Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations)

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
This will assist you when participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during practical classes.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
On professional experience placement, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, patients, supervisors and other health professionals.

Clear communication assists with completing your professional experience placement tasks safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities will require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and professional experience placement settings to build relationships, assess patients and provide treatment.

During professional experience placement, tasks which require social communication abilities include:

• Responding to patients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy
• Interpreting patients’ non-verbal communication, such as identifying that a patient is uncomfortable or in pain from their facial expression or body posture

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, academic reference material and /or handwritten notes.

During professional experience placement, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require reading include: 

• Reading  and understanding instructions in safety data sheets and protocols
• Reading and comprehending patient history notes and reports from health professionals 

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental to working in a clinical setting in a safe way.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus and professional experience placement settings. 

During professional experience placement, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include: 

• Record keeping, report writing and other essential writing tasks
• Contributing to patient health care records

The accuracy of written communication is in accordance with professional and legal standards and is fundamental to your professional experience placement in a clinical setting.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your professional experience placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient way when completing on-campus activities and professional experience placement tasks 

During professional experience placement, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• Deriving accurate dose calculations for radiation therapy
• Calculating appropriate exposures for medical imaging and nuclear medicine
• Recording accurate measurements and numerical data in patient records

NB: The ramifications of miscalculations are significant

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory and research during on-campus learning activities and during professional experience placement 

During professional experience placement, tasks which require these cognitive skills include:

• planning and organising multiple tasks so they can be completed safely and in a timely way
• focus, concentration and engagement with patients, supervisors and other health professionals during your designated period of duty 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

During professional experience placement, tasks which require vision include:

• reading equipment labels and screens to safely operate medical radiation equipment
• observing a patient throughout the duration of their medical radiations procedure to ensure they are comfortable and appropriately positioned for assessment or treatment
• interpreting and assessing image quality to ensure accurate images are generated to inform treatment

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and placement coordinator prior to commencing professional experience placement. 

Glasses and other visual aids can be used while on professional experience placement.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Service. 

Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety or the safety of others.

In both the on-campus learning and professional experience settings, tasks will involve: lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting or bending.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the clinical setting, tasks which require gross motor skills include:

• Manual handling i.e. physically assisting patients with varying physical capacities to move from lying or sitting to a standing position safely
• Manipulating and operating Medical Radiations equipment.  

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to patients and students. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise patient safety.

i.e. The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands.

What do I need to be able to do?

In both the on-campus learning and professional experience settings, tasks will involve: pushing, pressing, turning and manipulating fine controls on equipment

In the clinical setting, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• Operating small controls on medical radiation equipment, hand pendants and bed controls
• Setting up your patient for treatment/imaging accurately, this involves making fine adjustments to your patients’ posture.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise patient safety.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In the professional experience placement setting, tasks which require physical and mental endurance include:

• Maintaining consistent physical performance throughout the designated period of duty (a shift) including wearing lead aprons for an extended period of time
• Maintaining a high level of concentration while dealing with patients and undertaking repetitive activities
• Remaining mentally focussed to complete patient identification checks accurately throughout a shift

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning contexts. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during placement with ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Any adjustments should not compromise safety.