Advanced Communication Skills for Health Professionals

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2026/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Advanced Communication Skills for Health Professionals

Unit ID:

NHPHS3015

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

061799

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit builds on students’ foundational knowledge and focuses on the advanced communication strategies and frameworks required for effective clinical practice. Students will examine how human behaviour influences health and explore behaviour change techniques, such as motivational interviewing, to support patient care. The unit delves into trauma-informed care and sensitive communication, ensuring students are equipped to engage with patients in a respectful, empathetic, and culturally appropriate manner. Students will also explore the role of health education, skill development, and social prescriptions in empowering patients and connecting them with community resources. Additionally, the unit focuses on professional conversations and feedback mechanisms to deliver comprehensive, patient-centred care. Furthermore, students will engage in interprofessional education, collaborating across healthcare disciplines to design and implement patient-centred care strategies. This approach emphasises the importance of teamwork and the integration of diverse expertise to enhance patient outcomes.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

Placement Component: No

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Describe how human behaviour and behaviour change strategies influence individual health and well-being.

K2.	Identify key principles of trauma-informed care and sensitive communication practices in practice settings.

K3.	Recognise how health education and social prescriptions can engage both individuals and communities to take control of their health and connect them with community resources.

Skills:

S1.	Utilise effective communication skills to conduct professional interactions and provide feedback in a supportive and collaborative manner.

S2.	Perform comprehensive assessments of individuals health and health communication needs and adapt communication strategies to meet their specific needs.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Collaborate within interprofessional teams to design and implement patient-centred care strategies.

A2.	Demonstrate emotional support management for clients and self.

Unit Content:

Human Behaviour and Health

Motivational Interviewing

Trauma Informed Care & Sensitive Communication

Professional & Feedback Conversations in Healthcare

Health Education, Skill Development & Social Prescription

Assessing & Addressing Patient Needs in Clinical Contexts

Self-Awareness, Self-Care & Managing Clinical Challenges

Interprofessional Education (IPE) & Collaborative Practice

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.
FEDTASK 5 Sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context

Learning Outcomes Assessed

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Type

Weighting

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency