Course Title: Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: EMPL5721C

Course Title: Reflect on and improve own professional practice

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5318 - Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, other drugs and mental health)

Course Contact : Mandy Morrison

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 992544065

Course Contact Email:mandy.morrison@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Iren Citler
iren.citler@rmit.edu.au
9925 3925

Nominal Hours: 120

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 course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to evaluate your own professional practice, your continuing self-development and effective supervision within an ethical code of practice.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Element:

1.Reflect on own practice

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Undertake self -evaluation in conjunction with supervisors and/or peers

1.2 Demonstrate understanding of own limitations in self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship management

1.3 Provide and receive open and evaluative feedback to and from co-workers

1.4 Actively seek feedback and accept it non-defensively
 

Element:

2.Ensure continuing self-support and supervision

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify a range of support networks both within and outside the organisation

2.2 Seek specialist advice /further training where need is identified

2.3 Observe agency guidelines in relation to professional development

2.4 Undertake an appraisal of current industry developments and apply these to improve practice

2.5 Regularly participate in a review mechanism as a commitment to upgrading skills and knowledge

2.6 Evaluate current and likely future needs and take action to keep abreast of evolving trends
 

Element:

3.Operate within an agreed code of ethics or practice

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess own practice against identified agency objectives or code of ethics, using a range of valid evidence

3.2 Recognise the effect of values, beliefs and behaviour in work with clients

3.3 Establish realistic goals and targets for self development

3.4 Adhere to legal parameters relevant to practitioner's profession where this is a requirement of employment
 


Learning Outcomes


By completing this course you will aquire the competencies necessary to reflect and improve upon your practice.


Details of Learning Activities

The course is made up of a mixture of:

  • workshops - facilitated by leading industry experts,
  • small-group peer review exercises
  • simulated role plays
  • a staged case study

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

This course is being run one evening per week. A detailed timetable will be given to you at your first class and be available on blackboard. The reflective peer review process will occur at nominated intervals throughout the year. However, the following table provides an overview of where reflective practice will feature prominently in the learning outcomes of the workshop.

Overview of workshops dealing with Reflective Practice in Semester One

   
Week 1
 
This first gathering of the group provides students with an opportunity to learn about the program - workshop structure, assessment processes and expectations. In addition This workshop will give students the opportunity to:
* reflect upon and share their professional experiences and expertise
* explore each other’s sector-specific practices
* examine and question the barriers which exist in offering coordinated care within our current service system
 
Week 2 Orientation to Dual Diagnosis 2
This workshop will include undertaking the Dual Diagnosis capability checklist
Week 6 - Assessment Practice and process 1
 
Week 7 Assessment Practice and process 2
 
  Peer Reflection process Case Study Part 1
 
Week 15 Intervention Change and Recovery
 
  Peer Review process Case Study stage 2
 
   


 


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

This course is assessed throughout the year via a peer and teacher reflective review process. These review sessions are based on the work you will undertake in the major integrated staged case study.

Additionally there is an Dual Diagnosis capability checklist which will be undertaken at commencement and end of the Diploma to provide empirical data.


Assessment Tasks

There are four 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.
1: Case study                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Throughout the duration of the Diploma, you will be working with a case study client who presents with a variety of complex care needs. At each phase, you are required to engage in an intensive peer review and reflective practice session based on your case management with the client. This is documented and provides an opportunity to give and receive feedback on identified opportunities for improved practice.
To be marked as competent in this course 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
2. 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.
3. Health promotion:
You will be required to design a health promotion campaign reflecting an evidenced-based-need relating to complex care/dual diagnosis in your community of interest.
4. Final Case Study presentation - during the final weeks of the course you will be required to give a final case-plan presentation to your learner group and a panel of industry experts. Your ability to reflect and change your practice to suit the needs of the client will be examined and assessed.

You will also be required to complete a Dual Diagnosis Capability Checklist - this checklist has been designed to assess your ability to work with complex-care clients. You will be required to complete the checklist early in the program and then repeat it at the end. The results will provide you and opportunity to reflect on your growing competency in this area of community services work.


Assessment Matrix

Assessment matrix for this course is available on blackboard or via the Course Coordinator.

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
 

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet: 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 the plagiarism implications.

Attendance: It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops 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 by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: 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. The Student progress policy can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission): 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. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview