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.

Content

An introduction to Ergonomics

• Systems approach to ergonomics

• Applied anthropometry 

• Assessment of job demands, functional capacity, occupational performance and the environment

• Ergonomics at work, in the home and community

• Application of ergonomic theory, data, principles and methods to optimise system and occupational performance

Occupational therapy theories and vocational rehabilitation 

·    Application of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to workplace occupational participation

·    Impact of injury or illness on occupational/vocational participation

·    Approaches, theories and models of vocational rehabilitation 

Occupational and vocational rehabilitation and return to work for individuals with:

·    Psychological injuries

·    Physical injuries

·    Disabilities of an acute or chronic nature

Preparation for, and engagement in, Professional Practice placement and simulated learning experiences 

Injury management and case management processes under relevant occupational legislation 

·    Work assessment

·    Job analysis

·    Functional capacity evaluation

·    Workers' Compensation, and OHS Legislation and other relevant legislation

Develop and write a vocational rehabilitation intervention plan:

·    Graduated return to work plan

·    Identifying and overcoming barriers to workplace participation

Program evaluation, monitoring and supporting progress 

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Learning and Teaching strategies for this unit include lectures, practical sessions, case studies and self-directed learning. This unit includes 5 hours of fieldwork experience and 40 hours of simulated placement. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner. 

The learning and teaching strategies in this unit are linked to achieving the described learning outcomes. These learning experiences will provide students with the opportunity to develop assessment and communication skills in addition to clinical and reflective thinking in ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation. Skills from previous units will be used, such as building rapport with a client, communication skills, occupational therapy models of practice and professional reasoning. 

Students will develop foundational knowledge in ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation and have opportunities to practice skills in situation-based learning scenarios in practical sessions. To demonstrate learning and skills, students will participate in ergonomic assessment fieldwork and a one week simulated placement to apply principles of workplace assessment and return to work procedures using case study scenarios in a simulated vocational rehabilitation setting. 

Students' study and assessment schedules have been designed to enable students to learn sequentially and build on their knowledge each week through the sequence of gain, apply and integrate. This will allow students to develop clear knowledge and understanding of the role of an occupational therapist within ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation.

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:

• AOTCS Standard 1

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.1

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.2

  Relating to

  Adheres to legislation relevant to practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.5

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.7

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.8

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.9

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 1.10

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 2

  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, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.1

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.2

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.3

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 2.8

  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, LO4

• AOTCS Standard 3

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.2

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.3

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.4

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.5

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.7

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.8

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.11

  Relating to

  Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 3.12

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.1

  Relating to

  Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.2

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.4

  Relating to

  Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.5

  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, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.6

  Relating to

  Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.7

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.8

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.9

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.10

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5

• AOTCS Standard 4.11

  Relating to

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

  Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5