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

Practicum A and Practicum B are a pair of units designed to reflect a major component of the practicum requirements which must be successfully completed to be an accredited exercise physiologist as outlined by Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). In Practicum A you will be working with clients with cardiorespiratory/metabolic conditions and in Practicum B you will be working with clients with neurological/neuromuscular or musculoskeletal conditions.

The provision of safe, effective and appropriate forms of exercise and activity for both treatment and
secondary prevention in individuals with a range of neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal
conditions requires a sound knowledge base and practical skills. In this practicum you will experience
clinical exercise prescription that enables you to undertake all aspects of screening, assessment, program design and prescription, monitoring and evaluation of exercise and activity, for the principal neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal conditions. You will broaden your range of experiences with a variety of clients in a five week external practicum experience.

Aims

This unit aims to bring reflection and focus to the whole course experience through internal and full time external practicum where links to the real world are experienced and critically examined in relation to theory.

Objectives

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

1. Synthesise specific Clinical Exercise Physiology knowledge and skills and apply strategies as appropriate to your practicum placement context.


2. Demonstrate professional and interpersonal communication skills when working with diverse client groups, supervisors and colleagues.
3. Work independently and in partnership with teams and other professionals.


4. Demonstrate self-management for efficient and professional practice with a high standard of technical skills and competence.


5. Engage in reflective practice, planning and action for ongoing learning.

Content

The practicum unit will consider issues relating to exercise prescription in neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders: including:
· Group 1 stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and neuromuscular diseases
· Group 2 depression, anxiety, psychoses, dementia, eating disorders.
· Group 3 arthritides, osteoporosis, sub-acute and chronic specific and non-specific musculoskeletal pain/injuries
Other conditions may be included where they arise at the practicum site.
Practicum planning, in association with the Professional Experience Program Co-ordinator and Worksite Supervisor/s, will take place before the start of the placement. If you intend starting your practicum outside semester time, you must arrange a meeting with the Professional Experience Program Coordinator to discuss how this will occur and the assessment required.

Professional practical experience will be undertaken in an outside organization dealing with one or both groups of conditions/disorders mentioned above. You are expected to undertake at least 5 weeks (200 hours) of full time work experience in the outside organization. After a suitable period of orientation, you will participate fully in the day-to-day operation of the organisation.

Development of generic professional skills and attributes - the practicum experience provides an opportunity to develop your specific clinical exercise physiology and generic professional skills. The latter include interpersonal communication, application of performance feedback, teamwork, organisational and personal management, critical thinking, writing skills and oral presentation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This practicum unit seeks to build coherence and relevance to the course experience by connecting the theory learned to observation, critical reflection and reporting in practice. Through this real world experience, students are guided towards professional development and career preparation.

Assessment

Summative assessment consists of 3 items as outlined below.
Students must achieve a Satisfactory grade on Assessment Item 1 to pass the unit.

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 name: Placement Performance
Description: You will undertake a five week placement concentrating in the areas of neurological, psychological and musculoskeletal disorders.

The placement component is graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: You will undertake a professional task (project) while on this placement. Your practicum project is intended to both contribute value to the practicum site and provide a learning experience for you. Your project topic will be developed in conjunction with your Site Supervisor, and must be approved by the Practicum Coordinator before proceeding.

Length: 2000 word report

Due Date: Two weeks after the end of placement
Relates to objectives: 1-2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Placement

Assessment name: Case Study
Description: From your logbook you will select 3 case studies based on clients that you have encountered while on practical placement and then write three reports that reflect on your work with each. This report will also highlight the evidence base for your assessment and treatment plan.

Length: 3000 words

Due date: The first of these will be due after the first two weeks of placement to enable you to receive feedback before completing the remaining two.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 60%
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

In addition to the online materials, the following texts are recommended:

LeMura, L. M., & von Duvillard, S. P. (2004). Clinical exercise physiology: Application and physiological
principles. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Skinner, J. S. (Ed.) (2005). Exercise testing and exercise prescription for special cases: theoretical basis and clinical application. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Wasserman et al. (2004). Principles of exercise testing and interpretation: including pathophysiology and clinical applications (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Risk assessment statement

Blue Card
Applications should be made through QUT's Student Centre, Kelvin Grove, F Block, Level 6.
· Allow 12 weeks for processing
You must obtain a Blue Card BEFORE you begin your placement. A Blue Card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (Working with Children check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the Blue Card and how to apply, please visit the following QUT site: Blue Cards http://www.student.qut.edu.au/studying/jobs-and-work-experience/work-experience-and-placements/blue-cards

Vaccinations
Student Health Assessment Form to be submitted with other documentation.

Hepatitis B vaccination report and serology immunity report
· Allow 6 - 9 months (standard course) for verification of immunity by blood test.
· You must attach documentary evidence of your Hepatitis B Immunisation & a recent blood test confirming immunity to Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B Vaccinations are available from University Health Services (Kelvin Grove Ph.3138 3161 - Level 2, 44 Musk) or from your local GP.
More detailed Faculty policy/information regarding vaccinations can be viewed via the following links:
· http://cms.qut.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/25923/Vaccination.pdf
· http://cms.qut.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/25884/Vaccination-non-responder.pdf

Current Senior First Aid Certificate & CPR (please note First Aid is current for 3 yrs, CPR MUST be renewed annually)
· You are required to have a current Senior First Aid Certificate before you begin your clinical based units.
There are a variety of First Aid courses that are delivered by approved providers and duly authorised under the Ambulance Service Act 1991.

Queries regarding the above placement requirements should be forwarded to the Health Working Integrated Learning (WIL) Team located in O Block, Wing D, Level 6 (KG Campus) or via email at health.wils@qut.edu.au

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit. However, it is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the specific health and safety requirements of the workplace in which you undertake your 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: 10-Dec-2012