OT5004 - Occupational Therapy Practice Skills

The module will be delivered through a blended approaches of workshops, online learning, workbook activities and group work. Clinical colleagues and experts by experience (service users) contribute to the teaching ensuring that you are able to apply theoretical concepts to a practical environment. 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. You will also engage in peer learning activities during practical group work, simulation of occupational therapy interventions and reflection. However, as the focus of the module is on the development of practical skills, practical and experiential sessions and workshops will be utilized extensively for students to learn, practice and reflect upon their skills.

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure a blend of face to face and online learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module guide, 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 is ongoing throughout the workshops with staff and peer feedback to 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.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand and discuss core Occupational Therapy practice skills and their application to a range of practice contexts
2. Understand and apply a range of professional knowledge to safe and effective occupational therapy practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Utilise a range of assessment skills to identify and prioritise occupational need, and to include the assessment of risk
4. Develop skills in activity and occupational analysis to select, adapt and grade activities and as part of occupational formulation
5. Develop communication and collaboration skills in order work in partnership with a range of individuals, groups and service-providers.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6. Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, principles of person- centred health and care practice.
7. Demonstrate ethical reasoning to optimise occupational participation for individuals and groups whilst considering a range of policy, legislation, evidence and professional guidelines.

Formative assessment
Semester 1 - on line mock examination considering of a short answer paper based on the elements of the occupational therapy process and professional reasoning based on a case study

Semester 2 - On-going formative assessment will be integrated throughout the module in the form of a range of simulated learning experiences with peer and tutor feedback and students will be able to provide a plan of the chosen intervention for peer and tutor review for peer and tutor review.

Summative assessment:
Assessment of Professional Skills (All MLOs)
Semester 1 - 3 hour unseen, open book on line examination considering of a short answer paper based on the elements of the occupational therapy process and professional reasoning based on a case study (50% of the overall mark for the module)

Semester 2: 2500 word Written Report. Students will develop a written report based on the occupational process relating to an identified case study. The report will be based on a practice report (1000 words) supplemented by a detailed commentary which outlines your rationale and clinical reasoning (1500 words). (50% of module mark)

You will receive written feedback outlining your areas of strengths and areas for development in future assignments

Level 4

N/A

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 learnt, practiced and applied throughout this module. This module will help you to learn these skills through interactive and experiential ways.

Alongside developing core occupational therapy skills, you will be required to integrate and practice wider professional skills which would enable you to practice safely and effectively. For example, skills in risk assessment, record keeping, delegation and communication.

Teaching and learning will mainly focus on practical, experiential and simulated learning. Formative assessment will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills linked to an identified scenario and this will lead into the summative assessment for the module. For the summative assessment you will be required to submit a written report based on your intervention plan for an identified case study of your choice (from the scenarios used within the module) which meets professional record keeping requirements)