HPS976 - Issues in Professional Psychology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne)

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Kaye Frankcom
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: HPS776
Typical study commitment:

This unit is taught in Intensive Mode - a week-long block at the commencement of students' first trimester in H951 Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 3 hour seminar per week

Intensive mode:
2.5 day Introductory Intensive. Key issues in Professional Clinical Psychology
5 day observational professional experience (placement)/ work integrated learning at Barwon Health Mental Health and Drugs and Alcohol services (Geelong)
2 Day Cultural Immersion Program (June; Gariwerd/Halls Gap)

Content

The Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for Issues in Professional Psychology represents important preparation for professional practice, which begins in Trimester 2 with the Clinical Placement Program and then continues throughout the course of the professional lives of graduates of this program. It is designed to provide knowledge, reflection and practice in professional issues and professional ethics as well as the governance framework that exists to support Clinical Psychology as a health discipline. Students will become familiar with the application of the various professional standards and codes relevant to the provision of psychological services. These will include: The Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics (as adopted by the Psychology Board of Australia), APS Ethical Guidelines, and the Australian National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce.

The Unit considers the governance environment in which Professional Psychology sits with a focus on the Public Mental Health System and applying effective ethical and reasoning frameworks to decision making to common dilemmas when working with clients in professional practice. Contemporary issues such as Leadership in Psychology and Health as well as the contemporary practice paradigms of Client-Centred care and Recovery orientation are also jointly considered and wherever possible utilise active learning activities.

Consistent with the wider intended learning outcomes of the program, a key focus of the Unit is the application of ethical, legal and professional Psychology practice principles within the inter-professional Health environment, with the teaching and learning and assessment activities supporting the achievement of these competencies for students. Students will directly apply new knowledge in relation to working effectively and collaboratively in health care through participation in inter-disciplinary student teams (including Psychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Medical Imaging, Optometry and Medicine) working towards the development of shared care plans for complex simulated clients using computer assisted learning technology.

Students will also participate in 5 days of Work-Integrated learning within the Barwon Health Mental Health Service where they will be observed and reflect on Psychology and Health practice in action in readiness to commence Clinical Placements.

A highlight of the Unit is the two day First Nations Australians Cultural Immersion module where students grow their understanding of culturally sensitive approaches to applying psychology knowledge and practice in working with Aboriginal people. Students will be assessed on their capacity to communicate how this learning will change their practice.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Identify and describe key principles of Inter-Professional collaboration in healthcare.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Apply the principles of Inter-Professional Collaboration in Healthcare to participate effectively in the health context to achieve best outcomes for clients.

GLO2: Communication
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO3

Articulate and apply discipline specific knowledge in considering authentic professional issues in the ethical and legal practice of Clinical Psychology.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Apply skills and knowledge inherent to the practice of Clinical Psychology in ways that are culturally sensitive to diverse communities and cultures in Australia with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

ULO5

Understand how the governance framework for Clinical Psychology is structured including key standards and legislation that apply to the practice of Professional Psychology and the broader Health profession.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO8: Global citizenship

This unit of study is designed to provide education and training in professional practice issues and professional ethics. Throughout the course, students will be expected to become familiar with various professional guidelines and codes relevant to the provision of psychological services. These will include: The Australian Psychological Society Code of Ethics (as adopted by the Psychology Board of Australia), APS Ethical Guidelines, and the Australian National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce. The unit will also include material which provides the opportunity for students to explore and develop their understanding of the legal responsibilities of professional psychologists, including for those engaged in clinical and related practice.

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1: Critique of Public Health Service interprofessional team experience 15 minute presentation equivalent to 2000 words Pass/Fail
  • Refer to unit site
Assessment 2: Self-reflection examining Cultural Sensitivity in Psychology Practice Reflective piece (800 words) Pass/Fail
  • Refer to unit site
Assessment 3: Inter-Professional Team Care Plan Development 2 in total Pass/Fail
  • Refer to unit site

This unit is a pass/fail grade only. All assessments must be passed in order for the unit to be passed.

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirement

  • Critique of Public Health Service interprofessional team experience - Pass/Fail
  • Self-reflection examining Cultural Sensitivity in Psychology Practice - Pass/Fail
  • Inter-Professional Team Care Plan Development - Pass/Fail
  • Online Multiple Choice Questions - Pass/Fail

This unit is Pass Grade only. All assessments must be passed in order for the unit to be passed.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: HPS976 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

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