Bachelor of Medical Imaging

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Medical Imaging
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Semester 1 2020. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser..
Campus	Offered at Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Cloud Campus	No
Duration	4 years full time program delivered over eight consecutive semesters commencing in Semester 1
Deakin course code	H309
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin’s Bachelor of Medical Imaging has been developed to equip you with the latest knowledge in medical radiation science, and train you in techniques like general radiography, computed tomography (CT), digital vascular imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). You’ll learn in our medical imaging labs that replicate the capabilities of real-world medical imaging clinics with functional image intensifiers, x-ray and ultrasound machines.

You’ll also become adept in important professionalism, communication, ethical and legal aspects of healthcare. Clinical placements will start in your first year, based in metro, rural and regional settings ensuring you graduate career-ready. You will gain valuable clinical practice in clinical centres and hospitals, and in our medical imaging training unit, giving you diverse experience and skills. As a graduate you will be eligible for registration as a Medical Radiation Practitioner (diagnostic radiographer).

Want to gain the knowledge and clinical expertise to launch your career as a registered diagnostic radiographer?

Through this highly specialised course you will develop an understanding of medical radiation science that informs principles of medical images and biological sciences. Using the latest equipment, you will learn basic X-ray techniques before advancing to more complex medical imaging procedures such as:

general radiography
digital vascular imaging
mammography
computed tomography (CT)
general ultrasound (U/S)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Take advantage of Deakin’s state-of-the-art facilities to practise your skills using the same equipment professionals use. Our medical imaging labs replicate real-world medical imaging clinics – two of the main X-ray examination rooms even include ceiling and floor-mounted imaging systems. The authentic facilities mean you will be preparing yourself for your future career with practical knowledge and skills that can easily transition into the workplace.

Develop your knowledge in clinical placements under the supervision of experienced practitioners in a range of settings, including hospitals and private radiology clinics throughout Australia. These workplace experiences provide you with the skills needed to enter the medical imaging sector with confidences.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and on-line interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

This course is designed to meet the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Deakin’s Bachelor of Medical Imaging has been awarded accreditation without any conditions by AHPRA, with statutory direction provided by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA).

Career opportunities

Upon graduation, you will be prepared to pursue a career as a registered diagnostic radiographer. You could find yourself working in a radiology department in a hospital, private radiology practice or health department. As a graduate, you will be eligible to work as a skilled practitioner across the broad range of diagnostic medical imaging, including:

general radiography

CT fluoroscopy

You will be eligible to receive AHPRA registration as a Medical Radiation Practitioner, with a division/registration type of Diagnostic Radiographer, General. This AHPRA registration enables graduates to work as a diagnostic radiographer in a range of settings, such as:

small regional clinics
large metropolitan imaging departments
hospitals and specialist medical facilities in Australia

Participation requirements

The course involves compulsory clinical placements in each year. The sequence of eight clinical practice units is delivered over four years. These placements may require travel to rural areas and interstate travel.

Mandatory student checks

Department of Human Services policy - Police Record Check and Working With Children Check

All students are required to undertake a National Police Record check and Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to do so prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course.

Students are also required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply discipline specific knowledge to undertake radiographic procedures in a safe, accurate and ethical environment; develop clinical practices using evidence-based research.
Communication	Use oral, written and interpersonal forms of communication to communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately with a range of professionals, patients and their family/carers, taking into account the particular therapeutic context.
Digital Literacy	Use digital technologies to critically evaluate information (including radiographic images), remain informed about current imaging theories and issues, and disseminate relevant information to professional networks, clients and communities.
Critical thinking	Analyse, evaluate and think critically and reflectively about radiographic factors (for example patient condition, clinical information, exposure) to ensure safe practice, resolve clinical challenges and obtain accurate diagnostic outcomes.
Problem Solving	Evaluate general radiography examinations for a range of patient/client presentations and complexities, problem solve in terms of new procedures and techniques used in medical imaging, and implement solutions. Recognise the advantages and limitations of available equipment and systems to provide a safe and effective radiographic examination that will ensure an accurate outcome. Use knowledge of available modalities and patient information to assess the most effective and appropriate means of finding an answer to a particular clinical question.
Self-management	Maintain currency with developments in the field of radiological practice, use reflective practice to become a life-long learner by identifying ongoing learning needs and opportunities; assume responsibility and accept accountability for professional decisions.
Teamwork	Work effectively, ethically and responsibly within inter-disciplinary health care teams, and communicate clearly and professionally with team members to provide safe, high quality patient care.
Global Citizenship	Demonstrate an understanding of one’s own cultural perspectives and manage patients in a way that is culturally sensitive, consistent with legislation, professional, ethical and respectful.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Medical Imaging students must attain 32 credit points. Units (think of units as 'subjects') may be worth 1, 2 or 3 credit points - check each unit for its credit point value in the course structure below. Most students choose to study 4 credit points per semester. The course is delivered over eight consecutive semesters. All the units in the course are core (these are compulsory) other than a choice of one of two units in the final semester of the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning is not granted for this course.

All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first semester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).

Course structure

Units

Year 1 - Semester 1

HAI010

Academic Integrity (0 credit points)

HMI101

Medical Radiation Science 1

HMI102

Foundation Principles and Application of Medical Imaging 1

HMI103

Medical Imaging Practice 1

Year 1 - Semester 2

HMI104

Foundation Principles and Application of Medical Imaging 2

HMI105

Medical Imaging Practice 2

Year 2 - Semester 1

HMI201

Medical Radiation Science 2

HMI202

Foundation Principles and Application of Medical Imaging 3

HMI203

Medical Imaging Practice 3

Year 2 - Semester 2

HMI204

Foundation Principles and Application of Medical Imaging 4

HMI205

Medical Imaging Practice 4

Year 3 - Semester 1

HMI301

Principles of Advanced Modality Imaging 1

HMI302

Medical Imaging Practice 5

Year 3 - Semester 2

HMI303

Principles of Advanced Modality Imaging 2

HMI304

Medical Imaging Practice 6

Year 4 - Semester 1

HMI401

Research Methods and Critical Appraisal

HMI402

Medical Imaging Practice 7

Year 4 - Semester 2

HMI403

Medical Imaging Practice 8

and one of:

HMI404

Advanced Modalities

HMI405

Practice Management

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning and clinical practice

During part of each semester of the four years of the course there will be opportunities to convert theory to competent practice, working under supervision with real patients in clinical environments. You will be rostered to placements in a broad range of hospitals and private radiology clinics throughout Australia. Further skills practice and consolidation will be conducted in the medical imaging training unit at the Waurn Ponds (Geelong) campus.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

The course includes an extensive practical placement component throughout Australia (cost incurred by the student).

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

Contact Student Central