mid placement GAPA due Monday 31st August 2020 22:00 AEST via email from your clinical supervisor or on the Monday of week 9 of your clinical placement - it is your responsibility to check that the supervisor has emailed the mid-GAPA to the UC. Part B (ii) End of placement GAPA due Saturday 24th October 2020 22:00 AEST or on the Saturday immediately following the end of your 16 week placement.
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.
PART A (i)
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. Due to truncated placement opportunities students may be eligible to pass this assessment with reduced minimum hours, this is on a case by case basis.
PART a (ii)
To pass this assessment you must upload the completed and signed document by the end of your 1st week of placement.
PART B (i & ii)
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.
If your second GAPA assessment results in a Fail grade, you will Fail this assessment component and this will result in a FAIL for the unit.
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
No submission method provided.
- Behave professionally using appropriate interpersonal skills relevant to sonographic practice in accordance with CQUniversity postgraduate attributes and Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry requirements.
- Communication
- Self-management
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
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?
