Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: EMPL7091C

Course Title: Communicate and work in health or community services

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5387 - Diploma of Dental Technology

Course Contact: Luke Scarica

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 0312

Course Contact Email: luke.scarica@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 30

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

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers.

This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services

Element:

1. Communicate effectively with people

Performance Criteria:


1.1 Use verbal and non-verbal communication to enhance understanding and demonstrate respect

1.2 Communicate service information in a manner that is clear and easily understood

1.3 Confirm the person’s understanding

1.4 Listen to requests, clarify meaning and respond appropriately

1.5 Exchange information clearly in a timely manner and within confidentiality procedures

Element:

2. Collaborate with colleagues

Performance Criteria:


2.1 Listen to, clarify and agree timeframes for carrying out workplace instructions

2.2 Identify lines of communication between organisation and other services

2.3 Use industry terminology correctly in verbal, written and digital communications

2.4 Follow communication protocols that apply to interactions with different people and lines of authority

Element:

3. Address constraints to communication

Performance Criteria:


3.1 Identify early signs of potentially complicated or difficult situations and report according to organisation procedures

3.2 Identify actual constraints to effective communication and resolve using appropriate communication strategies and techniques

3.3 Use communication skills to avoid, defuse and resolve conflict situations

Element:

4. Report problems to supervisor

Performance Criteria:


4.1 Comply with legal and ethical responsibilities and discuss difficulties with supervisor

4.2 Refer any breach or non adherence to standard procedures or adverse event to appropriate people

4.3 Refer issues impacting on achievement of employee, employer and/or client rights and responsibilities

4.4 Refer unresolved conflict situations to supervisor

Element:

5. Complete workplace correspondence and documentation

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Complete documentation according to legal requirement and organisation procedures

5.2 Read workplace documents relating to role and clarify understanding with supervisor

5.3 Complete written and electronic workplace documents to organisation standards

5.4 Follow organisation communication policies and procedures for using digital media

5.5 Use clear, accurate and objective language when documenting events

Element:

6. Contribute to continuous improvement

Performance Criteria:


6.1 Contribute to identifying and voicing improvements in work practices

6.2 Promote and model changes to improved work practices and procedures in accordance with organisation requirements

6.3 Seek feedback and advice from appropriate people on areas for skill and knowledge development

6.4 Consult with manager regarding options for accessing skill development opportunities and initiate action

Learning Outcomes


On completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Communicate effectively with people 
  1. Collaborate with colleagues        
  1. Address constraints to communication        
  1. Report problems to supervisor 
  1. Complete workplace correspondence and documentation 
  1. Contribute to continuous improvement


Details of Learning Activities

Self managed study - online independent learning.


Teaching Schedule

This unit is a self managed unit which must be done during your own time.

You will start your independent learning  at module one and work your way through each module. You will participate in all the quizzes and learning games along the way. There are videos to view and discussion forums to read. 

As you work you way through this unit you will gain the knowledge to answer the knowledge question assessment which is part of the requirements of this unit. As part of the second assessment if we are unable to schedule a day for your role plays to take place you will use studio to video your 3 interactions, please follow the requirements on the assessment tool. You will then reflect on each scenario following the reflection template.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

none


Overview of Assessment

You must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that you have:

  • demonstrated effective communication skills in 3 different work situations
  • clarified workplace instructions and negotiated timeframes with 2 colleagues
  • responded appropriately to 3 different situations where communication constraints were present
  • completed 2 written or electronic workplace documents to organisation standards

To be deemed competent you must demonstrate an understanding of all aspects required of the competency.   

Regular attendance is necessary. 

Assessment methods have been designed to measure your achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over multiple tasks and consist of theory and practical based tasks.


Assessment Tasks

Pre-Theory Mini Quiz Due 18/04/25

Knowledge Assessment Due Date 06/06/2025

Practical Assessment Role-play: 

  • F24A - May 12th - During your regularly scheduled class (due to submit via Canvas by May 23rd)
  • F24B - May 13th - During your regularly scheduled class (due to submit via Canvas by May 23rd)
  • F24C - May 14th - During your regularly scheduled class (due to submit via Canvas by May 23rd)

If you do not or cannot attend the class on this day it is your responsibility to organise another time with the lead teacher before the due date (May 23rd). Failure to do so will result in an NYC grade.

Re-submissions

You will be given two (2) attempts for each assessment to demonstrate the required skills. If a student does not submit an assessment on the first date provided however submits on the re-submission date this submission will be the only attempt allowed. A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic. 

Re-submissions beyond two (2) attempts are at the discretion of the Program Coordinator and Program Manager after a conversation is had by the teacher, Program Coordinator and Program Manager. A 3rd attempt consideration will take into account class attendance( 80-100% requirement), interaction within class and communication with the class teacher.

  

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: 

  

CA: Competency Achieved 
NYC: Not Yet Competent 
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment 

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment tasks listed in this course guide address all the elements and criteria of the requirements of this course.

 

Other Information

Attendance: 

This unit is self managed and only attendance at the practical assessment is necessary. 

If you miss an assessment or assessable practical class you need to apply for special consideration. The special consideration department will ask you to provide a medical certificate or give other evidence to support your request. Once Special consideration has been applied for the students will wait for the results and then contact their teacher on the outcome of the result.

  Information about your studies:  You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students    

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work:

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days in writing (email) to your teacher and Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. Please provide evidence  and /or valid reasonings why you were unable to complete the submission on time within this email. Extensions cannot be guaranteed if evidence or valid reasons are not given. Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work   

Special consideration:

If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), you may submit an application for special consideration within 5 working days of the due date. If special consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator

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. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 

  

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:  

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.    Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.    

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit 

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview