Jessie Childs PhD, Grad Dip (Medical Sonography), Bachelor of Health Science (Honours, Specialisation, Medical Radiations) is a full time lecturer and researcher in Medical Sonography, and the Program Director of the suite of Medical Sonography programs in Allied Health and Human Performance, working at UniSA since 2011.
Jessie has over fifteen years experience in sonography education serving as the chief and tutor sonographer at multiple public and private practices across Australia before settling down into her passion, academia. Jessie currently teaches Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Advanced Skill Project and Advanced or Extended Practice Report into the Graduate Diploma and Masters of Medical... Read more
About me
Jessie Childs PhD, Grad Dip (Medical Sonography), Bachelor of Health Science (Honours, Specialisation, Medical Radiations) is a full time lecturer and researcher in Medical Sonography, and the Program Director of the suite of Medical Sonography programs in Allied Health and Human Performance, working at UniSA since 2011.
Jessie has over fifteen years experience in sonography education serving as the chief and tutor sonographer at multiple public and private practices across Australia before settling down into her passion, academia. Jessie currently teaches Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Musculoskeletal Sonography, Advanced Skill Project and Advanced or Extended Practice Report into the Graduate Diploma and Masters of Medical Sonography courses.
As well as a keen interest in teaching the practical and theoretical aspects of ultrasound, Jessie is also heavily invested in ultrasound research. After completing an honours thesis in sonography of the ulnar nerve she went on to gain her PhD in developing a method of measurement and normal reference interval for sonographic 2D measurements of the liver. The capstone paper of this research was one of Wiley's top 5 most downloaded radiology papers of 2016.
Whilst continuing postdoctoral research into the liver, Jessie is also involved in multiple collaborations with other researchers in the fields of PICC vein insertions, endometriosis diagnosis, renal dialysis efficiency, ultrasound safety, weight loss, sonographer wellbeing, and gastroesophageal surgical access, whilst leading two national projects on the COVID-19 impacts on sonographers and the development of new sonographer accreditation standards.
In 2014 Jessie was awarded the Australasian Sonographers Association's (ASA) highest accolade: The Pru Pratten Memorial award; National Sonographer of the year for her contribution to ultrasound through teaching, innovation and research. In 2017, Jessie was awarded National Researcher of the year. Jessie serves as the nominated Chair of the ASA fellowship committee, a member of the ASA SA Branch Committee, a judge of the national sonography awards, a working group member of the Pru Pratten Memorial award, and the associate editor of the 'Sonography' journal.
About me
Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry,
Nuchal Translucency Accreditation Registry RANZCOG,
Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA)
Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (ASUM)
Australian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network (ANZMRRN)
Chairperson of the South Australian Branch of the Australian Sonographers Association (2014-2018),
Elected Chairperson of the Australian Sonographers Association Fellowship Panel
Pru Prattern Memorial Award working group
National ASA awards of excellence judging panel member
Program assessor Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry
External grant reviewer Australasian Sonographer Assocation research grants.
Associate Editor 'Sonography' journal
Invited Peer Reviewer for Muscle and Nerve Journal, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Sonography Journal, Current Medical Imaging Reviews, Journal of Personalised Medicine, Sensors, Veterinary Sciences
About me
Doctor of Philosophy The University of South Australia
Graduate Diploma Medical Sonography University of South Australia
Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) (Medical Radiation) The University of South Australia
Project Lead: National project collaborating with one member from each professional body and each institution which delivers and accredited medical sonography program. Funded by the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry: What are the observable behaviours, knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be demonstrated by sonographers. (Current)
Project Lead: What is the current and ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Australasian Sonographers. An Australian and New Zealand project funded by the Australasian Sonographers Association. (Current)
Research Team: 9 month randomised control trial assess the effects of almonds versus carbohydrate rich snack foods on weight loss and weight maintenance. USA Almond Board Grant (Current)
... Read moreResearch
Excludes commercial-in-confidence projects.
The impact of COVID19 on Australasian Sonographers, Australasian Sonographers Association, 04/04/2023 - 30/06/2023
The impact of COVID-19 on the Australasian sonographic community., Australasian Sonographers Association, 30/06/2020 - 31/12/2021
What are the observable behaviours, knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be demonstrated by sonographers?, Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry, 01/11/2018 - 31/03/2020
The accuracy of a simple sonographic liver volume equation to determine hepatomegaly, Australasian Sonographers Association, 01/02/2018 - 31/05/2019
Research
Research outputs for the last seven years are shown below. Some long-standing staff members may have older outputs included. To see earlier years visit ORCID, ResearcherID or Scopus
Open access indicates that an output is open access.
