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

Practice in community nutrition is vital to integrate theory with practice. To develop effective nutrition programs/strategies, you need an understanding not only of appropriate theories, but of the real-life food and nutrition knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and issues of different community groups. You need to be provided with opportunities to work in multi-disciplinary teams and to understand how community programs interlock with other health services.

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 earlier years in the area of community and public health nutrition practice. and professional approach to nutrition and dietetic practice.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to demonstrate entry level competency in the areas of community and public health nutrition practice. This will involve being able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge sufficient to ensure safe practice in the community and public health nutrition area;
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 groups;
4. Manage components of programs which deal with nutrition issues in the community as part of a health care team;
5. Demonstrate basic skills in research and evaluation;
6. Demonstrate an organised, professional and ethical approach to work.

Content

You will attend one community or public health nutrition site and undertake project work as designated by the placement supervisor. You may be required to attend placement out of the Brisbane metropolitan area. You will be required to attend your allocated placement site for the equivalent of six weeks, five days per week during the allocated six week time period with some flexibility required to cater to placement supervisor and project needs. You will also be required to attend a further week of placement at QUT making a total of seven weeks.

Wherever possible you will attend the placement in pairs. In some circumstances you may be attending in a trio.

You are also required to be involved in:

• The planning, implementation and evaluation of small group education sessions at various times throughout the year.


• The completion of an assignment that is focussed on the food system and policy changes required.

Specific skill and graduate capabilities you will develop include:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to community and public health nutrition;


• 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;


• Self-reliance and leadership;


• Competencies required to practice as a Dietitian or Public Health Nutritionist.

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. You will be required to attend a week of orientation in January and a week of debrief in November.

Requirements for Placements:
1. 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
2. Health Assessment Form & Student Declaration: 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


• Other Vaccine preventable disease immunisation schedule information required, as per Student Immunisation Policy Please read the Student Immunisation Policy and Declaration Form for QUT School of Public Health, regarding vaccinations and vaccine preventable communicable diseases.

3. 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. You will be advised as to how to complete this unit in the orientation week.

Other: 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 $46.

Assessment

There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester. You will need to complete each component of assessment to a satisfactory level in order to pass this unit This unit will graded using Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

Assessment will include:
1. Placement performance: measured by formative and summative feedback from your supervisor, a written report and responses to selection criteria
2. Demonstration of nutrition education for small groups
Case study related to the exposition of an area of food policy

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 year 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 competency 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: Placement Performance
Description: You must complete the required time at the placement (30 days) 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 guidelines. Competency statements must be completed by you and confirmed by your supervisor. Placement performance will also be assessed by supervisor and tutor feedback. You will need to complete all components of this unit to a satisfactory level.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End of placement

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: During the year you will be required to undertake a series of four nutrition education sessions with four different target groups. These sessions require you to complete the proformas and to get ratification from a participant within the group.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: April & October

Assessment name: Case study
Description: You will be required to provide a case study on the topic relevant to the food supply that will be given to you at the beginning of the year.
Relates to objectives: 1-6
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: October

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

CMD readings
Hudson, Nancy R. Management Practice in Dietetics, 2nd Ed, 2005, Barnes & Noble
King, K. The Entrepreneurial Nutritionist, 2nd Ed. 2010, Wolvers-Lippincott.

Risk assessment statement

There are no risks associated with this unit.

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: 06-Nov-2012