Available in 2024
Course code

PSYC6512

Units

10 units

Level

6000 level

Course handbook

Description

Clinical placements provide students with opportunities to apply, under supervision, the knowledge and skills they have acquired in assessment, formulation, intervention, evaluation and reporting. Students will also receive feedback on their performance and gain experience in the planning and organisation of clinical services. Students must undertake at least 1000 hours of practical experience spread over four placements. This placement is typically of 43 days duration, at a rate of 2 days a week for approximately 22 weeks. At the conclusion of this placement, students will demonstrate achievement of core professional competencies in clinical psychology practice relevant to the context and their stage of training, with increased skill development as the student progresses through their practicum training program (across all four placement courses).


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Callaghan

  • Semester 1 - 2024
  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Establish therapeutic relationships with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients and communicate professionally and effectively with them in a culturally responsive manner. (Competencies 3.3)

2. Conduct clinical interviews and select, administer and report appropriate psychological assessments for a wide range of psychological disorders, and analyse and evaluate the results within a clinical setting. (Competencies 3.4, 3.6, 4.2.2.ii)

3. Integrate, interpret, and synthesise clinical information from a range of sources to develop a psychological formulation that will guide diagnosis and intervention. (Competencies 3.6, 4.2.2.iii, 4.2.3.i)

4. Devise and implement psychological intervention plans which are evidence based and clearly derived from formulations. (Competencies 3.2, 3.9, 4.2.2.iii, 4.2.3.i)

5. Monitor clients' progress, the therapeutic alliance, evaluate intervention outcomes and make modifications as required. (Competencies 3.2, 3.7, 3.9, 4.2.2.iv, 4.2.3.i, 4.2.3.ii)

6. Provide culturally appropriate, clear, comprehensive, accurate, and relevant verbal and written reports of their activities. (Competencies 3.3, 3.8)

7. Maintain behaviour consistent with ethical and professional standards with a focus on ensuring public safety. (Competencies 3.3, 3.10, 3.11, 3.13)

8. Work effectively and co-operatively with a range of professionals and support staff in the workplace by following the procedures of the organisation and working within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements. (Competencies 3.10, 3.11, 3.13)

9. Engage in self-reflective professional practice and supervision in a manner which will help develop their professional/practical, inter-personal and intra-personal skills development. (Competencies 3.12, 3.14, 3.15, 4.2.3.iii)


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 supervisor's professional work, where available including (where relevant) reports of clinical activity.
  3. Attendance at and participation in clinical staff meetings.
  4. In most instances, the provision of clinical care to one or more clients.
  5. Instruction and guidance in ethical and professional conduct, the choice of assessment instruments, the development and evaluation of psychological formulations and psychological intervention  plans, and the construction of reports.
  6. Feedback on and supervision of the student's placement work, including assessment, formulation and intervention and report writing.

Review of Progress

This course is a compulsory program requirement and is monitored for academic progress purposes. The course must be completed to progress in the program or meet other program requirements.

Failure or withdrawal from this course will result in students being considered under the Student Academic Progress Procedure.


Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Psychology [40187]


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 also assumed that students have already completed the courses PSYC6502 Counselling and Intervention and PSYC6501 Professional and Ethical Practice. It is assumed that students have completed at least two clinical placements unless otherwise approved.


Assessment items

Demonstrated competency: Demonstrated competencies in all listed assessments
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Case Study / Problem Based Learning: Case study
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Professional Task: Placement supervisor's evaluation
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.

Professional Task: Review of placement
Compulsory Requirement: Pass requirement - Must pass this assessment item to pass the course.


Compulsory Requirements

Compulsory Placement and WHS Requirements:

  • Ahpra Requirement - Provisional or full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) - NB: Registration must be renewed each year.
  • NSW Health Verification Requirements - Mandatory NSW Health Verification Requirements must be met. - This includes immunisations, national police certificate and code of conduct.
  • WHS Requirement - Students must complete a Workplace Safety Induction or Risk Assessment.

Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Callaghan

Practicum-1
  • Face to Face Off Campus 320 hour(s) per term
  • A total commitment of 43 days. Placement days are deemed to have commenced only after a learning agreement has been received and approved by the placement coordinator. Placements may occur outside of academic semesters.

Semester 2 - 2024 - Callaghan

Practicum-1
  • Face to Face Off Campus 320 hour(s) per term
  • A total commitment of 43 days. Placement days are deemed to have commenced only after a learning agreement has been received and approved by the placement coordinator. Placements may occur outside of academic semesters.

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.