PSYC6512

Psychology Placement 3

Faculty of Science and Information Technology School of Psychology

10 Units 6000 Level Course

Available in 2013

Callaghan Campus	Semester 1, Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Psychology placements provide students with opportunities (a) to observe practice by qualified professionals, (b) to apply, under supervision, the knowledge and skills they have acquired in assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation and reporting, (c) to receive feedback on their performance, and (d) to gain experience in the planning and organisation of services. Students must undertake at least 1000 hours (Masters), or 1500 hours (Doctorate) of practical experience spread over four (Masters) or five (Doctorate) placements. This placement is normally of 32 days duration, at a rate of 2 days a week for approximately 16 weeks. Placements are available in a wide range of settings.

This course includes a Compulsory Course Component requiring the completion of a review of the placement, assessed by:
1. the supervisor's evaluation of competence;
2. the completion of placement hours; and
3. the submission of placement log book.

This course is mandatory for students in the Master of Clinical Psychology, Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and the Professional Doctorate in Clinical and Health Psychology and students must pass this course in order to progress within their program.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this Compulsory Course Component in the course outline provided by the School.

Objectives

At the conclusion of the placement students will be able to do the following at a level of expertise appropriate to their stage of training:

If a Clinical site
1. Establish appropriate relationships with their clients (and/or relevant carers) and communicate effectively with them to obtain and provide information.
2. Select and administer appropriate instruments for assessment or other methods for data collection, and analyse and evaluate the results
3. Integrate and interpret information from a range of sources in order to arrive at a formulation (describe clients_ problems within a psychological framework).
4. Devise and implement an action plan which is evidence based and clearly derived from the formulation.
5. Monitor and evaluate the effects of the action plan and make modifications as required.
6. Provide clear, comprehensive, accurate, and relevant verbal and written reports of their activities.
7. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
8. Understand the organisation of the clinical unit and work effectively and co-operatively within that organisation.

If a Health Promotion site
For a particular project the student is involved with, they will:
1. Understand the theoretical and practical rationale for the development of the project, including identifying need in terms of morbidity and mortality data, and other relevant methods.
2. Understand the implications of broader psychological principles of research and theory to the project and situation.
3. Understand the project (strategy selection and implementation in particular) including: key milestones or deliverables; project staff and collaborators; key strategies for current implementation as well as for how the project will ultimately achieve sustainable change.
4. Understand the underlying theoretical rationale and methods used in the evaluation of the program, in particular how the availability of resources and the ultimate use of the evaluation findings impact on the evaluation plan.
5. Participate in those aspects of the projects planning, delivery or evaluation as directed/negotiated with the placement supervisor.
6. Opportunity for student to observe supervisor and/or other staff engaged in service delivery and vice versa

Content

1. Introduction to the placement setting, including points of decision making, channels of communication, roles and functioning of key staff.
2. Observation of the supervisors_ professional work, including (where relevant) reports of clinical activity.
3. Attendance at and participation in staff meetings.
4. In most instances, the provision of clinical care to one or more clients, or active participation in one or more stages of a health promotion project.
5. Instruction and guidance in ethical and professional conduct, the choice of assessment instruments, the development and evaluation of psychological formulations and action plans, and the construction of reports.
6. Feedback on and supervision of the student's placement work, including report writing.

Replacing Course(s)

PSYC6607

Transition

Not applicable

Industrial Experience

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that students will have completed a four-year program in Psychology which included course(s) on abnormal psychology and which has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. It is assumed that students have already completed at least two clinical placements.

Modes of Delivery

External Mode

Teaching Methods

Case Study
Clinical
Practicum

Assessment Items

Essays / Written Assignments

Report of clinical activity (case study) if a clinical placement, or project report if a health promotion placement to be submitted within two weeks of the last day of placement.

Other: (please specify)

Review of Placement
This assessment is a compulsory course component for the course. A Pass grade is required in order to pass the overall course. Assessment of this course requires:

1. Completion of an agreed number of hours undertaken in a professional clinical or health promotion setting under the direction of an approved placement supervisor.

2. Submission of a supervisor's evaluation of competence

3. Submission of an adequately maintained placement log-book

The supervisor will complete an evaluation of competence that will contribute to the School's decision on a placement Pass or Fail grade.
Each of these components must be met in order to ensure that the course objectives are satisfied and the requirements for accreditation and registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board are met.

Clinical competence at or above the level expected for the stage of training, and the submission of an adequately maintained logbook, are a compulsory course component in the assessment of placements. That is, it is not possible to pass a placement course unless these criteria have been met.

Make-up provisions
Students who are unable to complete part of their placement will still have sufficient placement experience to base the Supervisors report and log-book on.

Progress report
Students' progress on their placements is assessed routinely (around the middle of the placement) during a meeting between the student and the supervisor. Feedback is provided for the student and steps to remedy any shortcomings are negotiated with the supervisor. At these reviews the quality of the students' entries in their log-books will be checked and supervisors will recommend improvements if shortcomings are found.

Contact Hours

Practicum: for 16 hour(s) per Week for Full Term

Compulsory Components

Requisite by Enrolment	This course is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Doctor of Clinical and Health Psychology programs.
Compulsory Course Component	OHS-Criminal Record Check
Compulsory Course Component	OHS-Prohibited Employment Declaration
Compulsory Course Component	OHS-Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. Compulsory Course Component: In order to participate in this course students must complete a compulsory health and safety requirement.
Compulsory Program Component	Successful completion of PSYC6504 - Psychology Placement 1 and PSYC6508 - Psychology Placements 2.

Timetables