Course Title: Working with Clients with Co-existing disorders

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Working with Clients with Co-existing disorders

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS2172

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Chris Walters

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8268

Course Coordinator Email: chris.walters@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.02

Course Coordinator Availability: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

You must have successfully completed the pre-requisite course HWSS2171 Assessment of Clients with Alcohol and/or Other Drugs Interventions prior to enrolling in this course.


Course Description

Building on the foundational knowledge and skills developed in the Alcohol and Other Drugs Interventions elective (HWSS2171), this course will provide you with the opportunity to develop key skills and knowledge required of workers in the AOD and community (non-clinical) mental health sectors. You will learn to recognise and respond appropriately where clients present with a dual diagnosis of AOD and mental health issues. 

In this course you will develop knowledge of psychiatric medication and how this can interact with other drugs.

This course will also introduce you to the central philosophies of the mental health sector, including knowledge and understanding of a range of mental health treatment options to assess individual client needs, develop case plans and provide referrals as required.

You will develop knowledge and understanding of the dual diagnosis approach and apply this to effectively advocate for, support and refer a client with a dual diagnosis to specialist services.

By undertaking this course in combination with the elective course HWSS2171, Alcohol and other Drugs Interventions, as part of the successful completion of your undergraduate degree you will be qualified to work in clinical and non-clinical roles in Alcohol and Other Drugs and community (non-clinical) mental health settings in government and non-government organisations throughout Australia.

 

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

 

  1. Apply knowledge of contemporary policy and evidence-based therapeutic models to effectively communicate and engage with diverse clients
  2. Apply practice-based knowledge and skills to work responsibly and ethically with and for clients presenting with a dual diagnosis of AOD and mental health issues in the AOD and community (non-clinical) mental health sectors
  3. Interpret, analyse and synthesise a range of information to screen and assess a client's individual treatment needs
  4. Apply knowledge and understanding of contemporary policy and evidence-based therapeutic models and government and non-government organisations to determine referral of clients to appropriate services.


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

 

  1. Apply knowledge of contemporary policy and evidence-based therapeutic models to effectively communicate and engage with diverse clients
  2. Apply practice-based knowledge and skills to work responsibly and ethically with and for clients presenting with a dual diagnosis of AOD and mental health issues in the AOD and community (non-clinical) mental health sectors
  3. Interpret, analyse and synthesise a range of information to screen and assess a client's individual treatment needs
  4. Apply knowledge and understanding of contemporary policy and evidence-based therapeutic models and government and non-government organisations to determine referral of clients to appropriate services.

 

 

 

 


Overview of Learning Activities

To develop and demonstrate practice-based knowledge and skills you will participate in practical learning activities in simulated industry settings based around case studies and scenarios and using industry standardised tools.

These activities are designed to facilitate your achievement of all the course learning outcomes and may include role plays, meetings, presentations and preparation of documentation You will work individually and in small groups.

 

 

 

 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with the resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. You will be guided to a range of resources, directly relevant to the content. You will be encouraged to read more broadly through access to online learning tools and content for your course via myRMIT and RMIT Library resources. These resources will include journal articles, media articles, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video, and links to external websites. You will have the opportunity to contribute to class resources by sharing your own sources with your peers.

Please refer to the subject guide available via this link:

http://rmit.libguides.com/community

https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/.../wkstd13.pdf

 


Overview of Assessment

To satisfactorily achieve all requirements of this course by demonstrating satisfactory achievement of all the learning outcomes you must complete all of the following assessment tasks successfully:

Task 1

Research into a mental illness and identification of at least 3 services that are funded to provide information and support along with commonly prescribed medications to treat this illness.

1500 words, 30% weighting, LO1, LO3

Task 2

Further analysis of the 3 case studies presented in class of 3 fictional clients, developing a series of mental health plans, administration of the mental health state exam, and completion of the mental health screening tool and creation of case notes.

2000 words, 40% weighting, LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Task 3

Completion of the mental health/AOD risk assessment and identification of 2 appropriate local services and programs that use a dual diagnosis approach. You will be required top refer to the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce.

1500 words, 30% weighting, LO1, LO3