Course Title: Communicate and work in health or community services

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2018

Class Number: 4585

Class Section: ISF2

For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.

Course Code: GEDU6078C

Course Title: Communicate and work in health or community services

Important Information:

This unit is co-delivered and co-assessed with CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically and CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people in the Communication/Legal and ethical/ Diversity cluster. 

School: 365T Global, Urban and Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3402 - Cert III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability)

Course Contact: Steve Bruechert

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4063

Course Contact Email: steve.bruechert@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

In this unit you will acquire the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. 

The skills gained in this unit will apply to a range of health and community service contexts where you may be required to 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 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

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the unit of competency Work legally and ethically (CHCLEG001)

 

Some of the examples of learning activities are:

·         class exercises and discussions

·         practical demonstrations in a simulated environment

·         peer learning

·         guest speakers

·         group discussions

·         independent assessment tasks which require research

·         practical placement

·         group activities and group discussion


Teaching Schedule

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the unit of competency Work legally and ethically (CHCLEG001)

Session 1

  • Legislation and Acts related to aged care and home and community care services
  • What are your duties/responsibilities as an aged care or home and community care worker in the sector
  • Identify the scope and nature of own legal rights and responsibilities
  • Importance of confidentiality
  • Effective communication-
  • verbal communication- an effective way of communicating and helps in expressing our emotions in words, and ensuring we use non-complex words
  • Non-verbal communication:-Symbols and sign language, folded arms, touch, and facial expressions
  • Clear direction- written or verbal
  • Culture- A healthy organisational culture is attained when coordination, fairness and respect are infused in the communication practices. Employees are more engaged and participate when there is effective communication

Session 2

  • Meeting responsibilities according to workplace policies and protocols and scope of role
  • Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
  • Recognising own personal values and attitudes
  • Potential and actual conflicts of interest and how to take appropriate action
  • Address constraints to communication
  • Identify early signs of potentially complicated and or difficult situations and how to report according to the organisations policy and procedures
  • Resolving conflict

Session 3

  • Contribute to workplace improvements
  • Reviewing work performance and policy and procedures
  • How to provide feedback
  • Identify and take opportunities to contribute to improve legal and ethical responsibilities
  • Completing workplace correspondence and documentation
  • Awards and agreements
  • Legal requirement
  • Complete written and electronic documents
  • Confidentiality
  • WHS


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources. Students will need to purchase an RMIT polo top as uniform for placement


Overview of Assessment

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the unit of competency Work legally and ethically (CHCLEG001)

There will be three forms of assessment and they will include a research task, questions and answers in relation to the unit of competency and practical assessment either in a simulated or workplace environment.

The assessment tasks are as follows:

Task 1: Research questions/online quizzes

Task 2: Questions and answers

Task 3: Observation in either a simulated or workplace environment/role plays and scenarios.

 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.

A student charter http://www.rmit.edu.au/about/studentcharter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teacher 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online:http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=c15i3ciaq8ca


Assessment Tasks

This unit of competency is delivered and assessed with the unit of competency Work legally and ethically (CHCLEG001)

 

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete all of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive written feedback on all assessment (refer to MyRMIT for assessment criteria).

 

Task 1: This task requires you to research and write a piece of work of 500 words about your understanding in relation to communication and the legal and ethical considerations when working with older people in the health and / or community services industry.

 

Task 2: This task requires you to answer a number of questions in your own words about working in the sector and applying the legal and ethical policies and procedures in your job role. You will also need to give examples to how you would respond to certain situations and also communication strategies that you may use when working in the community sector.

 

Task 3: For this part of the assessment you will be observed either in a simulated environment (in class) or whilst on your practical placement by the RMIT facilitator/assessor. You will be observed demonstrating the  following points:

 

  • You have demonstrated effective communication skills in 3 different work situations.
  • You were able to clarify workplace instructions and negotiated time frames with two other colleagues.
  • You responded appropriately to three different situations where barriers to communication were present.
  • You were involved or supervised the completion of two written or electronic workplace documents to organisation standards.
  • You demonstrated that you were able to use suitable equipment and resources and have an understanding of the current legislation, regulations and codes of practice in relation to communication and working legally and ethically.
  • You demonstrated where you can find the organisation policies, procedures and protocols
  • Was able to model industry operating conditions which includes problem solving


Assessment Matrix

Students will be given an assessment marking guide for reference at the time that the assessment tasks are distributed

Other Information

This is a Work Integrated Learning course in which you will complete a 120 placement in an organisation, undertaking the kinds of professional tasks you could expect in your work after graduation.

Police Check

You must obtain evidence of a satisfactory National Police Records Check before undertaking work placements and you will need to pay the associated costs.

or

You may be required to obtain a satisfactory National Police Records Check at the request of their placement agency.

Commonwealth Statutory Declaration

It is a requirement that all students who undertake Aged Care placement must supply a current commonwealth statutory declaration

 

Students must obtain their own police check by the due date and pay the associated costs. Students who do not obtain a required police clearance by the due date shall not be able to undertake a practical placement or work experience activity that requires a Police Check.
The University shall not be obligated to organise a placement for a student who does not wish to obtain a Police Check.
Where required by the workplace, students shall provide a copy of their police check on request.
If a student is rejected by a workplace on the basis of a Police Check, the following actions shall occur, as appropriate:
- advise the student of the outcome; and
- discuss placement options with the student; and/or
- provide program and career counselling.
RMIT will not store Police Checks on student files.

Early Termination of Placement
Under section 6 of the WIL Procedure, a placement may be ended early by the host organisation or School due to the student’s conduct and/or performance during the placement.
Possible reasons for such decisions may include, but are not limited to
failure to follow processes required for safety
breach of client or patient confidentiality
failure to comply with the instructions of supervisors
or other unprofessional behaviour
Where a placement ends early, a meeting will be convened to discuss the sequence of events that led to the termination. This meeting will precede any consideration of a student’s progress by the Progress Panel (if applicable) or Program Assessment Board.

Immunisations

 It is a requirement that all students who undertake Aged Care placement must comply with the Department of Health immunisation guidelines.

You must provide proof of your vaccination history and or serological evidence of your immunity to the following infectious diseases, also blood-borne viruses before you commence placement:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis A
  • Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (dTpa)
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • Poliomyelitis
  • Tuberculosis status
  • Annual Influenza

 

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

 

Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of implications of plagiarism.

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.

Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. Speak with your teacher or course coordinator regarding applying for an extension.

Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see:
http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website:http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity
The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www1.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing

Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.
For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 (unresolved) – and the RMIT Student Conduct Regulations –http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=r7a7an6qug93

Plagiarism Software
The originality verification software Turnitin may be used in this course. For details, see: http://www.turnitin.com

Complaints Procedure:
RMIT University is committed to providing a harmonious study and work environment for all students and staff. The University recognises your right to raise concerns about academic, administrative or support services without recrimination and has policies and procedures to assist in the resolution of complaints.
Most issues are resolved at the local level and you are encouraged to take steps to resolve your issue locally. The student complaint procedure details steps to take if your problem is not resolved or you believe the response you received is unreasonable.
Student Complaints Policy: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/studentcomplaintspolicy
Student complaints Procedure: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=i1lexipvjt22
Student Complaints Form: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/v4ujvmyojugxz.pdf

Course Overview: Access Course Overview