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Professional Portfolio B (VETS90081)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25On Campus (Werribee)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 (Early-Start)
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This subject provides Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students with the opportunity to develop advanced skills and knowledge in the track selected in the preceding semester: Small Animal, Equine, Production Animal, or Government, Industry and Conservation Health. Students will undertake small group practical classes within their chosen track, and record their experiences and their acquisition of professional skills in an e-Portfolio. Students will also undertake advanced training in clinical communication through participation in simulated consultation sessions, and will be observed directly in the performance of specific practical skills. This subject also provides careers training and mentorship through the Practitioner in Residence program. Students receive personal feedback on preparing a curriculum vitae and cover letter for job applications and constructive feedback on a simulated job interview. Throughout the subject, students continue to engage in reflective learning and practise skills to enhance their resilience and well-being.

Intended learning outcomes

Students completing this subject will be able to:



  • Demonstrate competency in a specific list of clinical skills 
  • Demonstrate competency in clinical and non-clinical professional skills in their chosen track 
  • Demonstrate manual dexterity and technical skills required for professional practice in their chosen track
  • Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills appropriate for veterinary professional interactions with clients and colleagues, and know how to approach common difficult scenarios in veterinary practice  
  • Demonstrate their practice of reflective learning and self-representation by means of a showcase e-Portfolio 
  • Demonstrate their awareness and practice of strategies to enhance resilience and well-being in the workplace
  • Formulate a detailed career plan and know how to prepare an appropriate curriculum vitae and cover letter for a professional job application 
  • Prepare for a professional job interview with confidence

Generic skills

Students completing this subject will have:

  • The ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, and to trouble-shoot technical difficulties
  • Advanced experience in observation, interpretation of complex data, problem-solving, time management, record-keeping and communication in both written and verbal formats
  • Verbal and written communication skills appropriate for professional and clinical contexts
  • The ability to deal with integrity and honesty with professional colleagues and clients
  • The capacity to demonstrate empathy and concern for animals and people
  • A deep understanding of the vocational aspects of veterinary science
  • A heightened awareness of the veterinarian’s role in society, and the capacity to be a leader in the community

Last updated: 12 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
VETS90080 Professional Portfolio A
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25

Corequisites

Students who have completed VETS90078 Veterinary Research Project A and VETS90076 Veterinary Medicine and Surgery A are to enrol into both of the following corequisite subjects, unless directed by the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
VETS90079 Veterinary Research Project B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 6.25
VETS90077 Veterinary Medicine and Surgery B
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Werribee)
 37.5

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

A sound understanding of veterinary bioscience, infectious agents as causes of disease in domestic animals, and the major animal production systems

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 12 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

VETS90081 Professional Portfolio B is a pass/fail only subject.

The assessment components comprise:

  • Attendance at and participation in practicals in the chosen track
  • Attendance at and participation in communication practicals
  • Attendance at and participation in careers training
  • Submission of a draft curriculum vitae (up to 1000 words) and a cover letter (up to 500 words) for a professional job application (due by the end of Week 3 of Semester 2)
  • Recording of a simulated job interview, due by the end of Week 3 of Semester 2
  • A 15-minute clinical skills proficiency test (direct observational assessment of proficiency in performing set clinical and diagnostic tasks), scheduled between Weeks 4 and 8 of Semester 2
  • Submission of up to four written reflective pieces (each up to 500 words) (due during Semester 2)
  • Submission of a collated and revised professional e-Portfolio (up to 1500 words) (due at the end of Week 14 of Semester 2)

Hurdle Requirements

Students are required to pass the subject. To pass, students must:

  • Attend and participate in at least 80% of the practical classes in the chosen track.
  • Attend and participate in the communication practicals.
  • Attend and participate in careers training.
  • Pass the clinical skills proficiency test, and
  • Meet the milestones for submission of the curriculum vitae, cover letter, recording of a simulated job interview, written reflective pieces and the e-Portfolio

Last updated: 12 November 2022

Dates & times

  • Semester 2 (Early-Start)
    CoordinatorLeonie Richards
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Werribee)
    Contact hours55
    Total time commitment85 hours
    Teaching period11 July 2022 to 23 October 2022
    Last self-enrol date22 July 2022
    Census date31 August 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail23 September 2022
    Assessment period ends18 November 2022

    Semester 2 (Early-Start) contact information

    Assoc. Prof. Leonie Richards (leonier@unimelb.edu.au)

Additional delivery details

This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.

Semester 2 of DVM 3 is of 14 weeks' duration and commences in mid July, two weeks before the start of the standard University Semester 2.

Last updated: 12 November 2022

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseDoctor of Veterinary Medicine

Last updated: 12 November 2022