Master of Clinical Psychology

Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.
In a clinical setting, this will assist you in your work with patients to establish relationships, undertake assessment and deliver treatment in a safe manner.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.
On professional experience placement, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, patients, clinical staff and supervisors.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities will require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking. 

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately during on-campus and professional experience placement settings to build relationships, assess patient symptoms and proceed with treatment and evaluation in the clinical setting

In a clinical setting, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying that a patient is uncomfortable or distressed from their facial expression or body posture
• responding to patients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication. 

Reading

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as: on screen material, academic reference material and /or handwritten notes.

In a clinical setting, essential information is communicated in written form.  Tasks which require the use of reading skills include: 

• reading and understanding patient history notes and reports from other health professionals
• reading and understanding instructions in occupational health and safety documents, workplace procedure manuals and codes of conduct documents

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Writing (Written Language)

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content.

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement settings.

In a clinical setting, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include: 

• Contributing to patient health care records and reports
• Record keeping and psychological report writing 

The accuracy of written communication is in accordance with professional and legal standards and is fundamental to consistent and safe patient care during your professional experience placement 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during your professional experience placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Number Skills (Numeracy)

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurements and formulae in a time-efficient way when completing on-campus activities and professional experience placement tasks.

In clinical and on-campus learning settings, tasks which require the use of number skills include:

• accurate calculation of numerical data from psychological tests
• understanding of numerical data and concepts related to psychological tests
• analysing results from psychological test data collection

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placement may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory and research, policies and procedures during on-campus learning activities and during professional experience placement 

During professional experience placement, psychological assessment and intervention tasks include:

• remaining focussed for the duration of patient assessment
• interact, solve problems and provide feedback to patients in real time

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour.

Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning and education settings during professional experience placement. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully. The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT: 

Equitable Learning Services

Counselling Services

What do I need to be able to do?

The on-campus learning environment can be challenging and will require you to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on your work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Professional experience placement environments can present complex and unpredictable situations which require the following: 

• managing multiple tasks and complex demands with focus and composure
• remaining alert, focussed and engaged when responding to challenging situations
• managing personal emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with patients and supervisors
• putting in place supports that assist behavioural stability, such as self-care, supportive relationships and structuring your time, balancing family, employment, self, social & educational activities. 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments such can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you. 

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. The appropriateness and practicality of these arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement of the placement. 

You may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

Visual observations, examination and assessment of patients are critical for accuracy of patient treatment and patient and staff safety. 

In the clinical setting during professional experience placement, tasks which require vision include: 

• reading and correctly administering and interpreting psychological tests
• observing a patient throughout the duration of the intervention

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and placement coordinator prior to commencing your placement. 

Glasses and other visual aids can be used during on-campus simulation and professional experience placement settings.

If you have been deemed legally blind or have a medical condition that may impact your vision, it is recommended that you discuss your condition with Equitable Learning Services.

Hearing

What do I need to be able to do?

In the patient care and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require hearing or alternatives (e.g. accurate lip reading, amplification equipment) include:

• Communicating with a patient to assess their health needs
• Differentiating the vocal tone and expressions of a patient throughout the duration of a clinical interview to monitor patient wellbeing and mental state 

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of augmentation such as lip reading and / or assistive technology e.g. ‘power’ amplified stethoscope to enhance hearing will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with the ELS and Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.