MRS549 Professional Practice (8)

This subject facilitates the integration of the theoretical components of the course with the students' everyday sonographic practice. It provides a structured introduction to reflective practice while challenging students to undertake self-critical autonomous practice within their professional role. It introduces students to medico-legal, ethical and professional aspects of sonographic practice whilst developing effective interpersonal skills and relationships. Quality control and risk management are also addressed within all areas of practice. As students prepare to graduate they will develop clinical skills in a range of ultrasound examinations identified by ASAR commensurate with a beginning practitioner. This subject supports and assesses the accreditation requirements along with concurrent supervised clinical practice.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2021.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Dentistry and Health Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Available only to students enrolling in the Graduate Diploma or Master of Medical Ultrasound courses.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate the skills and competencies as outlined by the ASA competency standards for the entry level sonographer;
  • be able to critique topical issues in relation to their own practice;
  • be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and inter-professional relationships and evaluate their role in providing support and enabling informed choices;
  • be able to retrieve and synthesize data, write a report and communicate effectively in a range of contexts;
  • be able to integrate safe ergonomic principles and workplace safety regulations into clinical practice;
  • be able to critically analyse the quality control and risk management procedures and policies impacting on professional practice;
  • be able to exercise reflective and critical analytical skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information to facilitate decision making when working with consumers and other health professionals
  • be able to use and undertake research skills such as literature searching, review, critique and apply evidence based ultrasound research within a range of contexts

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

1. Professional, ethical and legal aspects of professional practice.
2. Communication skills and interpersonal relationships.
3. Data retrieval and research skills.
4. Ergonomics and safe work practices.
5. Quality Control of equipment, procedures and administrative procedures.
6. Effective patient care including conditions and procedures.
7. Clinical skills Assessment

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of MRS549 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Assessment 1 - topical issues in ultrasound
20
2
assessment 2 - reflective portfolio
80
3
Final independent clinical skills assessment
0

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 18 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students are required to be working in a medical ultrasound department as a trainee sonographer as a condition of enrolment in the medical ultrasound courses. Students may work in public or private practice and are employees of the clinical institution on a paid or supernumerary basis.

Students work under the supervision of an Australasian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) Accredited Medical Sonographer and are eligible to join the ASAR registry as an Accredited Student Sonographer. As the students skills progress from novice to advanced beginner the level of supervision will typically progress from direct supervision to a more general supervision in keeping with the employer's requirements, thus the students become immersed in fully authentic roles of practice. During the subject MRS549 students are expected to hone their professional skills in preparation for graduation as a beginning practitioner. Students will be required to demonstrate competence in a range of examinations identified by the ASAR.

As students perform a range of ultrasound examinations in the workplace they are able to collect data from selected examinations to write up for assignment submissions (portfolio and workplace discussions). In addition, they undertake a process of critical reflection upon their practice and are encouraged to work closely with supervisors and colleagues to inform and improve their professional practice.
 

Special Resources

Students must complete a Clinical Skills Assessment during MRS549. This may involve travel to an Assessment Centre.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: February 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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