This test will be an online test performed in-class with closed book conditions at the campus of your enrolment. It will assess all content from weeks 1 to 5 inclusive. Room details will be published on the unit Moodle site.

The test will assess the theory and application of content and haemodynamic concepts taught in lectures, discussed in tutorial delivery and practised in the simulated laboratory setting. Questions may require you to perform mathematical calculations, interpret patient data, illustrate concepts or provide explanations and discussions. Questions similar in style to those found in the in-class test are provided in weekly revision material on the Moodle site. Exemplar questions will also be discussed during the tutorial and laboratory sessions, to help students prepare for this assessment task. 

This in-class test will assess the students' ability to:

• differentiate and discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology and echocardiographic assessment processes associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases;
• analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses;
• interrogate measurements supplied;
• accurately apply appropriate haemodynamic calculations and interpret resulting values;
• demonstrate clinical reasoning;
• use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.

This test will be 180 minutes in duration. You will require a simple calculator (not a scientific calculator) for this test.

This test will be conducted at campus of enrolment, with invigilation and formal examination conditions as detailed in the CQU Assessment Procedures. The test must be performed at the timetabled date and time. As per CQU Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during the defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty.

If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test; you will still be required to submit your test at the preset completion time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero (0) for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time.

The allocated number of marks for each question is indicated on the Moodle online test interface. Marks are allocated based on accuracy, depth and breadth of the required response.

This test will be an online test performed in-class with closed book conditions at the campus of your enrolment. It will assess all content from weeks 6 to 12 inclusive. Room details will be published on the unit Moodle site.

The test will assess the theory and application of content and haemodynamic concepts taught in lectures, discussed in tutorial delivery and practised in the simulated laboratory setting. Questions may require you to perform mathematical calculations, interpret patient data, illustrate concepts or provide explanations and discussions. Questions similar in style to those found in the in-class test are provided in weekly revision material on the Moodle site. Exemplar questions will also be discussed during the tutorial and laboratory sessions, to help students prepare for this assessment task.

This in-class test will assess the students' ability to:

• differentiate and discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology and echocardiographic assessment processes associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases;
• analyse case-based clinical information to formulate differential diagnoses;
• interrogate measurements supplied;
• accurately apply appropriate haemodynamic calculations and interpret resulting values;
• demonstrate clinical reasoning;
• use appropriate terminology and descriptors as well as grammar and spelling.

This test will be 180 minutes in duration. You will require a simple calculator (not a scientific calculator) for this test.

This test will be conducted at campus of enrolment, with invigilation and formal examination conditions as detailed in the CQU Assessment Procedures. The test must be performed at the timetabled date and time. As per CQU Assessment Procedures, this task is to be completed during the defined period. There is no opportunity to apply a late penalty.

If you arrive late, you may enter the test room up to 30 minutes after the start of the test; you will still be required to submit your test at the preset completion time. You will not be allowed entry more than 30 minutes after the test starts. In the absence of an approved extension, you cannot complete this assessment at a later time, and you will receive a mark of zero (0) for the assessment if you have not completed it by the scheduled date and time.

The allocated number of marks for each question is indicated on the Moodle online test interface. Marks are allocated based on accuracy, depth and breadth of the required response.

The Echocardiographic Skills Assessment is comprised of two parts— Part A 'Practical' and Part B 'Measurement Performance and Interpretation'. Part A involves completion of a comprehensive echocardiographic protocol. Part B involves echocardiographic image interpretation and measurement performance.

Students will be assessed according to the Assessment of Readiness for Clinical (ARC) tools, which are available on the unit Moodle site. These documents detail performance criteria the student must demonstrate competence in to pass the assessment. Student competence is assessed in relation to the expectations specific to this unit of study. Students enrolled in ECHO13006 are working towards attainment of Advanced Beginner level of competency, as detailed on the ARC tools.

PART A - Practical

Part A of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment incorporates both a Professional and Technical component and requires students to perform a comprehensive 2D, colour Doppler and spectral Doppler echocardiographic examination using ultrasound equipment. Students have 60 minutes in total to complete both the Professional and Technical components.

Professional Component

The professional component of the assessment evaluates performance aspects of the sonographic exam such as communication (verbal, non-verbal, and written), professional behaviour, ergonomics, and patient care skills. This encompasses an assessment of pre-scan, scanning, and post-scan skills.

