Description Students build on their knowledge and skills explored in their first 1.5 years of physiotherapy study. It focuses on the core competencies of physiotherapy professional practice, which will be developed through a variety experiential and community engagement learning activities. Professional competencies addressed in this unit include communication, documentation, and reflection, professional and ethical behaviour. In addition, students will develop skills in client assessment, and interpretation of findings to formulate hypothesized problem lists and goals for patients.
School Health Sciences
Discipline Physiotherapy
Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp
Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.
Restrictions Students must be enrolled in 4662 Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy, 4668 Bachelor of Health Science (Honours)/Master of Physiotherapy, 4706 Bachelor of Physiotherapy, 4707 Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) or 4733 Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Students must have successfully completed 120 credit points of core subjects.
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
Apply elementary clinical assessment skills across different areas of physiotherapy practice including core musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy in different healthcare contexts.
Perform a case sensitive analyse and interpretation of clinical assessment findings to formulate a client-centred problem list considering impairments, and activity and participation limitations.
Identify relevant and detailed information from a range of clinical scenarios using client-centred clinical reasoning, with appreciation of professional conduct, ethics, and safety.
Communicate effectively for the purpose of gaining informed consent and engaging a person in a therapeutic alliance for person-centred clinical assessment.
Apply safe work practices, professional behaviours and self-management strategies for a clinical context.
Critically self-reflect and evaluate the performance of the therapist and client in a clinical context.
1. Safe work practices, understanding risk management
2. Client examination, including a patient interview and physical examination underpinned by development of clinical reasoning and decision making
3. Professional communication skills with clients, carers and colleagues
4. Professional and ethical behaviour
5. Preparation for practice in the context of physiotherapy
Legislative pre-requisites
PLEASE NOTE: Due to Covid restrictions the First Aid requirement is currently suspended. July 2021.
Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Prerequisites
Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements
Prior to enrolling in this subject, students must have submitted a Student Undertaking Form and undertake to apply for a National Police Check, which is required to be submitted before placement, and a Working with Children Check Student Declaration. Use the link to the Special Requirements webpage below for more information.
To be eligible to enrol in this subject and complete any required health-related placements or experiences, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.
Western Program Requirements
Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.
Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements
To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet.
The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.
