Professional Practice: Stage 3

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2027/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Professional Practice: Stage 3

Unit ID:

PSYCM7013

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(PSYCM7012)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(PSYCM7110)

ASCED:

090701

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit provides students with an opportunity to consolidate and extend their clinical psychology competencies through supervised practice in an approved placement setting. Students undertake culturally responsive assessment, diagnosis and formulation of increasingly complex psychological presentations and select, implement and evaluate evidence-based interventions appropriate to clients’ developmental, sociocultural and service contexts.

Students use supervision, reflective practice and routine outcome monitoring to refine clinical decision-making and adapt psychological care. They further develop professional communication, interprofessional collaboration and consultation skills while applying ethical, legal and professional standards, including culturally safe practice and the ethical and competent use of digital technologies.

Grade Scheme:

Ungraded (S, UN)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Yes - 38 days

Supplementary Assessment:No

Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit.

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	A thorough understanding of the application of clinical psychology services within the placement setting

K2.	Strong knowledge of the application of psychological assessment and diagnosis with the client population accessing the placement organisation

K3.	Thorough knowledge of the professional, legal and ethical requirements in the delivery of clinical psychology services

K4.	A well-developed understanding of the relationship between the role of a clinical psychologist and the roles of other professions providing clinical care to patients/clients.

Skills:

S1.	Demonstrate competency in applying the ethical, legal and professional aspects of psychological practice to clinical work.

S2.	Demonstrate proficiency in conducting systematic psychological assessment using a wide range of assessment techniques

S3.	Demonstrate a high level of accuracy in using written and oral communication skills to communicate clinical histories, assessment information, and clinical formulations.

S4.	Demonstrate effective skills in developing and implementing treatment strategies, to restore, sustain or enhance the mental health of clients.

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Evaluate relevant knowledge and skills in the development of academic and professional independence and responsibility for learning and professional practice

A2.	Critically analyse relevant knowledge and skills that demonstrate the relationship between the scientist-practitioner model of clinical psychology within psychological practice.

Other outcomes:

Unit Content:

Topics may include:

Utilising clinical supervision effectively
Receiving and responding to feedback
Managing a caseload
Assessment and clinical interventions
Inter-professional practice
Managing client-related documentation appropriately

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 at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Y - Present
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations.	Y - Present
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning.	Y - Present
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities.	Y - Present
FEDTASK 5 sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life	Y - Present

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	5	Placement Contract: Students must complete and submit a Placement Contract documenting the practical arrangements of the placement, the responsibilities of the student, supervisor and placement provider, and the student’s agreed learning goals. Satisfactory completion of the Placement Contract is a hurdle requirement for passing the course.	Written Task	S/U
2.	K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2	Professional Practice Hours: the required hours for the three key aspects of the placement: direct client work; client-related work; and individual and group supervision must be completed, and recorded accurately in a Log Book.	Practical and Written Task	S/U
3.	K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2	Placement Review: a formal review process to evaluate progress towards achieving the Learning Goals and meeting the required competencies occurs midway through the placement and at the end of placement.	Review	S/U

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency