Postgraduate Medical Science
JCU Inherent Requirements for Graduate Diploma of Medical Science (116107) and Master of Medical Science (117204)
James Cook University is committed to enhancing student access, participation and success in higher education and embracing the diversity of the communities we serve. The inherent requirements listed for each course are designed to assist prospective students and all current students to make informed decisions for study.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession.
Reasonable adjustments
JCU assists students who are experiencing a disability to participate in this course, and achieve the inherent requirements of the course, on the same basis as someone who is not experiencing a disability. To do this, JCU works with our students and placement providers to develop agreed reasonable adjustments in accordance with the Student Disability Policy.
A reasonable adjustment is an arrangement, support, or modification, agreed in an Access Plan to enable participation in learning and achievement of course requirements. Contact JCU’s Accessibility Services to discuss possible adjustments. Please note that the process of negotiating and implementing reasonable adjustments may take several weeks.
In assessing whether an adjustment is reasonable, the University is entitled, in accordance with the Disability Education Standards, to maintain the inherent requirements of a course. If inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University provides guidance regarding other study options.
How to interpret the inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are presented below as domains and sub-domains and contain the following information:
- The definition of the inherent requirement
- A rationale as to why it is an inherent requirement
- Examples of the knowledge, skills, and capabilities that are required to satisfy the inherent requirements of this course.
The inherent requirements for this course should be read in conjunction with the Course and Subject Handbook.
The inherent requirements of this course are:
Inherent Requirement | Compliance with Australian Law and professional regulations. |
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Rationale | Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to clinical/professional placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others; compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures students are both responsible and accountable for their practice. |
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Inherent Requirement | Ethical & professional behaviour in academic and clinical/professional environments |
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Rationale | Compliance with standards, codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and the people they engage with. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being of all. |
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Inherent Requirement | Compliance with workplace health and safety requirements, infection control procedures and conduct within scope of practice. |
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Rationale | Compliance with workplace health and safety and vaccination requirements and conduct within current scope of practice, are required to provide safe environments for students, staff and others. |
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Knowledge and cognitive skills
Inherent Requirement | Knowledge acquisition and effective cognitive skills. |
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Rationale | Knowledge acquisition and effective cognitive skills are essential to provide safe and effective delivery of care/practice. |
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Metacognition
Inherent Requirement | Awareness of own thinking, and skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt and implement new cognitive strategies for improved learning, health care and professional practice. |
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Rationale | Understanding and ongoing learning about oneself as an instrument in health care is required for safe and effective health care and veterinary services. |
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Inherent Requirement | Competent literacy skills. |
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Rationale | Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective delivery of care/practice. |
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Inherent Requirement | Competent and accurate numeracy skills. |
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Rationale | Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective care/practice. |
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Verbal communication
Inherent Requirement | Effective verbal communication in English. |
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Rationale | Effective verbal communication, in English, is required to provide safe and effective delivery of care/practice. |
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Non-verbal communication
Inherent Requirement | Effective non-verbal communication. |
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Rationale | The ability to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues is essential for safe and effective care; consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours; sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences. |
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Written communication
Inherent Requirement | Effective written communication in English |
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Rationale | Effective written communication, in English, is required to provide safe and effective delivery of care/practice. |
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Visual
Inherent Requirement | Adequate visual acuity. |
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Rationale | Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective practice. |
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Auditory
Inherent Requirement | Adequate auditory ability |
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Rationale | Adequate auditory ability is required to provide safe and effective practice |
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Tactile
Inherent Requirement | Adequate tactile ability |
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Rationale | Adequate tactile ability is required to provide safe and effective practice |
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Gross motor
Inherent Requirement | Adequate strength, endurance, mobility and gross motor skills |
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Rationale | Adequate strength, endurance, mobility and gross motor skills are required to provide safe and effective practice. |
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Fine motor
Inherent Requirement | Adequate manual dexterity and fine motor skills |
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Rationale | Adequate manual dexterity and fine motor skills are required to provide safe and effective practice |
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Inherent Requirement | Adequate physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level. |
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Rationale | Physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level is required to provide safe and effective practice. |
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Inherent Requirement | Behaviour that adapts to changing situations sufficiently to maintain safe and complete health care, and instigates self-care consistent with professional expectations. |
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Rationale | Behavioural adaptation is required to manage personal emotional responses as an individual and within teams in changing and unpredictable environments, including emergency situations and times of human and animal distress. Students will also be required to adapt their behaviour appropriately during times of additional stressors in their own lives, whether this adaptation involves ways of continuing to engage with their role or withdrawing for self-care for a period. |
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