Overview
This unit prepares you for entry into the clinical environment whereby you will build upon your knowledge of diagnostic techniques to support your future role as both an echocardiographer and cardiac physiologist. You learn to interpret electrocardiography cases applying the stepwise method, study the principles underpinning cardiac rhythm management (CRM) and device applications, and be introduced to various cardiac assessment strategies including invasive and non-invasive approaches. You will apply this knowledge to a variety of cardiovascular pathologies and case studies, formulating differential diagnoses, whilst considering patient management strategies within an ethical framework of best practice and patient safety. This unit includes a virtual online workshop designed to support student preparation for entry into the clinical environment.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: ECHO12006 Cardiac Science AND ECHO11002 Cardiac Structure and Function
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 - 2025
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 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
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 SUTE feedback
'Absolutely loved this course, very challenging'
The direction of the unit will remain the same with minor upgrades to some of the content for delivery.
Feedback from Student email feedback
Case studies for real life examples
Case studies will continue to be posted on Moodle to engage students and encourage critical thinking.
- Interpret 12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies, applying a step-wise method of interpretation
- Compare and contrast referral indications, methodology and outcomes of various invasive and non-invasive routine cardiac assessment modalities
- Explain the concepts underpinning basic cardiac rhythm management (CRM) and device applications
- Analyse clinical case studies, constructing links between cardiovascular disease presentation, echocardiographic assessment and patient outcomes, with consideration of best practice and patient safety
- Reflect on personal preparedness for clinical practice, identifying areas for improvement.
Unit developed in collaboration with British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS) certified staff.
Linked to the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Register Standards for Cardiac Sonography:
- Foundation Units of Competence 1 - 5
- Critical Practice Unit 8 (Cardiac)
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 60% | |||||
| 3 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 0% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
12-lead ECG : the art of interpretation
- Second edition (2015)
- Authors: Garcia, Tomas B.,
- Jones & Bartlett Learning
- Burlington Burlington , MA , USA
- ISBN: 9780763773519 (pbk.); 0763773514 (pbk.)
- Binding: Paperback
Invasive Cardiology : a Manual for Cath Lab Personnel
- 4th edition (2022)
- Authors: Watson, Sandy,
- Jones & Bartlett Learning LLC
- Burlington Burlington , MA , USA
- ISBN: 9781284222128
- Binding: Paperback
Pacemakers and ICDs
- (2019)
- Authors: Timperley, Jonathan ; Leeson, Paul ; Mitchell, Andrew Rj ; Betts, Timothy
- Oxford University Press, Incorporated
- Oxford Oxford , England
- ISBN: 0199687838
- Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.rickwood@cqu.edu.au
Echo12007 - Cardiac Assessment Skills
Begin Date: 14 Jul 2025Module/Topic
Content themes will be grouped and presented in a modularised format on the Moodle site.
Chapter
See eReading list.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Quiz 1 - Open on the 28th of August at 8am (AEST) and close on the 31st of August at 8pm (AEST).
Online Workshop - 1st of September at 1pm (AEST). The Zoom ID can be found on the Moodle site.
Reflective Practice Task - Due on the 8th of September at 11:59pm (AEST).
Online Quiz 2 - Open on the 9th of October at 8am (AEST) and close on the 12th of October at 8pm (AEST).
The unit coordinator for ECHO12007 Cardiac Assessment Skills is Aidan Rickwood. The most efficient and preferred method of contacting Aidan is via the Q&A forum located on the unit Moodle site. If the query is personal in nature, please contact Aidan directly via email (a.rickwood@cqu.edu.au) or phone (08 9260 4034). Aidan works from Perth and his office days are Monday to Wednesday.
Unit Tutorials
Tutorials for this unit will be delivered online using Zoom (the links required for accessing the tutorials are provided on the Moodle site under the Virtual Classes tile). The tutorials will focus on clarification of theoretical concepts and assessment requirements. Tutorials are designed to complement the theories and principles presented in lectures. Tutorials provide an opportunity for discussion and interaction with other students and with your tutor. It is important students make the most of these interactive sessions and participate fully in order to broaden their knowledge and experience with the course material.
