Course Title: Professional Skills for Laboratory Medicine 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Professional Skills for Laboratory Medicine 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MEDS2201

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Dodie Pouniotis

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6680

Course Coordinator Email: dodie.pouniotis@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Concurrent Study

You should undertake following course/s at the same time as this course as it contains areas of knowledge and skills which are implemented together in practice.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.

Assumed Knowledge

All First and Second Year Courses (including electives) of BH129 must have been successfully completed.


Course Description

Professional Skills for Laboratory Medicine is a Work Integrated Learning course designed to prepare you for professional practice and employment in a diagnostic laboratory.  It will include a combination of workshops and industry practicals on topics important to your future position as a medical scientist including professional development and communication, maintenance and promotion of safe work practices and your responsibility for medical science practice. Workshops will assist you in writing a good CV, preparing for interviews and professional presentation. You will work in teams to practice and critique presentation and interviews. You will have opportunities to extend your interdisciplinary knowledge and experience in other areas of diagnostic medical science through group discussions and industry practical classes.   


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:  

BH129 Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine 

PLO1 Apply coherent and advanced laboratory medicine theories, concepts and evidence in various real-world settings using a scientific approach. 

PLO2 Apply systematic thinking and a range of advanced analytical and technical skills using a blend of digital and traditional methods, tools and technologies to solve complex scientific and medical problems. 

PLO4 Demonstrate the ability to generate and critically evaluate solutions to all aspects of interdisciplinary professional practice while complying with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards that underpins the field of laboratory medicine. 

PLO5 Communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences utilising contemporary and traditional formats employing inclusivity, integrity, judgement, adaptability, and culturally safe practices related to laboratory medicine. 

PLO6 Demonstrate responsibility, accountability and autonomy for own learning and professional practice as part of a multidisciplinary team. 

PLO7 Apply and demonstrate the cultural intelligence and safety to practice, with consideration of the experience and perspectives of First Nations peoples and the global community in all aspects of work.  


On successful completion of this course, you should be able to: 

  1. Analyse the skills and attributes required of a medical laboratory scientist including ethical considerations, OH&S and safe work practices, and informed consent and confidentiality in a workplace setting. 
  2. Critique the roles and responsibilities as a professional practice student and the transition into a medical scientist role, the scope of practice, and how to create a culture of continuous improvement and professional development. 
  3. Evaluate practical tasks in areas of diagnostic medical science that will include maintenance, quality control and troubleshooting. 
  4. Implement a career progression plan, a curriculum vitae (CV) and demonstrate preparation for employment interviews including interaction with scientists in the profession. 
  5. Review, analyse and synthesise knowledge as a member of an interdisciplinary team and present in a clear and scientific manner. 
  6. Reflect on personal performance and design and implement strategies to improve your professional skills. 
  7. Rationalise the level of professionalism required for placement and employment. 


Overview of Learning Activities

This course includes interactive learning in workshop sessions, laboratory visits/practical sessions and self-directed learning by accessing on-line materials and undertaking personal research. You will also be expected to spend considerable time in self-directed study, personal reflection and preparation. 

The planned learning experiences of this course include workplace specific activities to develop your capabilities: 

Complete the WIL Ready credential. 

Safe work practice in the laboratory (physical, biological, chemical, radioactive; importance of PPE, ergonomics, risk assessments, OH&S legislation). 

Understand the requirements of professional practice (patient confidentiality, informed consent, ethical practice, fitness to practice, responsibility and accountability, interpersonal skills). 

Apply critical thinking skills to constructively investigate, evaluate and solve scientific problems. 

Develop effective communication (oral and written) and teamwork skills necessary for the laboratory environment. 

You will also be expected to spend considerable time in self-directed study, personal reflection and preparation by accessing on-line materials and undertaking personal research. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information addressing inclusivity, health, safety, and well-being, cultural safety, accessibility, equity, and adjustments in work simulated environments as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Curriculum Vitae x
Weighting 10% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 4, 5, 6 & 7  

Assessment Task 2: Practice and Professional Interviews
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7 

Assessment Task 3: Workshop/Practical Activities and Engagement including Interdisciplinary Case Study Assessment 
Weighting 30% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 4, 5 & 6  

Assessment Task 4: Competency Assessments 
Weighting 40%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7  

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.