Graduate Program
Academic Calendar for 2008
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  GP018 - Clinical Experience
CREDIT POINTS:
7.5
PREREQUISITES:
Perspectives in Drugs Use;
AOD Treatment, Assessment and Planning.
COST:
$500
DATES:
Thursday evenings 5:30pm - 8:00 pm
6 and 13 November 2008
(Clinical Placement dates to be negotiated)
SUBJECT COORDINATOR:
Ray Stephens
CENSUS DATE:
14 November 2008
RPL is not available for this subject

SUBJECT/UNIT SUMMARY:
Students of this subject will participate in a 5 day placement at an alcohol and drug treatment service. This placement will allow students to expand on knowledge of current treatment and assessment practices explored in previous subjects. Students in the placement will also be encouraged to develop their self-reflection, team working, communication, time-management and record keeping skills.

There are 3 components to the Clinical Experience subject:

  1. The students will attend a series of 2 lectures covering issues relevant to professional behaviour within an AOD setting.
  2. A workplace placement will be offered for 5 days (or equivalent as practicable). The placements are designed to equip students with a range of professional skills and to develop an awareness of professional issues. Students will have placements offered in a variety of current drug and alcohol settings ranging from:
    • Clinical Services
    • Home-Based Withdrawal Programmes
    • Outreach Programmes
    • Telephone Services
    • Forensic Programme

    And possibly:

    • Residential Withdrawal Units
    • Harm minimisation (e.g. Needle Exchanges).

Each placement will consist of 5 full days and will require completion of these days plus additional assessment requirements to gain a pass in the unit.

3. Written assessment tasks.

SUBJECT/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this subject, students should be able to:

  1. Attend placement in accordance with all subject and workplace requirements;
  2. Appreciate the prevalence of substance use disorders in the community;
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of a range of drug and alcohol treatment interventions;
  4. Describe the roles and functions of health professionals within a multidisciplinary drug and alcohol service;
  5. Develop a greater self-awareness and demonstrate effective engagement skills;
  6. Communicate effectively with people who are experiencing difficulties with substances and with their families and carers

ASSESSMENT:

  • Logbook of placement (a diary to be completed at the end of each day with questions to be answered) (30%)
  • Case study (1500 words) (70%)