EDF5567 - Contemporary psychological practice - 2019

The aim of this unit is to prepare students for professional psychological practice through orientation to contemporary practice issues, critical appraisal of professional challenges, and self-reflection. The unit is designed to complement and extend the learnings from Professional Experience in Psychology. Students are supported to complete the required number of hours for their fifth year of psychology training and invited to self-reflect on their professional functioning in a range of practice scenarios. Professional experience hours are completed through various activities including skills training in class, professional development seminars, and approved professional experience activities through the university's clinic. Although some field professional experience activities may be undertaken, the emphasis in the fifth year of training is preparation for practice. Challenges and complexities relating to contemporary psychological practice are explored, including record keeping, note taking, report writing, operating under funded schemes (e.g., Medicare), and practicing in different settings. Students will be equipped with best-practice industry knowledge relating to practice resources, professional standards and employment opportunities. Skills to critically analyse competing approaches to practice, reflect on developing professional capacity, and integrate new understandings into professional work are developed. Professional readiness includes demonstrated competence in interviewing and assessment skills, capacity for accurate self-assessment of current level of professional development against the eight core competencies outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), awareness of the nature of psychological practice, and ability to work under supervision. In this unit, students' development is supported by professional experience staff and/or supervisors.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. undertake self-reflections and accurate self-assessment of their developing professional competencies
2. demonstrate satisfactory progress towards the Level 3 professional competencies outlined by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, as determined by University professional experience staff and/or supervisors
3. critique contrasting contemporary psychological practices, including their advantages and disadvantages
4. apply best-practice industry knowledge relating to developing and accessing resources, applying for and maximising vocational opportunities, and maintaining professional standards
5. integrate new understandings into practice and identify priorities for continued professional development.

200 hours of professional experience activities across the semester.

This unit is graded pass grade only (PGO).

Student must achieve a pass for both of these elements:

Mid-semester review including skills video portfolio, logbook and competency journal (2000 word equivalent, 50%)

End-of-semester review including skills video portfolio, logbook and competency journal, placement reports where applicable (2000 word equivalent, 50%).

Minimum total expected workload equals 12/144 hours per week/semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 hour workshop per week
2. Additional requirements (all students):
   • 10 hours of independent study per week
3. Additional requirements (all students):
   • 200 hours of supervised professional experience activities across the semester.

See also Unit timetable information