Mental Health Triage and Intake Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject aims to provide participants with foundational knowledge to support the development of clinical skills and expertise relevant to conducting point of entry mental health triage and intake assessment. The subject focuses on the core domains of triage/intake practice including mental status examination, risk assessment and management, crisis assessment and management, prioritising care, and health resource management. The subject would be relevant for healthcare practitioners from nursing and allied health disciplines interested in professional development of mental health triage /intake practice.

At the completion of this subject the student should be able to:

• demonstrate a broad understanding of mental health triage/ duty/ intake point of entry assessment as a model of service delivery
• demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of mental health triage across the lifespan
• demonstrate an understanding of the clinical skills and expertise required for conducting point of entry triage and duty/ intake assessment
• demonstrate an understanding of the clinical skills and expertise required for managing mental health related crises
• demonstrate an understanding of the clinical skills and expertise required for conducting mental health risk assessment and management
• demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of prioritizing care /service response on the basis of acuity, urgency and availability of resources
• demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices required for working collaboratively with a broad range of health services and providers
• demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practices of secondary consultation as they relate to point of entry mental health service provision
• incorporate the principles of culturally sensitive practice in mental health care
• demonstrate evidence based attitudes to knowledge creation by undertaking a literature review relevant to the assessment topic
• problem-solving skills by involvement in classroom discussions and activities
• analytic skills by your critical appraisal of the literature and development of arguments within the set assignment
• ability to work as a team member by your involvement in discussions and activities with your fellow students
• writing skills by completion of the assessment tasks
• time management skills by planning your work and submitting information by the required deadlines

1. 1000 word triage or intake (simulated) assessment (30%) - Due end of semester
2. 3000 word written assignment (70%) - Due week 6

Hurdle Requirement: Students must attend 75% of scheduled classes and pass all components of assessment to achieve a pass in this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

In addition to the specific focus on mental health triage, this subject will assist you to develop your

• problem-solving skills by involvement in classroom discussions and activities
• analytic skills by your critical appraisal of the literature and development of arguments within the set assignment
• ability to work as a team member by your involvement in discussions and activities with your fellow students
• writing skills by completion of the assessment tasks
• time management skills by planning your work and submitting information by the required deadlines