Outline

Academic unit	Clinical Imaging
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	MRSC5001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Coordinator	Warren Reed, warren.reed@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written test	Week 4 MCQ MCQ	40%	Week 04 Due date: 27 Aug 2026 at 10:00	1.5 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written exam	End of semester exam MCQ and Scenario Questions	60%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Sep 2026 at 10:00	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week -01	Hip, Femur and Pelvis / Unit Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Hip, Femur and Pelvis	Practical (2 hr)
Thoracic and Lumbar Sacral Spine Part One	Lecture (2 hr)
Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Spine Part One	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Thoracic and Lumbar Sacral spine Part One	Practical (2 hr)
Thoracic and Lumbar Sacral Spine Part Two	Lecture (2 hr)
Thoracic and Lumbar Sacral Spine Part Two	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Thoracic and Lumbar Sacral Spine Part Two	Practical (2 hr)
Cervical Spine	Lecture (2 hr)
Cervical Spine	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Cervical Spine	Practical (2 hr)
Trauma Views / Trauma Positioning Resource	Lecture (2 hr)
Trauma Views	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Trauma views	Practical (2 hr)
Facial Bones	Lecture (2 hr)
Facial Bones	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Facial Bones	Practical (2 hr)
OPG	Lecture (2 hr)
OPG	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Revision	Practical (2 hr)
Abdomen and Revision for Exam	Lecture (2 hr)
Abdomen	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Abdomen	Practical (2 hr)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. discuss the fundamentals of practice for diagnostic radiography related to the femur, hip, pelvis, abdomen/urinary systems, cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar and sacral spine, and identify pathologies associated with these body areas
LO2. discuss the fundamentals of practice for computed tomography: parameters, protocols and radiation protection as related to the role of a diagnostic radiographer
LO3. utilise theoretical knowledge of the anatomy displayed in cross sectional anatomy imaging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
LO4. acquire an ongoing knowledge of the role diagnostic radiography plays in the care of patients for a range of clinical presentations related to the topics listed in learning outcome 1
LO5. utilise theoretical knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, pathology and cross sectional anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems and the urinary systems
LO6. demonstrate an awareness of the importance of effective communication and radiation dose in clinically focussed academic settings
LO7. demonstrate an awareness of the importance of employing appropriate occupational health and safety work practices in preparation for clinical placement
LO8. apply the discipline specific theoretical principles of practice to the clinically focussed academic setting.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.2.a. Understand and comply with legislative responsibilities about data privacy, the ownership, storage, retention and destruction of patient/client records and other practice documentation. 1.2.b. Use clinical information management systems to accurately record patient/client history and any examination/treatment provided to the patient/client, ensuring that the correct examination/treatment is associated with the correct patient. 1.2.c. Ensure that stored clinical information (information and images) is associated with the correct patient/client and examination/treatment. 1.2.d. Identify and respond appropriately when clinical information is incorrectly associated with the identity of a patient/client and/or examination/treatment. 1.2.e. Manage clinical information (information and images) appropriately and consider the workflow between the different clinical information management systems. 1.2.f. Respond appropriately to data errors and/or system failures. 1.2.g. Ensure clinical information is made available to the appropriate persons involved in the care of the patient. 1.8.b. Recognise the risks, precautions and contraindications of the use of medicines, informed by the patient’s/client’s current pathology status. 1.8.c. Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the potential range of reactions to medicines. 1.8.e. Actively monitor the effects of medication and manage adverse reactions to medicines, in accordance with protocols. 1A.1.a. Operate projection radiography systems safely and effectively in a range of settings. 1A.1.b. Prepare the patient/client for the examination, including positioning the patient/client for the best diagnostic outcome. 