PSYCHOL 7412 - MClinPsych(Defence) Placement I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

Placements are arranged within the Joint Health Command, Australian Defence Force, to reflect the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia and Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists. Students will be required to gain a broad experience of clinical psychology in a range of Defence settings. Supervision will be met by providing a university supervisor through the School of Psychology and provision of a field supervisor by the Australian Defence Force (approved by Head of School).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PSYCHOL 7412
    Course MClinPsych(Defence) Placement I
    Coordinating Unit Psychology
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 334 hours
    Prerequisites PSYCHOL 7407, PSYCHOL 7402, PSYCHOL 7403
    Corequisites PSYCHOL 7404
    Restrictions Available to MClinPsych(Defence) students only
    Assessment Contract agreed to by field placement supervisor, student & university placement supervisor, logbook, case report, mid placement review, student evaluation report and placement supervisor report.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jane Mortimer

    School of Psychology Office
    Ms Jessica Venning
    Phone: +61 8313 4934  
    Email: jessica.venning@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Room 415, Hughes Building


    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1.    Apply the professional standards and codes of conduct  to clinical practice
    2.    Use feedback from supervisors, colleagues and other professionals to improve professional practice
    3.    Integrate interpersonal and organisational skills into clinical practice
    4.    Select, administer and interpret assessment results competently
    5.    Interview  a diverse range of people competently
    6.    Provide appropriate  Evidenced Based Therapy for people from diverse backgrounds.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,3-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,3-6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,2-6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 4-6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-6
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-6
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources
    Barr Smith Library – Psychology on the WebThe Library is a major resource centre for students. The Research Librarian for Psychology, Maureen Bell, provides some useful information through the Internet at http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/psychology. The website contains a list of databases, links to tutorials and help with searching methods.

    For additional information please refer to the  Master of Clinical Psychology (Defence) Program Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Online Learning
    This course may use MyUni for one or more of the following:
    - Communication with students via Announcements and Discussion Board
    - Submission of assessment
    - Access to resources such as forms, templates and additional readings
    - Self-directed learning activities

    Link to MyUni: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The Supervisor and trainee meet each week for a formal scheduled supervision tutorial. This should be of at least an hour’s duration. Longer supervision may be needed depending on the developmental needs of the trainee. In addition, supervisors should make themselves available for informal discussion of matters that arise between formal supervision sessions. Approximately 60 hours of supervision is required for each placement.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    This placement requires approximately 334 hours of placement activity. This placement is made up of face-to-face client contact (approximately 134 hours per placement), supervisory (60 hours per placement) and clinical experience hours (remainder).  
    Learning Activities Summary
    As this placement involves clinical training there are no formal lectures. Essentially, the Learning Activities are tailored for each individual depending on the nature of the placement and the developmental needs of the trainee.  Learning Activities reflect the Learning Outcomes stated.
    Specific Course Requirements
    On the initial enrolment into one of the Master’s program, all students (unless already a Registered Psychologist) MUST apply for and obtain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.  All students are required to provide a copy of their registration details to the Program Administrator on their first day in the Program: this will be required for the Summer School courses Interviewing & Intervention and Evidence-Based Practice. The application form and details of fees payable are available from the PBA website: http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Forms.aspx.

    Candidates are required to consent to a police check as part of their application to the Psychology Board of Australia for Provisional Registration, a requirement of enrolment in the program. A satisfactory current police check is a mandatory requirement for acceptance to and continuation within the program.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning outcome(s) being addressed
    Mid placement review Formative Not applicable All
    End of placement supervisor report Summative NGP All
    Assessment Detail
    A mid-placement review form is completed by the trainee and Placement Supervisor to review the trainee’s performance and the extent to which the Learning Outcomes are met. A final placement assessment meeting between the trainee, the Placement Supervisor and the University supervisor will occur at the end of the placement to assess the completion of the Learning Outcomes. The assessment of all Learning Outcomes is based on evidence provided in the final Placement Supervisor Report.

    Further information is available in the Master of Clinical Psychology (Defence) Placement Handbook at the time of enrolment at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Submission
    In the case of unsatisfactory placement performance in which the trainee has not met the requirements he/she may be given the opportunity to extend the placement, or to do another placement to an acceptable level provided he/she is not thought to be a risk to self or others. The ultimate decision as to whether the trainee has successfully completed the requirements of the placement is made by the University Placement Coordinator in full consultation with the Placement Supervisor.

    For further information re the Assessment Policy please refer to the Master of Clinical Psychology (Defence) Placement Handbook at the following link:
    http://health.adelaide.edu.au/psychology/students/resource/handbooksforms.html
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    GS8 (Coursework Grade Scheme)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing
    FNS Fail No Submission
    NFE No Formal Examination
    F Fail
    NGP Non Graded Pass
    P Pass
    C Credit
    D Distinction
    HD High Distinction
    RP Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Assignments are graded by NGP.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.