Master of Medical Ultrasound - 2019

This course enables development of clinical practice and research skills required for appropriately qualified health professionals to become sonographers. The clinical units include abdominal, breast, thyroid, reproductive, obstetrics, musculoskeletal, paediatric, neonatal, and vascular medical ultrasound. The course resources are provided mainly online. The material is structured to guide you through the material on a weekly schedule with exercises that ensure the course retains a clinical focus. The final year of the course focuses on developing research skills via an ultrasound research project in collaboration with clinical partners.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. demonstrate a mastery of ultrasound knowledge and be able to reflect critically on ultrasound theory, practice and scholarship
2. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts and principles underpinning ultrasound practice including optimisation of equipment, quality assurance and biological consequences
3. investigate, analyse, synthesise and reflect on complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply this knowledge and understanding to ultrasound practice
4. assume the role of a qualified/accredited medical sonographer, capable of independent and collaborative clinical decision making to perform the appropriate ultrasound procedures to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury
5. demonstrate and apply a knowledge of research principles, evidence based, reflective and ethical ultrasound practice, as well as lifelong learning skills
6. communicate their knowledge, findings and rationale underpinning these to the professional and lay community clearly, ethically and unambiguously.

The course is accredited by the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry (ASAR).

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Ultrasound foundation studies, Part B. Applied ultrasound practice and Part C. Ultrasound research.

Part A. Ultrasound foundation studies

These studies will develop your understanding of the scientific and technical principles of diagnostic ultrasound scanning and scanning modes. You will develop an understanding of embryology, anatomy and pathophysiology as well as image evaluation skills related to cross-sectional and regional anatomy.

Part B. Applied ultrasound practice

These studies address clinical competencies required for ultrasound practice. You will learn the sonographic scanning techniques, interpretational skills and standard protocols related to examinations of breast, thyroid, abdominal, reproductive system, obstetric, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems as well as the paediatric brain, hips and abdomen.

Part C. Ultrasound research

The focus of these studies is to develop the knowledge and skills to locate, critically evaluate and conduct research relevant to medical ultrasound practice. You will gain an understanding of research theories and methods for health research and will focus on a range of practical, technical and management issues associated with the conduct of scientific research. Access to academics and clinicians offering projects will support you during all stages of the inquiry process. You will gain theoretical knowledge of research design and methods used in undertaking research with the practical skills to conduct your own research.

The course comprises 72 points structured into three parts: Part A. Ultrasound foundation studies (12 points), Part B. Applied ultrasound practice (36 points) and Part C. Ultrasound research (24 points). You must complete Part A and Part B to be accredited to practise as a sonographer in Australia.

Prior to admission to the applied ultrasound practice units (after completion of SON4000 and SON4010), you must provide evidence verifying that you are actively engaged in supervised clinical ultrasound practice for the equivalent of at least three days a week. The majority of units within this course are clinically based and you must find yourself a placement as a trainee sonographer. The University does not assist with this process. You need a placement as a trainee sonographer in order to gain the experience that is required to be competent in each of the study areas. We do not recommend that you apply for this course unless you are certain that you can secure a clinical placement.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-m6005.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Ultrasound foundation studies (12 points)

You must complete:

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

Part B. Applied ultrasound practice (36 points)

You must complete:

• SON5020 Sonographic professional skills and sonography of the breast and thyroid
• SON5021 Sonographic abdominal imaging
• SON5022 Sonographic imaging of the reproductive system
• SON5023 Obstetric sonography
• SON5024 Musculoskeletal, neonatal and paediatric sonography
• SON5025 Sonographic vascular and postoperative imaging

Part C. Ultrasound research (24 points)

You must complete:

• SRH5003 Designing and conducting health research (12 points)
• SON5000 Ultrasound research (12 points)

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate in Medical Ultrasound after successful completion of 24 credit points of study, with a minimum of 24 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound* after successful completion of 48 credit points of study including all of Parts A and B.

* This meets the qualification requirement to gain accreditation with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry (ASAR) to practice as a qualified sonographer in Australia.

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research for students who have completed the units SON5000 and SRH5003 with a minimum distinction (70%).