CQUniversity Unit Profile
BMSC14004 Specialised Work Integrated Learning
Specialised Work Integrated Learning
All details in this unit profile for BMSC14004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This final work integrated learning unit builds on the knowledge, skills and professional behaviour developed during the course. Theoretical and technical knowledge will be applied to a professional work environment in a specialised field of diagnostic Medical Laboratory Science. You will perform technical skills and analyse the outcomes to meet the competency and skill required of an entry-level Medical Laboratory Scientist. You will perform, and reflect on, safe operations and quality management in the medical laboratory, with due regard for legislation, regulation and accreditation. Behavioural aspects of professional practice are emphasised and you are expected to reflect on your own communication, decision-making and team-work skills. Critical appraisal of performance will enable you to attain competency in your professional, technical and analytical skills.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 4
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite BMSC14001 Integrated Pathology 1BMSC14005 Preparation for Professional Practice in Medical Laboratory Science Corequisite BMSC14003 Integrated Pathology 2

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2023

Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Portfolio
Weighting: Pass/Fail
2. Professional Practice Placement
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books
Weighting: Pass/Fail

Assessment Grading

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Informal student feedback.

Feedback

Students appreciated the opportunity to be immersed in a 'real-world' environment at the end of their course to allow them to review life post-graduation.

Recommendation

Continue to offer the opportunity for students to select the area that they spend their final placement in.

Feedback from Self reflection

Feedback

Students benefit from the opportunity to submit a draft of their journal article as an assessment item to help them develop their article for publication in the Australian Journal of Medical Science.

Recommendation

Continue to engage with students to ensure that material worthy of publication is produced.

Feedback from Self reflection

Feedback

The final year of the course includes two research units which provide an opportunity for students to combine their final clinical placement with their research project.

Recommendation

Consider ways of combining the research units and clinical placements to enhance student outcomes.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply knowledge of pathology, laboratory medicine procedures and quality management to practice in the clinical context
  2. Integrate and interpret laboratory data from various sources to solve problems, inform decisions and provide advice to other health professionals
  3. Behave professionally, consistent with safe practice, during interactions with clients and other health professionals
  4. Evaluate new, or adapted, laboratory protocols and procedures to enhance efficiency and efficacy of diagnostic testing in a medical science laboratory.

The learning outcomes achieved through specialised workplace learning are linked to the objectives of the accrediting body, Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Portfolio - 0%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Portfolio - 0%
2 - Professional Practice Placement - 0%
3 - Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books - 0%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

Additional Textbook Information

This is a clinical placement unit and there are no textbooks required.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Sonia Online
  • Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Ingrid Christiansen Unit Coordinator
i.christiansen@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Term Schedule Begin Date: 10 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

This is a Clinical Placement Unit and as such you will be required to attend a placement for 200 hours.

Chapter

There are no set texts for this unit.

Events and Submissions/Topic

The actual placement schedule will differ for each student.

Placements will be arranged for each individual student by liaison with the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences Clinical Placement Coordinator via the Sonia Placement system.

A weekly Zoom session is held to allow for contact with students whilst on placement.

Assessment items are to be submitted at the conclusion of your placement.

Term Specific Information

Contact information:

The Unit Coordinator for this unit is Ingrid Christiansen and she can be contacted via e-mail, i.christiansen@cqu.edu.au.

Note: if you wish use a referencing style other than those listed please contact the Unit Coordinator.

Pre-placement Checks:

Please note that all pre-placement checks must be completed prior to commencing placement, please confirm with the Clinical Placement Officer that all pre-placement checks have been completed and approved in Sonia.

Professional Behaviour and Uniform:

On your placement you are representing yourself, the University and the profession so professional behaviour is required at all times.

Purchase the appropriate student uniform from the CQUniversity Bookshop. Black or navy long pants should be worn with the polo shirt and enclosed shoes are also required.

Ensure that you have a current student ID card, and also purchase a clear badge holder from an office supply store to fit your ID card.

