Course Title: Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: HWSS6083C

Course Title: Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4364 - Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Course Contact: Chris Walters

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8268

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this unit you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to establish and work within the current context, philosophy and values of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.

This unit applies to workers who come into contact with clients affected by alcohol and other drugs.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

Element:

1. Establish the context for AOD work

 

 

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Research, analyse and maintain up to date knowledge and awareness of the social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD

1.2 Research and analyse impacts of AOD policy frameworks on AOD work practice   1.3 Apply understanding of the historical and social constructs of alcohol and drugs and the changes in alcohol and drug use

Element:

2. Apply understanding of context to AOD practice

 

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Apply knowledge of broad and specific AOD contexts to AOD work practice   2.2 Identify and use legal frameworks that impact on AOD work   2.3 Identify, review and apply information about evidence based models and frameworks of AOD work

Element:

3. Integrate the core values and principles of AOD work into practice

 

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess AOD practice values and ensure support and interventions are person centred   3.2 Apply a harm minimisation approach to maximise support for the AOD client   3.3 Support the client’s rights and safety, including access and equity of services

Element:

4. Apply understanding of the impact of values in AOD practice

 

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Reflect on personal values and attitudes regarding AOD use and acknowledge their potential impact when working in AOD contexts   4.2 Apply awareness of organisations’ values   4.3 Consider client values in determining interventions and supports

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

Classes where information is shared through talks and discussions, and workshops where exercises are conducted to apply learning. Time is spent during classes and workshops for students to work on group and individual assessment tasks.


Teaching Schedule

 

Week 1

Social, political, economic and legal contexts of AOD

  • Ways of understanding substance use
  • Ways of understanding and responding to substance related harms
  • Current concepts & constructs of the AOD sector
  • Legal status arguments and their impacts

Week 2

Drug fundamentals

  • Classes of Drugs, Types of Drugs and how they are administered
  • Signs and symptoms of use
  • Patterns and prevalence
  • Short & long term effects of use

Week 3

Legal and ethical considerations in AOD work

  • Defining ethics
  • Identifying, accessing and interpreting sources of information about the ethical responsibilities that apply to your role
  • Meeting ethical responsibilities according to workplace codes, policies and procedures
  • Laws that apply to AOD Work

Week 4

Modes of AOD work

  • Types of AOD Work
  • AOD treatment approaches

Week 5

Philosophies of AOD Work

  • Intro to Harm Minimization, Recovery Oriented practice, person centered practice, empowerment, health promotion (as per ottawa charter)
  • Risk & mitigation strategies for working with people affected by Alcohol & other drugs

Week 6

Revision & Assessment Task

  • Recap core concepts covered in course
  • Major Assessment task/roleplay


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

1: Individual assessment including role play and case study

2: Individual journal

3: Online quiz


Assessment Tasks

Assessment task 1: Practice journal - Each week students are required to answer multiple choice questions and critically evaluate & answer 1 short answer question reflecting on information about current values and philosophies of the AOD sector based on weekly class content

Assessment task 2: Case studies and role play

Assessment task 3: On line quiz


Assessment Matrix

Students will have access to a marking rubric for reference at the time that assessment tasks are distributed.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: rmit.edu.au/students

Course Overview: Access Course Overview