PHYT8008 Clinical Practicum 1 (Clinical Placements 3 and 4)

The learning focus of Clinical placement 3 is physiotherapy clinical practice in any or a combination of the core practice areas of cardiorespiratory, neurological or musculoskeletal and orthopaedic physiotherapy. Clinical settings include acute hospital, rehabilitation facilities and/ or community based practice. The student is expected to develop and demonstrate competency in all aspects of the physiotherapy management of patient/client presentations, with an emphasis on non-complex presentations. This includes demonstration of professional behaviours, effective communication, evidence based practice and risk management in all aspects of safe and effective physiotherapy assessment, clinical analysis and planning and intervention delivery.

The learning focus of Clinical Placement 4 is consistent with Clinical Placement 3. The learning focus changes only in the physiotherapy practice competency developed in the allocated clinical area and practice setting.

All core physiotherapy clinical practice areas are tracked and allocated to ensure competency is developed and demonstrated in each required area. This occurs across the major clinical placement periods. That is, clinical placements 2 to 6.

The aim of clinical placement 3 and 4, each a five week (equivalent) clinical placement is to apply and consolidate knowledge and skills gained in the Master of Physiotherapy program to clinical practice.

1. Understand and demonstrate professional behaviour in the clinical practice area and setting relevant to the allocated placement
2. Demonstrate an understanding of client rights and consent
3. Demonstrate commitment to learning
4. Demonstrate ethical, legal and culturally sensitive practice including compliance with relevant professional standards, codes and guidelines
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the inter-professional healthcare team and work effectively as part of this
6. Communicate effectively and appropriately - Verbal/non-verbal within the inter-professional healthcare team and with the client / relevant others
7. Demonstrate clear and accurate documentation, complying with professional and health site requirements
8. Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, disease and disorders and their management in the physiotherapy management of clients across the lifespan
9. Understand and demonstrate appropriate physiotherapy assessment (plan and conduct an appropriate physiotherapy assessment, select and measure relevant health indicators and outcomes, perform appropriate physical assessment procedures)
10. Understand and demonstrate effective physiotherapy analysis and planning using a comprehensive clinical reasoning process (appropriately interpret assessment findings, identify and prioritise patient’s/client’s problems, set appropriate, collaborative, short and long term, client-centred goals)
11. Understand and demonstrate effective physiotherapy interventions (perform interventions appropriately, is an effective educator/health promoter, appropriately monitor the effect of an intervention, select appropriate intervention in collaboration with client, progress intervention appropriately and evaluate management using appropriate measures, undertake appropriate discharge planning)
12. Apply evidence-based best practice in all aspects of physiotherapy management including reflection on and evaluation of management
13. Appropriately identify and manage risk associated with physiotherapy assessment and interventions / management