96073 Clinical Placement 4
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Pass fail, no marks
Requisite(s): 96051 Clinical Placement 2 AND 96052 Clinical Placement 3 AND 96053 Advanced Clinical Skills 1 AND 96054 Research Project 2 AND 96056c Research Project 3 AND 96074c Advanced Clinical Skills 2
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject provides ongoing training as part of the practical component of the clinical program. The aim of the subject is to further develop trainees' clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, case formulation and treatment of clients with a range of presentations. In Clinical Placement 4, trainees are required to complete an external placement. During the external clinical placement, students are introduced to practice management, storing and accessing psychology files and record keeping, as well as managing people in a clinical context. Trainees are assessed in case reports and by placement reviews.
Typically external field placements are 42 days long. Placements are normally completed by attending two days per week for approximately 21 weeks. Placement length is determined by the field supervisor and the nature of their service.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 001. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
|---|---|
| 016. | Integrate diagnostic information with formulation in treatment planning |
| 017. | In collaboration with the client, adapt a standardised formulation to an individual case |
| 018. | Integrate cultural competence and client preferences into a clinical formulation |
| 019. | Test the explanatory power of a given formulation with respect to response to treatment |
| 020. | Develop a formulation from a range of clinical perspectives |
| 021. | Review and re-formulate based on new information |
| 022. | Determine the appropriateness of providing a diagnosis |
| 023. | Apply multiple methods for assessing the severity and types of mental health conditions |
| 024. | Identify comorbidity |
| 025. | Determine differential diagnoses where appropriate |
| 026. | Apply diagnostic systems (e.g. DSM, ICD) in a given clinical context |
| 027. | Identify whether a case lies within the practitioner's professional competence |
| 028. | Identify appropriate referral services for the client's needs |
| 029. | Follow a structured process to arrive at the most accurate diagnosis |
| 030. | Draw on clinical evidence to propose an intervention |
| 031. | Justify the selection of a particular intervention |
| 032. | Design an intervention |
| 033. | Evaluate stakeholder perspectives in the planning of an intervention |
| 034. | In collaboration with client, plan an intervention |
| 035. | Justify the links between diagnosis, formulation and the intervention chosen |
| 036. | Provide evidence-based treatment across the life-span |
| 037. | Use core behaviour change techniques |
| 038. | Provide evidence-based treatment across a range of disorders |
| 039. | Respond to the immediate needs of any clinical presentation |
| 040. | Utilise specific behavioural and cognitive interventions |
| 041. | Plan and review homework |
| 042. | Summarise and gain feedback from client |
| 043. | Review treatment progress and adjust treatment as required |
| 044. | Integrate varying stakeholder needs and input to achieve optimal client outcomes |
| 045. | Measure behavioural, cognitive and affective change |
| 046. | Evaluate the impact of an intervention |
| 047. | Assist client in generalising gains made in the clinical context |
| 048. | Collaboratively devise a relapse prevention plan |
| 049. | Collaboratively plan the end of treatment |
| 050. | Demonstrate empathic active listening skills |
| 051. | Apply core therapy skills, such as clarifying, reflecting, paraphrasing and summarising |
| 052. | Achieve and maintain an effective therapeutic relationship |
| 053. | Identify goals with clients and stakeholders |
| 054. | Explain one's own role, within the context of the service |
| 055. | Explain the limits of confidentiality |
| 056. | Explain the therapy process |
| 057. | Use written and spoken communication in a manner appropriate to the target audience |
| 058. | Produce accurate, succinct and well-organised written communications |
| 059. | Negotiate the commencement, conduct and termination of a treatment session |
| 060. | Negotiate the commencement, conduct and termination of a treatment program |
| 061. | Maintain professionalism in inter- and intra-professional communication |
| 062. | Communicate own work to supervisors and other stakeholders |
| 063. | Openly reflect on own work with supervisor |
| 064. | Maintain a professional relationship with supervisor |
| 065. | Give an account of how learning from supervision is applied |
| 066. | Accept supervisory input |
| 067. | Conduct ongoing self-evaluation |
| 068. | Monitor and manage in a timely fashion issues related to self care |
| 069. | Manage conflict in work and treatment settings |
| 070. | Interpret initial client information |
| 071. | On the basis of available information, establish initial assessment requirements |
| 072. | Select appropriate assessment measures and methods for a given case |
| 073. | Provide a rationale for the method(s) of assessment utilised |
| 074. | Ensure that assessment includes memory, intelligence, personality, behavioural functioning and mental state |
| 075. | Conduct appropriate tests, interviews or other assessments |
| 076. | Interpret assessment results |
| 077. | Communicate results of assessment in an appropriate format to relevant individuals |
| 078. | Respond appropriately to any risk arising from assessment |
| 079. | Engage minority or marginalised groups appropriately |
| 080. | Provide clinical services in a culturally competent way to clients of diverse cultural backgrounds |
| 081. | Respond appropriately to the service needs of vulnerable groups in society |
| 083. | Maintain continual professional development and registration requirements |
| 084. | Utilise best available methodologies and resources in clinical practice |
| 085. | Maintain records and carry out administrative tasks to the required standard |
| 086. | Adhere to the guidelines and policies of relevant professional bodies |
| 087. | Maintain familiarity with State and Commonwealth law and regulations relevant to the practice of clinical psychology |
| 088. | Negotiate a work / supervision plan |
| 089. | Manage interpersonal boundaries |
| 090. | Recognise ethical dilemmas |
| 091. | Apply ethical decision-making principles in professional practice |
| 092. | Gain and maintain informed consent |
| 093. | Maintain confidentiality at all times |
| 094. | Maintain professional dress, demeanour and behaviour |
