Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Clinical Practice in Individual Case Management is essential to enable demonstration of the ability to apply the theory of Medical Nutrition Therapy to individual case management within the practical setting. Skills and professional attitudes which are key competencies can only be demonstrated within the hospital and community setting. These include communication, working in multidisciplinary teams and demonstration of safe practice. Inclusion of at least 10 weeks of placement involving management of individuals is a requirement of the Dietitian's Association of Australia. This unit is scheduled in the final year of placement as it draws upon and consolidates knowledge, skills and professional attitudes developed over the preceding years of study.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with the opportunity, in real world settings, to further develop your knowledge, confidence and skills to apply many of the theoretical principles covered in the earlier years of medical nutrition therapy.

Objectives

1. demonstrate knowledge sufficient to ensure safe practice in the individual case management area in different settings including acute hospital care and community care
   
2. interpret and translate scientific knowledge and principles related to nutrition into practical information
   
3. collect, organise and assess data relating to the health and nutritional status of individuals
   
4. manage client-centred nutrition care for individuals
   
5. demonstrate basic skills in research and evaluation
   
6. demonstrate an organised, professional and ethical approach to work.
   

Content

The unit consists of working in a hospital, nursing home or community outpatient setting undertaking individual case management in dietetics. You will learn the professional role of a dietitian, and you are required to demonstrate professional competencies in interviewing, data collection, dietary assessment, diagnosis, determination of goals and strategies, counselling, workload management and professionalism. Satisfactory demonstration of all competencies is required for professional entry.

Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will develop include:

• knowledge and skills relevant to medical nutrition therapy
  
• critical, creative and analytical thinking, and effective problem-solving
  
• effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
  
• the capacity for life-long learning
  
• the ability to work independently and collaboratively
  
• social and ethical responsibility and an understanding of indigenous and international perspectives
  
• characteristics of self-reliance and leadership
  
• competencies required to practice as a Dietitian
  

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will be available in internal mode. You are placed with supervisors either individually or in pairs. You will receive help from these supervisors as well as QUT staff. You are expected to demonstrate initiative and problem solving skills. Tutorial assistance is provided by QUT.

Requirements for placements:
Blue Card - Allow 12 weeks for card issue: You must hold a Blue Card to undertake any unit which involves possible contact with children, including any required clinical studies. You should allow 12 weeks for the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardians to issue the card. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please go to the Commission's web site and search for Blue Card .

Criminal Record Review - You will need to undertake a Criminal History Check to enable you to work in some locations, particularly when working in aged care. Please note that the Criminal History Check can be submitted closer to your placement date. There is a cost of approximately $46

Health Assessment Form & Student Declaration:
Please read the Student Immunisation Policy and Declaration Form for QUT School of Public Health, regarding vaccinations and vaccine preventable communicable diseases. Includes:
· Hepatitis B immunisation + Verification of Immunity Blood Test -Allow 6 months (standard course) or 21 days (fast track course)+ 2 months for verification of immunity by blood test
· Tuberculosis Screening + immunisation
· Other Vaccine preventable disease immunisation schedule information required, as per Student Immunisation Policy.

Queensland Health Orientation Package and Documents
It is a Queensland Health Requirement that all students complete this orientation package before undertaking any placements which involve QH. The package is completed online at www.health.qld.gov.au/SOP/.

Assessment

There are two assessments to be completed throughout the semester.

Designated unit
This is a designated unit. Designated units include professional experience units, units requiring the development of particular skills, and units requiring the demonstration of certain personal qualities, and are deemed to be critical to progress in your course. If you fail to achieve a passing grade in this unit on two occasions you will be issued with an unsatisfactory academic performance notice and could be excluded from the course. Supplementary Assessment will NOT be granted to students enrolled in designated units.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit.

You should complete the placement assessment forms throughout your placement and discuss these and seek feedback with your supervisor and tutor on a weekly basis. This will ensure you will have the opportunity to meet all required competencies and identify as early as possible any areas where further improvement may be required. Personal development and reflection are encouraged throughout.

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: You must complete the required time at each placement and achieve satisfactory competence to meet the Dietitians Association of Australia accreditation requirements, including demonstrating appropriate professional conduct as described in the DAA Code of Professional Conduct). Competency statements must be completed by you and confirmed by your supervisor. Placement performance will also be assessed by supervisor and placement coordinator feedback.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBD

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: You will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence to meet competencies due in the final week of placement. Cases and learning goals and outcomes will be presented weekly at tutorials. You will be required to present at least one case study presentation at the end of the first hald of placement and in the second half of the placement. Your portfolio of written summaries of the cases and case presentation and learning goals and outcomes is required by the final week of placement.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text(s):

Escott-Stump, S. (2011). Nutrition and diagnosis-related care (7th ed.). Sydney: Lippincott-Williams and Wilkins.

Mahan, L., and Escott-Stump, S. (2011). Krause's Food and the Nutrition Care Process (11th ed.). Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company.


Stewart, R. Griffith Handbook of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics. Gold Coast: Griffith University (latest edition).


Lecture materials from other units are also expected to contribute to the theoretical background to this unit. Students are also expected to use key literature including published guidelines.

Risk assessment statement

Blue card
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000) requires that students undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a blue card by the Commission prior to undertaking field experience in a school or centre, or undertaking activities in any unit which may involve contact with children. You will require a blue card for clinical placement/practicum in this unit. You should apply for a blue card at least 12 weeks before any clinical placement/practicum. Current blue card holders must register their card with QUT. For more information visit www.bluecard.qut.edu.au

Assessment for this unit will involve a workplace-based assignment. You should be aware of and abide by the health and safety requirements of the workplace. You are expected to undergo any induction or other training provided in the workplace for employees or visitors to the workplace as appropriate. See the Nutrition Workplace Integrated Learning website for further details including vaccination and working with children requirements. Refer to QUT's Faculty of Health Student Immunisation Policy for recommendations and student requirements regarding vaccine preventable diseases. When completing education sessions, QUT health & safety and ethics forms must also be completed.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 14-Nov-2012