Radiography  (MDS4)

The overall purpose of the programme is to develop radiography graduates who are patient-centred, competent and safe diagnostic imaging practitioners with a strong professional identity and understanding of their role in the wider healthcare context and their contribution as part of a multi-disciplinary team.  Graduates of the programme will demonstrate well-developed autonomous learning skills and the capacity for continually developing their professional knowledge and practice, in an evidence-based, research oriented and international context. As the national radiography training centre, students will gain competency to practice as radiographers whilst on clinical placement in our dedicated hospital sites, ensuring graduate clinical excellence. We aim to provide a supportive learning environment to foster and develop excellence in radiography / diagnostic imaging which is both dynamic and research-informed to match the rapidly expanding and ever-changing field that is radiography. Our learning environment ensures appropriate access to cutting edge imaging technology across the national clinical sites and diverse and innovative approaches to both teaching and assessment are employed to ensure an optimum learning experience for all students. Teaching methods include both didactic and experiential learning through clinical placement with a focus on active learning through practical hands on skills labs, while assessment strategies include practical, oral and written assessments including individual and group work to foster team work and collaboration.

1 - Acquire the relevant knowledge underpinning scientific principles, radiography / diagnostic imaging practice, technology and clinical practice.
2 - Acquire the relevant skills to engage in research and clinical audit.
3 - Apply problem-solving skills across a wide range of clinical scenarios.
4 - Adhere to best practice, safety and quality guidelines relevant to clinical practice.
5 - Communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
6 - Understand their roles and responsibilities as an autonomous professional throughout their clinical practice.
7 - Apply an evidence-based approach to all aspects of radiography / diagnostic imaging practice.
8 - Competently undertake and appraise specific diagnostic imaging examinations.
9 - Integrate professional values and standards in their daily practice and promote these in a wider societal context.
10 - Act as reflective practitioners and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
11 - Work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
12 - Engage with the professional education of students, colleagues and other health professionals to foster an ethos of continuing learning and knowledge sharing.

Diagnostic radiographers are responsible for producing high-quality images to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

The skills of a radiographer are diverse: whilst obviously a caring profession, Radiography requires considerable technological and scientific expertise in both the production of images and the responsible delivery of ionising radiation.

Upon graduation you will have the knowledge base and clinical competencies to practise as a radiographer and will undertake your professional duties with the highest level of patient care. You will be able to integrate the technological, psychological and sociological aspects of healthcare in order to perform your role with confidence in an integrated healthcare team.

The programme is organised into four strands:

- Practice of radiography
- Technology of radiography
- Clinical practice of radiography
- Subjects associated with radiography

You develop knowledge of all aspects of imaging, including how to care for patients, how to perform examinations, how to provide high levels of radiation protection and how to evaluate the quality of images.

The focus of the programme is on general radiographic procedures, although you also have an overview of the more specialised modalities of computed tomography, magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography, radionuclide imaging and ultrasound.

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
From early in Stage 1, you will perform radiography under supervision in state-of-the-art imaging facilities in UCD's Health Sciences Centre, before progressing to perform examinations on hospital patients.

Throughout the programme there is increasing emphasis on self-directed learning as well as a greater proportion of clinical placement. These all build to allow you acquire professional competence on graduation.

Generally, you choose two sites for the duration of your clinical experience from a list of specified hospitals, with one site for Stages 1 & 2 and a different site for Stages 3 & 4. You will become integrated with the department team in your training hospital, working alongside Radiography colleagues to learn and refine your professional skills as a radiographer.

You may apply for a three-month Erasmus exchange with one of our European partner institutions (including Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden). Further elective opportunities include visiting the USA and Austria.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

Diagnostic imaging is a growth area in Ireland and internationally. All graduates in the past five years have obtained employment as radiographers. As well as the traditional hospital-based career, some radiographers are employed as applications or sales specialists.

An increasing number of graduates are now undertaking PhD studies. Diagnostic imaging offers successful graduates exciting opportunities to pursue research and/or to develop specialist clinical skills.

