Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging

Course code: 1963 + Course abbreviation: BRadMedImag + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Clayton – F/T only)

Course description

The course provides a professional education in general radiography, digital vascular imaging, computed tomography, general ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging to facilitate entry into the radiography profession. There is a strong emphasis upon the development of clinical competency in general radiography and computed tomography. Throughout the course, the biological sciences are closely integrated with radiologic science, and students develop a range of professional skills in relation to the assessment and management of patients. All students complete a research project in an aspect of medical imaging and radiation sciences of interest to them.

Course objectives

A graduate with the award of Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging may be characterised as possessing the following attributes:

Graduates will have acquired a basic knowledge and understanding of: the scientific concepts underpinning modern radiologic physics and their relevance to radiography and medical imaging; the psycho-social basis illness and behaviour, professional ethics, medico-legal situations, patient care and professional communication; radiation protection, radiation biology and x-ray dosimetry; radiographic equipment, imaging instrumentation and positioning methodology; human biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, embryology and human disease and injury; the surface and radiographic anatomy of the human body together with its cross-sectional representation by CT, ultrasound and MRI; the applications of informational technology in the field of medical imaging; digital image processing: its representation, acquisition, transformation and transmission in CT, ultrasound, vascular imaging and MRI; the instrumentation and practical applications of sonography and MRI.

Graduates will be expected to develop the skills to be able to: communicate to the professional and lay community an understanding of the wider applications and the biological consequences of ionising and non-ionising; utilise radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of disease; design and implement strategies to minimise radiation dose to patients; select the optimum system and implement the projections required for the production of excellent diagnostic images consistent with the medical indications for the examination; critically evaluate radiographic and medical images in terms of image quality, positioning, anatomy and pathological processes; effectively participate under close supervision, a range of digital vascular imaging examinations, abdominal ultrasound and MRI examinations; apply research principles, methods and findings to professional practice;

Graduates are expected to display attitudes that are: reflective and ethical in approach to their practice; committed to the codes of professional conduct promulgated by the AIR; and committed to a lifelong process of professional development.

Special requirements

Health requirements

For the protection of other students and themselves, students in the radiography course should comply with certain precautionary procedures. These consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates these are appropriate and there are not specific contraindications in individual cases.

This policy is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council advice that educational institutions training students in health sciences should ensure that such students are protected as far as possible by vaccination against risks of infection.

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing the radiography course. Immunisations recommended are diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Prospective students should note that on enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. It is recommended that students discuss any concerns with their doctor or the Monash Health Service.

Police checks

Organisations that host clinical placements may require students to have a current police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in their course. Police checks need to be renewed annually.

Course structure

The course is designed to ensure that all imaging and methods, radiologic biology and professional skills units are closely related and integrated with the clinical studies. To broaden career opportunities, a range of selective research studies is available in year four of the course.

Clinical placements commence in first semester of first year and continue throughout all four years of the course. The clinical placements can be in hospitals and clinics in the metropolitan area or rural locations (where travel may be required and last for four weeks in year one) to extended periods in year four (where more clinical experience in general radiography will be undertaken to meet the requirements of the profession).

Further study programs at the masters level and higher may be undertaken to enhance radiography career opportunities.

Honours

A candidate is awarded a degree with honours for meritorious performance throughout the course. All units which have a numerical mark are considered in the determination of an honours result. Greater weight is given to units in the later years of the course than to those in the earlier years.

Course requirements

First year

First semester

RAD1011 Radiographic imaging and methods 1
RAD1021 Radiologic physics
RAD1031 Radiologic biology 1
RAD1041 Radiographic professional skills 1
RAD1051 Clinical studies 1

Second semester

RAD1062 Radiographic imaging and methods 2
RAD1072 Radiologic dosimetry and safety
RAD1082 Radiologic biology 2
RAD1092 Radiographic professional skills 2
RAD1102 Clinical studies 2

Second year

First semester

RAD2011 Radiographic imaging and methods 3
RAD2021 Radiologic biology 3
RAD2031 Pharmacology
RAD2041 Clinical studies 3

Second semester

RAD2052 Medical imaging and methods 1 (DVI) and digital image processing 1
RAD2062 Radiologic biology 4
RAD2072 Radiographic professional skills 3
RAD2082 Clinical studies 4

Third year

First semester

RAD3011 Medical imaging and methods 2 (CT) and digital image processing 2
RAD3021 Sonographic imaging and methods I
RAD3031 Radiologic biology 5
RAD3041 Clinical studies 5

Second semester

RAD3022 Sonographic imaging and methods 2
RAD3032 Advanced medical imaging
RAD3062 Breast imaging and professional skills 4
RAD3082 Clinical studies 6

Fourth year

Students undertake either the work experience unit or the five academic units in first semester and then the opposite in second semester.

RAD4000 Radiography and medical imaging work experience
RAD4010 Medical imaging and methods 3 (MRI)
RAD4030 Selective studies in medical imaging
RAD4040 Clinical studies 7 (MRI)
RAD4050 Clinical studies 8 (CT and DSA)

Professional recognition

To apply for registration as a medical imaging practitioner in Victoria, a person must obtain a Statement of Accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR). Successful completion of the four-year Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging will enable graduates to receive their Statement of Accreditation and apply to the Medical Radiation Technologists Board of Victoria for registration.

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9905 1212, email: enquiries.radiography@med.monash.edu.au or visit www.med.monash.edu.au/bradmedimag

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