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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 1,000 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.

Students who obtain a minimum 75 per cent cumulative grade average during years one and two of the BOccTherapy, and who are ranked in the top 10 per cent of the course for their respective year will be eligible to be admitted into the honours course. No additional period of study is required for the awarding of honours in this degree.

Course objectives

The educational objectives have been classified according to professional, personal and social outcomes, such that, on successful completion of the BOccTherapy, it is expected that the student will be able to:

  • + Professionally: demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attributes appropriate for a competent entry level occupational therapy practitioner; develop strategies to enable individuals, groups and populations to participate in everyday life occupations that they want and need to do to promote their health and well being; appraise barriers to people's participation in occupation and determine remediation and adaptation strategies to overcome these; articulate the unique professional contribution of occupational therapy within health and human services; be client-centered in their approach, respecting the rights of clients and their support networks to participate in decision-making; explain and apply to practice knowledge of the International Classification Framework (WHO 2001) for the domains of health which include: activities and participation, body structures and functions, personal and environmental factors; synthesize and critically appraise a view of the nature and meaning of occupation, the occupational nature of human beings and the theories and basic principles related to enabling occupation and occupational performance; explain biomedical and social sciences concepts underpinning occupational therapy practice; describe different research methodology approaches used in health sciences and occupational therapy research and be skilled at accessing, critically appraising and applying the best available evidence to their everyday practice; practice with respect for the roles of other health and human service professionals and be able to work collaboratively within their own discipline and as part of a multidisciplinary team; work collaboratively with a broad range of service providers, students, clients and their support networks, assuming responsibility for leadership, supervision and management of tasks as required; create personal strategies to maintain high standards in their professional life, contribute to their professional community and to engage in lifelong learning; recognize the intrinsic value of people irrespective of culture, values, beliefs and socio-economic status.
  • + Personally: achieve a broad education with a tolerance for ambiguity and differing views with a concern for issues of equity, equality, humanity and social justice; hold the ability to be reflective, to learn independently and be innovative in their approach to analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and evaluation; communicate effectively and efficiently with other professionals, clients and the public; possess appropriate oral, written and IT skills, including the ability to present coherent argument, negotiate effectively and manage conflict.
  • + Socially: explain the social, ethical, economic, political and environmental context of illness, health and wellbeing; demonstrate commitment to the health of populations as well as individuals and be proactive in prevention-oriented practice and health promotion; explain the social, legal and ethical dimensions of professional activities; apply knowledge of relevant public policy and health and social care systems into their practice.

Special requirements

Police checks

Organisations that host field/community placements require students to have a current police check regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the placements in this course. Police checks need to be renewed annually. However in some community partnered programs there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

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
Second semester
  • HSC1302 Human structure and function 2
  • OCC1012 Occupational science
  • OCC1022 Foundations of occupational therapy practice
  • PSY1022 Psychology 1B
Second year
First semester
  • OCC2011 Occupational performance, capabilities and components
Second semester
  • OCC2020 Enabling occupation 1A: performance challenges
  • OCC2022 Skills for evidence-based practice 1
  • 6-point elective

Pass degree

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

Honours degree

Third year
First semester
  • OCC3030 Enabling occupation 1B: performance challenges
  • OCC3041 Skills for evidence-based practice 2
  • SWK3230 Social work research
Second semester
  • HSC2072 Health promotion 1
  • OCC3052 Enabling occupation II: performance challenges in population health
  • OCC3072 Occupational Therapy honours project 1
Fourth year
First semester
  • HSC3032 Community partnerships and capacity building
  • OCC4081 Transition to practice 1
  • OCC4091 Occupational therapy honours project 2
Second semester
  • OCC4082 Advanced professional practice
  • OCC4092 Transition to practice 2

Contact details

Telephone: +61 3 9904 4466, email: occupationaltherapy@med.monash.edu.au or visitwww.med.monash.edu.au/occupationaltherapy

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