Practicum Placement 1 PG (6313.5)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | Internship |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Psychology | Post Graduate Level | Band 1 2021 (Pg Clinical Psychology) Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-After 1 Jan 2021) Band 2 2021 (Prof Pathway Psychology-Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 2 2021 (Standard Course Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) Band 4 2021 (Standard Course Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Apply skills in assessment, formulation, evaluation, and treatment of clients with a range of psychological problems; and
2. Demonstrate skills required to work collaboratively as a psychologist within a team and independently.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
Prerequisites
Permission required from the unit convener AND 10071 Introduction to Assessment and Intervention PGCorequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 06 February 2023 | Internship | Dr Clare Watsford |
| 2023 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 31 July 2023 | Internship | Dr Clare Watsford |
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 05 February 2024 | Internship | Dr Clare Watsford |
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 29 July 2024 | Internship | Dr Clare Watsford |
Required texts
Required Texts:
Beck, J. (2021). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond (3rd ed.). Guilford Publications.
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5-TR ed.). Author.
The following books are useful reference texts:
Andrews, G., Creamer, M., Crino, R., Hunt, C., Lampe, L., & Page, A. (2003). The treatment of anxiety disorders: Clinician guides and treatment manuals (2nd ed). Cambridge University Press.
Barlow, D. H. (2021). Clinical handbook of psychological disorders: A step-by-step approach (6th ed). Guilford.
Greenberger, D. & Padesky, C. (2015). Mind over mood: Change how you feel by changing the way you think (2nd ed.). Guilford.
Leahy, R. L., Holland, S. J., & Mc Ginn, L. K. (2012). Treatment plans and interventions for depression and anxiety disorders (2nd ed.). Guilford.
Simmons, J. & Griffiths, R. (2017). CBT for beginners (3rd ed.). SAGE.
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
The placement folder is to be submitted to the Clinic Manager upon completion of Practicum Placement 1.
Special assessment requirements
Supplementary assessment
N/A
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Additional information
1) This unit will be assessed as a non-graded pass or fail based on completion of the requisite number of face-to-face and clinical experience hours, attendance at mandatory group supervision and/or seminars, passing all assessment items, and the supervisor's evaluation of competency. The CYPRS (Clinical Psychology Practicum Competencies Rating Scale) will be used to assess competency. These additional assessment requirements are in line with conditions set by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
2) In addition to informal support, there are formal strategies (written plans) available to support student performance on clinical placement. The type of plan implemented will depend on the type of support needed and individual student circumstances. Support plans will be developed in consulation with the student, their clinical supervisor and the unit convenor.
Learner engagement
The University of Canberra has responsibilities under work health and safety laws to protect the safety of those for whom it has a duty of care. Additionally, the University of Canberra is mandated, under Health Practitioner Regulation National Law ACT (2009), to notify the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) if it reasonably believes that a student has a health impairment that, in the course of the student undertaking clinical placement, may place the public at risk of substantial harm. Students who cannot meet inherent requirements or are not fit to practice during clinical placement may pose a risk to themselves, the public, clinical placement site staff, UC staff and other students if they are permitted to participate in clinical placement. These students may also fall within the mandatory notification requirements under national law.
The amount of time you will need to study in this unit will depend on a number of factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level, and learning style. Nevertheless, you should note that the minimum time commitment to complete Practicum Placement 1 is usually 250 hours.
Participation requirements
Students are required to attend the University of Canberra Psychology Clinic two full days per week (9am to 5.30pm) for between 16-20 (or more) weeks until the requirements in relation to client contact, supervision, and attainment of core competencies have been met.
Required IT skills
None
Work placement, internships or practicums
This unit involves clinical placement within the university clinic, which is a public clinic, and therefore, additional student responsibilities are required with strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. Students are expected to adhere to the APS Code of Conduct and Ethical Guidelines, and to consult with their individual supervisor and/or the Clinic Manager if they are concerned about any practice issues in the course of their placements. Importantly, client confidentiality must always be maintained in accordance with clinic procedures. If a student is found to have breached the APS Code of Ethics during placement, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) may be advised, which could affect provisional registration and completion of practicum placements. Any breaches in professional conduct during placement will result in suspension of placement and referral to the Associate Dean Education for investigation. The professional nature of this unit also requires participation in individual and group supervision for the successful completion of the unit. If attendance requirements cannot be satisfied (e.g., due to outside employment), it is recommended that you meet with your Course Convenor to schedule this unit for a future semester.
Additional information
Trainees conduct their placement under the supervision of a clinical supervisor. Trainees begin their placement by undertaking an initial assessment interview supervised and supported by their primary supervisor. The trainee's supervisor will directly observe when the student completes an initial interview for the first time, and until the student is considered to be sufficiently skilled to perform the initial interview without direct supervision. Students are expected to see clients under supervision, and complete the usual tasks involved in practicing in a psychology clinic. They are expected to attend weekly individual supervision and group supervision as allocated. Individual supervision sessions are usually one hour in duration. Additional individual or group supervision sessions may be scheduled if required. Clinical supervision will begin at the commencement of your placement at a time agreed upon with your individual supervisor. There is a requirement for one hour of supervision for every 7.5 placement hours. A minimum of 50% of the supervision hours must be individual supervision.
The trainee is required to aim toward a target of 250 hours of placement activity per placement. Of these 250 hours, a minimum of 100 hours should be direct client contact. However, if a student is deemed to be competent in all domains but they have not reached 100 client contact hours (student must have 80 hours of client contact or more), they may receive an ungraded pass. This can only occur under the provision they complete the required client contact hours during their next placement. In the circumstances that this occurs, an agreement will be made between the student and their supervisor, which will be documented and recorded in their placement folder.
Students are expected to respond promptly when allocated new referrals, complete clinical client notes in a timely manner, and present clinical notes to their supervisor for review and endorsement (signature) in a regular and timely manner. Trainees are required to participate in a mid-placement review halfway through their placement and a final placement review prior to the completion of the placement. Trainees are required to complete a placement folder as they progress through the placement. All forms required for the folder are available on Canvas. Students need to complete log books to reflect the content of all supervision sessions and also a log book of placement activity that is to be presented to the supervisor for review and signature every week.
Students are expected to complete a minimum of one Interprofessional Learning (IPL) activity in the UC Health Clinics, participate in an Interprofessional Case Study workshop, and complete one group therapy program, such as Cool Kids program during their placement.
Please note that important announcements will be made via Canvas.
Submission of Placement Folder
Students will initially submit their placement folder to their individual supervisor, prior to the Psychology Clinic Manager for final approval. An electonic (scanned) copy of the placement folder is required for submission. If the placement folder is incomplete, the student will need to re-submit in order to pass.
Fail Result
In the event a student fails the placement, consultation with the Psychology Clinic Manager and the Convenor of the Master of Clinical Psychology program is required to dicuss options before re-enrolment.
A second fail grade will result in the Discipline recommendation to the university that the student fail the MCP program.
Requests for Leave
Please refer to the Course Handbook for additional details on the student leave policy.
