Unit Outline

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.

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 ‘Resources’ folder. The journal serves as evidence of • Your ability to apply your university-learned knowledge to the ‘real world’ of diagnostic pathology testing and analysis, thereby working towards the first three AIMS Competency-Based Standards for Medical Scientists (2009) • As a formal self-evaluation tool to assist you in developing professional and personal competence in preparation for post-university life. 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: The first review compares the placement reflections for weeks 1, 2 & 3, the second review compares the placement reflections for weeks 5, 6, 7 & 8 and the third review compares the placement reflections for weeks 1-16. 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. For example, a case study, an incident involving a method or protocol, a method or protocol that was new or that pertained to a differential diagnosis, a method comparison, a new product, a quality control or assay method problem, a pre-analytical issue etc. 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. During the post-PEP seminar.

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 Placement Assessment & Documentation booklet, given to you at the preplacement seminar.

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.