Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (21/10/2024 - 16/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
Clinical practice. Students are placed in a clinic full-time for six weeks with a clinical educator to develop competency in practical components of speech pathology including development of effective communication skills, report writing, case management & professional development.
This course is your first block placement. It will provide essential experiences in at least one area of communication and/or swallowing and will assist in the development of competencies consistent with the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (2020). You will be working side-by-side with clinicians in their usual workplace, and will be expected to interview, assess, diagnose, treat clients, and report on your assessment and intervention. Clinicians are aware of your present stage of learning and have agreed to undertake your supervision. Your clinical skills and competencies will be assessed using Competency Assessment in Speech Pathology (COMPASS 2) (Speech Pathology Australia, 2013).
Please note: Practice educators will be provided with student email addresses. It is important that students regularly check their student email.
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Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that students entering this course will have successfully completed at least two clinical placements and be conversant with clinical ethics, responsibilities and confidentiality requirements of The University of Queensland Health and Rehabilitation clinics. Further, students are expected to have assessment and intervention knowledge as would arise from working in both 2nd and 3rd year clinics.
It is assumed that students have completed all enrolment requirements in regard to immunisation, Blue Card status, completion of First Aid requirements, Queensland Health Orientation checklist, Queensland Health student deed polls, UQ Occupational Health and Safety form and UQ Confidentiality Statement.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SPCH3102, SPCH3106, SPCH3107
Restrictions
BSpPath Students
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Your hours in the placement will be determined by the clinical setting and your practice educator.ﾠPlanning and preparation may be required outside of those working hours.
Aims and outcomes
Clinical Practice
Thisﾠcourse focuses on theﾠcontinued development of the skills and competencies that you will require to practise as a speech pathologist in the workplace. It has an emphasis on development of:
- Professional competencies of reasoning, communication, lifelong learning and professionalism (SPA PSﾠ1.1-1.5, 2.1-2.6)
- Competencies relating to assessment, analysis, interpretation, and planning and implementation (SPA PS 1.1-1.5,ﾠ2.1-2.6, 3.1-3.5)
- Competencies relating to caseload management, service delivery, professional and reflective practice, and promotion of the profession (relative to opportunity) (SPA PS 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2.2, 3.2-3.6)ﾠ
You will need to be familiar with the Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standardsﾠand the Competency Assessment in Speech Pathology COMPASSﾮ2 documents.
ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Establish effective communication skills in relationships with clients, colleagues and the wider community. Further, you will be able to vary your communication style such that it is appropriate to the target audience. (SPA Professional Standard 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.1)
LO2.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Demonstrate development of competency in giving clear and concise reports, both written and verbal, which are appropriate to the intended audience (SPA Professional Standard 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 3.3)
LO3.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Demonstrate development of competency in either describing or diagnosing your clients' communication difficulties, and using this information to plan and/or deliver a speech pathology management program (SPA Professional Standard 1.1, 1.6, 2.5, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5)
LO4.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Take a holistic case management approach by demonstrating knowledge of contributing factors that may be affecting communication performance, and demonstrate critical thinking in relation to your clients' presentation (SPA Professional Standard 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 2.2, 2.5, 3.1-3.3)
LO5.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Demonstrate development of competency in therapeutic intervention with clients within your clinical placement, particularly with respect to problem solving in clinical situations (SPA Professional Standard 2.5, 3.5)
LO6.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Demonstrate an appropriate level of professional and ethical behaviour within the environment of your block clinical placement. This includes demonstration of appropriate professional responsibility and adherence to the rules and routines of the clinic to which you are rostered (SPA Professional Standard 1.1, 1.2, 1.3)
LO7.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Recognise and consider the roles of other professionals in the overall management of clients seen in the clinic (SPA Professional Standard 1.4, 2.6, 3.1)
LO8.
