Students

SPTH8831 – Speech Pathology Clinical Practice 1

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Elisabeth Harrison
elisabeth.harrison@mq.edu.au
Jennifer Brown
jennifer.brown@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MSpchLngPath
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this clinical practice unit, lectures and tutorials will introduce students to speech pathology professional standards, reflective practice, foundational clinical skills, and advanced communication skills. Students will attend clinical placements and engage in clinical observation, speech pathology practice, and case discussions with clients, families and relevant professionals. Placements will provide learning experiences with a range of child and adult communication and swallowing disorders. Students will also engage in the preparation, planning, and reflection activities required for clinical placements. Placement: 12 full days, i.e., 1 day per week for 12 weeks.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Recognise and adopt ethical behaviours required for clinical practice in speech pathology.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate on COMPASS Novice Level Behaviours in Professional Competency of Reasoning, and on CBOS Competencies 1 (Assessment), 2 (Analysis and Interpretation), 3 (Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices), and 4 (Implementation of speech pathology practice).
  • ULO3: Demonstrate on COMPASS Above Novice Level Behaviours on Professional Competencies of Communication, Learning, and Professionalism, and on CBOS Competency 7 (Lifelong learning and reflective practice).

General Assessment Information

  • SPTH8831 is subject to the Fitness to Practice Procedure. Please refer to the Academic Progression Policy for information about Fitness to Practice, or click the relevant links in the "Policies and Procedures" section below.
  • The weightings entered in this unit guide are a function of unit guide system's requirements. Please consult the SPTH8831 iLearn site and MSLP Placement Handbook for full assessment information, rules, and requirements.
  • Absences from SPTH8831 placement days are subject to the Special Consideration Policy. Please refer to the MSLP Placement Handbook, SPTH8831 iLearn site, or contact the unit convenor for more information about absences from SPTH8831 placement.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern. 

 For example:

Number of days (hours) late

Total Possible Marks

Deduction

Raw mark

Final mark

1 day (1-24 hours)

100

5

75

70

2 days (24-48 hours)

100

10

75

65

3 days (48-72 hours)

100

15

75

60

7 days (144-168 hours)

100

35

75

40

>7 days (>168 hours)

100

-

75

0

 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Word limits

Assessment submissions with excessive word counts will receive a penalty commensurate with the amount the submission has exceeded the word limit stated in the assessment description. Excessive word counts will result in the following penalties:

  • From 11 to 20% over the word limit = reduction by one grading band.
  • More than 20% over the word limit = reduction by at least two grading bands, with further penalties applied at the discretion of the unit convenor.

For example: Word limit = 2000 words; Submission word count = 2240, i.e., 12% over the limit, and therefore a penalty is applied as follows:

  • Initial grade = D
  • Penalty = reduction of one grading band
  • Final grade = C 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Ethics quiz 0% Yes Week 3
COMPASS assessment 100% Yes Week 12 - 13
Case presentation, discussion and self - evaluation 0% Yes Week 13 - 14

Ethics quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

In this assessment, students will complete an unweighted in - class hurdle quiz focused on the Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics. Quiz questions will address key concepts, their meanings, and their application to clinical scenarios. Students must achieve a mark of 80% in order to meet the requirements of this Unit, and engage in a clinical placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise and adopt ethical behaviours required for clinical practice in speech pathology.

COMPASS assessment

Assessment Type 1: Clinical performance evaluation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 12 - 13
Weighting: 100%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students will be assessed using the COMPASS competency-based assessment tool, which includes self-evaluation components at the midpoint, and at the end of the placement. This hurdle assessment is unweighted.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise and adopt ethical behaviours required for clinical practice in speech pathology.
  • Demonstrate on COMPASS Novice Level Behaviours in Professional Competency of Reasoning, and on CBOS Competencies 1 (Assessment), 2 (Analysis and Interpretation), 3 (Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices), and 4 (Implementation of speech pathology practice).
  • Demonstrate on COMPASS Above Novice Level Behaviours on Professional Competencies of Communication, Learning, and Professionalism, and on CBOS Competency 7 (Lifelong learning and reflective practice).

Case presentation, discussion and self - evaluation

Assessment Type 1: Viva/oral examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Week 13 - 14
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students will report, evaluate, and discuss their progress with development of clinical competencies over the course of SPTH8831. Students will link this progress to specific CBOS and COMPASS Competencies, and discuss their development with MSLP course staff. Reflective reports will be delivered in two formats: a written report, and a viva examination.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Recognise and adopt ethical behaviours required for clinical practice in speech pathology.
  • Demonstrate on COMPASS Novice Level Behaviours in Professional Competency of Reasoning, and on CBOS Competencies 1 (Assessment), 2 (Analysis and Interpretation), 3 (Planning evidence-based speech pathology practices), and 4 (Implementation of speech pathology practice).
  • Demonstrate on COMPASS Above Novice Level Behaviours on Professional Competencies of Communication, Learning, and Professionalism, and on CBOS Competency 7 (Lifelong learning and reflective practice).

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

In this unit, classes will introduce students to speech pathology professional standards, reflective practice, foundational clinical skills, and advanced communication skills. Students will attend clinical placements and engage in clinical observation, speech pathology practice, and case discussions with clients, families and relevant professionals. Placements will provide learning experiences with a range of child and adult communication and swallowing disorders. 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook