CSN034 Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 2
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSN034 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSN033 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,236 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | CSN034 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSN033 |
| Coordinator: | Christopher Edwards | c8.edwards@qut.edu.au |
Overview
In this unit, you will refine and expand your sonographic skills and develop more advanced skills through self-managed employment and training in a QUT-approved clinical department. Your clinical skills will be developed and evaluated by QUT-approved clinical supervisors in consultation with QUT academic staff. This unit builds on the skills, knowledge and abilities gained in CSN033 Medical Ultrasound Clinical Practice 1. As such it is offered in the second semester of the second year of the course for you to thoroughly develop the necessary sonographic techniques required for many advanced ultrasound examinations.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Effectively apply specialised knowledge of anatomy and pathological processes to identify both normal and abnormal sonographic appearances and be competent at reporting these findings.
- Display the specialised, technical and digital skills necessary to perform a range of advanced medical ultrasound examinations to the standards as described by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM)
- Critically examine a clinical ultrasound request and perform specialised examinations with a high level of diagnostic accuracy
- Communicate professionally in written and oral formats when providing inclusive and safe patient care during ultrasonic examinations
- Practice within professional and ethical frameworks
Content
The unit develops the skills and knowledge as applied in the clinical situation. These include:
- Patient preparation and communication which is inclusive of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
- Performance of a range of medical ultrasound examinations
- Application of the relevant ethical, legal and professional standards appropriate to medical ultrasound.
- Imaging and request interpretation and report writing
- Awareness of Occupational Health and Safety practices.
This content is complementary to, and must be considered in the context of, learning in other units such as CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound, CSN026 Ultrasonic Examination 1, CSN027 Ultrasonic Examination 2, CSN028 Advanced Ultrasound Topics 2.
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 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 no less than 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. 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.
Learning support is provided during the on-campus block and during the semester which provides support for the final clinical assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Your on-site clinical supervisor provides ongoing formative feedback. You will receive immediate summative feedback on completing 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 approved by QUT. They are responsible, in consultation with you, for ensuring an adequate range and volume of clinical experience and supporting your continuous technical skill development. Supervisors will monitor and evaluate your clinical progress in consultation with QUT academic staff and you.
The on-campus block and face-to-face assessment in this unit also enables you to engage and learn directly from industry partners, which builds your professional skills and profile and provides networking opportunities which can be used to leverage future employment opportunities. To assist your 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 and face-to-face assessments.
Assessment
Overview
The assessments in this unit are designed to advance your practical scanning skills from an advanced beginner to one of an entry level graduate sonographer that can competently perform a range of examinations.
For the purposes of professional accreditation and demonstration of capabilities/competencies, students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in each assessment item to be awarded a grade of satisfactory.
Two practical assessments will be conducted in this unit. One is a clinical assessment conducted early in the semester at a QUT-nominated clinical site and involves live morphology scanning. The other practical assessment is the capstone assessment, conducted late in the semester in a nominated clinical site or on campus at QUT in Brisbane. This examination will consist of several stations where you will be required to demonstrate a range of practical ultrasound skills, including live scanning, image and request interpretation, problem-solving, reporting and communication.
A final clinical performance assessment is provided by your nominated principal supervisor. This assessment is designed to meet the requirements of the Professional Competency Framework of Sonographers as required by the ASAR.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Examination (practical)
A practical assessment conducted at a QUT-nominated clinical site and/or on-campus at QUT will occur during this semester. You will be assessed on your ability to conduct a standard morphology examination.
Threshold Assessment:
You must complete this practical examination and achieve a satisfactory result to pass the unit. You will be offered one re-submission following an unsatisfactory evaluation.
Assessment: Final Clinical Assessment
A clinical practical assessment conducted at a QUT nominated clinical site and/or on-campus at QUT will occur during this semester. You will assessed on a range of graduate competencies, including practical ultrasound skills, image and request interpretation, problem-solving, reporting and communication (capstone assessment). This assessment includes written, practical and oral stations.
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 Portfolio
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. You will present your logbook, including critical reflections on your clinical experiences. Your logbook must meet the Professional Competency Framework of Sonographers as required by the ASAR. You will be assessed by and receive feedback from your clinical and academic supervisor on your level of achievement against these standards.
Threshold Assessment:
To be awarded a satisfactory grade you must achieve a grade of competent in all five foundation units and five out of six critical practice units. You will be offered one re-submission following an unsatisfactory evaluation.
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
Recommended Texts
Curry, P., Prince M.(2020) Sonography - Introduction to Normal Structure and Function (5th ed.). Elsevier.
Rumack, C., Wilson, S., Charboneau, J., Levine, D. (2017). Diagnostic Ultrasound (5th ed.). Elsevier.
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
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS60 Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
- Review, analyse and synthesise information to identify complex sonographic appearances
Relates to: Final Clinical Assessment, Clinical Portfolio - Critically examine clinical ultrasound requests to perform independent examinations to a high level of diagnostic accuracy
Relates to: Examination (practical) - Evidence effective skills in communicating the diagnostic value of the ultrasound image to multidisciplinary health teams
Relates to: Final Clinical Assessment - Practise within professional and ethical frameworks
Relates to: Final Clinical Assessment