Place your student ID card into the badge holder and wear this as your name identifier during the placement.

Absenteeism: Work placement is an integral part of the course. If you are unable to attend your scheduled placement for any reason, please advise the Work Integrated Learning Officers of the School of Health, Medical and Applied Science as soon as possible before the start of the scheduled placement.

Medical certificates: In case you are unable to attend any part of your placement due to sickness, please submit a medical or health related certificate to the Unit Coordinator as soon as practical.

Medical or health-related certificates must be in the approved formats articulated in the CQUniversity Assessment Policy and Procedure (HE Coursework).

In the event that your condition could harm or negatively impact either yourself or those around you (e.g. put you at risk of exacerbating an injury, or pass on viral or bacterial infections to other students and staff) you will be sent home and and you will need to provide acceptable medical documentation for your absence, as stated above.

Students who are sick and / or injured and cannot attend more than three (3) days of work placement must notify the Unit Coordinator and their Work Placement Supervisor by e-mail or telephone. They should then submit a medical certificate to the Unit Coordinator via email.

In such event, alternative arrangements to complete the remaining hours of work placement may be made after consultation with the placement provider and the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment Submission:

Due to the flexible nature of the scheduling of clinical placements the due dates for submission of assessment tasks is individual.

All assessments are to be submitted within two (2) weeks of completion of the placement and failure to do so will incur a late submission penalty.

If an assessment task does not meet the minimum standard for a pass you will be given one opportunity to re-submit the assessment following the provision of feedback.

A final fail grade for any assessment task will result in an overall fail for the unit.

Assessment Tasks

1 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Journal Article and Oral Presentation

Task Description

This assessment has two parts.

Part A - Journal Article

You are required to prepare a case, case series report or a research activity on an interesting case or research activity that you undertook during your placement, for publication. The article should be prepared according to the ‘instructions for authors’ that is available on the journal homepage. You may select any journal that is peer-reviewed and is relevant to the discipline area (e.g. The Australian Journal of Medical Science). Please see the Moodle site for further information.

Part B - Oral Presentation

You are required to prepare and submit a PowerPoint or similar presentation of your case(s) or research project and deliver that to an audience of your peers.
It is envisaged that the case(s) or the research activity will be from your clinical placement.
The Oral Presentation is to be presented to the Unit Coordinator and other CQU Academic Staff via Zoom; a link will be provided on the Moodle page. If the presentation is made from the clinical placement site the Clinical Supervisor and any other interested parties are welcome to attend.
The Zoom session will be recorded.


Assessment Due Date

The oral presentation should be delivered and the presentation and the article submitted within two (2) weeks of the completion of the placement.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will be provided within two (2) weeks of submission.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Part A - Journal Article

Is the article prepared as per the 'Instructions to Authors' for the selected publication?

Is the content 'scientifically sound'?

Is grammar, spelling and punctuation correct?

Part B - Oral Presentation

Is the discussion of the research activity or case(s) presented detailed? 

Is the use of technology for presentation and recording (if applicable) appropriate?

Does the presenter show confidence, speak clearly, make appropriate eye contact and engage the audience and refer to notes minimally?

Are responses to questions appropriate?


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The documents are to be uploaded to Moodle.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge of pathology, laboratory medicine procedures and quality management to practice in the clinical context
  • Integrate and interpret laboratory data from various sources to solve problems, inform decisions and provide advice to other health professionals
  • Behave professionally, consistent with safe practice, during interactions with clients and other health professionals
  • Evaluate new, or adapted, laboratory protocols and procedures to enhance efficiency and efficacy of diagnostic testing in a medical science laboratory.
  • Evaluate new, or adapted, laboratory protocols and procedures to enhance efficiency and efficacy of diagnostic testing in a medical science laboratory.

2 Professional Practice Placement

Assessment Title
Supervisor and Student Evaluations

Task Description

Part A: Supervisor Evaluations

The Clinical Placement Supervisor is required to complete two (2) 'Evaluation of Student Performance' forms, one at the mid-point and the other at the completion of your placement.

