Unit Outline

This placement unit is the first of three placement units which begin to orient students to the complexities of integrating and applying theoretical and content knowledge to practice as a clinical psychologist. Through use of the CYPRS (Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System), student progress towards both accreditation competencies and associated ILOs is assessed. The CYPRS has an inherent, inbuilt scaffolding of achievement from Stage 1 (skills commensurate with an entry level, provisionally registered psychologist working under high levels of supervision) through to Stage 4 (skills commensurate with an entry level, fully registered psychologist), with each level of achievement required at various stages of the placement experience.

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.	Apply under supervision a scientist practitioner approach in working with clients, including creating case formulations, conducting risk assessments, making diagnoses and developing treatment plans with consideration of cultural differences and diversity at a Stage 2 Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System (CYPRS) competency.
2.	Apply under supervision evidence based therapeutic techniques for common mental health concerns and flexibly adapt and tailor these to specific client presentations and compose a range of intra and interdisciplinary correspondence with other practitioners to inform coordinated approaches to client care at a Stage 2 Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System (CYPRS) competency.
3.	Select, administer, score and interpret under supervision a range of psychometric tests and questionnaires to prepare professional reports and provide verbal feedback to families and relevant professionals at a Stage 2 Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System (CYPRS) competency.
4.	Appraise under supervision complex ethical challenges in psychological practice and apply relevant legislation and ethical and professional practice guidelines to make clinical decisions about ethical dilemmas as they arise with specific clients at a Stage 2 Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System (CYPRS) competency
5.	Appraise under supervision the application of psychological practice and integrate supervisory feedback, self-reflection and self-practice for continual improvement of clinical psychological competencies at a Stage 2 Clinical Psychology Placement Rating System (CYPRS) competency.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	Assessment Skills in Psychology Practice 1 AND Intervention Skills in Psychology Practice 1 AND Ethics and Professional Psychology Practice 1
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	KHA745

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been required. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2024, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s eVALUate surveys following your completion of the unit.

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:	OSCE Risk Assessment & Response	Week 2	10 %	LO1
Assessment Task 2:	Case Report	Week 12	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	CYPRS competency assessment tool	Week 12	80 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: OSCE Risk Assessment & Response

Task Description:

OSCE 15 Minutes Risk Assessment & Response (20%)
You will be required to conduct a risk assessment and safety plan with a pseudo client. You will be provided with relevant client background, treatment history, and current risk concerns prior to the roleplay.

You must obtain a passing grade on this task prior to commencing work with clients.

Task Length:

15 Minutes

Due Date:

Week 2

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Accurately conduct a risk assessment	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Case Report

Task Description:

You will complete the first of four case studies required across the course of your professional experience placement program. The case study is based on clinical work carried out within the University Psychology Clinic (UPC). Case studies provide an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skill acquisition, thinking and reasoning skills and reflective practice

Task Length:

2750 word count excluding tables and appendices.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstration of competency in case formulation through identification and integration of predisposing vulnerabilities, perpetuating and protective factors.	LO1
2	Demonstration of evidence-based assessment test and/or intervention selection based on case formulation.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Demonstration of engagement in reflective practice including self-assessment of skills and areas for future development.	LO4, LO5

Assessment Task 3: CYPRS competency assessment tool

Task Description:

Students will undertake a supervised placement in one of the University of Tasmania Psychology Clinics (UPC).

Task Length:

Students will engage in 3 placement days per week for a minimum 180 hours of psychological practice and 80 hours of direct client contact.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

80 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstration of competencies in clinical psychological assessment and intervention via weekly placement tasks. To be assessed using the CYPRS, students expected to be at Stage 2 by the end of placement.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
2	Completion of case notes, professional reports and correspondence about and for community-based clients. To be assessed using the CYPRS, students expected to be at Stage 2 by the end of placement.	LO2, LO4, LO5
3	Demonstration of competencies in ethical and professional practice via weekly placement tasks. To be assessed using the CYPRS, students expected to be at Stage 2 by the end of placement.	LO4
4	Engagement in regular individual and group supervision and completion of a reflective practice journal regarding community-based client presentations. To be assessed using the CYPRS, students expected to be at Stage 2 by the end of placement.	LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes.

Your grade will be determined in the following way:

All assessments within the Postgraduate Professional Training Programs at the University of Tasmania adhere to an ungraded pass profile. Similarly, your academic transcript will use this same grading system.

This means all assessable work will be graded as either UP (ungraded pass) or NN (fail grade), which indicates you need to continue towards developing that competency. You are required to achieve a UP on all assessment pieces in order to successfully pass a unit of study – be that coursework, placement, or thesis.

To obtain an UP grade for this unit you must achieve a UP grade on all assessment tasks and a minimum Level 2 standard on all domains of the CYPRS competency rating tool.

Marks are reviewed by the Unit Coordinator and School of Psychological Sciences Assessment Committee and may be adjusted to ensure fairness, consistency, and appropriateness before the final marks and grades are assigned in accordance with University policy and the specified unit assessment. Grades and marks are also reviewed by the College of Health and Medicine Assessors’ Committee.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.