UCD Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging Office

Health Sciences Centre (Second Floor: A222)

Belfield,

Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 6546

Email: diagnostic.imaging@ucd.ie

Stage 1

In the first year of the programme, the fundamental concepts of radiation science and technology are introduced. Students begin to study human anatomy, the practice of radiographic technique and experience their first patient contact in teaching hospitals. Students must complete the core modules and can choose another five credit module. BSc Radiography Stage 1 Outcomes • Understand the theoretical principles underlying ionising radiation, associated radiation risks and protection measure • Understand the structure and function of a medical imaging department and their role within it; • Gain exposure to the clinical environment, professional behaviour, patient interaction and communication within the clinical environment; • Have a knowledge and understanding of specified radiographic examinations, related anatomy, radiographic image critique and exposure to diagnostic decision making; • Develop students learning approaches and skills to include capacity for critical thinking, self-directed learning, group-learning & teamwork, awareness of the role of reflection in professional practice; • Understand their roles and responsibilities as students within the University and clinical settings.

Stage 2

In the second year students begin to apply and analyse radiographic techniques regularly and to develop and deepen their scientific knowledge.Students undertake a further anatomy module & begin physiology in preparation for further content taught in St3 & 4.Clinical placements during autumn trimester afford students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge.Students take all core modules and a 5 credit elective module.St2 Outcomes•Have knowledge & understanding of human physiology to provide a basis for subsequent medical imaging modules•Gain further exposure to the clinical environment,professional behaviour,patient interaction & communication in the clinical department•Furthering of knowledge of radiology informatics,digital imag systems & PACS•Ongoing & increasingly advanced knowledge & understanding of specified radiographic examinations related anatomy,radiographic image critique•Further development of diagnostic image decision making•Knowledge & understanding of fluoroscopic examinations & introductory exposure to these modalities clinically•Understanding of radiographic image appearances &further development of diagnostic image decision making•Knowledge & understanding of paed medical imaging

Stage 3

In the third year students undertake a 20credit clinical block in the AUT trimester. Modules include cross sectional anatomy,ultrasound,interventional radiography,mammography, DXA & CT. In this stage they undertake clinical labs in the skill of intravenous cannulation where they use training arms to perfect these skills. Students also complete an intro to research module & the study of pathology commences. Students take all core modules & select one further 5 credit elective module. St3 Outcomes •Attain clinical competence for general and mobile radiographic examinations•Have knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles and applications for CT & ultrasound & introductory exposure to these modalities clinically•Reinforcement & development of the knowledge and understanding of adv radiographic techniques through clinical practice•Reinforcement of critical evaluation and image appraisal skills to form a basis for professional diagnostic decision making•Intro & devel of research skills resulting in the formulation of a novel research proposal•Knowledge and understanding of the mech of disease processes relevant to the human body•Knowledge understanding & practical exposure of IV cann and administration

Stage 4

**In addition to core modules students must choose one of the Pathway options and one 15 credit module.
In the final year the aim is to develop the competence and confidence of the emerging graduate.Study of pathology continues to underpin a critical approach to imaging techniques & image evaluation,students are encouraged to engage with current issues in radiography.The research process commenced in St3 with students further developing their practical research skills in St4 by undertaking a research project.Students undertake a large clinical block to optimise their tech & practical skills prior to graduation.Students have the opportunity to spend 3 months studying & undertaking clinical placements in another European country or focus on cardiac interventional imaging while staying in UCD.St4 Outcomes•Advancement of research skills leading to the completion of a research proposal developed in St3•Knowledge and understanding of clinical pathology with a systematic approach blended with adv diag imaging pathology•Demonstrate critical thinking in relation to competence of prof practice to facilitate the graduating student as an independent reflective practitioner•Knowledge and understanding of the theoretical principles clinical application and imaging pathways in theoretical principles and clinical applications for MRI & Nuclear Medicine& exposure to these modalities clinically•Knowledge, understanding & competence in the undertaking of quality assurance, quality control & clinical audit to facilitate safe practice• Reinforcement of medico-legal principles underpinning prof practice•Mastery of clinical skills appropriate to a new graduate;•Active participation in an Erasmus Prog focusing upon areas of adv radiographic practice in a European prospective

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

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