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Unit outline_

PHAR4100: Clinical Placement C

Semester 1, 2022 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Clinical Placement C is a continuation of Clinical Placements A and B, where students are provided opportunities to observe and participate in real-life application of theory and skills learned during on-campus course work. Students will have the opportunity to gain experience in practice and knowledge of a variety of professional settings. The overall objectives of the Clinical Placements Program are to familiarise students with their future professional roles and working environments, and to develop professional skills and behaviours. Students will be required to maintain a Portfolio across the Clinical Placements Program of their placement experiences, and attend on-campus debriefing sessions. Students will also be evaluated by their preceptors on their professional performance during placement as part of the Preceptor Assessment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jennifer Ong, jennifer.ong@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jennifer Ong, jennifer.ong@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Debrief Session
Facilitated peer-to-peer learning activity (post-placement).
0% - 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4
Skills-based evaluation hurdle task Preceptor assessment
Skills assessment completed by preceptor
50% - 1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO8 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Pre-placement Checklist
Checklist to ensure appropriate preparation prior to placement.
0% - 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO7
Assignment hurdle task Essential documents
Components: 1. WHS Checklist 2. Confidentiality Agreement
0% - To be completed on Day One of placement
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment hurdle task Portfolio
Components: 1. EPA Checklist 2. QUM Report 3. Reflective Diary
50% - 10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO6 LO2 LO7
Placement hurdle task Placements
Group A: 2 May 2022 - 13 May 2022 Group B: 16 May 2022 - 27 May 2022
0% Multiple weeks 10 Working days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO3 LO2 LO6 LO5 LO8 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Pre-placement checklist: Students must submit a pre-placement checklist one week prior to their scheduled placement. 
  • ePortfolio: Students are to submit their ePortfolio two weeks after their last day of placement. ePortfolios that do not include a complete workplace health and saftey checklist and confidentiality agreement will not be marked. This may result in mark penalties for late submission of work. A minimum mark of 50% needs to be achieved for each component, and an overall mark of 50% or greater must be gained to satisfy the academic requirements of this unit of study.
  • Preceptor assessment: An award of grade 1 for any preceptor assessment criteria may result in an overall mark that will be no greater than a 50. A minimum mark of 50% needs to be achieved for each component, and an overall mark of 50% or greater must be gained to satisfy the academic requirements of this unit of study.
  • Placement site evaluation: Students who have not been allocated to a metro hospital will be allocated to a site based on their preferences and their residential address (as listed in Sydney Student) using SONIA. Students must attend the site they have been allocated to.
  • Repeating students: No exemptions will be granted for repeating students.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

 

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

SR

Satisfied requirement

No mark

To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured as a pass or fail only without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.

FR

Failed Requirements

No mark

To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured either as Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements only, without a mark to students who, in the their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Clinical Placements - 10 day block (minimum 30 min break per day) Clinical practice (75 hr)  
Debrief Session Workshop (1 hr)  
Week 04 Briefing Lecture Lecture (1 hr)  
Weekly Learning independently including pre-work, reports and assignments Independent study (38 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Completion of practicum hours and debrief participation is compulsory. In accordance with the Faculty local provisions on attendance, students are expected to attend at least 85% of the compulsory sessions in any unit of study. Students must attend the allocated placement sites and times as indicated in SONIA.
  • Materials: Professional attire is required for attendance at all placement sites. Students will have already obtained a Pharmacy Placement Shirt for previous placements as part of PHAR3100/3200 Clinical Placement A/B. This shirt is expected to be worn at all times while on placement. Women may wear business skirts or long pants (black or navy blue) with their Pharmacy Placement Shirt. Men may wear long business pants (black or navy blue) with their Pharmacy Placement Shirt. Casual clothes, jeans, sneakers or running shoes are not acceptable. Furthermore, students in inappropriate attire may be asked to leave the premises. Students are advised to seek clarification from preceptors about particular requirements at specific placement sites. Students must wear their university name badge at all times during their placement.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading lists available on Canvas.

  • Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. R. Walker & C. Whittlesea (5th Edition. 2012).
  • Australian Medicines Handbook. Current edition
  • Therapeutic Guidelines (TG). Victorian Drug Usage Advisory Committee, North Melbourne, VIC, Current editions.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. communicate effectively with patients, families, carers and other health care professionals
  • LO2. apply a systematic reasoning process to address a range of health and drug-related problems that present in pharmacy
  • LO3. provide patient education in relation to medicines and therapeutic and monitoring devices
  • LO4. demonstrate appropriate attitudes and values in personal and professional dealings and business practice
  • LO5. work effectively and cooperatively as a member of an interprofessional clinical team to provide high quality patient care
  • LO6. engage in continuous reflection and take personal responsibility for personal and professional development
  • LO7. learn independently and take responsibility for personal learning
  • LO8. demonstrate understanding of laws that govern the supply of medicines and the practice of pharmacy

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Thank you to everyone who had made time to complete the Unit of Study Survey. The strength of this unit remains to be the hands-on experience students gain and the opportunity to apply concepts which are learnt in-class to the real-world. We also pleased to report an increase in student satisfaction. It is encouraging to see to numerous students had only positive feedback to provide and are satisfied with the program overall. We note that supportive and engaged preceptors are essential for a positive learning experience and remain committed to ongoing quality improvement activities through follow-up investigations, open dialogue, site visits and engagement activities facilitated by the School. Student demand for more hospital placements remains high. Notwithstanding restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to evolve at the time of writing, the School and Faculty of Medicine and Health continue to work with LHDs and individual hospitals to secure more opportunities. In terms of the curriculum, some students have indicated that the duration of placements (i.e. 2 weeks) may be too long - this will be taken into consideration during the curriculum update. Feedback regarding the Debrief Sessions was mixed. However, these classes are opportunities for students to gain insights about a wide variety of placement settings from their peers in real-time which directly inform student decision-making and planning for future placements (or internships). Therefore these classes will remain as part of the Placement Program. Thank you all again for your thoughtful feedback.

Please complete the Pre-placement Checklist (in Canvas) at least a week prior to commencement of your placement.

 

 

Additional costs

Travel and accommodation. Please note that there may be funding for some regional, rural and remote sites available from the following sources: - Rural Placement Allowance Scheme from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (domestics students only) - NSW Rural Allied Health Clinical Placement Grants from HETI (domestic students only) - Sue Mueller Placement Scholarships (domestic and international students) - Individual site benefits See specific site notes in SONIA for more details about funding.

Site visit guidelines

Contact your preceptor by phone or in-person to introduce yourself and confirm your placement at least one week prior to commencement of placement.

Work, health and safety

  • Clinical placement checks and clearances (including verification of immunisations and Criminal Record Check)
  • Full vaccination against COVID-19
  • Working with Children Check
  • Pharmacy Placement WHS Checklist (available via Canvas)

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.