1A.1.c. Use standard radiographic projections and exposure factors for the patient’s/client’s body area being examined and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation, clinical indications and mechanisms of injury. 1A.1.d. Select appropriate equipment, receptor type and set equipment geometry for the examination. 1A.1.f. Critically evaluate images against radiographic criteria including assessment of exposure index, field of view and anatomical rotation.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1A.3.a. Operate CT systems safely and effectively. 1A.3.b. Apply appropriate imaging parameters for the patient/client presentation. 1A.3.c. Adjust relative radiation dose levels based on the range of patient/client presentations. 1A.3.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of CT protocols. 1A.3.e. Perform and evaluate contrast and non-contrast CT examinations of the body and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation and clinical indications. 1A.3.f. Process data image sets, including multi-planar reformats and volume imaging.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.1.a. Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body to practice. 1.1.b. Apply knowledge of the scientific explanations underpinning disease and injuries affecting the human body to enable delivery of safe, high-quality examinations/treatment. 1A.3.e. Perform and evaluate contrast and non-contrast CT examinations of the body and, when appropriate, modify them to consider patient/client presentation and clinical indications.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.4.a. Understand the patient’s/client’s clinical history, referral and current medical information to confirm the requested or prescribed procedure is appropriate, drawing on knowledge of other imaging and treatment pathways. 1.4.b. Determine the appropriate imaging and/or treatment protocols and priorities, which consider the information collected during the interaction with the patient/client and knowledge of imaging and/or treatment options. 1.4.c. Adapt the requested examination/treatment to an individual patient/client considering available clinical information. 1.5.a. Identify factors or conditions that may affect the patient’s/client’s behaviour and/or capacity to provide informed consent and undergo the procedure and triage patients/clients when needed. 1.5.b. Identify patient/client preparation requirements. 1.5.c. Identify patients/clients most at risk, including pregnant women and the foetus, breastfeeding mothers and their children. 1.5.d. Select appropriate equipment and triage patients/clients according to their clinical presentation, national standards and other factors. 1.5.e. Identify contraindications and limitations of medical radiation services, determine appropriate adjustments to procedures. 1.5.f. Perform patient/client assessment and medical radiation examination/treatment in accordance with the patient/client need and choice, legislation, registration standards, codes and guidelines. 1.7.a. Recognise patients/clients whose condition is deteriorating, or who are unable to undergo an examination/treatment and respond to their needs in an appropriate and timely way consistent with standards of safe and high-quality care. This includes calling for emergency help when needed. 1.7.b. Apply quality criteria to assure image quality, evaluate medical images and identify any urgent and/or unexpected findings. 1.7.c. If the practitioner identifies any urgent or unexpected findings, take appropriate and timely action to ensure the immediate management of the patient/client. 1.7.d. Provide appropriate patient/client care before, during and after the examination/treatment. Domain 5.2.a. Follow patient/client identification procedures to confirm the correct match of the patient/client with the intended examination/treatment and the correct anatomical site. Domain 5.2.b. Review, communicate, record and manage patient/client information accurately, consistent with protocols, procedures and legislative requirements for maintaining patient/client records. Domain 5.2.c. Identify and manage risks associated with patient/client transfer. Domain 5.2.d. Identify and manage risk of infection, including during aseptic procedures. Domain 5.2.e. Apply relevant quality frameworks to practice. National Safety and Quality Health Service - 2. Partnering with Consumers Standard 6. Communicating for Safety Standard
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.1.a. Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body to practice. 1.1.b. Apply knowledge of the scientific explanations underpinning disease and injuries affecting the human body to enable delivery of safe, high-quality examinations/treatment. 1.1.c. Identify anatomical structures and physiological processes, injuries and diseases of the human body in medical images.
