Unit rationale, description and aim

Students in this professional practice unit complete a 10 week, 1 day per week placement to develop advanced occupational therapy skills in a specific occupational therapy area of practice. The placement runs in conjunction with the unit ‘Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice (OTHY404)’. Students will engage in an advanced occupational therapy practice project. Project management skills will be developed and applied to a project which contributes to the occupation-focused, person-centred, evidence-based practice of a host agency. Students will draw on and apply attitudes, skills and knowledge acquired over the course of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. Students will require advanced skills in the following areas: organisation and time management, written and verbal communication, collaboration, teamwork, searching and synthesising evidence, and professional reasoning.

The aim of this professional practice unit is for students to develop life-long learning skills and to apply advanced skills and knowledge to practice in responding to a real-life professional practice issue.

2025 10

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  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance
  • Term Mode
  • Semester 2Campus Attendance

Prerequisites

OTHY416 Professional Practice Education 3

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Demonstrate professional behaviours and conduct th...

Learning Outcome 01

Demonstrate professional behaviours and conduct themselves in accordance with WFOT Code of Ethics;
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC3

Engage in diverse communication processes with ser...

Learning Outcome 02

Engage in diverse communication processes with service users and providers to articulate and advocate an occupation-focused and person-centred approach to a specific area of occupational therapy practice;
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC4, GC10, GC11, GC12

Plan, develop and evaluate an evidence-based proje...

Learning Outcome 03

Plan, develop and evaluate an evidence-based project for a specific area of occupational therapy practice;
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC8, GC9

Content

Topics will include:

Preparation for advanced professional practice education

  • Goal setting and learning contract
  • Project management knowledge and skills

Enhancing skills in occupational therapy practice implementation

  • Application of evidence-based practice
  • Utilising professional reasoning skills
  • Utilising reflective practice
  • Evaluation and outcome measurement 

Professional behaviours and ethical practices

Assessment strategy and rationale

Assessment procedures have been selected which meet the unit learning outcomes and assess graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements. Assessment tasks reflect attributes which are required in professional practice. The SPEF-R2 is used to inform students, professional practice educators and academics about student progress in meeting attributes required for practice. The project plan provides the vehicle for developing project management skills, negotiation, prioritisation and evaluation of outcomes. The oral presentation, deliverables and handover summary report demonstrates the capacity to synthesise material of relevance to professional practice and report back to stakeholders.  To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and pass hurdle tasks. Students are offered one attempt to achieve a pass on the SPEF-R2 and two attempts to achieve a pass on each of the other hurdle tasks.

Overview of assessments

Hurdle: Preparation and submission of a Proj...

Hurdle: Preparation and submission of a Project Management Plan

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Hurdle: Submission of SPEF-R2 and Timesheet via C...

Hurdle: Submission of SPEF-R2 and Timesheet via CANVAS as evidence of having passed the placement and met the requirements for placement hours (as signed by placement supervisor or authorised agent).

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1
Graduate Capabilities GC3

Hurdle: Oral presentation and handover summary r...

Hurdle: Oral presentation and handover summary report as signed off by placement supervisor. Submit a written handover summary report outlining the project aims, processes, outcomes and impact for occupational therapy and deliver an oral presentation of the content to the placement agency.

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Hurdle: Pass grade on the Student Practice Evalua...

Hurdle: Pass grade on the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (SPEF-R2) for domains 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7 as determined by Lecturer in Charge and Practice Educator in order to meet AHPRA registration requirements at the end of program of study.

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Professional Practice Education 4 provides students with 80 hours of professional practice experience. The placement runs in conjunction with the unit OTHY404 ‘Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice’. This professional practice experience is a project placement. Most students will work in pairs to complete a project nominated by the professional practice agency in response to an identified need. The professional practice experiences in this unit are supplemented by on-campus learning activities which may include workshops, tutorials, group discussions, meetings with tutors and self-directed learning activities in small groups. Students will apply aspects of evidence-based practice, such as searching for, locating and appraising evidence focused by a clinical question in PICO format. Students will also be introduced to concepts and practices of project management. They will assimilate this knowledge with theory, knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired over the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and apply it in a real-world professional environment.

Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2018

In connection to the learning outcomes, Australian occupational therapy competency standards (AOTCS) 2018 developed within this unit are:

  • Relating to

    Professionalism

    An occupational therapist practises in an ethical, safe, lawful and accountable manner, supporting client health and wellbeing through occupation and consideration of the person and their environment.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Adheres to legislation relevant to practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Incorporates and responds to historical, political, cultural, societal, environmental and economic factors influencing health, wellbeing and occupations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Identifies and uses relevant professional and operational support and supervision

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Knowledge and learning

    An occupational therapist’s knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice are informed by relevant and contemporary theory, practice knowledge and evidence, and are maintained and developed by ongoing professional development and learning.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Implements a specific learning and development plan when moving to a new area of practice or returning to practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains digital literacy for practice.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Occupational therapy process and practice

    An occupational therapist’s practice acknowledges the relationship between health, wellbeing and human occupation, and their practice is client-centred for individuals, groups, communities and populations.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Implements an effective and accountable process for delegation, referral and handover 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Contributes to quality improvement and service development.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Communication

    Occupational therapists practise with open, responsive and appropriate communication to maximise the occupational performance and engagement of clients and relevant others.

    An occupational therapist:

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Works ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to understand and incorporate relevant cultural protocols and communication strategies, with the aim of working to support self-governance in communities

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

  • Relating to

    Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2019 from https://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines/competencies.aspx

Dwyer, J., Liang, Z., Thiessen, B., & Martini, A. (2013). Project management in health and community services – getting good ideas to work (2nd ed.). Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.

School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (2020). Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (2nd ed.). (SPEF-R2). The University of Queensland https://www.spefr.online/

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