THE SONOGRAPHY
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The student experience
The student experience As we look to the future of sonography, it is important to reflect on the current educational system and ensure the transition from university to the workplace is seamless. There is no better cohort to speak on the student experience than current sonography students and recent graduates. Jaimie Feeney and Leah Gordan have unique perspectives on their experience with clinical placement and the transition from being a student to a fully qualified sonographer. Being either amid or have recently completed their studies, the advice they would give to current and aspiring sonography students is most valuable.
Jaimie Feeney
Graduate Diploma Medical Ultrasound/Sonography (Vascular) Student | Western Sydney University
Jaimie Feeney is a current student in the final year of her Diploma of Vascular Sonography at Western Sydney University. Through her work, Jaimie sees a wide range of vascular pathology referred from specialists, including vascular surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, phlebologists, emergency departments and GPs. She originally started her career in radiography where she worked in several locations such as tertiary hospitals, emergency departments, breast imaging and computed tomography.
What drew you to study sonography? After developing an interest in physics during high school, I was drawn to sonography due to the autonomy and responsibility of the role. During my career as a radiographer, I developed an interest in vascular pathology through experiences such as vascular imaging in the operating theatre at a tertiary hospital with vast trauma cases, as well as interesting pathologies seen throughout my years working on both trauma and outpatient CT examinations. I was looking for a new challenge when a traineeship position was advertised at my workplace and I was fortunate enough to be the successful applicant.
Have you completed clinical placements? Does the training and work you experience on these placements complement what is being covered in your classes? My training is through an ongoing workplace traineeship rather than set clinical placements. This traineeship has absolutely complemented what is being covered in my university content. I am very fortunate to have several knowledgeable tutors who each have their own special interests and strengths. This assists in combining the theoretical side of university with the practical side of my scanning. Our tech meetings (where cases are 24
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The variety of pathology I have experienced from working in a regional setting has certainly cemented the learnt knowledge. JAIMIE FEENEY reviewed and discussed with our vascular surgeons) shed light on the understanding of why and how we do our examinations. To add to this, the variety of pathology I have experienced from working in a regional setting has certainly cemented the learnt knowledge. Working alongside general sonographers in the same workplace has also enhanced my skills and knowledge from their own specialised experience.
What area of your studies would you like to have more of a focus on? Paediatrics would be amazing to learn more about. Unfortunately, this is quite a specialised field in vascular ultrasound as most of our patients are from an older demographic. From what I have heard when talking to other sonographers, it seems that there are different elements that need to be considered when undertaking a paediatric examination.
Are there any extra resources that you use to further your education outside your coursework? What are they and how are they assisting with your development? e.g. listen to podcasts, attend events, read about new research, etc. I have found the sonography industry to be one that is eager to learn from others from different workplaces, which is fantastic. I have been lucky to have access to a great network of people, not only from my supportive and knowledgeable work colleagues, but also from the Western Sydney University team. The lecturers and support staff from WSU have been outstanding, not only from a knowledge perspective but also from a supportive and personal aspect. Everyone has been incredibly approachable, and it is obvious how passionate they are about education. The other students in my year have been an invaluable source of knowledge and support, especially given that each of us is at workplaces that have their own specialised interests and techniques. Networking through events such as the ASA’s Student and Early Career Working Group, Special Interest Group Days and seminars have been an important tool for me to extend and challenge my knowledge and opinions.
