Senior Freshman Placement 1.2 (weekly)
January to March 2015
The focus of the Senior Freshman weekly placement is on the development of assessment and
diagnostic skills. Students attend assessment workshops, tutorials and clinics during the first term
to develop knowledge and understanding of the principles underlying assessment and diagnosis in
speech and language therapy practice. On completion of the on site workshops students should be
able to
o
identify appropriate communication, interviewing and recording skills for use in when
obtaining relevant information from clients and family members/carers
o
use appropriate formats to obtain and record consent during clinical activities
o
apply knowledge of language, anatomy, neurology and psychology to the assessment of
communication and swallowing behaviours
o
record observations and interpret behaviour objectively
o
identify and use appropriate formal clinical assessment tools for the identification of
communication / feeding eating, drinking and swallowing skills and impairments
o
demonstrate understanding of the aspects of communication /swallowing
evaluated by
speech and language therapy assessments
o
begin to devise appropriate informal assessment form and procedures to identify
communication/feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing skills and impairments across the
lifespan
o
demonstrate appropriate professional conduct in all areas of clinical practice
o
self evaluate developing professional competencies and identify learning goals
The students attend an induction day at the end of the first term. The purpose of the pre
placement induction day is to allow both student and practice educator to meet and discuss the
up-coming placement. It allows the practice educator to introduce the student to the service, to
co- workers and to the learning opportunities that can be provided in the setting. The meeting
should serve to clarify the expectations for the placement of students and practice educators. It
should allow the student to identify their learning needs and set appropriate learning goals for the
practice placement. Pre placement learning goals should be identified and time frames for their
achievement discussed with the student. These may include readings, preparation and practice of
tests and assessments, preparation of materials, etc. Students may be given time during the
induction day to become familiar with tests in the clinic if these are not available to them in the
department. Following the basic skills assessment workshops in college and the induction day
students are expected to develop their skills and knowledge in the area of assessment, diagnosis
and possible clinical pathways during placements in weekly clinics between January and March.
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These clinics provide them with opportunities to apply knowledge of language, anatomy,
neurology and psychology to the assessment of communication / feeding eating, drinking and
swallowing skills and develop an understanding of the principles underlying speech and language
therapy practice. They are also provided with opportunities to apply the assessment findings to
case management under the direction and guidance of a speech and language therapist. By the
end of the placement students should be able to
o
apply the principles of evidence based practice to the selection of appropriate assessment
procedures with guidance and direction
o
demonstrate competence in the administration, scoring and evaluation of a range clinical
assessment procedures.
o
devise and use informal assessment procedures to obtain information required for the
assessment of language (content, form, use), fluency, speech, voice and of oral structures
and functioning in swallowing.
o
integrate assessment results with professional knowledge to develop a diagnostic
hypothesis
o
combine knowledge of the client and assessment results and present a holistic
communication profile
o
apply findings from clinical assessment and diagnosis to case management in discussion
and reporting to practice educators
o
use appropriate written professional recording and reporting formats
o
communicate information on assessment findings effectively to clients, carers, and co
workers with direction
o
demonstrate appropriate professional conduct in all areas of clinical practice
o
self evaluate own professional competencies and identify learning goals
Students are encouraged to use videos and on line teaching resources to engage in self directed
learning to ensure that knowledge and skills developing in practice with one client group transfers
to others. Practice educators may contact practice tutors, regional facilitators or the practice
education coordinator if they wish to suggest specific resources that students may need to
develop knowledge or skills for the placement.
The Senior Freshman weekly clinic is graded by continuous assessment with a grade based on
passing the PDL assignments, case presentation, written report and on general competencies
demonstrated during direct and indirect clinical work and evaluated using Student Clinical
Competency Evaluation Form level 1.
Scoring templates are provided for practice educators to use in marking the written and oral
presentations and the standard evaluation form is used to evaluate continuous assessment. The
case presentation may take place in the clinic setting with the practice educator and colleague as
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examiners or may be transferred to the department where it will be scheduled as a class
presentation.
All components of the Senior Freshman clinical programme are assessed on a grade derived from
Student Clinical Competency Evaluation Form Level 1 (novice). It is not expected that the
students will have the opportunity to develop all competencies during the weekly placement and
grades should be derived from the number of competencies they have the opportunity to develop
and demonstrate either directly in their clinical practice work or in response to questions during
discussion on diagnosis and possible clinical pathways.
Placement 1.2 schedule 2015
Placement 1.2 is scheduled to run on Mondays between 12th of January and to 30th of March
12.1.2014
19.1.2014
26.1.2014
2.2.2014
9.2.2014
16.2.2014
23.2.2014
2.3.2014
9.3.2014
16.3.2014
23.3.2014
Students who have not carried out a case presentation in their clinic will be expected to do so in
the department on the 30th of March
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