Students
PSYP8915 – Professional Practical Placement
2024 – Session 2, In person-placement, On location
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Danya Braunstein
Josephine Paparo
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MProfPsych and (PSYP8901 or PSYP901) and (PSYG8001 or PSYP8902 or PSYP902) and (PSYP8903 or PSYP903)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit consists of one or more placements totalling 300 hours, in one or more professional psychology workplaces under the supervision of an Adjunct supervisor. It gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills developed in the program to real-world and professional practice situations as required by the accrediting body. This prepares the students for the 6th and final year of training and, in turn, registration and future, independent, professional practice. |
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: Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to the practice of Psychology and operate according to professional standards, the Psychology Board of Australia's code of ethics and guidelines.
- ULO2: Communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats, taking into account developmental and cultural considerations
- ULO3: Demonstrate development of competence as a provisional psychologist including the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs.
- ULO4: Apply evidence, consistent with psychological best practice, in the selection and use of assessments as well as the design of interventions.
- ULO5: Prepare for professional practice by undertaking relevant mandatory administration, maintaining accurate records of development activities and undertake professional training (e.g. risk awareness).
General Assessment Information
Skills training days can be logged towards placement requirements - 19.5 hours of practica and skills training will be completed prior to commencing placement. This will comprise online (self-paced) learning, on-campus practica, and panel discussions.
Internal supervision can be logged towards placement requirements - 2 hours of group supervision and 1 hour of individual supervision will be completed during Session 2.
Interprofessional learning can be logged towards placement requirements - two one hour online sessions will be attended during Session 2.
Total hours of logged placement activities may be between 300 - 322.5, inclusive of a minimum of 40 hours of supervision. In some cases, additional field placement hours and supervision may be required to achieve competency.
Supervision is expected to be at the ratio of one hour for every 7.5 hours of placement (i.e. one hour of supervision and 6.5 hours of practice for each day). Actual hours per day of field placement may vary.
Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.
All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.
Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).
To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.
Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Placement Review | 30% | Yes | Within 7 days of the date set in the placement agreement |
| End of Placement review | 30% | Yes | Within 7 days of completion of the placement |
| Log Book record keeping | 20% | Yes | Within 7 days of completion of the placement |
| Case Report | 20% | Yes | Submit any time in S2, at latest 23:55 3/11/2024 |
Mid Placement Review
Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Within 7 days of the date set in the placement agreement
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Mid Placement progress report on report template completed by supervisor against goals across 300 hour placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to the practice of Psychology and operate according to professional standards, the Psychology Board of Australia's code of ethics and guidelines.
- Communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats, taking into account developmental and cultural considerations
- Demonstrate development of competence as a provisional psychologist including the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs.
- Apply evidence, consistent with psychological best practice, in the selection and use of assessments as well as the design of interventions.
- Prepare for professional practice by undertaking relevant mandatory administration, maintaining accurate records of development activities and undertake professional training (e.g. risk awareness).
End of Placement review
Assessment Type 1: Field work task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Within 7 days of completion of the placement
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
End of Placement report completed by supervisor against goals across 300 hour placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to the practice of Psychology and operate according to professional standards, the Psychology Board of Australia's code of ethics and guidelines.
- Communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats, taking into account developmental and cultural considerations
- Demonstrate development of competence as a provisional psychologist including the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs.
- Apply evidence, consistent with psychological best practice, in the selection and use of assessments as well as the design of interventions.
- Prepare for professional practice by undertaking relevant mandatory administration, maintaining accurate records of development activities and undertake professional training (e.g. risk awareness).
Log Book record keeping
Assessment Type 1: Log book
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Within 7 days of completion of the placement
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Compile and produce a practice log which records their self-reflections on their developing professional practice and learning and achievement of goals.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to the practice of Psychology and operate according to professional standards, the Psychology Board of Australia's code of ethics and guidelines.
- Communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats, taking into account developmental and cultural considerations
- Demonstrate development of competence as a provisional psychologist including the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs.
- Apply evidence, consistent with psychological best practice, in the selection and use of assessments as well as the design of interventions.
- Prepare for professional practice by undertaking relevant mandatory administration, maintaining accurate records of development activities and undertake professional training (e.g. risk awareness).
Case Report
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Submit any time in S2, at latest 23:55 3/11/2024
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Submit an assessment or intervention case report, demonstrating skills developed in client practice during the placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative frameworks relevant to the practice of Psychology and operate according to professional standards, the Psychology Board of Australia's code of ethics and guidelines.
- Communicate effectively across a wide range of client groups, colleagues and other professionals, using a variety of formats, taking into account developmental and cultural considerations
- Demonstrate development of competence as a provisional psychologist including the professional and personal skills for assessing continuous development needs.
- Apply evidence, consistent with psychological best practice, in the selection and use of assessments as well as the design of interventions.
- Prepare for professional practice by undertaking relevant mandatory administration, maintaining accurate records of development activities and undertake professional training (e.g. risk awareness).
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
As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including internal skills training days and external field placement at the placement provider organisation. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Recommended Readings
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5-TR (5th edition, text revision.). (2022). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.
Technology Used
Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device, and internet access. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library. Software requirements include access to MS Excel, Word, and Adobe (PDF), or comparable software.
Unit Schedule
| Location & Date | Learning Activities | |
| Day 1 | Asynchronous, online learning | Skills training - Reflective practice, record keeping |
| Day 2 | Wednesday 12th June, on campus | Skills training - interviewing & risk assessment |
| Day 3 | Friday 14th June, on campus | Skills training - formulation & intervention planning |
| Days 4 - 20+ | Field placement | Work-integrated learning - Practice and placement supervision |
| July - November, online | Interdisciplinary online meetings x 2 | |
| August - November, online | Group supervision sessions x 2 | |
| October, online | Individual supervision session |
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.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.
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.
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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.
Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook