Undergraduate - CourseBachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours)

This 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 on the development of clinical competency in general radiography and computed tomography. Throughout the course, the biological sciences are closely integrated with radiologic science and radiation physics, and students develop a range of professional skills in relation to the assessment and management of patients. In the final year, students must complete either a research project in an aspect of medical imaging and radiation sciences of interest to them or extended study in either CT, ultrasound, paediatrics or education and leadership, and an in depth literature review of a selected medical imaging topic.

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.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts and instrumentation underpinning modern radiologic physics including nuclear magnetic resonance and medical ultrasound
• demonstrate broad knowledge and understanding of the biomedical sciences relevant to radiographic practice
• identify relevant aspects of the theories informing the psychosocial basis of illness and disease and critically apply these to radiographic practice across diverse clinical contexts
• critically apply ethical concepts, and knowledge of the Australian medico- legal framework to the practice of radiography while adhering to the Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners promulgated by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia
• implement knowledge of professional communication theories and evidence informed radiographic patient care including the responsible use of radiographic contrast media in various medical imaging contexts maintaining cognisance of cultural diversity
• communicate to non-specialist audiences the biological consequences of ionising and non-ionising radiation and scientific principles informing radiation dosimetry
• synthesise knowledge and understanding of radiologic instrumentation and radiation protection with the independent and competent application and adaptation of radiographic positioning and image evaluation methodology across diverse clinical settings
• identify and critically evaluate anatomical features and gross patho-physiological processes as demonstrated on medical images with reference to the clinical presentation and exercise professional judgement in respect to providing an informed comment concerning these images
• demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical concepts underpinning digital image processing and associated workstation applications in angiography, computed tomography, sonography and magnetic resonance imaging and perform quality assurance measures relevant to each modality
• use advanced knowledge of radiographic and multi-slice computed tomographic imaging methods and protocols including dose reduction strategies in a problem-solving capacity across a diverse range of clinical settings and patients including paediatrics
• critically reflect upon advanced radiography practice and identify ongoing professional development needs especially in relation to emerging technologies
• describe angiographic, mammographic and magnetic resonance imaging protocols and possess the capacity to engage in inter-professional clinical practice within these modalities
• demonstrate knowledge of the scientific research paradigm, distinguish between fact and assertion and critically evaluate the ethical and legal implications of research within medical radiation science
• demonstrate initiative and responsibility in the application of research principles, methods and scholarship to project work or discrete evidence based research within medical radiation science and the ability to communicate new knowledge to specialist audiences.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's Working with Children checksWorking with Children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.

Immunisation and infection requirements

In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that students comply with the faculty's Immunisation and vaccination policy and proceduresImmunisation and vaccination policy and procedures (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation/). These are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in a health care setting.

This policy, and the associated procedures require that students have certain specified vaccinations, and have their blood borne virus status determined, before they commence a clinical placement. Students who have not complied with this policy may not be able to undertake clinical placement, with the attendant academic consequences.

Prospective students are provided detailed information on the effect of blood borne virus infection on the scope of practice of health care workers. Students who test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.

Registration and English language

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as radiographers with the Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Australia (MRPB).

Note: It is the responsibility of graduates to meet the English Language PolicyEnglish Language Policy (http://www.ahpra.gov.edu) promulgated by the MRPB.

Clinical practice

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the Head of Department. This may impact on a student's course progression, however, students will be given the opportunity to repeat any relevant unit/s.

Clinical expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Graduates are eligible to apply for:

• registration as radiographers with the Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Australia
• a Statement of Accreditation from the Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR).

This course consists of 16 compulsory units. All units are 6 points unless otherwise indicated.

First year

Semester one

• RAD1021 Radiologic physics and radiation protection
• RAD1031 Radiologic biology 1
• RAD1061 Radiographic science and practice 1 (12 points)

Semester two

• RAD1012 Radiographic science and practice 2 (18 points)
• RAD1082 Radiologic biology 2

Second year

Semester one

• RAD2051 Radiographic science and practice 3 (12 points)
• RAD2061 Radiologic biology 3 (12 points)

Semester two

• RAD2012 Radiographic science and practice 4 (18 points)
• RAD2092 Radiologic biology 4 and sectional anatomy

Third year

Semester one

• RAD3051 Medical imaging science and practice 1 (18 points)
• RAD3061 Medical imaging science (ultrasound)

Semester two

• RAD3042 Medical imaging science and practice 2 (18 points)
• RAD3092 Magnetic resonance imaging (physics and technology)

Fourth year

Full Year

• RAD4000 Radiography and medical imaging work experience (0 points)
• RAD4070 Research in medical imaging (24 points), or RAD4080 Selected topics in medical imaging (24 points)
• RAD4160 Advanced medical imaging and clinical skills (24 points)

• Radiography and medical imaging

Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours)