CQUniversity Unit Profile.

The psychology practicum portfolio is a key component of your overall Simulation-Based Learning (SBL). Throughout the term, all practicum activities, including weekly supervision, mid-term and end-term reviews, are based on students' engagement in simulation-based learning activities and associated learning tasks. In this term, you will showcase your competencies at various points throughout the term to different assessors. You will receive weekly feedback from your individual supervisor, feedback from the individual supervisor and the unit coordinator in your mid- and end-term review, as well as feedback on your assessments. Finally, you will complete an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE). The complete psychology practicum must consist of 300 hours of psychological practice, comprising at least 90 hours of simulated direct client contact, with the remaining hours divided between client-related activities and supervision (individual and group). The practicum portfolio assessment for this unit evaluates your competencies and the total work completed in your practicum, including adherence to professional practice policies and procedures, such as documentation, record-keeping, and referral processes.

1. Submission of practicum documents: This assessment involves the submission of practicum documents throughout the term on a weekly basis, as well as at the end of the term. These supervision discussions are based on your simulation-based activities and associated client-related practice completed during the week. Each week, you will meet with your supervisor and must submit your supervision record, signed by both of you. Starting in week 7, you also need to submit a signed group supervision record, signed by the group supervisor. Throughout the term, you will submit two review documents: the first mid-term review and the end-of-term review. These reviews evaluate your competency development based on your simulated practice and related activities. In the meetings with your supervisor and unit coordinator, you will discuss your work and skills towards attaining the necessary competencies, as indicated in the review documents. The mid-term review meeting will take place in week 6, and the end-term meeting in week 12. Finally, you are required to submit your logbook at the conclusion of Term 2. Your logbook must document a total of 300 hours of work, including 90 hours of direct contact with clients. Separate submission portals will be available on Moodle for each document, enabling the unit coordinator to monitor your progress throughout the term.

2. Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): The OSCE is a structured, performance-based assessment used to evaluate key clinical Ahpra competencies in a controlled, simulated environment. You will demonstrate your competencies across 2 digital stations with simulated clients, based on a case study, provided to you 30 minutes prior to the OSCE. Upon completion, assessors and unit coordinator will deliberate privately, after which you will receive feedback and the outcome. If you are unsuccessful on your first attempt, you will be given one opportunity to resit the OSCE within one week. Written assessment rubrics for each station will be provided the following day.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to the OSCE. 

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

      Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

1. Submission practicum documents: To pass this assessment item all required documentation must be submitted via the Moodle Portal throughout the term.  

The criteria are set out in the practicum end-review document and cover the competency areas which define the critical capabilities and attributes deemed necessary to ensure that graduates are equipped to practice psychology safely and effectively subsequent to graduation. This document is aligned with the Ahpra competencies that came into effect on 1/12/2025. Competencies include adherence to professional policies and procedures, including documentation, record-keeping, and referral management practices. It is expected that across the entire Master of Professional Psychology course, students will demonstrate incremental development across these competency areas. In addition, the student and individual supervisor will reflect on the student’s responsiveness to supervision and overall course learning.

2. Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE): The student must show their competencies in both simulated role-play sessions. To evaluate student competency, details for the OSCE procedure will be available on Moodle. 

For the Reflective Practice Assessment, you must submit a 250-word reflective piece on your competencies and ethical decision-making during the OSCE in exam week. This reflection is a vital pedagogical tool that promotes experiential learning, helps analyse personal skills, and encourages critical thinking about ethical-decision making during the session. You are also required to critically evaluate your evolving professional identity and clinical competencies

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

      Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Assessment criteria will be based upon demonstration of the following:

• Clear consideration of each stage of reflective practice
• Critical reflection, including reflexivity 
• High quality academic writing
• Adherence to APA standards
• Reflection linked to the components of the practice framework.

More detailed assessment information and the marking rubric will be available on the Unit Moodle page in the Assessment tile.

Case presentations in group supervision support the integration of theory and practice by requiring you to apply a structured 5P formulation and to plan interventions using the structured case vignettes of the practicum. You will present a case to peers and the in-class assessor, receiving feedback and developmental guidance. Presenting to peers supports the development of clear and professional communication skills for both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Feedback from the group encourages reflective practice and critical thinking. The collaborative environment also introduces you to diverse perspectives, enhancing flexibility in clinical reasoning. This assessment aims to prepare you for your OSCE by fostering confidence, communication skills, and the ability to justify clinical decisions in a structured and reflective manner.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment item. 

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

      Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Assessment will be based on demonstration of the following:

- Clear and structured case presentation
- Demonstration of clinical reasoning and decision-making
- Application of relevant psychological frameworks and competencies
- Professional communication with both specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Engagement with feedback and evidence of reflective thinking
- Adherence to ethical and professional standards

More detailed assessment information and the marking rubric will be available on the Unit Moodle page in the Assessment tile.

You will write a 500-word case study analysis based on a vignette (the same case used for your presentation in week 5). Your case study should demonstrate your understanding and response to the simulated client’s presenting issues, while applying ethical standards and reflecting on their professional development.

The case study should include the following components:

1. Case Conceptualisation (Approx. 200 words)

Briefly describe the client’s presenting concerns, relevant psychological therapies and key clinical issues requiring intervention.
2. Ethical Decision Making (Approx. 200 words)

Identify any ethical issues relevant to the case (e.g., confidentiality, risk of harm, boundaries, competence), relevant ethical principles and outline how you would respond ethically and professionally, including consultation, supervision, documentation, and appropriate referral processes where relevant.  
3. Critical Reflection (Approx. 150words)

Reflect on your current skills and knowledge in managing this case, identify strengths in your clinical reasoning or ethical awareness, and discuss limitations or areas requiring further development.

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

      Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Assessment criteria will be based upon demonstration of the following:

• Inclusion of all required elements
• Clear and comprehensive description of information
• Demonstration of critical reflection, including reflexivity
• Clear connection between reflections and future practice
• Professional writing style, within word limit
• Adherence to APA formatting and referencing conventions
• Application of professional policies and procedures, including documentation and referral considerations

More detailed assessment information and the marking rubric will be available on the Unit Moodle page in the Assessment tile.

Inter-professional Education (IPE) involves collaboration between different health professions to learn about, from, and with one another, with the aim of enhancing treatment and improve health outcomes for client care. This IPE activity involves the collaboration of the disciplines of Psychology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Pathology to develop assessment and intervention recommendations for a shared simulated patient/client.

You will work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team via a dedicated Moodle site to develop:

1. An assessment plan for your client, and

2. An intervention plan for your client

Following the development of the intervention plan, you will complete a 150-word reflection using the provided checklist for team meeting observations as a guide. 

Level of GenAI use allowed: 

      Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

Assessment Plan (10 marks)

• All relevant sections of plan are completed
• Presenting problems clearly outlined
• Client/Family goals are clearly articulated
• Assessment goals and plan are clearly outlined
• Assessment plan is clearly linked to client, family, and care team goals.

Intervention Plan (10 marks)

• All relevant sections of the plan completed
• Presenting problems clearly outlined
• Client/Family goals are clearly outlined
• Intervention goals and plan are clearly outlined
• Intervention plan links to family and care team goals
• Consideration of appropriate referral pathways and inter-professional roles within the care team

Reflections - 150 words (10 marks)

• Meeting observations are succinctly described
• Demonstration of critical reflection, including reflexivity
• Clear connection between reflections and future practice
• Professional writing style, within word limit
• Adherence to APA formatting and referencing conventions

You will submit your group's assessment plan and intervention plan to Moodle, along with your reflection piece