Note: Tutorials are recorded for educational purposes. Recordings of Zoom tutorials may be uploaded and appear on Moodle or Microsoft Teams. If you have any concerns about being recorded, please turn off your webcam or audio, or both, during the session. Your participation will signify your consent to the recording and publication for educational purposes.
Drop-in Zoom sessions will be available throughout the term, with details posted on the Moodle General Discussion board. These sessions are designed for students to join at any time during the term to ask questions or seek clarification. Please note that these sessions will not be recorded.
Online Workshop
The virtual workshop is scheduled for week seven (7) of term and will cover topics focused on supporting student preparation for entry into the clinical environment. Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Unit Coordinator to make alternative arrangements, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. After the Online Workshop, a reflective practice task will be due one (1) week later and is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Unit Study Commitment
As per Australian educational standards, there is an expectation of 150 hours of engagement required to complete learning and assessment tasks associated with this 6-credit point unit. (i.e. 12.5 hours per week). Weekly revision material will be provided. Attempting all provided revision material will help you prepare for both Online Quizzes.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
The Online Quiz will assess your understanding of all content from module one (1) ECG Analysis.
This assessment task will require you to complete one (1) Online Quiz.
The Online Quiz will be marked out of 50 marks. You will have 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the quiz.
Questions posed will assess your ability to:
- interpret the outcome of 12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies.
- explain the concepts underpinning 12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies including consideration of best practice and patient safety.
Details of the Online Quiz include:
- once started, the quiz cannot be paused or restarted
- only one attempt is permitted
- the Online Quiz will automatically close and submit completed answers once the allocated time has elapsed
- the time available to complete this assessment is designed to promote fact recall or use self-produced study notes rather than testing the ability of students to look up answers in online resources.
As the Online Quiz is open book, you will find it useful if you have produced your own notes from content within the unit (lectures, readings, tutorials, etc.) and you may benefit from having normal electrocardiographic reference ranges and a calculator available to ensure that you are prepared for this assessment.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Level of GenAI use allowance:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core stills knowledge.
Questions will be randomly drawn from a resource bank, which will provide each student with a unique experience for each quiz.
Students are reminded that IT support from the University Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours. It is recommended that the Online Quiz is completed during business hours. Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate and reliable internet connection while using a suitable device when completing the Online Quiz(zes). If this is unattainable at home or work, then attending campus to attempt the Online Quiz(zes) is recommended. For any technical disruptions during the Online Quiz(zes), it is recommended contacting both TASAC and the Unit Coordinator immediately and to take screen shots or photos as evidence. Any technical issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case approach.
This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university examinations, colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS.
1
Other
Online Quiz 1 will open at 8am (AEST) on Thursday the 28th, August 2025 and close at 8pm (AEST) on Sunday the 31st, August 2025.
Individual student results will be made available within two (2) weeks of quiz attempt. Once all students have completed the Online Quiz, the quiz in full will be released back to students.
Students will be required to answer a variety of questions presented in an online format. Answers will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- ability to appropriately interpret presented data and images
- ability to respond clearly and concisely
- use of appropriate terminology and descriptors.
Online Quiz mark allocation:
- the number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the quiz
- question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth, and breadth of required responses.
Please ensure that the quiz is commenced with sufficient time prior to the quiz closing (i.e. commence the test before 5:59pm AEST on the designated Sunday - if the test is not completed by 8pm AEST your test maybe be automatically submitted incomplete or with no answers).
Please note that the Online Quiz must be completed before the due date listed. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five (5) percent per day. Students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment if they have not attempted it by the scheduled date and time and do not have an approved extension.