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - Domain 2.1.a. Understand and comply with legal responsibilities. Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise. Domain 2.1.c. Understand mandatory reporting obligations and the grounds for a voluntary notification. Domain 2.1.d. Apply the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia’s Code of conduct to practice. Domain 3.1.a. Establish rapport with the patient/client to understand their issues and perspectives. Domain 3.1.b. Communicate effectively with the patient/client (and at times beyond the patient/client) to collect and convey information about the proposed examination/treatment. Domain 3.1.c. Convey knowledge and procedural information in ways that create trust and confidence and respects the patient/client’s confidentiality, privacy and dignity. Domain 3.1.d. Provide an opportunity for the patient/client to explore the purpose of the proposed examination/treatment, the methods used and the usual patient/client experience. Domain 3.1.e. Identify likely communication barriers specific to individual patients/clients and/or family/carers and implement strategies to avoid or overcome them. Domain 3.1.f. Make appropriate adjustments to communication style to suit the particular needs of the patient/client including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Domain 3.1.g. Make provisions to engage third parties to facilitate effective communication when needed. Domain 3.1.h. Obtain informed consent, explaining the purpose, risks and benefits of the proposed examination/treatment. National Safety and Quality Health Service - 1. Clinical Governance Standard 2. Partnering with Consumers Standard 6. Communicating for Safety Standard
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.6.a. Consider the limitations/restrictions in the use of techniques and devices for reproducibility of procedures concerning the patient’s/client’s condition and presentation. 1.6.b. Identify the type and method of stabilisation needed for the type and purpose of the procedure and the patient/client condition and presentation. 1.6.c. Use or adapt suitable stabilisation and ancillary equipment. 1.6.d. Perform the appropriate stabilisation before starting the procedure. Domain 2.1.a. Understand and comply with legal responsibilities. Domain 2.1.b. Manage personal, mental and physical health to ensure fitness to practise. Domain 2.1.c. Understand mandatory reporting obligations and the grounds for a voluntary notification. Domain 2.1.d. Apply the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia’s Code of conduct to practice. Domain 2.1.e. Provide relevant information to the patient/client and implement appropriate methods to obtain informed consent. Domain 2.1.f. Apply knowledge of the Australian healthcare system to practice. Domain 2.1.g. Practice the basic principles underpinning bio-ethics in medical radiation practice and recognise and respond appropriately to ethical issues encountered in practice. Domain 2.1.h. Exercise appropriate levels of autonomy and professional judgement in a variety of medical radiation practice settings. Domain 2.3.a. Make appropriate professional decisions about the care of patients. Domain 2.3.b. Recognise and respond appropriately to unsafe or unprofessional practice. Domain 2.3.c. Integrate organisational policies and guidelines with professional standards and apply to practice. Domain 5.1.a. Comply with relevant radiation safety legislation. Domain 5.1.b. Practice in accordance with relevant radiation safety guidelines. Domain 5.1.c. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and medical radiation physics to examinations/treatment. Domain 5.1.d. Apply knowledge of radiobiology and radiation dose adjustment to deliver safe and effective patient/client outcomes. Domain 5.1.e. Review the referral and associated examinations/treatment prescription to ensure appropriate justification, limitation and optimisation. Domain 5.1.f. Identify radiation risks and implement effective and appropriate risk management systems and procedures. National Safety and Quality Health Service - 1. Clinical Governance Standard
	Professional capabilities for medical radiation practice - 1.1.a. Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the human body to practice. 1.1.b. Apply knowledge of the scientific explanations underpinning disease and injuries affecting the human body to enable delivery of safe, high-quality examinations/treatment. 1.1.c. Identify anatomical structures and physiological processes, injuries and diseases of the human body in medical images. 1.10.a. Operate ultrasound imaging systems safely and effectively. 1.10.b. Apply knowledge of the principles of ultrasound physics to minimise the likelihood of biological effects and identification of artefacts. 1.10.c. Apply knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy, embryology, pathophysiology, haemodynamic and sonographic appearances of normal and abnormal anatomy. 1.10.d. Use standard techniques/images and equipment for the body area being examined and, where appropriate, modify them to consider the patient/client presentation and clinical indications. 1.10.e. Perform and evaluate ultrasound imaging and where appropriate, extend or modify the examination according to the sonographic findings and clinical presentation. 1.10.f. Document the real-time examination and evaluate findings. 1.2.a. Understand and comply with legislative responsibilities about data privacy, the ownership, storage, retention and destruction of patient/client records and other practice documentation. 