Technical Component

The technical component of the assessment evaluates the student's scanning technique, image optimisation, and ability to complete a comprehensive echocardiogram within a reasonable set time to an ‘Advanced Beginner' level of competency.

• The ARC tool details the required imaging sequence and performance criteria cues.
• Except for panning or sector sweeps, which are critiqued live or via video recording moderation, the collection of images stored by the student represent the echocardiographic examination performed.
• At the end of the examination the supervising tutor will acquire a variety of representative images. These images will be used during marking and moderation to ascertain achievable image quality.

Note: Part A (Practical) of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment will be video recorded for moderation purposes. The videos will not be released to students for review.

All students are required to make themselves available to act as a patient model for peer assessments. Students must additionally make themselves available for re-sit assessments if requested by the unit coordinator.

PART B - Interpretation and Measurement Performance

Part B of the Echocardiography Skills Assessment incorporates both a measurement performance and interpretation component. Students are required to accurately interpret echocardiographic images and measurement outcomes, in addition to accurately performing their own echocardiography measurements offline using discipline specific analysis software. Students have 50 minutes to complete both the measurement performance and interpretation components.

Measurement Performance Component

The measurement performance component requires students to apply best practice guidelines when undertaking routine measurements on echocardiographic images using Q-Station discipline specific software. Students are required to save measurement images to a desktop folder and transcribe these measurement values onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical documentation.

• The ARC tool details the required measurement sequence and performance criteria cues.
• Students must transcribe these measurements onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical documentation.
• The collection of images stored by the student represent the measurement examination performed.

Interpretation Component

The interpretation component requires students to evaluate and interpret echocardiography images presented using Q-station discipline specific software. Students are required to:

• Recall common reference ranges for cardiac chamber quantification, systolic function evaluation and right heart pressure estimation.
• Apply American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Diastolic Function Algorithms (a copy of which will be supplied to students under assessment conditions).
• Recognise limitations of relevant images and measurements.
• Document interpretation using discipline specific conventions, including rationale, onto a provided worksheet replicating clinical reporting.

Students are advised to refer to the 'Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)' document for additional university guidelines regarding assessments.

• In the absence of an approved extension, this assessment cannot be completed at a later time.
• Students will receive a FAIL for this assessment if it is not completed by the scheduled date and time and there is no approved extension.
• Should a student fail this assessment, there will be only ONE opportunity to re-sit the failed component of the assessment item.

Students will be assessed using the below documents. Students are advised to carefully review these documents which are available on the unit Moodle site.

• Part A Practical Assessment of Readiness for Clinical (ARC) Tool
• Part B Interpretation and Measurement Performance ARC Tool

PART A - Practical

To pass Part A of this assessment, a student must be deemed competent in both the Professional and Technical components. To pass these components, ALL criteria must be demonstrated to the appropriate level of competence as detailed on the ARC tools.

The professional and technical components are graded separately so that if one is passed and the other is not, only the failed component must be repeated to pass. There is only ONE opportunity to re-sit either component of this assessment item.

PART B - Measurement Performance and Interpretation

To pass Part B of this assessment, a student must be deemed competent in both the measurement performance and interpretation components. To pass the measurement performance and interpretation components, ALL criteria must be demonstrated to the appropriate level of competence as detailed on the ARC tools. If multiple images of a single measurement are saved, only the image corresponding to the measurement transcribed on the worksheet will be assessed.

The measurement performance and interpretation components are graded in combination so that if failed, both components of assessment Part B must be repeated to pass. There is only ONE opportunity to re-sit this assessment item.

Mock Examination

Students will be provided with a single opportunity to attempt the Echocardiography Skills Assessment under mock examination conditions. Individual feedback will be provided to students after completing the mock assessments. Students will receive a completed MOCK Part A (Practical) ARC tool and MOCK Part B (Measurement Performance and Interpretation) ARC tool following moderation. Scanning feedback will be provided verbally by the tutor supervising each individual student mock practical scanning assessment.

The mock assessment will be delivered as part of the routine laboratory sessions. Note, there is no opportunity for rescheduling of missed laboratory sessions.

