Clinical Component

The Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine includes a clinic component that is spread over a range of course units from Year 1 Semester 2 to Year 4 Semester 2. This page includes information on the clinic component’s objectives, structure and external clinics.

Objectives

  • Optimise student learning through the provision of practical experience to integrate and consolidate theory and practice.
  • Maximise the development of professional conduct through self-assessment, self-awareness and critical analysis.
  • Foster an understanding of the interdependent nature of research and clinical practice.
  • Facilitate the professional and clinical performance of teaching and supervisory staff through ongoing personal, professional and program review and development.
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Structure

Clinical practice is designed to introduce the student to all facets of operation within a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic. It employs problem-oriented, case-based learning methodology that includes a multi-level developmental process.

The clinical component commences in Semester 2 of Year 1 and continues for the duration of the four-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course. It requires a total of 900 hours of supervised practice, covering at least 410 cases, and is divided into five levels:

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Level 1 (Year 1): Beginner – 30 hours, 0 cases
Level 2 (Year 2): Observer – 120 hours, 50 cases
Level 3 (Year 3): Clinic assistant – 200 hours, 90 cases
Level 4 (Year 4 Sem 1): Student Practitioner – 250 hours, 120 cases
Level 5 (Year 4 Sem 2): Intern Practitioner – 300 hours, 150 cases

All clinic hours must be completed at the SITCM Teaching Clinic, except:

  • Level 2 students must spend 15-40 hours at an external TCM clinic.
  • Level 3 students may spend up to 67 hours at an external TCM clinic.
  • Level 4 students must spend 18 hours at an interprofessional clinic.
  • Level 5  students must spend 24 hours at an interprofessional clinic.

The purpose of external clinic hours is to expose students to a broad range of cases, clinic environments and practicing styles. These hours may only be spent observing – no cases may be completed at an external clinic. From the 2024 academic year, SITCM students have the opportunity to participate in a China study tour and have relevant hours from that tour credited towards their external clinic hour requirement.

Learning begins with observation and critical reflection as a beginner (Level 1) and observer (Level 2). These skills are further enhanced through supervised case management of clients as clinic assistant and student practitioner (Levels 3 and 4 respectively) with students concluding the clinical practice module with an intensive training unit as an intern practitioner (Level 5). All learning occurs under the supervision of professionally qualified practitioners, and students are required to proactively participate in all of their clinical learning experiences.

For any inquiries related to clinical practice, please contact Ms Rosa Zhang, Manager of the Clinical Practice Program, by emailing clinic@sitcm.edu.au or calling (02) 9212 1968.

Approved External TCM Clinic Supervisors

SITCM provides a selection of approved external TCM clinical placement locations and supervisors to meet the needs of the students enrolled in the BTCM study.

NoNameClinic AddressPhoneEmail
1Mr Daniel Deng 6/62-64 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230 (02) 9523 6663 tcmdeng@yahoo.com.au
2Dr Funing Guo 334 Darling St, Balmain NSW 2040(02) 9555 8512 funingguo@hotmail.com
3Mr Kevin Lu 75-77 Ultimo Rd, Haymarket, NSW 2000(02) 9281 3658kevin.zp.lu@gmail.com
4Mr Hoc Ku Huynh Unit 95, Level 2, 515 Kent St, Sydney NSW 2000 (02) 9724 4560
hockuhuynh@yahoo.com.au
5Ms Sunny Wang,
Mr Edward Chen
Shop 14/369 Victoria Ave Chatswood NSW 2067(02) 9411 6666purenaturalherbs@gmail.com
6Mr David SuhShop 12/427-441 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067(02) 9413 9557davidsuh@sitcm.edu.au
7Mr Rodrigo SanchezLevel 4, 229 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000(02) 8213 2888info@roddsanchez.com.au
8Mr Tongjian ZhuShop 208, Level 1, Carlingford Court Shopping Centre NSW 2118(02) 9872 7474newhealthau@gmail.com
9Ms Fanny Huen FungSuite 20, Level 1, Railway Parade, Burwood NSW 21340416 668 113frenchbeauty168@yahoo.com.hk
10Mr Kanglin LiuShop 22, Cherrybrook Village, 21-27 Shepherds Dr, Cherrybrook NSW 2126(02) 9481 7766kangsrehab@gmail.com
* This supervisor currently operates in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine only (not Herbal Dispensing). Therefore, students may spend at most half of their external clinic observation hours with this supervisor.

CMBA Registration Requirement

Under the National Law, all students enrolled in an approved program of study or who are undertaking a period of clinical training in Chinese medicine must be registered with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.
If you are enrolled in an approved program of study or clinical training in Chinese medicine you do not need to apply for registration as a student. AHPRA manages registration matters on behalf of the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia. AHPRA will work directly with your education provider to obtain details of all students who need to be registered.

There are no fees for student registration. The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia will register you for the duration of study or clinical training in Chinese medicine, or until you are no longer enrolled.

You can visit AHPRA’s Student Registration page for more information.