Monash University: University handbooks: Undergraduate handbook: Units indexed by faculty
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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Course code: 3869 + Course abbreviation: BOccTherapy + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time, 8 years part-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Peninsula)

Course description

The course uses a combination of traditional and scenario-based learning and teaching methods. Students develop expertise in working cooperatively to seek out information and applying their learning to situations relevant to occupational therapy practice. The curriculum incorporates knowledge from the disciplines of occupational science (the study of humans as occupational beings), as well as biomedical, behavioural and social sciences.

At the commencement of the course, students study foundation units in occupational science, anatomy, physiology, psychology and occupational therapy practice. This knowledge is then developed and applied to the intervention process used by occupational therapists with individuals, groups and communities.

Students also undertake an inter-professional education block each semester that involves working with students in other health science courses (for example, physiotherapy, health science/social work) around structured academic content focused on collaboration and teamwork.

Each year of the course includes a fieldwork placement in a metropolitan or regional location. Students complete a total of 1000 hours of fieldwork education, as required by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Participation in fieldwork education is integral to learning and is a requirement of the program in all years. Students will be required to meet the costs of fieldwork, including routine immunisation; state and national police criminal record checks; travel and accommodation costs; a workplace first aid certificate level 1 and level 2; and a food handling certificate level 1.

Special requirements

Police checks

Organisations that host clinical placements may require students to have obtained a police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they may be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical placements in this course.

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in health care facilities and for the protection of other students, and themselves, students may need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These may consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates that these are appropriate.

Vaccinations

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing this course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Course structure

First year

First semester

• HSC1031 Foundations of health
• HSC1301 Human structure and function 1
• OCC1011 Professional issues
• PSY1011 Psychology 1A

Second semester

• HSC1302 Human structure and function 2
• OCC1012 Occupational science
• OCC1022 Foundations of occupational therapy practice
• PSY1022 Psychology 1B

Second year

First semester

• ANT2311 Musculoskeletal systems
• OCC2011 Occupational performance, capabilities and components

Second semester

• OCC2020 Enabling occupation 1A: performance challenges
• OCC2022 Skills for evidence-based practice 1
• 6-point elective

Third year

First semester

• OCC3030 Enabling occupation 1B: performance challenges
• OCC3041 Skills for evidence-based practice 2
• 6-point elective

Second semester

• HSC2072 Health promotion
• OCC3052 Enabling occupation II: performance challenges in population health
• OCC3062 Participatory community practice 1: development

Fourth year

First semester

• HSC3032 Community partnerships and capacity building
• OCC4071 Participatory community practice 2: implementation
• OCC4081 Transition to practice 1

Second semester

• OCC4082 Advanced professional practice
• OCC4092 Transition to practice 2

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9904 4466

Email: occupationaltherapy@med.monash.edu.au

Web: www.med.monash.edu.au/occupationaltherapy/

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