Course Title: Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning 4
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning 4
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Doa El-Ansary
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8444
Course Coordinator Email: doa.el-ansary@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Required Prior Study
You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.
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.
Course Description
This course includes work integrated learning activities in which you will explore, experience and engage with the Physiotherapy industry. Your theoretical knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context across various healthcare settings, across lifespan. Therefore, feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.
In particular, you will develop and demonstrate competencies in patient/client interview and measures relevant health indicators and outcomes in order to perform safe and effective physical assessment procedures.
You will also be challenged to formulate, justify, perform, evaluate and progress evidence-based Physiotherapy interventions, relevant to their clinical scenarios. You will be expected to set and professionally communicate health goals in collaboration with your patients/clients and stakeholders whilst upholding an ethical, a legal and culturally sensitive practice.
You must demonstrate fitness to practice and comply with pre-clinical requirements (e.g., University and external/industry inherent requirements) prior commencing this work integrated learning course. If there are concerns raised related to student fitness to practice whist undertaking this course, you must gain full medical clearance prior to or during your placement.
Work Integrated Learning
Work Integrated Learning activities will be integrated into this course to align with RMIT Career Development Learning (CDL) that prepares graduates for work readiness through a pedagogy to Explore, Engage and Experience:
Students enrolled in this course will be required to be WIL passport ready to undertake placement as part of the assessment of the course. A number of requirements must be met by students to ensure eligibility for placement. Further details on each of these are available in Part B of the Course Guide.
- Police check
- Working with Children Check
- Annual TB screen, Influenza vaccination and STEM student immunisation form COVID vaccination certificates
- RMIT student deed (annual requirement)
- SHBS authorisation form
- NDIS worker screening check
There is no flexibility with these requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure these requirements are completed. Any student who has not provided this information in full by the specified date will not be able to attend placement and will receive a fail grade for the placement course. A fail grade for the course will result in a delay in your program progression.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for MC287 Master of Physiotherapy:
- PLO1: Apply the foundational knowledge of physiology, anatomy, and biomechanics to inform and guide the application of physiotherapy practice
- PLO2: Apply physiotherapy skills to assess, treat and manage individuals safely and competently in accordance with legislative frameworks and ethical code of conduct across diverse health settings
- PLO3: Evaluate and apply innovations in digital health and technology to support, advocate and advance physiotherapy practice
- PLO4: Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in business and enterprise to problem solve and innovate solutions in physiotherapy and health
- PLO5: Apply advanced research skills to critically appraise literature; interpret, analyse and synthesis findings for innovation and translation in physiotherapy practice
- PLO6: Apply communication skills based on evidence for collaborative decision-making, education and behaviour change to improve health outcomes
- PLO7: Integrate cultural identity and values of respect and inclusion to effectively manage First Nations peoples and individuals from diverse backgrounds in health
- PLO8: Apply leadership skills to advance patient care, professionally “Lead Self,” and collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary teams
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Proficiently apply knowledge of patient/client rights and consent through effective professional and culturally sensitive verbal and non-verbal communication techniques.
- Apply evidence-based assessment and intervention to responsibly manage First Nations peoples and individuals from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan in healthcare
- Apply skills and competencies in digital health within the context of advancing personalised care and physiotherapy practice
- Evaluate health outcomes and findings to set realistic short- and long-term goals with patient/client that includes Physiotherapy management progression and discharge planning
- Apply interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in business and enterprise to problem solve and innovate solutions in physiotherapy and health
- Demonstrate professional leadership skills to advance patient/client care by working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
Overview of Learning Activities
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional practice. As a student enrolled in this program you will:
- Undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional practice.
- Interact with industry and community when undertaking these activities
- Complete these activities in real work contexts or situations
You will undertake a Work Integrated Learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real workplace context. The Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning experience will be supervised by AHPRA-registered physiotherapists who will be responsible for feedback provision and examining student clinical competencies.
This Work Integrated Learning course will be approximately 160 hours long (e.g., four full-days per week over five weeks as per the clinical supervisor's discretion). This Work Integrated Learning experience will be simulated and/or face-to-face placement at various Physiotherapy settings such as acute and subacute hospitals and community Physiotherapy settings which include private practice which clinical cases across lifespan in order to meet the requirements set by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia (AHPRA).
Several requirements must be met by you to ensure eligibility for the WIL Placement component. You will be responsible for all expenses associated with attending the professional placement. Further details on each of these are available on your Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning course manual.
You will receive feedback during Physiotherapy Work Integrated Learning unit on their clinical competencies using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice - a nationally benchmarked and validated measurement tool that sets the Physiotherapy entry-to-practice standard.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information 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 RMIT My 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
All Hurdle assessments are required to be completed for a pass mark in this course. This clinical course awards a pass or fail mark.
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).
Hurdle requirements are required in order to provide evidence of safe practice and compliance with professional standards of the accrediting organisation The Australian Physiotherapy Council.
Assessment Task 1: Preplacement WIL passport documentation requirements
The pre-placement WIL passport documentation is required for students to go on placement
Satisfactory Pass (PX) / Unsatisfactory (NH) (HURDLE)
This assessment task supports CLO 1-6
Assessment Task 2: Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice Tool - formative (interim) and summative (final) assessment
Satisfactory Pass (PX) / Unsatisfactory Fail (NN) (HURDLE)
This assessment task supports CLO 1-6
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.