The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that students from the echocardiography course are well-equipped to embody the high standards of professionalism that are expected from CQUniversity students while on their follow-on clinical placement blocks. Professional behaviour is a critical part of any medical imaging profession and encompasses the manner in which we treat our colleagues, patients and the professional settings and equipment we interact with. Exemplary professional behaviour is highly valued by clinical supervisors and this information may be used to endorse students for placements if requested by clinical sites.

This assessment requires students to treat each of the lab sessions as a scheduled 'work shift' and to exhibit high quality professional attributes. This assessment is based on a continuous and ongoing evaluation of student application and attendance during labs, and behaviour exhibited during the time spent studying this unit up until the completion of all formal assessments. Aspects of professionalism will be assessed across multiple levels including, but not limited to: maintenance of laboratory documentation, Moodle forums, online tutorials, lab sessions (both peer-assisted and tutor-assisted), interactions with peers and staff, social media, phone calls and all official correspondence with university staff, peers and the community.

Students are required to maintain accurate laboratory documentation and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Instances of substandard professional behaviour will result in a Lapse in Professionalism (LiP) point being awarded to the offending student. Should a student acquire more than three (3) LiPs, this assessment will automatically be graded a FAIL. If any exhibited attitude or behaviour is deemed as unsafe or inappropriate, this assessment will be graded as a FAIL at the discretion of the unit coordinator.

LiPs may be issued in three different categories:

1. Professional behaviour towards colleagues and staff
2. Professional behaviour towards patients
3. Professional behaviour towards professional settings and equipment

Further information is detailed in the Expected Professional Behaviour and LiP Allocation document, which is available on the Moodle site. Students are encouraged to review this document to be sure of behavioural expectations. Students should also be familiar with the CQUniversity Student Charter as well as the Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) Code of Conduct (available on e-Reading list).

Absenteeism

Skills labs for this unit are mandatory. Students must advise the unit coordinator before the start of compulsory labs if unable to attend. Failure to notify staff appropriately before the start of a missed lab will result in a LiP (Lapse in Professionalism) except in extraordinary circumstances. Lateness to labs may also result in a LiP, whether notice is given or not. Labs missed for a valid reason (eg. illness or injury) require supporting documentation. Medical or health-related certificates must be in the approved formats articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (HE Coursework).

Any missed labs must be clearly marked on the Lab Attendance Page and Reflective Feedback Form. A tutor's signature is not required in this case. There is no opportunity to 'make up' missed lab sessions.

Peer Assisted Practice (PAP) Sessions

Students are offered regular PAP sessions, which are scheduled through Google Doc links on the Moodle site. Penalties will apply if instructions and rules disclosed on these documents are not adhered to. Failure to abide by these regulations may result in a LiP and removal of attendance privileges.

This assessment incorporates maintenance of pertinent lab documentation including lab attendance and any Lapse in Professionalism (LiP) points accrued throughout unit delivery. To pass this unit students need to consistently display a high standard of professional behaviour including, but not limited to, punctual lab attendance. All interactions with staff and peers pertaining to this unit will be treated as a replica of the clinical work environment, and students are expected to demonstrate the professional behaviour expected in a formal work environment. No more than three (3) Lapses in Professionalism are permitted to pass the unit. 

Students are required to complete the following documentation and submit to Moodle in PDF format. All documents are available on the unit Moodle page.

1. A signed Lab Agreement Form
2. A signed Consent Form - Sonographic Examination for Teaching Purposes
3. A completed and signed Lab Attendance and Professional Behaviour Assessment form

Note that the Lab Agreement Form and the Consent Form are due prior to commencing lab sessions in week 1 and must be uploaded to Assessment 4a.

To PASS this assessment, all documentation must be completed appropriately and submitted by the due date and time. All documents must be legible, labelled appropriately and uploaded in PDF format.

The ability to set goals, self-reflect and adopt feedback are tools to aid the progress of knowledge and skill development. These abilities also address industry requirements, whereby professionals must perform continuing professional development (CPD) activities to maintain accreditation.

Completion of these documents encourages students to develop self-reflection skills, apply goal-setting strategies and implement feedback for performance improvement. Feedback forms must be completed, signed by a tutor where applicable, and submitted to Moodle as one PDF file by the due date.

The Formative Feedback and Self-Reflection document is available on the Moodle site and must be presented to the supervising tutor at each of the tutorial lab sessions.

To PASS this assessment, all documentation must be completed appropriately and submitted by the due date and time. All documents must be legible, labelled appropriately and uploaded in PDF format.