Master of Dietetic Practice

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in a demanding role

2

Student demonstrates

• Consistent and appropriate awareness (and control) of own behaviours and emotions and their potential impact on others
• Behavioural, emotional and functional stability in diverse, challenging, stressful, unpredictable, changing and potentially traumatic environments

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Behavioural, emotional and functional stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments. Dietetic students will be exposed to emergency situations (occasionally) and human suffering. Students must be able to work constructively in socially and culturally diverse academic and professional environments. These may include tutorials, field trips, kitchen-based classes and placements

4

Adjustmentsmust support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic, clinical and other workplace settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback
• Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals in the academic, clinical or other workplace setting
• Work constructively in culturally and socially diverse groups while dealing with challenging practical and theoretical issues
• Being able to undertake reflective practice, seeking personal and professional support / assistance when needed

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Dietetic practice is mandated by specific legislation to enable the safe delivery of care

2

Student demonstrates knowledge and compliance with state and federal Australian Laws, professional regulations and scope of practice.

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others
• Compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice

4

Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Complying with pre-placement requirements as required by ACU Policy and state health departments eg
  • e.g. Immunisations as outlined on ACU’s work integrated learning (WIL) website,
  • Working with Children Check (VIC & NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT),
  • hold a valid National Police Check,
  • privacy and confidentiality agreements,
  • valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and
  • completion of hand hygiene modules)
• Compliance with ACU policies
• Demonstrates competent practice (DA National Competency Standards)

Verbal communication

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Effective and efficient verbal communication, in English, with language and style appropriate and sensitive to the audience, is an essential requirement for safe delivery dietetic practice

2

Student demonstrates:

• The ability to communicate verbally and respectfully with people of different gender, sexuality, age, as well as different cultural / religious / socioeconomic and / or education backgrounds
• The ability to effectively communicate in a range of situations such as patient / client interactions, team meetings, and presentations, pitching at an appropriate level
• The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner
• The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• Timely clear feedback and reporting

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships
• Communication may be restricted to verbal because of physical limitations of the individual (e.g. injury, disease or congenital conditions). Speed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment
• Timely, accurate and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment and management

4

Adjustmentsmust address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety and appropriate practice. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Active participation in tutorial, simulation, clinical and other workplace discussions
• Responding appropriately to a request in the workplace environment
• Undertaking a patient assessment or negotiating interventions, participating in team meetings in the workplace, presenting to groups

Non-verbal communication

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to dietetics and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic and non-judgmental.

2

Student demonstrates:

• The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues
• Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours, modifying these where the situation requires
• The ability to maintain constant and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, posture and personal space
• Sensitivity to individual differences including sensitive, respectful and appropriate non-verbal communication with people from diverse cultures, gender, sexuality, age, ability, socioeconomic, religious, educational and individually different backgrounds
• Cultural competence, sensitivity and willingness to work with individuals in the Australian context
• The ability to listen, display empathy, build rapport and gain trust to allow development of meaningful and effective interactions
• The ability to create and develop rapport with peers, academic and professional staff conducive to effective working relationships
• The ability to perceive and interpret non-verbal communication including distress, change in mood, activity or posture

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships
• Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships
• Being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships
• The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for the safe and effective observation of patient symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and treatment of patients

4

Adjustmentsmust enable the recognition, initiation of or appropriate response to effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser.

5

Exemplars:

• Recognising, interpreting and responding appropriately in classroom and workplace situations
• Establishing rapport with individuals / groups in a community or placement environment

Knowledge and cognitive skills

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe and competent dietetic practice

2

Student demonstrates:

• The capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information
• The ability to process information relevant to practice
• The ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

Safe and effective delivery of dietetic practice is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately

4

Adjustmentsmust ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items
• Applying knowledge of policy and procedures in the clinical or other workplace setting
• Applying knowledge and understanding of dietetic principles across a range of workplace settings
• Ability to read and comprehend information presented in common formats such as handwritten notes, pathology results, graphs, journal articles, practice guidelines, etc

Literacy (language)

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Competent literacy skills are essential for safe dietetic practice

2

Student demonstrates:

• The ability to accurately acquire information and accurately convey appropriate effective messages
• The ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information
• The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective dietetic practice
• The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for the safe and effective dietetic practice

4

Adjustmentsmust demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Actively listen to information in a range of settings, including the classroom, clinical settings and other dietetic workplaces
• Convey a spoken message accurately
• Paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions
• Demonstrates accurate, concise and clear documentation in the clinical or other workplaces setting

Visual sensory ability

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective dietetic practice, including preparation and processing of foods, interpreting food composition and nutrient analysis data, reading and interpreting food legislation and regulations, and reading and interpreting scientific evidence from the literature

2

Student demonstrates sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of skills

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others. Visual observations, examination and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective dietetic practice

4

Adjustmentsmust address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in dietetic practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise practice or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Observation of muscle / fat stores, oedema when conducting nutrition assessments
• Detecting changes in colour and ‘doneness’ of foods when cooking
• Reading fine print on food labels
• Safely using kitchen equipment

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Dietetic practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level

2

Student demonstrates:

• Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time in a range of environments
• The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
• The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time, including extended periods

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective care

4

Adjustmentsmust ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Participating in tutorials, lectures, skills, which may extend over a full day
• Provide consistent care over a negotiated time frame
• Attend placement in a range of physical settings e.g., regional/urban, hospital/clinic/office/laboratory for the required number of hours, within a reasonable period

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Dietitians need to be aware of their personal experiences and background and be able to consider their actions, values and behaviours in relation to food and nutrition in academic and professional contexts.

2

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to accurately reflect on their personal experiences and background and how this may impact their development as a dietetic professional

• the ability to accept feedback on the academic and professional experiences and respond constructively

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Dietitians must be aware of their own food and nutrition practices and ensure that these do not influence their approaches in both academic and professional contexts

• Reflective practice is considered standard practice and is part of their continuing professional development where individuals are able to consider their responses to situations and think about how they might respond differently to improve an outcome.

4

Adjustmentsmust demonstrate a level of self-awareness and capacity to effectively reflect and respond appropriately. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Does not allow personal beliefs around food to influence interactions/responses when providing nutrition education for individuals or groups within the community e.g. a student who practices veganism, does not try to persuade a group of mothers attending an education session on introducing complementary foods to their infants, to become vegan

• Participates in all food related practicals regardless of personal beliefs around food e.g. student who practices veganism prepares and cooks non-vegan food items

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders on a number of levels (individuals, groups, communities, government and non-government agencies etc.) is key to practice as a dietitian

2

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders including academic staff, peers, external individuals and groups related to academic and professional activities

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Highly developed skills in building and maintaining relationships, developing a network, is critical for students to be able to be successful in their dietetic careers

4

Adjustmentsmust demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Effectively builds relationships during academic and professional activities

Level

Inherent requirements statements

1

Competent information and communication technology skill is essential for practice in dietetics

2

Student demonstrates:

• the ability to engage with academic and professional staff, peers, university systems, learning resources and assessment tools using current digital technology

• the ability to use appropriate current technology in completion of activities

3

Justification of inherent requirement:

• Safe, appropriate and effective practice as a dietitian requires the ability to effectively use a range of information and communication technologies suitable for academic and professional environments

4

Adjustmentsmust ensure that safety of self and others is not compromised or impeded. Strategies to address ICT related impairment must be effective, consistent and not compromise completion of assessment tasks, community engagement or work placement requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser

5

Exemplars:

• Use web-based technology for communication, such as writing a blog
• Use web-based technology for dietary analysis
• Use the library resources (e.g. OVID, Covidence) to access, sort, store, and analyse relevant academic work when conducting research