CNSK 2511: Practicum
Effective date
January 2021
Department
Counselling Skills
School
Continuing Studies
Description
This course provides students the opportunity to put the skills and theories they have learned into practice in social service settings. With a focus on empathy, ethical practice, and self-awareness, students engage directly with clients to solidify their learning. The practicum includes two components; a practicum placement in a community agency and a classroom component on campus.
Year of study
2nd Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
CNSK 2502, CNSK 2503, CNSK 2504, CNSK 2506, CNSK 2507, CNSK 2508, CNSK 2509, CNSK 2510.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Use empathetic approaches when working with individuals struggling with problematic substance use
- Demonstrate emotional awareness and self-regulation when working in an addiction’s based setting
- Demonstrate ethical behaviour and practice in an addiction’s based setting
- Apply the values of inclusion and social justice in an addiction’s based setting
- Engage in a support role with clients in individual, family, and group settings
- Demonstrate trauma-informed practice in a professional support role
- Communicate effectively with a client-centred approach
- Apply evidence-based tools learned throughout the program when working with individuals struggling with problematic substance use
- Support Indigenous health models and cultural safety, particularly as these apply to addictions
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 16
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 135
Total Hours: 151
Instructional Strategies
At an approved workplace/agency setting, students work under direct supervision of an approved agency supervisor. Once they are familiar with the practicum placement's policies and procedures, students participate in direct client support in individual or groups settings. Students may also attend agency case conferences and perform other related duties to support their learning.
In seminars, instructional strategies include: presentations, group discussion/work, reflective practice, videos, and peer and instructor feedback.
Grading System
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Evaluation Plan
Type
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Percentage
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Assessment activity
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Practicum
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Midterm practicum assessment (S if complete, U if incomplete)
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Practicum
|
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Final practicum assessment (students must achieve at least 3/4 on all competencies to receive an S)
|
Assignments
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|
Ethical dilemma (S/U based on 60% passing grade)
|
Assignments
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|
Case study (S/U based on 60% passing grade)
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Assignments
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|
Video presentation (S/U based on rubric)
|
|
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Students must achieve a satisfactory grade on all evaluations in order to be successful in the course
|
Course topics
- • Preparation for a support position in an addiction setting (including choice of placement site, letters of application, phone and face-to-face interview techniques, etc.)
• Workplace/agency policies, guidelines, norms, and culture
• Exploration of ethical dilemmas
• Student-led case study discussions
• Practicum experience debriefing
• “In the field” vs in the program
• Self-care, self-regulation, and self-awareness
• Professional boundaries
• Group dynamics
• Feedback and group discussions arising from teachable moments
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/.
- To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.