- Interpret 12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG) studies, applying a step-wise method of interpretation
- Analyse clinical case studies, constructing links between cardiovascular disease presentation, echocardiographic assessment and patient outcomes, with consideration of best practice and patient safety
2 Online Quiz(zes)
The Online Quiz will assess your understanding of all content from module two (2) Non-invasive Cardiac Assessments, module three (3) Cardiac Rhythm Management and module four (4) Coronary Catheterisation Lab.
This assessment task will require you to complete one (1) Online Quiz.
The Online Quiz will be marked out of 100 marks. You will have 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the quiz.
Questions posed will assess your ability to:
- explain the concepts underpinning cardiac rhythm management and non-invasive cardiac assessments
- show an understanding of routine assessments carried out within the coronary catheterisation lab
- offer consideration of best practice and patient safety.
Details of the Online Quiz include:
- once started, the quiz cannot be paused or restarted
- only one attempt is permitted
- the Online Quiz will automatically close and submit completed answers once the allocated time has elapsed
- The time available to complete this assessment is designed to promote fact recall or use self-produced study notes rather than testing the ability of students to look up answers in online resources.
As the Online Quiz is open book, you will find it useful if you have produced your own notes from content within the unit (lectures, readings, tutorials, etc.) and you may benefit from having normal reference ranges and a calculator available to ensure that you are prepared for this assessment.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Level of GenAI use allowance:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during this assessment. You must demonstrate your core stills knowledge.
Questions will be randomly drawn from a resource bank, which will provide each student with a unique experience for each quiz.
Students are reminded that IT support from the University Information and Technology Division (TASAC) is only available during AEST business hours. It is recommended that the Online Quiz is completed during business hours. Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate and reliable internet connection while using a suitable device when completing the Online Quiz(zes). If this is unattainable at home or work, then attending campus to attempt the Online Quiz(zes) is recommended. For any technical disruptions during the Online Quiz(zes), it is recommended contacting both TASAC and the Unit Coordinator immediately and to take screen shots or photos as evidence. Any technical issues will be dealt with on a case-by-case approach.
This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university examinations, colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS.
1
Other
Online Quiz 2 will open at 8am (AEST) on Thursday the 9th, October 2025 and close at 8pm (AEST) on Sunday the 12th, October 2025.
Individual student results will be made available within two (2) weeks of quiz attempt. Once all students have completed the Online Quiz, the quiz in full will be released back to students.
Students will be required to answer a variety of questions presented in an online format. Answers will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- ability to appropriately interpret presented data and images
- ability to respond clearly and concisely
- use of appropriate terminology and descriptors.
Online Quiz mark allocation:
- the number of marks allocated for each question will be indicated within the quiz
- question marks are allocated based on the accuracy, depth, and breadth of required responses.
Please ensure that the quiz is commenced with sufficient time prior to the quiz closing (i.e. commence the test before 5:59pm AEST on the designated Sunday - if the test is not completed by 8pm AEST your test maybe automatically submitted incomplete or with no answers).
Please note that the Online Quiz must be completed before the due date listed. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five (5) percent per day. Students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment if they have not attempted it by the scheduled date and time and do not have an approved extension.
- Compare and contrast referral indications, methodology and outcomes of various invasive and non-invasive routine cardiac assessment modalities
- Explain the concepts underpinning basic cardiac rhythm management (CRM) and device applications
- Analyse clinical case studies, constructing links between cardiovascular disease presentation, echocardiographic assessment and patient outcomes, with consideration of best practice and patient safety
3 Reflective Practice Assignment
Online Workshop
The virtual workshop is scheduled for week seven (7) of term and will cover topics focused on supporting student preparation for entry into the clinical environment.
Attendance is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, please contact the Unit Coordinator to make alternative arrangements, which will be handled on a case-by-case basis. After the Online Workshop, a reflective practice task will be due one (1) week later and is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
This assessment will involve a critical evaluation of each student's level of preparedness for clinical placement, utilising the knowledge and insights gained from the online workshop.
