Community and Public Health Nutrition Placement

Unit code: HHN7003 | Study level: Postgraduate
Credit points
24
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
336 credits of study within the Bachelor of Nutritional Science/ Masters of Dietetics OR 96 credits of student within the Masters of Dietetics.
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

To meet the accreditation requirements of Dietitians Australia (DA) and their accrediting body the Australian Dietetic Council (ADC), students are required to complete a minimum of 100 days professional practice placement. This unit will consist of 40 days providing public health nutrition experiences in a public health setting. This placement will allow students to apply their understanding of the interrelationship between food, nutrition and health at a community and/or population level. This unit is designed to provide students with practical placement learning in the design, delivery and evaluation of public health nutrition interventions. Students will consolidate knowledge and skills in relation to planning and evaluation, communication and team working within the frameworks of the National Competency Standards for Dietitians, the Code of Conduct for Dietitians and Nutritionists, and the Dietitians Australia Scope of Practice.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. In the context of public health nutrition exemplify the consolidation of dietetics knowledge and experience to support effective dietetics practice, in line with the National Competency Standards for Dietitians, the Code of Conduct for Dietitians and Nutritionists, and the Dietitians Australia Scope of Practice;
  2. Apply appropriate theory, frameworks and evidence base to the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of a public health nutrition intervention for a community/population group;
  3. Exemplify respectful and culturally responsive behaviour and communication, taking into account the goals, lived experiences and environment of diverse clients;
  4. Apply appropriate documentation and dissemination methods for a community/public health setting; and
  5. Critically reflect on practice and demonstrate reflection in action.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Practicum
|
Grade: 0%
Professional Practice Placement assessment of competency in relevant domain elements of the National Competency Standards for Dietitians
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 60%
Report summarising the planning and evaluation of public health nutrition interventions (2000 words per student)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 30%
Presentation of a public health nutrition plan and evaluation (5 mins per student)
Assessment type: Other
|
Grade: 10%
Individual reflective learning summary (500 words)

All assessments must be passed to pass this unit (Hurdle Requirement). This unit is a capstone practice unit and students will be expected to pass all assessments to ensure that they are meeting all requirements of dietetic graduates.

The project undertaken in this unit is dictated by the placement provider to address a need that they have identified. Students may work independently or with a peer to complete the project, and provide a report and presentation back to the placement provider. This report and presentation are subsequently submitted for assessment by VU staff. Depending on the nature of the project, and the number of students placed with the placement provider, the project report and presentation assessments maybe completed by an individual student or as part of a small group/pair of students.

Required reading

No required text. Required reading materials from key academic journals and textbooks will be identified and linked through VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Nutritional Science/Master of Dietetics
HCND | Bachelor degree | Duration: 4.5 years
Master of Dietetics
HMDT | Masters (coursework) degree | Duration: 2 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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