Frequently Asked Questions about the 11129NAT
Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) Course
What do you mean by vocational education?
The Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector encompasses training programmes which are developed and tailored for specific professions following consultation with relevant industry to ensure graduates hold the skills and knowledge that employers need. The VET system of education is just one component of the Australian education system and Registered Training Organisations (RTO) are accredited to deliver these training programmes (courses).
The Australian Institute of Healthcare Education (AIHE) is an RTO (40980) which has been accredited under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA has also accredited the 11129NAT Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) to be taught by AIHE in the vocational education sector.
The course is taught full time over 2 years. It consists of 6 core (compulsory) units of competency. Graduates of this course will be “work ready,”
The Australian Institute of Healthcare Education (AIHE) is an RTO (40980) which has been accredited under the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). ASQA has also accredited the 11129NAT Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) to be taught by AIHE in the vocational education sector.
The course is taught full time over 2 years. It consists of 6 core (compulsory) units of competency. Graduates of this course will be “work ready,”
Is this vocational course equivalent to a higher education (university) course?
YES
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) defines 10 levels of education covering all sectors and levels of education with qualifications ranging from Level 1 (known as a Certificate I) through to Level 10 (Doctoral Degree). The Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) is a Level 8 qualification and is at the same level of education as the university Graduate Diploma courses.
More information about the AQF is available on the AQF website. Click number 8 on the wheel and scroll down until you see the Level 8 Criteria for the Graduate Diploma which explains the knowledge and skills required to complete a course at this level for both the vocational and higher education sectors of education.
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) defines 10 levels of education covering all sectors and levels of education with qualifications ranging from Level 1 (known as a Certificate I) through to Level 10 (Doctoral Degree). The Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline) is a Level 8 qualification and is at the same level of education as the university Graduate Diploma courses.
More information about the AQF is available on the AQF website. Click number 8 on the wheel and scroll down until you see the Level 8 Criteria for the Graduate Diploma which explains the knowledge and skills required to complete a course at this level for both the vocational and higher education sectors of education.
What is a unit of competency then? Is it the same as a subject?
The vocational education and training (VET) sector focuses on workplace specific skills and knowledge. The emphasis is on students / graduates having the underpinning knowledge to be competent at performing these skills at the expected industry standard. These specific skills and knowledge areas are designed around units of competency. A unit of competency ensures that every aspect of a sonographer’s theoretical knowledge and practical ability will be taught and assessed a number of times in varied contexts to ensure a satisfactory level of competence has been achieved.
AIHE has developed units of competency that are specific to medical ultrasound. These units of competency have then been packaged together to become a nationally accredited course which is known as 10680NAT Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline).
The course has 6 core (compulsory) units of competency; 3 in each year of study. The 3 units of competency for each year are taught and assessed together, or holistically. This manner of teaching differs slightly from the higher education sector approach, which typically involves stand-alone subjects that may or may not be integrated with other subjects within a course.
AIHE has developed units of competency that are specific to medical ultrasound. These units of competency have then been packaged together to become a nationally accredited course which is known as 10680NAT Graduate Diploma of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (General Discipline).
The course has 6 core (compulsory) units of competency; 3 in each year of study. The 3 units of competency for each year are taught and assessed together, or holistically. This manner of teaching differs slightly from the higher education sector approach, which typically involves stand-alone subjects that may or may not be integrated with other subjects within a course.
But what about actual subjects?
To make it easier for students to know what area, or topic, of ultrasound will be covered at any particular time throughout the course, we have designed “subjects” which are incorporated or embedded within the units of competency. Please note that these subjects are not taught as isolated entities. Every lesson, be it theoretical or practical, will draw on content, discussions and topics covered in other subjects. Our teaching material has been developed to make sure we integrate aspects of each subject to develop holistically the skills necessary to become a competent sonographer.
For example: the Physics & Instrumentation tutorials incorporate theory learnt, not just in the physics lectures, but in subjects that are being taught concurrently with physics such as abdominal ultrasound, small parts ultrasound, professional practice etc. This means, for example, that we can focus on tangible outcomes by using our physics theory to identify useful and non-useful artefacts on real images. Using the knowledge gained in all subjects you can also learn how to adjust the machine controls concurrently with relating it back to the physics behind each control (physics & instrumentation) and the anatomy we see on the screen (abdominal ultrasound, obstetric ultrasound, carotid Doppler etc).
For example: the Physics & Instrumentation tutorials incorporate theory learnt, not just in the physics lectures, but in subjects that are being taught concurrently with physics such as abdominal ultrasound, small parts ultrasound, professional practice etc. This means, for example, that we can focus on tangible outcomes by using our physics theory to identify useful and non-useful artefacts on real images. Using the knowledge gained in all subjects you can also learn how to adjust the machine controls concurrently with relating it back to the physics behind each control (physics & instrumentation) and the anatomy we see on the screen (abdominal ultrasound, obstetric ultrasound, carotid Doppler etc).
Does each "subject" have an individual assessment?
NO
Assessments are based on the units of competency, and not solitary subjects. This means that there are theory and practical assessments on every aspect of course content contained within the units of competency. In the example above, we have used our knowledge of physics & instrumentation to decide if an image has a useful artefact or not, as well as how to adjust the machine controls. Our assessments are similar to how we teach; under vocational education guidelines it is essential that our assessments focus on the tangible outcomes of preparing for, performing, recording, critiquing and reflecting on each ultrasound examination at industry expected standards; hence the 6 units of competency reflect not only what we teach, but what we assess.
