CSB022 Radiographic Practice

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This is the first unit in radiographic positioning of your course and builds on your foundation knowledge of the role of the Radiographer from semester 1. The development of positioning skills and a full appreciation of the principles of image production and processing are essential requirements in the education of medical imaging students. This unit is designed to apply your knowledge of skeletal anatomy, radiography and imaging practices, and the role of the radiographer. The practical sessions are designed to develop positioning skills through role play and taking radiographs of sectional models to become familiar with radiographic appearances and image quality, and prepare you for safe clinical practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate positioning skills, radiographic techniques and professional behaviour used for a range of routine general radiographic examinations and related pre-clinical skills in the laboratory situation for safe practice..
2. Critically evaluate and analyse the resultant images produced with regard to technical quality and anatomical detail appropriate for diagnosis.
3. Recognise normal and abnormal anatomical structures and disease processes on radiographic images of general radiographic examinations.
4. Evaluate imaging request forms and nominate the appropriate imaging series.
5. Apply the physical principles of image production and processing, in the laboratory and clinical situation.
6. Reflect on the professional role of the radiographer in the clinical department.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit engages you in your learning through enabling the application of theoretical knowledge and skills from lectures in CSB021 to completing exercises using anatomical phantoms in the on-campus radiography laboratory or the simulation environment. Practical sessions are undertaken with a small group of peers. Self-reflection will be encouraged through formative feedback on your clinical understanding and own professional practice by your laboratory supervisors.
You must satisfactorily complete all exercises and submit all images and critique forms via the unit Canvas site to be eligible to sit for the end of semester practical examination.

Knowledge and skills will be further applied during Work Integrated Learning experiences, with a short clinical placement in a hospital setting to observe the radiology department as part of this unit. You will be supervised by clinical staff in an approved clinical department on a full-time basis for this placement.

Access to Interactive radiographic resources through scheduled sessions allow additional development of positioning and critiquing skills.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

The following feedback will be provided throughout the semester:

• You will receive immediate feedback on your laboratory practical exercises from reviewing the images produced, and from discussion with your peers and supervising staff during the practical sessions;
• Individual feedback will be provided on your written critiques;
• You will receive feedback from your clinical supervisor both during and at the end of your clinical placement (WIL).

Assessment

Overview

For the purposes of professional accreditation and demonstration of capabilities/competencies, you must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in each of the practical and clinical elements of the unit to achieve a passing grade.

Successful completion of the clinical placement requires submission of a completed workbook and radiation badge within one week of completion of the clinical period. Failure to submit will result in an unfinalized result until submission. 

You are also required to achieve a satisfactory result in the Clinical Supervisors report  to receive a passing grade in the unit.

Assessment tasks will require you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills and application of Clinical Practice in Medical Imaging, in a variety of formats, which are aligned with the learning outcomes of the unit and course.

Threshold assessment conditions:
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply. If you do not achieve the pass level for an assessment task you are able to make one resubmission of this work for the minimum pass level, only when their achieved mark/grade is within 10% (or 1 grade) of the pass level for the assessment item. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

N.B. Resubmission is not usually available for an unsatisfactory result for clinical placement performance.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Demonstration

Acting as a novice radiographer  you will apply knowledge gained during supervised practical sessions to safely complete a practical image taking exercise within the medical imaging laboratory . You will demonstrate radiation safety standards and equipment knowledge during image taking  to supervisors and provide a recorded oral evaluation of images produced   . 

Assessment: Examination (Practical)

Acting as a novice  radiographer  you will apply knowledge gained during supervised practical sessions and  demonstrate radiation safety standards and equipment knowledge to supervisors to safely complete a practical exercise (role play) and image evaluation/critique.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply.

Assessment: Reflective Journal (Clinical)

After completing your clinical placement you will submit a reflective journal of your clinical experiences in addition to the submission of required clinical documentation.

Threshold Assessment:

Threshold conditions apply.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Queensland Radiation use licence

QLD Health Student Placement requirements including:

• Immunisation/s (including Hepatitis B)
• Blue Card
• Current CPR Certificate is required.
  
  

Blue Card

A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.

Costs

• Clinical uniform (requires purchase of QUT MRS shirt)
• Cost and organisation of obtaining current CPR Certificate is the responsibility of the student
• All Work Integrated Learning placement costs, including travel and accommodation expenses, are the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Adler, A,. Carlton, R. (2019). Introduction to Radiologic Sciences and Patient Care (7th ed.). Elsevier: Canada

Bontrager, K.L. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning & Related Anatomy (11th ed.). Mosby Elsevier: St Louis Missouri

Holmes, K., Elkington, M., Harris, P. (2021). Clark's Essential Physics in Imaging for Radiographers (2nd Ed) CRC Press: New York

Risk Assessment Statement

Placement in a radiology department has inherent radiation risks, which are minimised by following safe work practices as taught during pre-clinical units. Students must adhere to the Radiation Safety and Protection Plan of the site they are rostered to, and wear the radiation dose monitoring device provided by QUT for the clinical placement. This radiation badge must be returned to QUT on completion of the placement.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.