Counselling and Communication for Dietitians PG (8250.2)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Health |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Nutrition And Dietetics | Post Graduate Level | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Critically reflect on their own knowledge, skills, attitudes, practicing behaviours and power differentials to achieve culturally safe and responsive dietetic practice;
2. Demonstrate effective communication skills in group situations;
3. Assess the effectiveness of communication and counselling approaches; and
4. Assess the effectiveness of communication and counselling approaches.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 28 July 2025 | On-campus | Dr Rachel Bacon |
| 2026 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 2 | 10 August 2026 | On-campus | Dr Rachel Bacon |
Required texts
The required textbook for this unit are:
Holli B, Beto J. Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Practical Guide. 7th ed. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2024
This book can be purchased online.
Recommended reading:
Edmonson W, Williams R. Burda-Burda Balayi, Health Professionals and Indigenous Health - Working at the Interface, Docklands Victoria: Oxford University Press; 2022.
This book can be purchased online.
Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.
Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.
UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).
UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.
Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.
Learner engagement
Students are required to purchase a specified University of Canberra polo T-shirt to wear during site visits to the University of Canberra, Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Clinic and to wear a UC identification badge.
Participation requirements
To pass the unit, students must:
1. Attempt all assessment items,
2. Attain at least 50% of the marks for the counselling examination, and
3. Attain at least 50% of the marks allocated to the assignments.
Required IT skills
Students are expected to be familiar with the use of diet analysis software (i.e. Foodworks, Foodscan & Serve). Student will be required to use Mahara. It is recommended that students attend the Drop In Support Sessions held between 12-2pm in the UC Library Training Room 4. Online support is also available from: learnonline.support@canberra.edu.au
In-unit costs
Students are required to purchase a specified University of Canberra polo T-shirt to wear during site visits to the University of Canberra, Nutrition and Dietetics, Health Clinic.
Work placement, internships or practicums
This unit involves work integrated learning: Placement. Students must adhere to University policy during WIL activities, including the Student Conduct Rules 2018, the WIL Policy and WIL Procedure, and the Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure.
This unit has pre-placement requirements (e.g. Working with Vulnerable People registration, immunisation/s). You must complete Work Ready: Preparation for Work Integrated Learning prior to commencement of your Placement. You can self-enrol in this module through the UC Learn site here.
You are also required to complete details in InPlace, refer to inplace.canberra.edu.au. If you have any queries related to InPlace please contact placement@canberra.edu.au.
Contact your unit convener if you have any concerns with meeting the requirements of this unit.
Additional information
Work-place learning requires strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. These requirements are covered within the Week 1 workshop. Student must also sign an Individual Student Agreement prior to the commencement of placement.
Client/patient confidentiality must always be maintained including for assessment items such as your critical reflections.
The professional nature of this unit also requires 100% participation at all site visit activities for the successful completion of this unit. If attendance requirements cannot be satisfied (e.g. health regulations), it is recommended that you meet with your Unit Convener to schedule an alternative visit.
