CSN033 Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online

Overview

In this unit, the specialised sonographic skills are developed through employment and training in a QUT approved clinical department. Your clinical skills are developed and evaluated by QUT approved clinical supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff. Your skills as a student sonographer will be developed from a novice level to an advanced beginner. This unit is offered in the second semester of the first year of the course in order for you to thoroughly develop the necessary sonographic techniques required for many routine ultrasound examinations.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Effectively apply specialised knowledge of anatomy and pathological processes to identify both normal and abnormal sonographic appearances and be competent at reporting these findings.
2. Perform an adult ultrasound examination of the abdomen to the specialised standards as described by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM).
3. Critically examine a clinical ultrasound request and apply specialised knowledge in order to perform examinations which evidence a high level of diagnostic accuracy.
4. Communicate at an advanced level in digital, written and oral mediums to achieve effective patient care during ultrasonic examinations.
5. Practice within professional and ethical frameworks.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit has a strong practical component that provides an opportunity for active learning. On-campus intensive workshops during orientation week allow you to engage directly with clinical academics and your peers. Additional self-directed learning materials and activities are available throughout the semester. These resources are designed to scaffold your learning and prepare you for clinical assessment. 

Throughout the semester, you will continue to gain clinical experience in a nominated QUT-approved clinical department supported by your nominated clinical supervisor. You will normally undertake supervised ultrasound training at least 3 days per week (0.6FTE) whilst enrolled. QUT academic staff are available to discuss issues relating to the clinical practice requirements as may be necessary.

Clinical supervisors are experienced accredited medical Sonographers or Sonologists approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with you, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience, as well as supporting your continuous technical skill development. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and you, will monitor and evaluate your clinical progress. You may also be evaluated during the semester by a QUT staff member or appointee.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Your on-site clinical supervisor provides ongoing formative feedback.  You will receive summative academic and formative peer feedback on the video case submission studies. You will receive immediate summative feedback on the completion of each practical scanning assessment.  Throughout your work-integrated learning experience you will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from professionals working across a range of health disciplines.

Clinical supervisors are experienced accredited medical Sonographers or Sonologists, approved by QUT. Clinical supervisors are responsible, in consultation with you, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience, as well as supporting your continuous technical skill development. Supervisors, in consultation with QUT academic staff and you, will monitor and evaluate your clinical progress. You may also be evaluated, during the semester, by a QUT staff member or appointee.

The on campus block also enables students to engage and learn directly from industry partners which builds their professional skills and profile, and provides networking opportunities which can be used to leverage future employment opportunities. For this unit there will be specific emphasis on developing your skills required for abdominal scanning. Face to face scaffolded learning activities (live scanning) will occur during the on-campus block and online activities (peer-assisted learning) during the semester will deepen your understanding prior to the abdominal practical assessment. To assist sustainability within the health workforce,  students receive direct feedback on scan and machine optimisation to reduce individual injury risk at various touchpoints during on-campus activities. 

Assessment

Overview

The learning milestones in this unit are designed to advance your practical scanning skills from a novice practitioner requiring constant assistance and supervision to one of an advanced beginner in which many rudimentary skills can be performed with only limited direct supervision.

The practical assessment in this unit is a threshold clinical assessment conducted late in the semester. This assessment will take place at a QUT nominated clinical site and involves live scanning in the clinical environment.

For the purposes of professional accreditation and demonstration of capabilities/competencies, you must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in both the theoretical and practical elements of the unit to be awarded a grade of satisfactory.

Threshold assessment conditions
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply. You are required to achieve a satisfactory result in all threshold assessments to receive an overall S (satisfactory) result in the unit. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator prior to resubmission.

Unit Grading Scheme

S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Clinical skills examination video

You will be required to submit a selection of short clinical videos of cases performed in the workplace.  This assessment includes peer feedback. You will be required to assess and provide constructive feedback on work provided by your peers, and reflect on feedback you have received from others. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination (practical)

The practical assessment is conducted in the workplace or other clinical site determined by the unit coordinator. You will be assessed on your ability to perform a standard adult abdomen scan as described by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM).

Threshold Assessment:

You must complete this practical examination and achieve a satisfactory result in order to pass the unit. You will be offered one re-submission following an unsatisfactory evaluation. 

Assessment: Clinical Supervisor Assessment

In your clinical environment, you will be assessed by your supervisor on your ability to demonstrate a range of knowledge, skills, and attributes in relation to the provision of safe, quality, person-centred care. Assessment performance is determined in line with the Professional Competency Framework of Sonographers as required by the ASAR. You will receive feedback from your supervisor on your level of achievement against these standards.

Threshold Assessment:

Assessment Item requires 100% attendance at an off-campus clinical site and completion of this clinical assessment to pass the unit. Re-submission is not available for an unsatisfactory result for the assessment Item (clinical supervisor assessment).

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

You will be required to complete the Queensland Health Orientation checklist which may involve an application for a Blue Card.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Curry, P., Prince M.(2020) Sonography - Introduction to Normal Structure and Function (5th ed.). Elsevier. 

Rumack, C., Levine, D. (2017). Diagnostic Ultrasound (5th ed.). St Louis: Mosby.

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be employed in clinical departments where you will be required to comply with departmental rules and regulations regarding workplace health and safety, ethical and legal considerations.

Course Learning Outcomes

CS60 Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

1. Critically examine clinical ultrasound requests to perform independent examinations to a high level of diagnostic accuracy
   Relates to: Examination (practical)
2. Evidence effective skills in communicating the diagnostic value of the ultrasound image to multidisciplinary health teams
   Relates to: Clinical skills examination video
3. Practise within professional and ethical frameworks
   Relates to: Clinical Supervisor Assessment