Unit Outline

This is a professional experience placement (PEP) unit, undertaken while off campus in diagnostic pathology laboratories accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), or equivalent. Students develop an holistic view of the role of the diagnostic pathology laboratory in the health-care industry, with added focus on professional issues, codes of conduct and ethics, work health and safety and laboratory accreditation. Students are subject to the rules and regulations of the host laboratory, supervised by laboratory staff. This unit, in conjunction with CXA412 and/or CXA425 (Medical Laboratory Placement 1 & 2) comprise a full semester unit weighting with an assessment workload appropriate for a 4th year semester.

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	Identify, analyse and evaluate some laboratory protocols and procedures.
2	Communicate professional information about laboratory procedures and protocols to a professional audience.

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	CXA412 and CXA425

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Catch up sessions to check in on student experiences and provide timely information about upcoming assignments.
Bookable drop-in sessions for students who need to chat in between the catch-up sessions.

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:	Risk assessment	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Quality Control Assignment	Week 11	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Theory examination	Refer to Assessment Description	30 %	LO1
Assessment Task 4:	Oral Presentation & Abstract	Refer to Assessment Description	35 %	LO1, LO2

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Risk assessment

Task Description:

Risk assessment -
Whilst on placement, you should work in an organised and safe manner, bearing in mind any relevant WH&S issues. This assignment evaluates your ability to manage five laboratory safety hazards identified in your first few weeks of placement. You do this by completing a risk assessment for each safety hazard identified. Refer to the MyLO Assessment & resources folder CXA401 for instructions, CRA table and additional resources

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

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.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Quality Control Assignment

Task Description:

Quality Control Assignment -
The Quality Control (QC) assignment is designed to provide a context within which you can apply your academic knowledge of QC systems in interpreting analytical performance parameters in the laboratory. Please note: All laboratory information must be de-identified.

Task Length:

1800 words excluding copies of QC charts

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Integrate and apply theoretical knowledge of pathology laboratory quality control procedures	LO1
2	Demonstrate the ability to communicate professional information.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Theory examination

Task Description:

This is a timed, downloadable, open book short-answer exam designed to test your individual knowledge of the protocols and procedures of the core professional streams of diagnostic pathology.
This is a hurdle assessment: you must pass each quiz to pass the exam and to pass the unit.

Due Date - refer to Unit Schedule in MyLO

Task Length:

125 minutes

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. You must pass each section to pass the exam.	LO1

Assessment Task 4: Oral Presentation & Abstract

Task Description:

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. 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. 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.

Task Length:

12 minutes plus 300 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify, analyse and evaluate laboratory protocols and procedures.	LO1, LO2
2	Deliver presentation to a professional audience.	LO1, LO2
3	Respond to audience questions.	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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Access to your host laboratory’s Work, Health, and Safety manual (Risk Assessment assignment).