Handbook

Core requirement

Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.

See also Student behaviours policy for more information.

Course-specific requirement
Physiotherapy students must behave ethically and in accordance with relevant laws and professional codes of conduct to ensure safe, consensual and professional practice in all contexts. Physiotherapy students require the maturity and capacity to manage their own emotions and behaviour effectively when working with people in educational and practice settings, including in situations that can be challenging, unpredictable and stressful. Physiotherapy students are required to be physically examined by their peers in mixed-gender practical classes, and to interact with and physically examine their peers and clients (of all ages, genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds) in teaching and clinical / hospital environments. With consent, students will be required to remove layers of clothing, which may include to the level of their underwear, when practicing physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques on each other for learning purposes. Students will be required to administer physiotherapy treatment to clients in teaching and clinical settings who, with consent, will also remove layers of their clothing.  The ability to effectively detect, interpret and apply verbal and non-verbal communication are fundamental to physiotherapy practice. For example, displaying appropriate facial expressions, gestures and eye contact, while being mindful of space and time boundaries, promotes the development of rapport and trust in academic and professional relationships. The ability to observe and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective assessment and treatment of clients in healthcare settings. Interactions with clients also need to be respectful, culturally sensitive, clear, accurate, attentive, empathetic, and non-judgemental. Being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships.

Physiotherapy students also need to receive and maintain an agreed schedule of vaccinations to meet the requirements of clinical placement providers in various healthcare settings – students must attend clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings to fulfill the course requirements.

Physiotherapy Board of Australia Code of Conduct: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Code-of-conduct.aspx Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d

Core requirement

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Course-specific requirement
Safe and effective delivery of physiotherapy practice is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, recalled and applied appropriately; this includes conceptualising and applying appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment tasks. It also includes appropriately applying knowledge of theory, research evidence, policies and procedures in the class and practice settings. Literacy skills are required to: convey spoken and written messages accurately and effectively in learning and practice settings; paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments. Additionally, effective written communication is required to ensure written and electronic clinical documentation meets professional and medico-legal requirements. Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in physiotherapy to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of care. Examples include accurately measuring and recording physiological characteristics in client notes; completing accurate arithmetic calculations of outcome measures; prescribing adaptive equipment that correctly meets client measurement requirements e.g. wheelchair or gait aid prescription.

Physiotherapy service delivery requires sufficient physical and mental endurance and resilience to effectively perform detailed and/or multiple tasks over sustained and repeated periods, independently and autonomously. Sustained concentration and alertness is required to ensure consistently effective and safe implementation and monitoring of physiotherapy practice. Examples include: participating in face-to-face and virtual lectures, tutorials and practical classes; remain in an upright position for sustained periods of time in practical classes and clinical settings; provide consistent physiotherapy service delivery for the required number of hours while completing clinical placements. 

Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d

Core requirement

Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.

Course-specific requirement

Physiotherapy students require sufficient visual acuity to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others. Visual observations, examinations and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice. Examples include observing and detecting subtle changes in a client’s anatomical appearance, posture, movement and functional activities during assessment; closely monitoring a client during treatment; viewing medical records including written test results and radiological imaging films; and using electronic devices to aid assessment and treatment. Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage individual health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice, with examples including: listening to normal and abnormal breathing and heart sounds through a stethoscope; detecting emergency cues such as buzzers, alarms, public address announcements, or calls for help; accurately monitoring a client's verbal and non-verbal responses during assessment and treatment such as expressions of pain or verbal feedback. Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect clients' physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide appropriate physiotherapy management. Tactile assessments and treatments are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice, with examples including: palpating and manipulating precise anatomical structures including joints, muscles, soft tissues, and pulses to detect and correct abnormalities.  

Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d

Core requirement

Gross motor skills: Students should possess the strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.

Fine motor skills: Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs.

Course-specific requirement
Physiotherapy students require sufficient gross and fine motor skills to provide effective healthcare over sustained periods of time. This includes the ability to appropriately position self, equipment, and clients to perform tasks consistently and safely to reduce risk of harm to self and others. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, and bending. Examples of gross motor skills that are important for physiotherapy include: maintaining own and client's balance / support during assessment and treatment; transferring and mobilising people in a safe manner; handling or supporting a client’s limbs, trunk, head or whole body; demonstrating and facilitating aerobic, balance and strength exercises including the use of weights, springs, pulleys and resistance bands; evaluating and facilitating movement of clients in a safe and effective manner who have varying physical capacity, who are positioned on plinths and hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing/walking. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various people and objects. Examples of fine motor skills that are important for physiotherapy include: demonstrating, measuring and facilitating exercises, movements and daily activities that involve precise movement of individual joints and muscles; palpating and manipulating precise anatomical structures for assessment and treatment purposes; safely operate tools and devices used in the assessment and treatment of clients (eg. stethoscope, goniometer, dynamometer).

Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). There is no cost for a volunteer WWCC. For more information and costs refer to the Working with Children Check Victoria website.

Prior to commencing a placement, students may be required to complete an annual mask fit test. Further information will be provided post enrolment.

First Aid and/or CPR certification is required to meet the professional requirements of the degree. Further information will be provided post enrolment.

Students should allow approximately AUD$70 for a uniform, name badge and equipment. Students can purchase these items from any supplier; however La Trobe University branded uniform must be purchased from a university approved vendor. These items remain the student's personal property.

Prior to commencing a placement, students will be required to complete a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) worker screening check. For information please refer to the Services Victoria website. Further information will be provided post enrolment.

Varies, depending on placement venue.

A number of grants and scholarships are available to assist with the costs associated with clinical placements. For more information and to see if you qualify, please visit the Scholarships website.

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Police Check which is renewed annually. Students will have access to a reduced fee when applying via a La Trobe University provider. For more information on what a police check entails, refer to the Victoria Police website.

Prior to commencing a placement, students are required to meet all of the requirements of the degree in relation to immunisation and testing for blood borne viruses. Students must visit a medical practitioner who will complete and sign the Immunisation and Health Record form. Further information will be provided post enrolment.