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2021 |
4
4
2
|
| 2021 |
5
4
2
|
| 2021 |
3
4
2
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021 |
Open access
38
31
68
|
| Year | Output |
|---|---|
| 2025 |
|
| 2025 |
Open access
|
| 2024 |
Open access
2
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
1
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
2
|
| 2024 |
Open access
1
|
| 2023 |
Open access
142
128
28
|
| 2023 |
3
3
|
| 2023 |
7
7
21
|
| 2023 |
Open access
2
3
5
|
| 2023 |
Open access
1
7
|
| 2022 |
Open access
4
4
|
| 2022 |
Open access
7
5
|
| 2022 |
11
44
|
| 2022 |
Open access
9
10
12
|
| 2022 |
2
2
2
|
| 2021 |
4
4
2
|
| 2021 |
5
4
2
|
| 2021 |
3
4
2
|
| 2021 |
|
| 2021 |
Open access
14
13
5
|
| 2021 |
2
2
1
|
| 2021 |
6
6
|
| 2021 |
Open access
38
31
68
|
| 2020 |
Open access
7
10
4
|
| 2020 |
31
26
37
|
| 2020 |
8
5
|
| 2020 |
Open access
6
3
|
| 2020 |
2
2
1
|
| 2019 |
5
5
3
|
| 2019 |
4
3
|
| 2018 |
2
|
| 2018 |
Open access
14
12
2
|
| 2018 |
Open access
12
12
|
| 2017 |
5
|
| 2017 |
3
|
| 2016 |
Open access
18
5
|
| 2015 |
13
9
|
| 2015 |
Open access
|
| 2015 |
Open access
28
13
12
|
| 2015 |
Open access
4
2
|
| 2014 |
Open access
14
9
|
| 2014 |
Open access
20
|
| 2014 |
Open access
6
|
| 2013 |
Open access
11
|
| 2012 |
2
|
Research
Project Lead: National project collaborating with one member from each professional body and each institution which delivers and accredited medical sonography program. Funded by the Australian Sonographers Accreditation Registry: What are the observable behaviours, knowledge, skills and attitudes that should be demonstrated by sonographers. (Current)
Project Lead: What is the current and ongoing impact of COVID-19 on Australasian Sonographers. An Australian and New Zealand project funded by the Australasian Sonographers Association. (Current)
Research Team: 9 month randomised control trial assess the effects of almonds versus carbohydrate rich snack foods on weight loss and weight maintenance. USA Almond Board Grant (Current)
Research Team: Impact of point of care ultrasonography on dialysis access needle placement. RAH Rural Grant (Current)
PhD Supervisor: The ability of Health nurses to diagnose DDH of infant hips using ultrasound. (Current)
Masters Supervisor: What is the accuracy and validity of transvaginal ultrasound performed by sonographers in the diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis prior to surgery? (Current)
Honours Primary Supervisor: Australasian sonographers’ knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards the 2018 IEBG in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Primary Researcher: Can a newly developed equation of the liver and corresponding reference range predict an abnormal liver. Australasian Sonographers Association Researcher Grant (2021)
Co Primary Researcher: Can bedside ultrasonography accurately predict liver volume in patients following a very low-calorie diet VLCD prior to laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery? RAH Research Committee Clinical Project Grant (2021)
Research Team: The catheter to vein ratio and rates of symptomatic venous thromboembolism in cancer patients with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) University of South Australia Pathfinder Grant (2017)
Honours Thesis - The impact of ancestry and body size on sonographic ulnar nerve dimensions (2012)
PhD - The development of a valid and reliable method to measure the size of the liver using 2D ultrasound.
