96101 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 4
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96107 Advanced Communication and Counselling AND 96106 Application of Genetics and Genomics AND 96114 Research Project 2 AND 96100 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 3
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
The final clinical placement subject provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate and document their learning and development across the five competency standards that are expected for certification with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA). These are communication skills, reflective practice, counselling and interview skills, critical thinking skills, case management skills and professional and ethical practice. Students continue with weekly reflective practice supervision activities, integrating coursework learning with supervised clinical experience. Students continue to maintain an e-portfolio to record and reflect on their learning during this subject and complete assessment tasks mirroring those they will undertake as part of HGSA certification after graduation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 005. | Engage in client-centred genetic counselling practice |
|---|---|
| 009. | Demonstrate the development of effective client-counsellor relationships |
| 015. | Facilitate adaptive responses and coping with clients and their families |
| 016. | Respect, protect and maintain client confidentiality |
| 018. | Facilitate informed decision-making with clients and their families |
| 020. | Use education to empower clients and families |
| 024. | Communicate effectively with clients, their families, and other health professionals |
| 031. | Identify, synthesise, organise and summarise medical and genetic/genomic information for use in a clinical consultation |
| 033. | Facilitate clients’ understanding of risk |
| 041. | Engage in reflective practice |
| 042. | Conduct genetic counselling with individuals and groups in a variety of contexts and settings |
| 043. | Engage in inclusive, collaborative, consultative practice |
| 044. | Adapt genetic counselling practice according to the language, beliefs, customs and practices of different groups |
| 051. | Accurately assess genetic risk and modify genetic counselling accordingly |
| 066. | Adhere to laws, evidence-based guidelines, codes of conduct and policies that are relevant to genetic counselling practice |
| 068. | Organise and prioritise workload autonomously and as a team member |
| 075. | Work within the boundaries of the Scope of Practice for Genetic Counsellors |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Apply evidence-based genetic and genomic health care to practice across a variety of settings and roles. (1.1)
- Apply professional self-awareness through self-reflection to enhance their practice in genetic and genomic counselling to improve client outcomes. (1.2)
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of cultural and societal diversity and disparity in health care into genetic counselling practice. (2.1)
- Critically reflect on ethical Indigenous research including relationship building, communication, client-centred and reflective practice to work with and for Indigenous Australians across the genetic counselling profession. (2.2)
- Demonstrate appropriate and effective relationships with people from diverse communities. (3.1)
- Provide education about genetics and genomics to a wide variety of audiences. (5.1)
- Demonstrate the core tenets of the genetic counselling profession, including professional and ethical behaviour and responding positively to changes in genetic and genomic healthcare. (5.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the following graduate attributes:
Practice ready
Graduates of the Master of Genetic Counselling are knowledgeable and literate healthcare practitioners, with well-developed workplace communication skills. They are skilled in providing evidence-based care to clients and their families in a variety of settings as autonomous and collaborative practitioners.
Culturally competent
Graduates of the Master of Genetic Counselling are self-reflective, culturally competent professionals who embrace cultural diversity. They work alongside Indigenous Australians, New Zealand Maori, Pacifica and other culturally and societally diverse groups to build equitable access to genetic and genomic healthcare.
Person-centred
Graduates of the Master of Genetic Counselling are empathic, person-centred practitioners who form and value partnerships with individuals, families and communities. They facilitate understanding and adaptation to information provided by genetic and genomic technology for individuals and families.
Professionally competent
Graduates of the Master of Genetic Counselling embody professional and ethical practice, and uphold knowledge and competency standards both locally and globally. They embrace opportunities for leadership and contribute to shaping the future development of the genetic counselling profession.
Teaching and learning strategies
Preparation for Learning: A 20-day clinical placement and participation in a week-long Virtual Clinical Placement (VCP) forms the core work in this subject. While on placement, students will continue the development of core competencies required for HGSA Certification. Activities that assist in the preparation for placement and preparation for weekly reflective practice supervision will be undertaken on Canvas.
Live and online workshops: Weekly live and online small group reflective practice supervision provides students with a weekly opportunity to engage with their supervisor and student colleagues throughout this subject. Supervision provides a rich environment for discussion and collaborative exploration of clinical placement experience, contributing to deep learning.
