Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

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

Rationale

This core unit of the Clinical Psychology programs provides you with the opportunity to develop psycho diagnostic assessment and clinical skills. This unit consists of supervised psychological practice in the placement agency. The "placement agency" may be the QUT Psychology Clinic or an external agency in which relevant psychological practice is conducted. The unit is designed to meet the relevant supervised practicum requirements of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Queensland Psychologists Board.

Aims

The aim of this core unit is to provide you with an intermediate level of professional knowledge and skills in the practice of clinical psychology, awareness of ethical guidelines, and a good standard of professional conduct through supervised clinical practice in the QUT Psychology Clinic or an external agency.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Articulate and demonstrate an appropriate level of competence in knowledge, psychological assessment and intervention strategies in clinical psychology.


2. Demonstrate competence in ethical, legal and professional matters including knowledge of and adherence to the APS Code of Ethics, Psychology Clinic procedures and legal requirements involved in psychological practice.


3. Demonstrate competence in relation to communication and professional conduct in: meeting placement requirements; punctuality and organisational skills; managing professional activities; maintaining effective communication with clients, Clinic staff, and external agencies; informing the public and other professions about relevant psychological and clinical services; critically appraising psychological research and communicate information to wider audiences.


4. Demonstrate a capacity to utilise the supervision process and deliver case presentations; discuss relevant theoretical and clinical issues; follow supervisor's directive; give and receive constructive feedback in peer reviews; and to comply with the supervision contract.


5. Demonstrate competence in research and evaluation relevant to your placement including a capacity to identify and define research problems and evaluate research outcomes.

Content

The "Supervised Practicum 2" consists of 250 hours (excl. supervision time) of psychological practice in the placement agency (except with the prior written approval of the course co-ordinator). The 250 hours must include a minimum of 80 hours direct client contact. The minimum requirement of supervision hours is 25 hours of individual supervision. You must allocate sufficient time for undertaking the supervised practicum (approximately 12 hours per week).

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

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Assessment

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Formative assessment is ongoing and is provided through your regular contact with your supervisor and weekly case presentations.

Whilst individual strengths and weaknesses, theoretical orientation, particular skills and interests and previous experience may vary, you are expected to demonstrate, and will be assessed on, certain generic skills throughout the course of your placement.

1. Hours of general psychological practice (method of assessment: Logbook, Summary sheet) (Objectives 1-4)
   
2. Hours of direct client contact (method of assessment: Logbook and Client Contact Sheet) (Objectives 1-3)
   
3. Supervision (method of assessment: Supervisor?s evaluation, Supervision Logbook) (Objectives 2-4)
   
4. Clinical work (method of assessment: Supervision Contract, Supervision, Observations, A/V Recordings, Reports, Case File, Case Summary) (Objective 1)
   
5. Case Summary (method of assessment: Assessment of written reports) (Objective 3)
   
6. Psychological Testing (method of assessment: supervision, written report) (Objective 1)
   
7. Case Study (method of assessment: Written Report) (Objective 1)
   
8. Case Files (method of assessment: Unannounced audits) (Objective 3)
   
9. Logbooks (method of assessment: Unannounced audits, final submission) (Objectives 1 & 4)
   
10. Case presentations (conceptualisation, formulation, ethical issues, relevant research) (Objectives 1, 2, 5)

A minimum requirement to pass the assessment requirements of the Unit is a satisfactory end placement report from the internship supervisors plus meeting the requirements of the comprehensive oral exam.

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: You will be required to submit a bound placement portfolio comprising:

• Copies of your placement agreement;


• One case study illustrating a psychodynamic perspective;


• One psychological report illustrating the use of a psychodynamic approach including the use of the CCRT and a standard assessment of outcome;


• A record of supervision sessions;


• A record of activities and summary of placement hours;


• Two examples of client related correspondence;


• The completed mid and end of placement review by the supervisors;


• Two copies of discharge summaries;


• Your student evaluation of placement, and


• A reflective essay on your experience.

Your portfolio will be assessed on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Assessment name: Multi-Station Assessment Task
Description: Summative
The Multi-Station Assessment Task assessment is a comprehensive oral exam based on individual interviews and examples based upon video material which cover the six areas of competency as defined by the QLD Psychologists Registration Board. These are:

1. Knowledge of the discipline;


2. Psychological assessment;


3. Intervention strategies;


4. Research and evaluation;v
   
5. Communication; and


6. Ethical, legal and professional matters

Criteria

• If one station (section) is failed, you can re-sit that section alone after remediation


• If two stations (sections) are failed, you can re-sit those two sections after remediation


• If three stations are failed, you will be required to re-do the placement and re-sit the entire MSAT thereafter.


* Students who fail 3 or more components of the MSAT will be required to repeat the Internship.
* All criteria are assessed on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
* The exam will take place in the last weeks of the semester.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester


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

Teyber, E. (2006) Interpersonal Process in Therapy: An Integrative Model (5th ed.). USA: Brooks Cole.

Texts and references are subject to change.
Set texts will be confirmed at the start of semester.
Check Blackboard and CMD.

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Risk assessment statement

There may be out of the ordinary risks associated with placements, eg. exposure to forensic populations, those with impaired judgment due to psychological disorders or intoxication. You will be provided with printed notes relating to safety issues at the beginning of semester, and you will be reminded of safety guidelines at the beginning of each placement.

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: 13-Sep-2012