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Clinical Placement B1

Unit code: HAYC558

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration1 semester / teaching period
Contact hoursAs required
CampusHawthorn
Prerequisites

HAYC557 Clinical Placement A2

CorequisitesNil

Related course(s)

Aims and objectives

The placement units in this degree are integrated into a placement program that runs across the years of the course. Clinical training at Swinburne is based on the problem formulation and hypothesis testing approach. The emphasis of this approach is on developing an optimal individualized formulation of each client or clinical challenge. Intervention choices and monitoring strategies flow directly from this formulation, which in turn will explicitly develop as treatment progresses. Accordingly, graduates of the program will be able to:
• Reach a detailed program formulation on the basis of both standardized and unstandardised assessments, and
• Design and conduct appropriate individual, group and family treatment intervention programs, with ongoing monitoring, and revision of problem formulation and interventions where necessary.
 
External Placements HAYC558 Clinical Placement B1 and (HAYC559 Clinical Placement B2) are undertaken in external field settings and can only commence after placements A1 and A2 are successfully completed. This first external placement in the program requires a greater degree of independence/autonomy from the trainee, and in this sense is a developmental step from the closely monitored activities of the two initial internal placements at the Swinburne Psychology Clinic. Trainees will typically be under the direct daily supervision of an on-site psychologist who is eligible for membership of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and the internal university placement coordinator will act as an additional supervisor to provide support for the placement experience. Clinical Placement B1 can occur at a variety of settings, depending upon the trainee's experience, skill and interests and depending on the availability of appropriate supervision on-site and a useful training role in the organisation.

Teaching methods

The primary teaching method in this unit is direct supervision of the trainee's clinical activities by an experienced clinician in an appropriate external mental health setting. Supervision will be conducted in both individual and group formats, and the supervision process will be informed by regular observation of the trainee's work with clients, as well as review of clinical documents written by the trainee.

Assessment

Placement subjects are graded as PASS/FAIL. The specific tasks that must be adequately completed in HAYC558, Clinical Placement B1 are:
• Pre-placement contract

• Placement Activities Logbook
• Professional journal
• 1,500 word Trainee Placement report
• 2 x 2,000 word psychological assessment report
• Supervisor’s Report
 

Generic skills outcomes

Graduates are capable in their chosen professional area:
• Competence with the management of clients in a professional manner within specialist settings.
• Advanced skills in customer service.
• Competence in therapeutic interventions.
• Ability to conduct psychological assessments concerning personality, intelligence and vocational questions.
• Therapy skills in working with individual clients.
• Competence in directing and evaluating group programs.
 
Graduates are adaptable and work effectively and ethically:
• Applying the APS Code of Ethics and Guidelines.
 
Graduates are aware of environments:
• Respect clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Understand the impact of culture on therapy.

Content

Each placement is measured in both total days (40 days = 320 total hours) and in hours of direct client contact (130).

Placement hours include client contact hours, group contact hours, supervision hours, plus workshop attendance, time spent reading relevant background literature, writing up client case notes, report writing, assessing individuals for inclusion in group programs, developing group programs and evaluating their effectiveness, administrative duties, and professional development activities.



Reading materials

American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders - text revision (DSM-IV-TR), 4th edn, Washington, DC, 2000.
O'Donohue, W & Ferguson, K (eds),
Handbook of professional ethics for psychologists, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 2003.

Other specified readings as set by the supervisor.


Text books

Australian Psychological Society, Code of ethics, 2007.
Australian Psychological Society,
Ethical guidelines, 9th edn.

Other specified readings as set by the supervisor.