Reflective Learning: Students are encouraged to critically reflect on their learning and skill development throughout the subject, to identify areas where they may improve their performance, and to assist in the development of lifelong learning. Reflective learning will be encouraged through specific activities including weekly reflective practice supervision in small groups, and assessment tasks in which students will reflect on their placement experience and emerging professional identity over the duration of the session.
Ongoing feedback: Verbal feedback will be provided throughout the subject during reflective practice supervision. Opportunities for formative feedback on assessment tasks are available prior to the due date and summative feedback is provided following final submission. Students will engage in feedback conversations with clinical placement supervisors throughout the placement. Written feedback from the clinical placement supervisor is provided in the student placement report.
Content (topics)
Students complete their final clinical placement during this subject.
Students are required to complete four weeks (up to 24 days) of supervised placement at a UTS Genetic Counselling approved site. The timing of the placement will depend on availability of clinical placement supervisors at UTS Genetic Counselling approved sites. Placements are allocated by the academic team.
Placements will take place between week 1 and week 14. There may be an opportunity to commence the placement during the mid-year break or the UTS exam period. Placements may occur as a 4 week block, or as a 7 week period of 2-3 days per week. Weekly live and online classes for other subjects in Autumn session are scheduled for Thursday and Friday to allow students to be present at their placement site for the majority of each week. Clinical placement experiences will vary depending on the placement site. Students are encouraged to maximise their opportunities for learning while on placement while balancing coursework and supervision. As this is the final placement, we strongly encourage you to challenge yourselves to be involved whenever possible and appropriate to do so.
Students will participate in weekly live and online small group reflective practice supervision throughout the session to support and enhance their learning.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Long case
| Intent: | In-depth reflection and consideration of a single case deepens understanding of counselling issues common to genetic counselling, and strategies used to work with clients. Preparation of a long case report also provides the opportunity for a detailed review of related counselling and genetic literature. This task continues the preparation for HGSA certification following graduation, and builds on your experience in Autumn session when you submitted a modified long case. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 005, 009, 015, 016, 018, 024, 031, 041, 042 and 075 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 3.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 4000 words |
| Criteria: | The assessment criteria align with the assessment criteria used by the HGSA Board of Censors for Genetic Counselling. You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Clinical placement supervisor's report, this is a must pass assessment
| Intent: | In order to be a deliberative professional, genetic counsellors learn to reflect on current practice to identify strengths and areas for further learning. The clinical placement supervisors report forms the platform for identification of goals for each placement and formal, written feedback at the end of the clinical placement. This, in turn, assists with the identification of learning goals for future placements, contributing to development of lifelong learning. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 005, 016, 020, 024, 031, 033, 043, 066, 068 and 075 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | A report template will be provided to the student and the clinical placement supervisor prior to the start of the placement. A 500 word reflection will be submitted with the supervisor's report |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. The clinical placement supervisor’s report provides the written feedback for this assessment task. |
Assessment task 3: Logbook
| Intent: | This task continues to prepare students for completion of HGSA Certification following graduation. Students are required to maintain a log book of cases while on clinical placement, using the same template as they will use when undertaking certification following graduation. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 005, 009, 015, 016, 018, 020, 024, 031, 033, 041, 042, 043, 044, 051, 066 and 075 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Reflection |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | A template will be provided for the logbook. Word limits will apply to each section of the logbook, in accordance with HGSA guidelines. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: VCP Workbook and recorded consultation, this is a 'must-pass' assessment
| Intent: | The virtual clinical placement (VCP) comprises the fifth week of clinical placement and gives the students an opportunity to practice skills for which there was limited opportunity in their on-site placements. It is the final placement activity providing an opportunity to demonstrate work readiness. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 005, 009, 015, 016, 018, 020, 024, 031, 033, 041, 042, 043, 044, 051, 066, 068 and 075 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | A template will be provided for the workbook. A 500-word reflection will be submitted with the workbook A video of a simulated consultation completed during the VCP will be submitted |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
|
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this Subject, a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved and students must submit all assessment tasks. The final assessment task is a ‘must-pass’ assessment in which a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved.
Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% classes.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)