OT7001 - Developing Occupational Therapy Reasoning and Skills with Practice Placement B

Lectures, online lectures and directed learning will be utilised to introduce you to key module concepts. Seminars will also be utilised to explore how a range of professional knowledge (such as research evidence, professional guidelines and legislation) informs how an Occupational Therapist applies their skills. However, as the focus of the module is on the development of practical skills, practical and experiential sessions and workshops will be utilised extensively for students to learn, practice and reflect upon their skills. You will also learn alongside BSc Occupational Therapy students where this is relevant to your learning.

Experts by experience representing different perspectives will also support learning on this module – through the sharing of narratives and engagement in dialogue, students will be supported to explore values, examine assumptions and work towards inclusive and person-centred occupational therapy practice.

Level 5 Practice Placement will also be an integral part of learning on this module where you will engage with an identified practice area and work alongside a qualified Occupational Therapist who will act as your practice educator to facilitate your learning. Tutorial sessions will also form part of your module learning, specifically to support you with the placement process. Tutorial sessions may be in the form of individual or small group tutorials, in university or in practice.

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module handbook, the electronic reading list, and information communicated throughout the module within sessions and on the e-learning portal will all signpost you to resources to support your academic development.

A formative assessment opportunity with staff and/or peer feedback will assist you to evaluate your own progress within the module and identify areas for development. Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will also be an integral part of the module.

You will also have an identified practice educator (a qualified Occupational Therapist) who will facilitate and support your learning in practice. In addition, you will be supported to identify and access other professionals and disciplines available in the particular practice area. At key points before, during and after placement, academic staff will assist you to link placement learning to your module learning and to your wider professional development.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically analyse core Occupational Therapy practice skills and their application to a range of practice contexts
2. Critically evaluate a range of professional knowledge and the application to safe and effective occupational therapy practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Utilise and appraise a range of professional skills by meeting identified placement competencies
4. Develop skills in activity and occupational analysis to select, adapt and grade activities
5. Demonstrate self-direction when communicating and collaborating with others order work in partnership with a range of individuals, groups and service-providers.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6. Critically reflect on individual differences in relation to occupational participation

Formative assessment:

Ongoing formative assessment on practice placement where strengths and areas for development are identified. This will be supported through regular supervision meetings between the student and the practice educator and will be summarised during a mid-point contact with an academic tutor. Both weekly supervision and the mid-point contact will be summarised in writing.
(All MLOs)

Summative assessment:

Part A: Presentation of Professional Reasoning Skills (All MLOs) –100% of final mark

Students will deliver an oral presentation focussed on professional reasoning and decision making.

Individual written feedback will be provided following the summative assessment highlighting strengths and areas for development.


Part B: Practice Placement (all module learning outcomes)

Students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis in line with level 5 competencies. You will receive written feedback from your practice educator regarding strengths and areas for development. Placement must be passed in order to pass this module.

None

None

The skill of breaking down activities and occupations in order to understand how they are patterned and performed, and then modify and adapt them to promote and maximise engagement is essential to Occupational Therapy practice and will be developed, practiced and applied throughout this module. Alongside developing core occupational therapy skills, students will be required to integrate and practice wider professional skills, for example risk assessment, record keeping, delegation and communication.

Teaching and learning will mainly focus on practical, experiential and simulated learning. Summative assessments will focus on occupational therapy reasoning and skills within identified scenarios – verbally articulating professional reasoning within an oral presentation. Practice placement B will be assessed at level 5