Students will:
- identify key takeaways from the workshop
- assess their current level of preparedness
- create an action plan to address any areas for improvement.
Finally, students will write a 400- to 600-word essay summarizing their reflections and plans. The marking rubric (available on the Moodle site) should be used as a guide for this essay.
Due date: 8th September (week 8) at 11:59pm (AEST) one week after the attendance of the Online Workshop.
This is a pass/fail assessment.
In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five (5) percent per day. Students will receive a mark of zero (or fail) for this assessment if they have not attempted it by the scheduled date and time and do not have an approved extension.
Resubmission:
Should a student fail this assessment task, they will be permitted one (1) opportunity for re-submission. Students will be provided with feedback and clear guidelines for resubmitting their Reflective Practice Assignments, ensuring they address areas needing improvement as identified by the Unit Coordinator.
The resubmission will be due at 11:59pm (AEST) on Monday the 6th October in week 12 of term.
Level of GenAI use allowance:
Level 2: You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
This assessment is to be undertaken as an individual. As with all other university examinations, colluding with other students on non-group work tasks is considered academic misconduct, and may lead to action being taken by the Deputy Dean of Learning and Teaching HMAS.
The Reflective Practice Task is due 11:59pm (AEST) 8th September 2025.
Individual student results will be made available within two (2) weeks of the due date.
A detailed marking rubric is published on the ECHO12007 Moodle site, with marking based on the student's ability to answer and discuss the following topics:
1. Self-Assessment (Depth and Honesty)
Depth:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: This self-assessment should cover all relevant aspects of preparedness, such as knowledge, skills, professionalism, emotional readiness, and time management.
- Critical Analysis: Go beyond surface-level observations. Critically analyse your experiences and performance to identify underlying reasons for your strengths and weaknesses.
Honesty:
- Transparency: Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Avoid exaggerating your abilities or downplaying your challenges.
- Self-Awareness: Demonstrate a high level of self-awareness by acknowledging areas where you need improvement. This honesty is crucial for personal growth and development.
- Constructive Attitude: Approach this self-assessment with a constructive mindset, focusing on how you can improve rather than just listing faults.
2. Action Plan (Clarity and Feasibility)
Clarity:
- Specific Goals: Clearly define what you aim to achieve.
- Detailed Steps: Outline the steps you will take to achieve each goal. Each step should be clear and logical.
- Resource Identification: Clearly identify the resources or support you will need to achieve your goals, such as textbooks, previous units, mentorship or family and friends.
Feasibility:
- Realistic Goals: Ensure that your goals are realistic and achievable within the given timeframe. Avoid setting overly ambitious targets that may be difficult to meet.
- Practical Strategies: Develop practical and actionable strategies to achieve your goals. Consider potential obstacles and how you will overcome them.
- Timeline: Provide a realistic timeline for achieving your goals. Break down the timeline into manageable phases to track your progress effectively.
3. Reflective Essay (Quality)
Insightfulness:
- Personal Insights: Share personal insights and reflections on your experiences and learning process. This adds depth to your essay and demonstrates a high level of engagement.
- Connection to Practice: Reflect on how your self-assessment and action plan relate to your future clinical practice. Consider how improving these areas will benefit your professional development.
Critical Thinking:
- Analytical Approach: Use a critical and analytical approach to reflect on your experiences. Consider different perspectives and the implications of your actions.
- Evidence-Based Reflection: Support your reflections with evidence from your experiences, feedback from peers or mentors, and relevant literature.
Coherence and Structure:
- Logical Flow: Ensure that your essay has a logical flow, with clear connections between your self-assessment, action plan, and reflections.
- Clarity and Conciseness: Write clearly and concisely, avoiding unnecessary jargon or overly complex language. Ensure that your reflections are easy to understand and follow.
4. Word limit:
400-to-600-word limit.
- Reflect on personal preparedness for clinical practice, identifying areas for improvement.
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.
What can you do to act with integrity?