CLINICAL PRACTICE - Evaluate your performance and demonstrate a steady and gradual progression in clinical development as well as in understanding the role of this clinical course in the development of life-long learning skills (SPA Professional Standard 2.1-2.4)
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Mid Placement Assessment on COMPASS 2
|
formative assessment |
(Start/end dates will vary depending on the placement) |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
End Placement Assessment on COMPASS 2
|
Pass/Fail (MUST PASS) |
(Start/end dates will vary depending on the placement) |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Mid Placement Assessment on COMPASS 2
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- formative assessment
- Due date
(Start/end dates will vary depending on the placement)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
Your progress will be assessed at the midway point of your placement using COMPASS®2 Online. You and your practice educator will meet to discuss your performance on each of the 11 units of competency identified by COMPASS®2.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
End Placement Assessment on COMPASS 2
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- Pass/Fail (MUST PASS)
- Due date
(Start/end dates will vary depending on the placement)
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
The development of your competencies will be assessed at the end of your placement using COMPASS®2 Online. Students will be evaluated by the practice educator using the COMPASS®2 Evaluation Tool. The final decision regarding a pass/fail grade in this course will be made by the course coordinator.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this assessment to pass SPCH3205 overall.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: Students will be awarded a PASS grade for SPCH3205 based on achievement of a 'PASS' on the block placement. Further information on the passing criteria for the clinical block placement is as follows: 1. Evidence from the practice educator that students have demonstrated performance at a minimum of an Intermediate level, with the majority of competencies being at above Intermediate Level (see Behavioural Descriptors of Student Competency in the COMPASS 2 Assessment Booklet). A more detailed outline of this descriptor is available in the COMPASS 2 Resource Manual (SPA, 2013) 2. Evidence of progress over the course of the placement in the development of professional competencies 1 to 4 and CBOS occupational competencies 1-7 on COMPASS 2 (relative to opportunity), and 3. A decision by the course coordinator based on all available evidence. |
| F |
Course grade description: Students will be awarded a FAIL grade for SPCH3205 if they have failed the block placement. Further information relating to criteria that would constitute a fail for the block placement is as follows: 1. Concern expressed by the practice educator that students have demonstrated behaviours consistent with performance at Intermediate level or below, only, on the majority of competencies, as described by COMPASS 2 on the Behavioural Descriptors of Student Competency in the COMPASS 2 Assessment Booklet, 2. A high degree of variability in ratings on units of competency, 3. Evidence of lack of progress over the course of the placement in the development of professional competencies 1 to 4 and CBOS occupational competencies 1-7 on COMPASS 2 (relative to opportunity), and 4. A decision by the course coordinator based on all available evidence. Note: The removal of files or resources, failure to place materials in files, and/or incomplete reporting can result in a reassessment of relevant COMPASS 2 units after placement end. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Absentee Process
If you are unable to attend a compulsory clinical learning activity due to medical or extenuating circumstances, you are required to complete the SHRS Absentee Form. The completed form along with the required evidence must be emailed to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Student and Academic Support Unit (enquiries.shrs@uq.edu.au) within three calendar days of the scheduled activity.
The SHRS Absentee Form can be found on your relevant Course Blackboard site.
If your absence is due to a non-permissible circumstance (as per the SHRS Absentee Form), your attendance at the clinical activity is expected.
Please note, it is expected that you will notify your practice educator prior to or on the day of clinical placement and as soon as is practical to notify of your absence, in addition to submitting the above information to SASU.
Implications for lack of attendance
A minimum of 90% attendance is expected at all compulsory clinical learning activities. This includes sessional clinical placement, block clinical placement, and simulations. This ensures that you can participate in all relevant learning experiences and allows your practice educator to observe sufficient clinical activities to complete relevant ratings and assessments.
Use of Generative AI in Assessments
Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills, and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Use of Generative AI in Student Placements
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) are increasingly used in society. In terms of clinical placements, students are not permitted to use AI unless explicitly indicated by the provider that this use is permitted, and the parameters of use are clear. If these are not explicit, students are expected to consult with their practice educators before implementation to determine the acceptability of generative AI use and ensure that any potential risks associated with the intended use are addressed. AI is not a replacement of, or substitute for, professional reasoning or clinical skills. Human oversight is essential in its use, and to employ generative AI effectively and responsibly, students must understand how AI works, including its functions, data storage methods, and its impact on adherence to professional codes of conduct.
If used on placement, students are responsible for any outputs generated by AI, such as clinical notes and reports, and will be held accountable for the actions of any AI that is used in clinical practice. This responsibility includes ensuring adherence to the relevant profession's code of conduct and ethical standards. Transparency about generative AI use is essential in placement environments. Students must follow the relevant policies and procedures of their placement provider. Students are reminded that they need to demonstrate their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the relevant profession, operate within its scope of practice, and ensure that client/patient privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times. Under no circumstances should identifiable clinical information be uploaded to open or external AI platforms, as it is unethical and irresponsible.
Resubmission/Resit of assessment items
The School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences supports the concept of resubmission or resitting of failed assessment items in specific and defined circumstances. Resubmission/resit of assessment items are not avaliable in this course.
After resit, the maximum result is a pass mark for that assessment component. Students who are granted a resitﾠfor an assessment item and do not attend on scheduled date will not be permitted to reschedule the assessment.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitiny
When assessment is submitted throughﾠBlackboardﾠyou will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt.ﾠThis information will also be sent to your student e-mail account.ﾠPlease ensure you keep this email.
When assessment is submitted throughﾠTurnitinﾠyou will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at:ﾠhttps://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (2020)
COMPASS®2 Assessment Booklet & Resource Manual (2013)
Clinical Portfolio
Speech Pathology Clinical Education Community Blackboard Site
Speech Pathology Australia Code of Ethics (2020)
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Self-directed learning Students will engage in self-directed learning with a specific emphasis on reflection and application of knowledge, skills and experience gained in their previous placements, and the ability to transfer these skills to their upcoming block placement. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
Fieldwork |
Placement Block placement. Students will engage in a block placement of 6-10 weeks duration (days per week will vary depending on the length of the placement). Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Lecture This lecture is scheduled in week 5 and will provide an important overview of the block placement and the associated assessment requirements. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.