| 095. | Engage minors and those unable to provide informed consent in an ethically appropriate way |
| 096. | Ensure own competence to practise |
| 097. | Detail practitioner's obligations with respect to own and others' competence |
| 098. | Represent the perspective of clinical psychology in interdisciplinary teams |
| 099. | Evaluate new technologies for use in clinical psychology |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Engage in reflexive practice to evaluate and integrate emerging evidence into practice, and to promote the growth of personal and professional learning, and the education of others. (01.1)
- Interpret, implement and evaluate psychological assessments and interventions using psychological theories, models and evidence to optimise client or organisational health. (02.1)
- Lead and collaborate, supporting an interdisciplinary approach, to provide ethically and legally accountable client-centred care, with awareness of own capabilities and limitations. (02.2)
- Engage in systematic enquiry, evaluating the evidence and reporting on individual and population psychological health status, using appropriate methodologies. (02.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of graduate attributes:
Lifelong learning
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional capacity
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are client-focussed, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Global citizenship
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.
Cultural competence
Graduates of the Master of Clinical Psychology are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to patient care with indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
Teaching and learning strategies
Preparation for Learning:
Students are required to prepare for placement by completing relevant learning activities. These activities include completing the required readings and skills practice prior to attending the placement and working with clients. The pre-placement activities will assist students in delivering high-quality evidence based care for the clients that they see as part of the placement.
Authentic Clinical Experiences:
Students will engage with clients with various psychological issues to apply the skills they have learnt in their coursework to the presenting problems of those clients in real-world practice.
Collaborative Learning:
Much of our work as clinical psychologists involves working with multi-disciplinary teams as well as teams made up of multiple psychologists. Therefore it is essential that clinical psychology students develop skills in teamwork. In this subject students are required to collaborate regularly with supervisors and other health/mental health professionals on their work with clients
Reflective Learning:
Reflective practice is an essential skill of a clinical psychologist. This subject aims to foster reflective practice by regularly asking students to reflect on their work with clients and identify areas of clinical strength and weakness and to identify avenues for improvement.
Ongoing Feedback:
Students receive weekly supervision and feedback from their clinical supervisors each week of the placement. This feedback is formalized at the mid-placement review and end-of-placement review.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Mid Placement Review
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists work with a variety of client presentations. The intent of this assessment is to ensure that students are competent in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment of a variety of client presentations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 090, 091, 092, 093, 094, 095, 096, 097, 098 and 099 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .008, .009, .011, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 21 days (10 weeks) |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on the subject Canvas site. Assessment whilst undertaking the external placement will be carried out via supervision on a weekly basis and reviewed at the mid placement review meeting. |
Assessment task 2: Clinical Placement - End of Placement Review (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | Clinical psychologists work with a variety of client presentations. The intent of this assessment is to ensure that students are competent in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment of a variety of client presentations. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 048, 049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, 064, 065, 066, 067, 068, 069, 070, 071, 072, 073, 074, 075, 076, 077, 078, 079, 080, 081, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 088, 089, 090, 091, 092, 093, 094, 095, 096, 097, 098 and 099 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .008, .009, .011, 01.1, 02.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 42 weeks (21 days) |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on the subject Canvas site. Assessment whilst undertaking the external placement will be carried out via supervision on a weekly basis and reviewed at mid placement and end of the clinic placement review meetings. This is a must pass component. Pass/fail grade. |
Assessment task 3: Case report (must-pass assessment)
| Intent: | The ability to communicate an understanding of client work including the conceptualization and rationale for treatment approaches is a crucial clinical psychology competency. Additionally the capacity to communicate case work in written form is essential and so completion of a case report is required during this external psychology training placement. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 019, 020, 021, 022, 032, 035, 036, 040, 045, 046, 053, 054, 057, 058, 062, 067, 072, 073, 077 and 093 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .005, .006, .009, .010, 01.1, 02.2 and 02.3 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 2000 words |
| Criteria: | Assessment criteria can be found in the Assignments link on Canvas and in the Psychology Training Clinic handbook. This is a must pass component. Pass/fail grade. |
Minimum requirements
Attendance requirements for each component of the subject are indicated above.
There are must-pass assessment in this subject. Please check assessment descriptions for details.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Recommended texts
Tolin, D. F. (2016). Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to Working with Behaviors, Thoughts, and Emotions. New York: Guilford Press.
Newman, C.F. (2013). Core Competencies in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. New York: Routledge