National Sonographer of the Year 2014
National Researcher of the Year 2017
Associate Editor Sonography Journal
Elected Chair Australasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee
External engagement & recognition
| Organisation | Country |
|---|---|
| Adelaide Gastrointestinal Specialists | AUSTRALIA |
| Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine | AUSTRALIA |
| Australasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry | AUSTRALIA |
| Australasian Sonographers Association | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian institute of Healthcare Education | AUSTRALIA |
| Australian Radiology Clinics | AUSTRALIA |
| Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Capital & Coast District Health Board | NEW ZEALAND |
| Central Adelaide Local Health Network Incorporated | AUSTRALIA |
| Central and Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Service | AUSTRALIA |
| Central Queensland University | AUSTRALIA |
| Charles Sturt University | AUSTRALIA |
| Deakin University | AUSTRALIA |
| Fiona Stanley Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders Medical Centre | AUSTRALIA |
| Flinders University | AUSTRALIA |
| Griffith University | AUSTRALIA |
| Mid North Coast Diagnostic Imaging | AUSTRALIA |
| Monash University | AUSTRALIA |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | IRELAND |
| Northern Adelaide Local Health Network | AUSTRALIA |
| Queensland University of Technology | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Adelaide Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
| Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland | IRELAND |
| SA Health | AUSTRALIA |
| South Australian Health and Medical and Research Institute (SAHMRI) | AUSTRALIA |
| Specialist Imaging Partners | AUSTRALIA |
| St George Hospital | INDIA |
| St Vincents Hospital Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| The Australian Institute of Healthcare Education | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Adelaide | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Canberra | AUSTRALIA |
| University of South Australia | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Sydney | AUSTRALIA |
| University of Tasmania | AUSTRALIA |
| University of York | UNITED KINGDOM |
| Western Sydney University | AUSTRALIA |
| Women's and Children's Hospital | AUSTRALIA |
External engagement & recognition
| Engagement/recognition | Year |
|---|---|
Associate EditorSonography Journal |
2022 |
Best Overall Conference Presentation (For ultrasound measurements of the liver)Australasian Sonographers Association National Conference |
2022 |
Board MemberAustralian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network |
2022 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2022 |
Invited Editorial Board MemberSonography Journal |
2022 |
Invited SpeakerAustralasian Sonographers Association National Conference |
2022 |
National Researcher of the Year AwardAustralasian Sonographers Association Awards of Excellence |
2022 |
Associate EditorSonography Journal |
2021 |
Best Conference Presentation (For the impact of Covid-19 on Sonographers)SciTech Central Global Summit on Covid-19 |
2021 |
Board MemberAustralian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network |
2021 |
Board-appointed member of Course Assessment CommitteeAustralian Sonographers Accreditation Registry |
2021 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2021 |
Editorial Board MemberAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2021 |
Invited Editorial Board MemberSonography Journal |
2021 |
Board MemberAustralian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network |
2020 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2020 |
Early Career Researcher AwardANGOSA (Aust + NZ metabolic and Obesity surgical society) |
2020 |
Invited Editorial Board MemberSonography Journal |
2020 |
Invited Opening PlenaryAustralasian Sonographers Association National Conference 2020 |
2020 |
Board MemberAustralian and New Zealand Medical Radiations Research Network |
2019 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2019 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2019 |
Invited Editorial Board MemberSonography Journal |
2019 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2018 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2018 |
FellowAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2018 |
Invited Editorial Board MemberSonography Journal |
2018 |
MemberAustralasian Sonographers Accreditation Registry |
2018 |
Member, Nuchal Translucency Accreditation RegistryRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) |
2018 |
Best contribution to Sonography JournalAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2017 |
Best research presentationAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2017 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2017 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2017 |
Chairperson, Fellowship CommitteeAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2017 |
Researcher of the YearAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2017 |
Associate FellowAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2016 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association Fellowship Committee |
2016 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2016 |
Top 5 paperWiley's portfolio of radiology publications |
2016 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2015 |
ASA National Sonographer of the YearAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2014 |
ASA South Australian Sonographer of the YearAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2014 |
ChairpersonAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2014 |
National Sonographer of the year, The Pru Prattern memorial awardAustralasian Sonographers Association |
2014 |
South Australian Sonographer of the yearAustralasian Sonographers Association, South Australian Branch |
2014 |
Australian Sonographers Association Rural and Remote Sonographer Research Scholarship 2008
Best poster/case study presentation: Australian Sonographers Association 2008 Annual Conference
Current member of the Teaching Innovations Group (Member of the Innovations working group)
Past member of the School Teaching and Learning Committee (STALC)
Past member of the Quality Interprofessional Learning Group (QUIL)
Project Lead on Sonography accreditation body funded project to develop a new competency framework model for sonographers. A collaboration across all industry bodies and each Australian Institution which delivers an accredited songraphy course.
Amalgamation of Courses RADY 5017 and RADY 5018 to form RADY 5030 Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
Jess has spent 10 years teaching in the online environment. During this time her focus has been on managing student diversity of large online postgraduate cohorts whist using her coordination roles of various courses throughout the program to scaffold student knowledge, skills and expectations through to successful completion. She believes simulation based learning is important in the skill development process and has completed the National Health Education and Training Simulation Program (NHET-SIM) and implemented these skills throughout her teaching and researched in this area. Her consistently high Student Evaluation Scores saw her invited to the School of Health Sciences high achievers lunch in 2017.
She coordinated the masters of Medical Sonography (research stream) for many years passing on her expertise in research practice and fostering an environment of evidence based practice in our students.
Her other passion lies in inter-professional learning where she is keen to promote a connection between students across disciplines. She has actioned this through her involvement in the quality interprofessional learning group and leading role in the development of interprofessional resources such as the Thomas Hurtle Learning Resource.
Teaching & student supervision
Teaching & student supervision
Supervisions from 2010 shown
| Thesis title | Student status |
|---|---|
| An investigation of burnout and wellbeing in Australian sonographers: a focus on wellbeing interventions | Current |
| An assessment of the accuracy and validity of sonographer-led transvaginal ultrasound scanning for deep endometriosis | Completed |
| Screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip: a multi-methods approach to understanding practice and determining accuracy | Completed |