The evaluation forms are available online with the link provided by the Clinical Placements Officer at CQUniversity.

Your Supervisor should discuss your evaluation with you prior to submission.

Part B: Student Evaluation

You are also required to submit the 'End of Placement Site Evaluation' form to provide feedback on the placement experience.

The form is available on Sonia and should be completed at the conclusion of your placement and submitted in Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Two Supervisor Evaluations are to be submitted, one at the mid-point and the other at the completion of the placement and the Student Evaluation should be submitted within two (2) weeks of the completion of the placement.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will generally be provided within two (2) weeks of submission.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50% for the Supervisor Evaluations and submission for the Student Evaluation.

Assessment Criteria

Part A: Supervisor Evaluations

The Supervisor Evaluations are based on your professional behaviour whilst on placement and are a 6-point Likert Scale.

Any 'Disagree' or 'Strongly Disagree' evaluations on the first evaluation are to be addressed and improved upon by the final evaluation.

Five (5) or more 'Disagree' or 'Strongly Disagree' evaluations on the final evaluation will result in a FAIL.

To pass there must be at least 50% of the evaluations as 'Agree' or 'Strongly Agree'.

Part B: Student Evaluation

The Student Evaluation is for you to assess the learning experience of your placement.

Submission of a completed evaluation will result in a pass for this task.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The Clinical Placement Supervisor to submit the completed evaluations via Sonia Online and the Student Evaluation is to be uploaded to Moodle.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Team Work
  • Ethical practice


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge of pathology, laboratory medicine procedures and quality management to practice in the clinical context
  • Integrate and interpret laboratory data from various sources to solve problems, inform decisions and provide advice to other health professionals
  • Behave professionally, consistent with safe practice, during interactions with clients and other health professionals
  • Evaluate new, or adapted, laboratory protocols and procedures to enhance efficiency and efficacy of diagnostic testing in a medical science laboratory.

3 Learning logs / diaries / Journal / log books

Assessment Title
Attendance Record and Reflective Work Journal

Task Description

Part A - Attendance Record

The Attendance Record is maintained in Sonia Online and you are required to submit a 'time-sheet' for each attendance. You are required to indicate the start time and finish time and any meal break taken. You must demonstrate attendance for a minimum of 200 hours during the placement.

Part B - Reflective Journal

The Reflective Work Journal is an opportunity for you to record how the placement has enabled you to consolidate the knowledge that you have gained and to practice the practical skills learned from your studies at CQUniversity.
It should also demonstrate how the placement has enhanced your knowledge and skills and provided you with an opportunity to gain experience as a Scientist.
A guide on how to keep the journal is available on the Moodle site.


Assessment Due Date

The Attendance Record is to be competed daily via Sonia and the Reflective Work Journal is to be submitted two (2) weeks after completion of the placement.


Return Date to Students

Feedback will generally be provided within two (2) weeks of submission.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
200 hours of attendance and a 50% mark for the Reflective Work Journal.

Assessment Criteria

Part A - Attendance Record

You are required to attend for a minimum of 200 hours in order to pass the unit.

Part B - Reflective Journal

The Reflective Journal should demonstrate how study at CQUniversity, the clinical placement and future career are all linked. You should reflect on how the knowledge and skills acquired in the course were able to be applied and enhanced during the clinical placement and how this enhanced your preparation / preparedness for your future career.

The journal should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
The Reflective Work Journal is a PASS/FAIL assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The 'time-sheets' are submitted in Sonia, the Reflective Work Journal is to be scanned and uploaded to Moodle.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Team Work
  • Cross Cultural Competence
  • Social Innovation


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge of pathology, laboratory medicine procedures and quality management to practice in the clinical context
  • Integrate and interpret laboratory data from various sources to solve problems, inform decisions and provide advice to other health professionals
  • Behave professionally, consistent with safe practice, during interactions with clients and other health professionals

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?