Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science inherent requirements

Behavioural stability is required to function, and adapt, effectively and sensitively in this role.

The student demonstrates:

Behavioural stability to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and clinical environment.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in changing and unpredictable environments.
Exercise science and clinical exercise physiology students may be exposed to emergency situations and human suffering (physical, emotional, and psychological trauma, pain, and death) and are required to have behavioural stability to manage these events.

Adjustments must ensure the standards, codes, guidelines, and policies are not compromised, nor result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Reflecting on practice and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.
Coping with own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with individuals or unfamiliar situations in the professional setting.

Consistent knowledge, and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide safe and competent exercise physiology care.

The student demonstrates:

The capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information.
The ability to process information relevant to practice.
The ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Safe and effective delivery of exercise science and/or exercise physiology care is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, and appropriately applied.

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
Appropriately applying knowledge of theory, research, test results, policies, and procedures in workplace settings.

Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective delivery of care.

The student demonstrates:

The ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate, effective messages.
The ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information.
The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner.

Justification of inherent requirement:

The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment, and delivery of care.
The ability to read, decode, interpret, and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for the safe and effective delivery of exercise science and/or exercise physiology care.

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply, and communicate accurate information.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Example:

Read and write reports of client / patient assessments.

Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for safe and effective care.

The student demonstrates:

The ability to interpret and correctly apply data, measurements, and numerical criteria.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in accredited exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of care.

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate, and effective manner.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Example:

Analyze and interpret client / patient test results.

Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to exercise science and/or clinical exercise physiology practice and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic, and non-judgmental.

The student demonstrates:

The capacity to recognise, interpret, and respond appropriately to behavioural cues in all learning environments, including the classroom, laboratory, clinical, and workplace settings
Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours
Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.

Justification of inherent requirement:

The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people, and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships.
Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries, body movements, and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships.
Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others, and develops trusting relationships.
The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for the safe and effective observation of patient/client symptoms and reactions to facilitate the assessment and treatment of patients/clients.

Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of, or appropriate response to effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Recognising and responding appropriately to non-verbal cues and activities in classroom situations.
Recognising and responding appropriately to non-verbal cues in work placement settings.

Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe and effective delivery of care in Australia.

The student demonstrates:

Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.
The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately, and in a timely manner.
The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation.
Timely, clear, feedback and reporting.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others, and develops trusting relationships.
Communication may be restricted to verbal because of physical limitations of the individual (eg: injury, disease, or congenital conditions).
Speed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment.
Timely, accurate, and effective delivery of instructions is critical to individual safety, treatment, and management.

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy issues to ensure safe and effective care. Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Participating in tutorial discussions and practising verbal communication skills during practical classes.
Establishing rapport with, gathering relevant information from, and providing clear instructions to clients / patients during work integrated learning (placements).

Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental accredited exercise scientist and/or exercise physiologist responsibility with professional and legal ramifications.

The student demonstrates:

The capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.
Effective use of hard copy and/or electronic record keeping and data management systems.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice.
Accurate written communication, including record-keeping and patient/client notes, is vital to provide consistent and safe patient/client care.

Adjustments must meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic, sporting, and clinical settings.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Constructing coursework or research project to required academic standards.
Constructing client notes, reports and data in a timely manner that meets legal and professional standards.

Exercise science and clinical exercise physiology are professions governed by accreditation standards, codes of ethics, professional conduct, and professional boundaries where exercise scientists and exercise physiologists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts.

The student demonstrates:

Knowledge of and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
Ability to interact with individuals and groups in a professional manner in a range of settings.
Insight, and ability to reflect, on how personal behaviour impacts others, and modify behaviour to ensure and maintain professionalism.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Compliance with the standards, codes, guidelines, and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions, and relationships for students and/or the people with whom they engage. This requirement supports the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being of all.

Demonstrate ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour.
Comply with requirements relating to informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality with client / patient information in academic and professional settings.

Accredited exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice is mandated by legislation to enable the safe and effective delivery of care.

The student demonstrates:

Knowledge and compliance with Australian Law, professional regulations, and scope of practice.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Knowledge, understanding, and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to clinical placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.
Compliance with these professional regulations and the Australian Law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.

Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Complying with relevant legislation during work integrated learning (placements), including Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Queensland) and the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Queensland).

Auditory ability is required to provide safe and effective exercise science and/or exercise physiology care.

The student demonstrates:

Sufficient aural function to undertake the required range of skills.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess, and manage an individual's health needs consistently and accurately
Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice.

Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the hearing loss must be effective, consistent, and not compromise treatment or safety.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Hear safety warnings and calls for help.
Auditory assessment of client / patient behaviour (eg: laboured breathing).

Sufficient tactile ability is required to perform competent and safe exercise science and/or exercise physiology care.

The student demonstrates:

Adequate tactile function sufficient to undertake the required range of skills and assessments.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess, and detect patients' physical characteristics, and act on any abnormalities detected to provide thorough exercise physiology care
Tactile assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice.

Adjustments must have the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Palpating joints, muscles, and soft tissues to detect structural or functional abnormalities.
Identification of anatomical landmarks for assessments (eg: electrode placement for ECG).

Adequate visual acuity is required to provide safe and effective exercise science and/or exercise physiology care.

The student demonstrates:

Sufficient visual acuity to perform the required range of skills.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Sufficient visual acuity is necessary to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks, and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate, effective, and safe care of self and to others.
Visual observations, examination, and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice.

Adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise treatment or safety.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Operate equipment safely.
Visually assess client / patient movement and behaviour.
Identify a safe / unsafe working environment.

Accredited exercise science and exercise physiology are professions that require manual dexterity and fine motor skills.

The student demonstrates:

The ability to use fine motor skills to provide safe effective care.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Sufficient fine motor skills are necessary to perform, coordinate, and prioritise care. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze, and manipulate various objects and individuals.
Students must be able to demonstrate and perform these tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to self and others.

Adjustments should facilitate functional effectiveness, safety to self and others, and a capacity to provide appropriate care.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Evaluating clients / patients in a safe and effective manner.
Effective and safe use of technology and equipment (eg: monitors).
Demonstration of some exercises, procedures, or techniques.

Accredited exercise science and/or exercise physiology practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.

The student demonstrates:

Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time
The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately
The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time.

Justification of inherent requirement:

Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective care.

Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period.

Adjustments specific to the individual may be discussed with our Student Equity Officers.

Examples:

Providing consistent care for clients / patients for the duration of a consultation, shift, training session, or event.
Effective and safe use equipment (eg: treadmill, cycle ergometer).
Demonstration of some exercises, procedures, or techniques.

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