Unit Outline
CXA704
Laboratory Medicine Professional Experience Placement
Semester 1, 2024
Jane Pittaway
School of Health Sciences
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Jane Pittaway
Email: Jane.Pittaway@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories, accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Over a 16-week period, students can experience core and specialised areas within a modern diagnostic pathology laboratory. They develop an holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory in the healthcare industry, with added focus on professional issues, codes of conduct and ethics, work health and safety and laboratory accreditation. They further develop practical laboratory skills and learning (by observing and performing) and apply university learning to professional practice. Students are subject to the rules and regulations of the host laboratory, supervised by laboratory staff. This unit comprise a 25% semester unit weighting.
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.
Demonstrate a ‘work ready’ level of technical aptitude, professional attitude and communication skills
2.
Integrate and apply university acquired practical and theoretical knowledge (university learning) to interpret procedural and diagnostic components of laboratory practice.
3.
Critically reflect upon the effect of your work placement on your personal and professional presumptions, attitudes and aptitude.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
Any two of: (CXA632 Haematology 2 and CXA633 Transfusion), (CXA642 Medical Microbiology A and CXA643 Medical Microbiology B) or (CXA652 Clinical Chemistry 2 and CXA653 Clinical Chemistry 3)
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Reducing the number of assignments from four to three due to relevance and to reduce workload. 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.
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Seminar
Preplacement seminar – online
3
Once only
Clinical or Professional Practice
35 hrs weekly placement
35
StudyPeriod 16 times
Independent Learning
Researching for and writing assignments
5
Weekly
Workshop
Online - Post placement seminar
15 hours across 3 days
15
Once only (3 times)
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
You will attend your allocated workplace daily, as negotiated by the unit coordinator or your hosting laboratory. If you cannot attend your host laboratory due to illness or accident, advise the laboratory BY PHONING AND SPEAKING TO SOMEONE preferably your supervisor, and email the unit coordinator and the fieldwork coordinator.
You will behave in a respectful, courteous, and professional manner always, keeping in mind your presence in the workplace is a privilege not a right.
Students who do not comply with these attendance and performance requirements may be withdrawn from the allocated workplace and deemed to have failed the units.
 
 
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
Week 1
0 %
LO1, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Student Journal
Week 2
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:
Risk Assessment
Week 4
0 %
LO1
Assessment Task 4:
Quality Control Assignment
Week 9
0 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 5:
Oral Presentation & Referenced Abstract
Refer to Assessment Description
20 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 6:
Theory examination
Refer to Assessment Description
30 %
LO2
Assessment Task 7:
Laboratory Supervisor Assessment
Refer to Assessment Description
30 %
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment details
    
Assessment Task 1: Discussion Posts
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:
0 %
 
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
Task Description:
Student Journal – weekly entries & placement reflection reviews - Whilst on placement, you will keep a Student Journal using the templates available to download from the Mylo Assessment & Resources’ folder. You will also find examples to assist you.
Formative feedback: The coordinator will give formative feedback on the entries for weeks 1 & 2, to assist students in meeting assessment criteria.
On three occasions during your placement, you will write a review of a series of your weekly placement reflection entries, you will receive summative feedback on each entry, in time for the next. Your highest mark is the mark recorded for this assessment.

Task Length:
1 - 2 pages
 
Due Date:
Week 2
Weight:
20 %
 
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 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: Risk Assessment
Task Description:
Risk Assessment -
This assignment evaluates your ability to manage five laboratory safety hazards identified in your first few weeks of placement (and thus, keep safe). You do this by completing a risk assessment for each safety hazard identified. Refer to the MyLO Assessment & resources folder CXA704 for instructions, CRA table and additional resources

Task Length:
1000 words
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
0 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Integrate and apply knowledge of pathology laboratory occupational health and safety.
LO1
2
Demonstrate the ability to communicate professional information.
LO1
 
Assessment Task 4: Quality Control Assignment
Task Description:
Quality Control Assignment - The Quality Control (QC) assignment provides a context within which you can apply your academic knowledge of QC systems in interpreting analytical performance parameters in the laboratory. Please note: All information must be de-identified.

Task Length:
2.5 pages max excluding copies of QC charts1.
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
0 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Integrate and apply theoretical knowledge of pathology laboratory quality control procedures.
LO2
2
Demonstrate the ability to communicate professional information.
LO1
 
Assessment Task 5: Oral Presentation & Referenced Abstract
 
Task Description:
Oral Presentation & Referenced Abstract - You will prepare a PowerPoint presentation (and an abstract of the presentation) on a topic that relates to a professional issue (preferably that you experienced during placement) that is new to you or that you found interesting.
During the Post Placement Seminar week, you will present your PowerPoint to the class and to academics of SHS. Assessment takes place at this time. In your final week at your host laboratory, you will present your PowerPoint to laboratory staff to check facts, gain feedback and presentation experience. It is up to you to arrange the date and time of your presentation with your laboratory supervisor.

Task Length:
15 minutes plus 500 words
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
20 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Identify, analyse and evaluate laboratory protocols and procedures.
LO1, LO2
2
Deliver a presentation to a professional audience.
LO1, LO2
3
Respond to audience questions.
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 6: Theory examination
Task Description:
Theory exam – Online via MyLO Quizzes.
This exam is comprised of five multiple choice quizzes which cover each of the five core disciplines of Laboratory Medicine – Histopathology, Transfusion Science, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Microbiology. You have 25 minutes to complete each 20-question quiz once you open it, a total of 125 minutes. The suite of quizzes will be available over a three-hour period (180 minutes) to allow for internet issues. This is a hurdle assessment: you must pass each quiz to pass the exam and to pass the unit. Example questions are available via the Assessment and resources folder on Mylo.

Task Length:
 
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Recall, identify and evaluate laboratory protocols and results across the core professional streams: Histopathology, Transfusion Science, Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Microbiology.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 7: Laboratory Supervisor Assessment
Task Description:
Laboratory Staff Assessment - Staff members responsible for student supervision will assess you on your technical aptitude, your theoretical knowledge and your professional attitude, using the Laboratory staff assessment CRA tables in the Assessment & Resources folder on Mylo.

Task Length:
 
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
30 %
 
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.
LO1, 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.
Access to your host laboratory’s Work, Health, and Safety manual (Risk Assessment assignment).
 
Recommended reading materials
Lecture, tutorial and practical notes and texts previously used during the professional units of the course: Haematology 1 & 2, Transfusion Science, Clinical Chemistry 1 & 2, Endocrinology, General & Medical Microbiology, Microbiology A & B, Histopathology.
 
Other required resources
A ‘conference ID card’ holder that securely holds your student ID card and that has a safety pin or clip, to fix to your laboratory gown.