Course Title: Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: HWSS5661C
Course Title: Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector
School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies
Campus: City Campus
Program: C5318 - Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, other drugs and mental health)
Course Contact : Xenia Girdler
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4660
Course Contact Email:xenia.girdler@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Iren Citler
iren.citler@rmit.edu.au
9925 4914
Nominal Hours: 50
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
The course describes the knowledge and skills required by all workers who may be working primarily with clients with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues and provides a basic introduction to values, services and approaches applied to work in this sector.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector |
Element: |
1.Work within the context of the AOD sector |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1Reflect consideration in all work in the sector of the historical context of the sector |
Element: |
2.Develop knowledge of the AOD sector |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1Demonstrate consideration and basic understanding of the essential values and philosophy of the sector in work undertaken |
Element: |
3.Develop knowledge of work requirements across a range of settings |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1Demonstrate consideration and understanding of the range of settings supporting people with alcohol and other drug needs |
Element: |
4.Demonstrate commitment to the central philosophies of the AOD sector |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1Demonstrate consideration and understanding of the essential values and philosophy of the sector in all work undertaken |
Element: |
5.Communicate effectively in a community services setting |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1Develop, review and revise personal skills in communication as an ongoing priority to address organisation standards |
Element: |
6.Work ethically |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1Follow ethical guidelines in decision-making in all work undertaken with an awareness of potential ethical complexity in own work role |
Learning Outcomes
By completing this course you will achieve the learning outcomes as identified by the above mentioned elements.
You will develop knowledge and demonstrate commitment to working ethically within the AOD sector.
Details of Learning Activities
The course is made up of a mixture of: workshops facilitated by leading industry experts, small group assignments and work-based reflections and assessments which encourage experiential learning. This range of learning and assessment methods is a deliberate attempt to harness and utilise your diverse skill base and current capacity to work in the sector. Guest facilitators and speakers will be brought in from a wide range of disciplines and service areas to enhance your learning. Areas to be covered will include: clinical and non-clinical assessment and management, culturally sensitive practice, counselling and support, forensic services and pharmacotherapy. There will also be opportunities for you to share your knowledge and expertise via small group work and larger group presentations. Trainers and facilitators will be required to draw on the wide-ranging skills and expertise of the leaner group – thus ensuring material is relevant and meaningful.
Teaching Schedule
You will be provided with a comprehensive workshop schedule at your first class. However in order to ensure you are able to work effectively in the AOD sector workshops will cover the following information - please note this is indicative as workshops are thematically designed and delivered..
Workshop 1 | Exploring the underlying principles which support effective work practice in the AOD sector |
Workshop 2 | Orientation to the range of services and referral expectations within an AOD context |
Workshop 3 - 5 | Effective communications techniques which support best practice in the complex care sector |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Learning resources such as course reading and course references will be provided to all students via their program folders and also placed within the blackboard site as required.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on your ability to work in the AOD sector via an integrated and multi-staged case study. You will be required to undertake a variety of tasks throughout each stage specifically designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your competency working with clients presenting with multiple and complex AOD needs.
Assessment Tasks
There are three major assessment tasks which meet the critical aspects of the nineteen (19) units of competency which make up the Diploma of Community Services. All assessments within this course are designed to complement learner’s work within the community services sector.
Case Study:
In workshop one you will be introduced to your own case study which is reflective of the current client and family groups you work with. In workshop two you will be placed into small learning groups and commence to case manage the client via your Case Study. The journey you take with this client will become part of a major assessment task as groups develop assessment tools and case plans to meet the ever-changing needs of their client.
To be marked as competent in this assessment task you must:
Demonstrate high-level judgement and autonomy required to effectively work with people with complex and/or multiple issues
Select and apply assessment tools appropriately
Identify and manage risk (including self-harm and suicide)
Provide opportunities for meaningful consumer and carer engagement
Make whole life assessments
Work within a recovery focused framework
Apply relevant monitoring and review techniques
Research Project:
You will undertake a research activity to provide evidence to support your choice of underpinning principle of practice. You will be required to explore how it is applied when working with clients who experience both AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) and Mental Health issues. You will be required to identify opportunities for the implementation or change within the current professional practice and apply these principles to your work with your case study.
To be marked as competent in this assessment task you must demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of:
How to undertake research
Principles guiding ethical gathering of information
Evidenced based best practice
And their ability to:
Identify practices requiring change
Communicate with stakeholders
Gather and analyse evidence
Identify possible practice changes based on evidence
Dual Diagnosis Checklist:
Assessment Matrix
This program in delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for assessment
A matrix will be available on blackboard and through the course coordinator.
Other Information
Cover sheet for Submissions
You must include a completed submission coversheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
Academic Integrity: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important, enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Student progress policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1
Special consideration policy (late submissions)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Special consideration, appeals and discipline: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
Course Overview: Access Course Overview