Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound

Course code: 3402 + Course abbreviation: GradDipMedUS + Total credit points required: 48 + 4 semesters part-time

Study mode and course location

Off-campus (Clayton – P/T only)

Course description

This course, offered by the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, is directed towards health care professionals who wish to develop proficiency in the provision of medical ultrasound. Completion of the course entitles the graduate to be accredited by the Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry.

Course objectives

On completion of the Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound, a graduate should be able to: 1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts underpinning ultrasound modes including B mode, Pulsed and Continuous Wave, Colour and Power Doppler, tissue harmonic imaging, digital image processing and 3-D imaging; 2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of professional ethics, professional guidelines and standards for the conduct of clinical ultrasound, medico-legal issues, patient care, infection control and professional communication in clinical sonography; 3. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the potential biological consequences of ultrasound; 4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of sonographic instrumentation, optimisation of instrumentation and quality assurance, embryology, gross and cross-sectional anatomy and pathophysiology as it relates to sonographic abdominal imaging, sonographic imaging of reproductive system and breast, obstetric, neonatal and paediatric sonography and sonography of the musculoskeletal system, thyroid and vascular system; 5. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of biopsy techniques and the application of information technology in the field of medical ultrasound; 6. communicate to the professional and lay community an understanding of the wider applications of sonography in the diagnosis of disease; 7. select the optimum sonographic imaging system, transducers and technical factors, implement the scanning methods(s) required for the production of excellent diagnostic sonographic images consistent with the medical indications for the examination, taking into consideration patient status; 8. critically evaluate sonographic scan appearances and images in terms of technical parameter optimisation, image quality, scan positioning, anatomy and pathological processes; 9. perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, reproductive system, musculoskeletal system and thyroid as well as obstetric sonographic examinations and vascular sonography; 10. implement and monitor relevant quality assurance programs; and 11. assume the role of an independent accredited sonographer.

Course structure

Year one

Semester 1

SON4000 Physics of medical ultrasound and instrumentation
SON4010 Embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology

Semester 2

SON4020 Sonographic professional skills and sonography of the breast and thyroid
SON4021 Sonographic abdominal imaging

Year two

Semester 1

SON4022 Sonographic imaging of the reproductive system
SON4023 Obstetric sonography

Semester 2

SON4024 Musculoskeletal, neonatal and paediatric sonography
SON4025 Sonographic vascular and postoperative imaging

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, theory and image recognition exams and clinical skills examinations.

Contact details

School of Biomedical Sciences office: telephone +61 3 9905 8635; email: radiation.sciences@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/radiography/postgrad/

Course coordinator

Mr Paul Lombardo

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