1.2.b. Use clinical information management systems to accurately record patient/client history and any examination/treatment provided to the patient/client, ensuring that the correct examination/treatment is associated with the correct patient. 1.2.c. Ensure that stored clinical information (information and images) is associated with the correct patient/client and examination/treatment. 1.2.d. Identify and respond appropriately when clinical information is incorrectly associated with the identity of a patient/client and/or examination/treatment. 1.2.e. Manage clinical information (information and images) appropriately and consider the workflow between the different clinical information management systems. 1.2.f. Respond appropriately to data errors and/or system failures. 1.2.g. Ensure clinical information is made available to the appropriate persons involved in the care of the patient. 1.3.a. Understand the different imaging and treatment pathways in medical radiation practice. 1.3.b. Understand the modalities and equipment used in the different imaging and treatment pathways across medical radiation practice. 1.3.c. Understand use of CT, MRI and PET in the localisation of a range of cancer sites, patient/client presentations and related planning procedures. 1.3.d. Operate equipment and apply knowledge of laboratory procedures to practice when necessary. 1.4.a. Understand the patient’s/client’s clinical history, referral and current medical information to confirm the requested or prescribed procedure is appropriate, drawing on knowledge of other imaging and treatment pathways. 1.4.b. Determine the appropriate imaging and/or treatment protocols and priorities, which consider the information collected during the interaction with the patient/client and knowledge of imaging and/or treatment options. 1.4.c. Adapt the requested examination/treatment to an individual patient/client considering available clinical information. 1.5.a. Identify factors or conditions that may affect the patient’s/client’s behaviour and/or capacity to provide informed consent and undergo the procedure and triage patients/clients when needed. 1.5.b. Identify patient/client preparation requirements. 1.5.c. Identify patients/clients most at risk, including pregnant women and the foetus, breastfeeding mothers and their children. 1.5.d. Select appropriate equipment and triage patients/clients according to their clinical presentation, national standards and other factors. 1.5.e. Identify contraindications and limitations of medical radiation services, determine appropriate adjustments to procedures. 1.5.f. Perform patient/client assessment and medical radiation examination/treatment in accordance with the patient/client need and choice, legislation, registration standards, codes and guidelines. 1.6.a. Consider the limitations/restrictions in the use of techniques and devices for reproducibility of procedures concerning the patient’s/client’s condition and presentation. 1.6.b. Identify the type and method of stabilisation needed for the type and purpose of the procedure and the patient/client condition and presentation. 1.6.c. Use or adapt suitable stabilisation and ancillary equipment. 1.6.d. Perform the appropriate stabilisation before starting the procedure. 1.7.a. Recognise patients/clients whose condition is deteriorating, or who are unable to undergo an examination/treatment and respond to their needs in an appropriate and timely way consistent with standards of safe and high-quality care. This includes calling for emergency help when needed. 1.7.b. Apply quality criteria to assure image quality, evaluate medical images and identify any urgent and/or unexpected findings. 1.7.c. If the practitioner identifies any urgent or unexpected findings, take appropriate and timely action to ensure the immediate management of the patient/client. 1.7.d. Provide appropriate patient/client care before, during and after the examination/treatment. 1.8.a. Apply the principles of safe and effective use of medicines to practice. 1.8.b. Recognise the risks, precautions and contraindications of the use of medicines, informed by the patient’s/client’s current pathology status. 1.8.c. Apply knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the potential range of reactions to medicines. 1.8.d. Safely and effectively deliver medicine to patients/clients, in accordance with procedures. 1.8.e. Actively monitor the effects of medication and manage adverse reactions to medicines, in accordance with protocols. 1.9.a. Operate MRI systems safely and effectively. 1.9.b. Apply knowledge of the principles of MRI physics and surrounding environment to ensure patient/client and others’ safety. 1.9.c. Select equipment and imaging parameters relevant to the patient/client presentation and where appropriate, modify imaging parameters to achieve optimal diagnostic outcomes. 1.9.d. Collaborate in the design and evaluation of MRI protocols. 1.9.e. Perform and evaluate MRI examinations where appropriate, modify the examination according to the MRI findings and clinical presentation. 1.9.f. Process image data sets.

National Safety and Quality Health Service -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1		Clinical Governance Standard
6		Communicating for Safety Standard

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MRSC5005: Professional Practice Radiography 2

Semester 2a, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links