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 - 2022
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 Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students felt the UC was very thorough with their time and efforts to convey important information both academic and general housekeeping. The tutorials were fantastic and provided so much information, which was a great way to revise for the OSCE.
Maintain weekly tutorials and continue to provide interactive tutorials, to support the ongoing revision and learning of the students.
Feedback from Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students felt the UC really cared about the students undertaking the unit. They felt the unit was planned and set out very well so that everything was easy to find and navigate. All assessment pieces had been explained well.
Maintain the layout of the Moodle Unit and continue with open communication and explanation around expectations of assessments.
Feedback from Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students felt the need to track hours and types of scans meticulously was unnecessary but reasoning behind doing so was understandable.
There is limited flexibility with assessment tasks as they are a requirement of an external accrediting body. Minimum clinical hours hours are required to meet the accreditation standard and minimum numbers of scans in a domain of practice are necessary to ensure clinical competency for an entry level graduate sonographer. Consider ways to streamline this process.
Feedback from Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students felt the weekly tutorials were very thorough and helpful.They felt the UC went above and beyond. They believed the Kahoot quizzes and case studies were great. They felt Moodle resources for each domain provided good revision tools. Guest presentations were very informative and also great for revision. They felt the tutorials were engaging and covered a good range of topics.
Continue weekly tutorials with the provision of case studies, Moodle resources and links to past lectures and external industry sites for revision purposes and revision quizzes such as Kahoot. Continue to source guest lecturer presentations in specialised domains to enhance the students learning and revision.
Feedback from Student Unit Teacher Evaluation
Students indicated the UC was amazing and really cared about the students undertaking the unit. They never felt rushed and that the UC supported their learning process 100%. The UC was super helpful and helped to reduce the stress around the OSCE.
Continue to provide support through regular weekly communication and tutorials. Maintain open communication with students in relation to expectations of the unit, the learning outcomes and the OSCE.
- 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 4th July to Friday 21st October 2022 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.
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, beginning Monday 7th November. Due to possible COVID19 and placement disruptions the OSCE date will be confirmed in due course.
Clinical Supervisor Checklist due Friday 8th July 8pm AEST for those on official clinical block placement dates.
COMPULSORY Online Lab Safety Induction Quiz to be completed prior to 8th July 2022.
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Clinical Log Book
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Log Book due Monday 1st August 8pm AEST
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm 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
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
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
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
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 29th August 8pm AEST
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
Module/Topic
Clinical Log book
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Clinical Logbook Due Monday 27th September 8pm AEST
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm 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
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom tutorial Monday 7pm AEST.
For students that commenced their MEDS20017 Clinical Unit 4 block on the official start date, Monday 4th July 2022,this is the final week of your placement.
All assessments, except for assessment 4 (OSCE) are due by Saturday 22nd October 10pm AEST. All assessments, except for assessment 4 (OSCE)must be completed, submitted and passed before the OSCE (assessment 4).
Module/Topic
OSCE Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
All students that are eligible to sit their OSCE (students that have completed and passed Assessments 1,2,3,5 and 6) are required to be attend their campus of enrolment for the duration of the week.
The OSCE schedules will be posted on the unit Moodle site.
The unit coordinator is Julie Cahill. Julie is based on the Brisbane campus and contact details are: email- j.cahill2@cqu.edu.au (preferred method of contact) or ph- 07 3023 4109.
The rest of the clinical placement team are an integral part of the staffing of this unit. They are Antony Egan (Melbourne), Ovini Wanigasekera (Perth), Gina Zhang (Sydney), and the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) officer Vanessa Henderson. The clinical placement team contact details are on the unit Moodle site.
It is important that students regularly check their student email and the News Forum on Moodle to receive updates about the unit. Please ensure that your email correspondence is via your CQU student email.
Please keep in mind that while Julie works full time, she is a clinical academic whose role is to travel and visit clinical sites frequently. She also spends time in labs. Julie is usually very responsive by email and can coordinate meetings if necessary.
There are no specified textbooks for this unit. However it is advised to take your academic texts with you if you relocate for clinical placement to enable you to revise and complete tasks as set by your clinical supervisor and this unit.
This unit requires you to attend a minimum of sixteen (16) weeks of clinical placement, to a minimum of 640 hours, from the 4th July to 21st October 2022, inclusive, or as otherwise agreed upon with the unit coordinator. This unit and associated placement extends beyond the standard University term dates. You are required to attend your campus of enrolment for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) during the week of 7th November 2022 (subject to change due to possible COVID19 disruptions). Details for the OSCE are available on the unit Moodle site.
You will have been allocated a specific clinical facility (or facilities) to attend for the placement. You must attend for your allocated placement for the entirety of each working day, including the last day of placement, unless alternative arrangements have been agreed upon by both the unit coordinator and clinical supervisor.
Please note 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' during your placement. Any absences must be reported to the clinical supervisor and the unit coordinator 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 advise the unit coordinator if you need to extend your placement end date in order to complete your unit requirements. 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 may not provide computer or internet access so it is your responsibility to provide your own.
Zoom tutorials are held on Mondays at 7pm AEST. The schedule is available on the unit Moodle site. Recordings will be available on the unit Moodle site.
The unit is a Pass/Fail unit, with a graded component within one (1) assessment task, assessment 4 OSCE. There are six (6) assessment tasks. Please refer to the assessment information for more details.
Please note this important information from the University Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education) Coursework document (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 student to re-attempt a failed assessment task and the student passess the re-attempted assessment.
1 Practical Assessment
The purpose of this competency is to assess your performances as an observable indicator of your readiness to become a graduate entry level sonographer. The criteria assessed are that of the core minimum requirements for an accredited entry level graduate sonographer as defined by the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers October 20211. There are six (6) domains of practice that are assessed: abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric, 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 not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical competency 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, (Note: If you are to complete the assessment on a thyroid scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) thyroid cases before you can attempt the assessment OR if you are to complete the assessment on a testes scan then you must log a minimum of ten (10) cases of a testes before you can attempt the assessment).
- breast (female or male) 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 a 2nd trimester morphology scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) 2nd trimester morphology 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 or Clinical Placement Tiles - Assessment Forms - in the unit Moodle site. A copy is available online for 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 skills, 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 on improving weaker areas. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.
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
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment.
If you do not meet the required standard on your first attempt, you must seek detailed feedback from your assessor to critically reflect on and develop a strategy to improve your performance on the re-attempt. You must share your plan for improvement with your assessor. You may then re-attempt this assessment to achieve the required competency level. Your clinical supervisor must complete and sign the assessment form before you submit it through the assessment block in the Moodle unit.
The re-attempt assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block, if you received a fail on your first attempt. If a re-attempt is needed to achieve the required level, submit the assessment documents from both attempts.
1. Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers [Internet] 2021 [Updated 2021 December 9, cited 2022 February 16]. Available from https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/Professional_Competency_Framework_for_Sonographers/17148035.
Completed assessment must be submitted by Monday 24th October 5pm AEST or on the Monday 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 assessment.
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.
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 - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level.
To achieve a Pass in all competencies you must achieve Level 3 in all assessment sections. The exception to this is if you choose to undertake the obstetric morphology competency, where you must a achieve at least Level 2 in all assessment sections and Level 3 in the patient communication section. Failure in effective patient communication will result in failure of the competency.
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment. If you fail both attempts for this assessment, 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
The purpose of this competency is to assess your performances as an observable indicator of your readiness to become a graduate entry level sonographer. The criteria assessed are that of the core minimum requirements for an accredited entry level graduate sonographer as defined by the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers October 20211. There are six (6) domains of practice that are assessed: abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric, 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 not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical competency 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, (Note: If you are to complete the assessment on a thyroid scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) thyroid cases before you can attempt the assessment OR if you are to complete the assessment on a testes scan then you must log a minimum of ten (10) cases of a testes before you can attempt the assessment).
- breast (female or male) 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 a 2nd trimester morphology scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) 2nd trimester morphology 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 or Clinical Placement Tiles - Assessment Forms - in the unit Moodle site. A copy is available online for 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 skills, 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 on improving weaker areas. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.
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
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment.