Assessments are based on the units of competency, and not solitary subjects. This means that there are theory and practical assessments on every aspect of course content contained within the units of competency. In the example above, we have used our knowledge of physics & instrumentation to decide if an image has a useful artefact or not, as well as how to adjust the machine controls. Our assessments are similar to how we teach; under vocational education guidelines it is essential that our assessments focus on the tangible outcomes of preparing for, performing, recording, critiquing and reflecting on each ultrasound examination at industry expected standards; hence the 6 units of competency reflect not only what we teach, but what we assess.
How long is the course?
The course is 2 years full time.
In year 1, the first 20 weeks (terms 1&2) will be spent on campus at St Leonards and the next 20 weeks (terms 3&4) will be spent at a clinical practice. We will visit you at the clinical practice to see how you are progressing and you will undertake practical assessments on a variety of clinical examinations whilst we are visiting you.
In year 2, all 40 weeks will be spent at a clinical practice except for 2 weeks in each of terms 1&2 where you will be back on campus. Again we will visit you at the clinical practice to assess your progress and make sure you are work ready by the end of your second year of study.
In year 1, the first 20 weeks (terms 1&2) will be spent on campus at St Leonards and the next 20 weeks (terms 3&4) will be spent at a clinical practice. We will visit you at the clinical practice to see how you are progressing and you will undertake practical assessments on a variety of clinical examinations whilst we are visiting you.
In year 2, all 40 weeks will be spent at a clinical practice except for 2 weeks in each of terms 1&2 where you will be back on campus. Again we will visit you at the clinical practice to assess your progress and make sure you are work ready by the end of your second year of study.
I am from outside of Sydney. Can I still enrol in this course?
YES
Our course has been designed in blocks to make is easier for students outside of Sydney to enrol. We have identified some reasonably priced high quality student accommodation close to our campus. We can provide you details of this accommodation if required.
Our course has been designed in blocks to make is easier for students outside of Sydney to enrol. We have identified some reasonably priced high quality student accommodation close to our campus. We can provide you details of this accommodation if required.
How much hands-on scanning do I get on campus?
Most weeks we will spend at least half of the time in our ultrasound scanning suite under the guidance of highly skilled clinical tutors who will guide you through the practical aspects of scanning. These sessions will combine all the theory learnt in each subject lectures, as well as the tutorials, to ensure you perform ultrasound examinations to the industry expected standard and understand how each subject is inter-related.
I have already completed some subjects at another education institution. Can I apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)?
YES
Please contact us directly if you wish to apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). Due to the holistic nature of our teaching and assessment, based on units of competency and not specific subjects, we will need to assess each request individually
Please contact us directly if you wish to apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). Due to the holistic nature of our teaching and assessment, based on units of competency and not specific subjects, we will need to assess each request individually
Will I be paid during this course?
That is a matter between you and the clinical site. AIHE does not find you employment as a student sonographer, rather, we ensure you obtain appropriate clinical skills to satisfy our academic and clinical guidelines by providing you access to medical imaging sites to complete the clinical placement I and II subjects during the 2 year full time course. Please note that in order to obtain enough clinical hours to fulfil the course requirements you must be at the clinical site full time (ie 37.5 hours per week) during the relevant terms.
How do clinical placements work and does AIHE find a placement for me?
Its is a requirement by Industry that students undertake 2200 hours of clinical placement.
Obtaining clinical placements is a fine balance between ensuring the department workflow is not affected by a student’s presence and ensuring the supervising sonographer is able to allocate sufficient time to supervise and assist the student in their clinical skills. Whilst we will use our best endeavours to allocate placements convenient to our students this may not always be possible.
- One placement is found for each student only, during the term for which they need to participate.
- Clinical placement allocations are undertaken by AIHE in order to ensure each student receives adequate exposure to a range of ultrasound examinations and environments necessary to complete the clinical tasks and clinical procedures record book accordingly.
- Placing students close to their primary residence, is not always be possible and therefore students must be flexible.
- AIHE often have no option but to offer you a placement for which you are required to commute, at your own expense and time, to the allocated clinical site.
- You may also need to find accommodation at your own expense.
- If a student loses the placement due to actions for which they are responsible (such as refusal of a placement or completing actions which are beyond our guidelines, or not adhering to Student Information Guide Policies and Processes), then the student will need to find their own placement at their own expense.
Obtaining clinical placements is a fine balance between ensuring the department workflow is not affected by a student’s presence and ensuring the supervising sonographer is able to allocate sufficient time to supervise and assist the student in their clinical skills. Whilst we will use our best endeavours to allocate placements convenient to our students this may not always be possible.
What do my fees include?
Fees include the teaching and assessment of the curriculum and the materials required to successfully complete the course as well as allocation of appropriate workplaces to undertake clinical practice. If you do not have a workplace, or your current workplace does not perform all the necessary ultrasound examinations to complete the course clinical practice requirements, AIHE will find you a placement. For more information on this please refer to the Student Information Guide.