Unit Outline

Medical Laboratory Placement 1 & 2 (CXA412, CXA425) are two of three professional experience placement units (PEP) undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students experience core and specialised areas within a modern diagnostic pathology laboratory and develop an holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory in the health-care industry. They further develop practical laboratory skills and learning (by observing and performing) and apply three years of undergraduate theory (university learning) to professional practice. Students are subject to the rules and regulations of the host laboratory and supervised by laboratory staff. CXA412 comprises 4 weeks of PEP and CXA425 comprises 12 weeks of PEP. These units, along with CXA401 (Medical Laboratory Practice) comprise a full semester unit weighting. Organise yourself for the comparable assessment workload of a 4th year semester, fitted in around full time attendance at your hosting laboratory. It is up to you to negotiate time away from the bench to work on assignments when necessary – up to ½ day per week or the equivalent.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

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


1.	Engage professionally with the laboratory staff and equipment.
2.	Analyse workplace procedures and protocols and evaluate the clinical and diagnostic significance at an advanced level .
3.	Reflect upon the effect of your work placement on your personal and professional presumptions and attitudes at an advanced level.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CXA315, CXA300 and CXA301 Integrated Laboratory Medicine and [(CXA332 and CXA333) or (CXA342 and CXA343) or (CXA352)]
Co-requisite	CXA401 and CXA412

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Reducing the number of ‘weekly’ journal entries to reduce workload. Spacing of assignment and assessment task due dates to spread the workload across the whole placement period.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Discussion Posts – pre & post-placement	Week 1	5 %	LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Student Journal – weekly entries	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Student Journal – Reflection	Week 10	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Laboratory supervisor assessment	Refer to Assessment Description	40 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Discussion Posts – pre & post-placement

Task Description:

Discussion Posts – pre & post-placement
Pre-placement: After the pre placement visit OR after the first day if you had no pre-placement visit.
• Post a brief description of your placement location and your initial perceptions and expectations about your placement experience on the MyLO discussion board.
• Reply to at least one other posting
Final week:
• Post a description of how your presumptions have changed since your pre placement visit posting and whether your expectations were realised. Give examples. How has the placement experience affected your post university plans?
Reply to at least one other posting.

Task Length:

200 words each

Due Date:

Week 1

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse your expectations and aspirations for PEP.	LO1, LO3
2	Analyse and evaluate your overall PEP experience compared to your expectations.	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Student Journal – weekly entries

Task Description:

Student Journal – weekly entries
a. Demonstrate the application of university theory to workplace practice.
This task serves as evidence of your ability to apply your university-learned knowledge to the ‘real world’ of diagnostic pathology testing and analysis.
b. Reflect upon your placement experiences
You will identify, analyse and evaluate experiences that occurred to you or that you witnessed during your placement in terms of your personal and professional presumptions (beliefs, opinions, biases) and expectations.
Refer to the Assessment and resources folder on MyLO (CXA41/425) for further details, templates to use and examples to assist you.

Task Length:

Weekly journal entries should be a maximum of 1500 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse workplace procedures and protocols	LO1, LO2
2	Compare workplace procedures and protocols with prior university learning.	LO1, LO2
3	Evaluate the clinical or diagnostic significance of laboratory activities	LO1, LO2
4	Describe the event you intend to critically analyse and evaluate	LO3
5	Analyse the event from professional and personal perspectives	LO3
6	Evaluate the event by outlining a course of future action or a plan for change	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Student Journal – Reflection

Task Description:

Student Journal – Reflection reviews -
On two occasions during a standard 12 -week placement, you will write a review of a series of your weekly reflections. Refer to the Assessment and Resources folder on MyLO (CXA412/425) for further details, templates to use and examples to assist you.

Task Length:

500 – 1000 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Compare, analyse and evaluate critical incidents supported by evidence.	LO2
2	Analyse and evaluate the impact of placement on professional and personal attitudes, aptitudes and presumptions	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 4: Laboratory supervisor assessment

Task Description:

Laboratory supervisor assessment -
Staff members responsible for student supervision will assess you on your technical aptitude, your theoretical knowledge and your professional attitude, using the competency checklists and assessment sheets in the Placement Assessment & Documentation booklet, given to you at the pre-placement seminar.
NB: Communication skills carry the greatest assessment weighting for this task.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate a ‘work ready’ level of technical aptitude, by correct use of laboratory equipment and adherence to correct procedure and by displaying newly acquired workplace skills and learning	LO1, LO2
2	Demonstrate a ‘work ready’ level of professional attitude, e.g. punctuality, self-motivation & enthusiasm, recognising when additional expertise is needed, ethical behaviour (confidentiality, sensitivity, integrity)	LO1
3	Demonstrate a ‘work ready’ level of communication skills (interpersonal & non-verbal) when communicating with laboratory staff and associated work professionals.	LO1
4	Apply practical and theoretical knowledge to interpret procedural and diagnostic components encountered in the placement.	LO2

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Your host laboratory will have required reading material that you will read before and during your placement.