If you do not meet the required standard on your first attempt, you must seek detailed feedback from your assessor to critically reflect on and develop a strategy to improve your performance on the re-attempt. You must share your plan for improvement with your assessor. You may then re-attempt this assessment to achieve the required competency level. Your clinical supervisor must complete and sign the assessment form before you submit it through the assessment block in the Moodle unit.
The re-attempt assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block, if you received a fail on your first attempt. If a re-attempt is needed to achieve the required level, submit the assessment documents from both attempts.
1. Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers [Internet] 2021 [Updated 2021 December 9, cited 2022 February 16]. Available from https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/Professional_Competency_Framework_for_Sonographers/17148035.
Completed assessment must be submitted by Monday 24th October 5pm AEST or on the Monday 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 assessment.
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.
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 - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level.
To achieve a Pass in all competencies you must achieve Level 3 in all assessment sections. The exception to this is if you choose to undertake the obstetric morphology competency, where you must a achieve at least Level 2 in all assessment sections and Level 3 in the patient communication section. Failure in effective patient communication will result in failure of the competency.
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment. If you fail both attempts for this assessment, 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
The purpose of this competency is to assess your performances as an observable indicator of your readiness to become a graduate entry level sonographer. The criteria assessed are that of the core minimum requirements for an accredited entry level graduate sonographer as defined by the Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers October 20211. There are six (6) domains of practice that are assessed: abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal, obstetric, 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 not already completed. You must have achieved a total of six (6) practical competency 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, (Note: If you are to complete the assessment on a thyroid scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) thyroid cases before you can attempt the assessment OR if you are to complete the assessment on a testes scan then you must log a minimum of ten (10) cases of a testes before you can attempt the assessment).
- breast (female or male) 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 a 2nd trimester morphology scan, you must log a minimum of ten (10) 2nd trimester morphology 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 or Clinical Placement Tiles - Assessment Forms - in the unit Moodle site. A copy is available online for 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 skills, 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 on improving weaker areas. The assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block.
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
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment.
If you do not meet the required standard on your first attempt, you must seek detailed feedback from your assessor to critically reflect on and develop a strategy to improve your performance on the re-attempt. You must share your plan for improvement with your assessor. You may then re-attempt this assessment to achieve the required competency level. Your clinical supervisor must complete and sign the assessment form before you submit it through the assessment block in the Moodle unit.
The re-attempt assessment must be attempted prior to completion of the clinical placement block, if you received a fail on your first attempt. If a re-attempt is needed to achieve the required level, submit the assessment documents from both attempts.
1. Professional Competency Framework for Sonographers [Internet] 2021 [Updated 2021 December 9, cited 2022 February 16]. Available from https://figshare.com/articles/online_resource/Professional_Competency_Framework_for_Sonographers/17148035.
Completed assessment must be submitted by Monday 24th October 5pm AEST or on the Monday 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 assessment.
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.
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 - choose one - 2nd trimester 18-22 week morphology to advanced beginner level OR 3rd trimester growth scan to competency level.
To achieve a Pass in all competencies you must achieve Level 3 in all assessment sections. The exception to this is if you choose to undertake the obstetric morphology competency, where you must a achieve at least Level 2 in all assessment sections and Level 3 in the patient communication section. Failure in effective patient communication will result in failure of the competency.
You are permitted one (1) re-attempt to complete this assessment. If you fail both attempts for this assessment, 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, the week beginning Monday 7th November. Due to possible COVID19 disruptions the OSCE date will be confirmed in due course. The online image interpretation quizzes to be conducted in week 6: 8th - 12th August and week 15: 10th - 14th 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.
- Has a good background knowledge and integrates knowledge into clinical practice
- Performance is natural and efficient and much of the scanning is intuitive and can be completed with other tasks
- Meets scanning protocol and only needs assistance in complex cases
- Consciously competent in skills - Skill mastery - the ability to routinely perform a sequence of skills without error, with complex or more uncommon findings still requiring assistance
- Able to utilise own judgement and seek assistance when required
- Emotional buy-in allows the learner to feel an appropriate level of responsibility to the patient
- Can adapt examinations/procedures, or act within situations by breaking concepts into parts, determining how the parts relate to an overall structure or purpose
- Can use clinical reasoning to readily identify pattern recognition of sonographic presentations and technical difficulties
- Sees the big picture
- Complex or uncommon findings still require reliance on analytic reasoning
- Demonstrates reflective practice
- Demonstrates clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of how sonographic examinations fits within best practices for the patient outcomes
- Has basic self-reflective skills and actively applies self-development
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the effects of COVID19 during 2020, 2021 and ongoing in 2022, some students have experienced delayed placement/s starts, and will not be eligible to sit the OSCE during the OSCE week, these students will be offered a delayed OSCE at a later date, after the completion of all assessments. Some students due to interruption/delay of previous clinical placements within MEDS12007 and/or MESD13006 may not fulfill the requirements of Assessment 6 (Part A) before the end of this designated placement (minimum of 2000 clinical placement hours). The Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) have provided leniency in placement hours for some of these circumstances, provided students are able to demonstrate their competency level. As a result, these students may in limited circumstances, 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) 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 COVID19 are not eligible for this additional opportunity for a second and final OSCE.
- 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 types. 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. It is a requirement of the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry course accreditation.
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),
- Musculoskeletal and
- Extra's (paediatric, interventional or others).
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 and Clinical Placement tiles - documents folder. 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 by 8pm AEST following week 4,8,12. Completed log book submission must be submitted by Monday 24th October 5pm 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.
Final Log book numbers will be collated by the unit coordinator 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 (choose one in which you will undertake your competency attempt, 10 thyroids or 10 testes)
- 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
You must complete the document in it's entirely before submission, ensuring all numbers are collated, the total numbers have been documented and the supervisor/s has signed where appropriate.
- 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 - 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. A minimum of 2000 clinical placement hours is required by the end of the CG91 course. 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 also forms part of your clinical case log form and can be found in the Assessment and Clinical Placement tiles - documents folder, in the unit Moodle site. A copy is available online for 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. This is a full time clinical placement and any leave of absence (other than sick leave) or variance to the allocated clinical placement block dates are not permitted unless discussed prior with, and approved by, first your UC and subsequently by your clinical supervisor. Failure to have approval for any leave may result in a fail for this assessment and therefore a fail for the unit.
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 and 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 and Clinical Placement tiles - documents folder 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, and 6 - Part B, however, they have not completed the required hours for assessment 6 -Part A, they may be eligible to sit assessment 4 the OSCEs (see assessment 4 for details). If a student that has passed all assessment requirements except assessment 6- Part A and is eligible to sit the OSCEs (see Assessment 4) and is found to be not competent in the scanning clinical scenario competent, that student will be allowed to have a one further attempt of this component after completing and passing assessment 6- Part A. Any student that completes and passes assessment 6 - Part A, prior to the OSCEs and does not pass the scanning clinical scenario component will not be eligible to have a second attempt.
A requirement of Part A is that the Clinical Placement Checklist needs to be completed and submitted by the end of your first week of clinical placement in MEDS20017. Failure to submit the clinical placement checklist, may result in a fail for Part A of this assessment and therefore a fail for this assessment and a fail for the unit.
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 10pm AEST of week 1 of your clinical placement.
PART B - Placement GAPA
• Section 2: Psychomotor Skills (scanning skills) and Standard of Work
• Section 3: Professionalism
The GAPA mid and end form and marking criteria is available in the Assessment and Clinical Placement tiles in the unit Moodle site -documents folder. A copy is available online for your clinical supervisor, it is advisable however, 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.
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.
PART A: Due on Monday 24th October 2022 by 5pm 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. The clinical placement checklist, for those on the normal clinical placement block is due by Friday 8th of July 10pm AEST. For those on non standard placement block dates it is due Friday before 10pm AEST of week 1 of your clinical placement. PART B: Mid placement GAPA due Monday 30th August 2022 10pm 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: End of placement GAPA due Saturday 22nd October 2022 10pm 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 be 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 - Clinical Attendance
To pass this assessment you must achieve a minimum of 640 hours (16 X 40 hours) of clinical attendance and a total minimum of 2000 hours is required for the CG91 course by the end of your 4th year. Any days away from your clinical site must be documented.This is a full time clinical placement and any leave of absence is not permitted unless disused and approved by both your UC and clinical supervisor. Failure to have approval for any leave may result in a fail for this assessment and therefore a fail for the unit. Due to truncated placement opportunities students may be eligible to pass this assessment with reduced minimum hours, in limited circumstances, on a case by case basis, see unit Moodle site for details.
The Clinical Placement checklist forms part of this assessment. To pass this assessment you must upload the completed and signed document by the end of your 1st week of placement.
PART B - GAPA
The GAPA allows for observations and feedback in three (3) main sections. Section 1 refers to Applied Knowledge, Section 2 is Psychomotor Skills (scanning skills) and Standard of Work and Section 3 is Professionalism. The criteria on the GAPA document and the required behaviours and attributes are outlined. The assessor will use the descriptor that best indicates the frequency and extent to which you demonstrate each of those. The required behaviours and attributes are grouped into the three sections above and each with its own minimum level.
- Section 1: Applied Knowledge, has five (5) required behaviours. To achieve Satisfactory for the Mid-GAPA (formative), you must achieve Level 2 or above, which is Advanced Beginner level (student) Level 2 or Level 3 - Competent level. For the End- GAPA (summative), Level 3 - Competent level, is required to pass this section and therefore this assessment.
- Section 2: Psychomotor Skills (scanning skills) and Standard of Work, which has twelve (12) required behaviours. To achieve Satisfactory for the Mid-GAPA (formative), you must achieve Level 2 or above, which is Advanced Beginner level (student) Level 2 or Level 3 - Competent level. For the End- GAPA (summative), Level 3 - Competent level, is required to pass this section and therefore this assessment.
- Section 3: Professionalism, which has sixteen (16) required behaviours. To achieve Satisfactory for the Mid-GAPA (formative), you must achieve Level 2 or above, which is Advanced Beginner level (student) Level 2 or Level 3 - Competent level. For the End- GAPA (summative), Level 3 - Competent level, is required to pass this section and therefore this assessment.
In order to achieve Satisfactory for the Mid-GAPA or any formative GAPA, all sections must reach Level 2 or above, if the GAPA is unsatisfactory, you will be deemed a student of risk of failing and you will be given a chance to improve. Upon consultation with the clinical supervisor, Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) will be set and are required to be achieved within a given timeframe. If there is not sufficient, demonstrable improvement and these KPI's are not reached within this time frame, the supervisor will undertake a final GAPA and a fail for this assessment will result. As this is a pass/fail course that means you will receive a fail grade for the unit.
A fail in the end-of-placement GAPA will result in a fail for this assessment and as this is a pass/fail assessment, this will result in a fail for the unit.
At any stage identified by the supervisor or UC, a GAPA assessment may be undertaken and a student identified as a "student at risk". This occurs with failure to meet minimum levels in the GAPA. Any student identified as a "student at risk", wil be notified by the UC who will provide formative feedback and as above with the mid- GAPA, KPI's will be set and required to be met within a given time frame, failure to do so will result in a further final failed GAPA. This will mean a fail for the assessment and as this is a a pass/fail unit, a fail for the unit.
Occasionally student behaviour is beyond acceptable risk to clinical sites. Clinical supervisors may contact CQUniversity if this occurs. A GAPA will be requested at that time and if the outcome for that GAPA is unsatisfactory and/or the site feedback indicates that they can no longer host the student due to the risk incurred, then this one GAPA alone, or site refusal to host, will constitute a fail for the unit. Where such risk exists the placement will terminate immediately and a fail for MEDS20017 will occur.
In order to achieve an overall grade or "pass" in this assessment, you must:
- complete and upload the clinical placement checklist by the due date listed
- complete a minimum of 640 hours for this unit, with total minimum of 2000 hours for the CG91 course by the due date listed
- undergo both the mid and end-of-placement GAPA assessments by the due dates listed. On the end-of-placement GAPA assessment, meet Level 3 in all sections
- ensure the documentation of each assessment is completed and uploaded into the unit Moodle site by the due date
- 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.