Unit rationale, description and aim

Occupational therapists work with people and communities of all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial environments to enable participation in life situations (WFOT, 2016). Professional Practice Education 3 provides students with the opportunity to integrate theory into practice. Students will experience occupation as a therapeutic medium for enhancing participation in self-care, leisure and productivity roles within the person, environment, occupation model and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Placements can occur in a range of traditional and contemporary practice settings where the focus is on occupational engagement and participation. This unit includes a professional practice placement (up to 320 hours) which will be configured to allow for attendance at honours classes and supervision sessions.

This unit contains learning outcomes from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Curriculum Framework (HCF) (2014) specifically addressing the HCF cultural capabilities Reflect and Advocate. The overall aim of this unit is to enable students to consolidate and build on the professional behaviours, self-management, communication skills and core occupational therapy practice skills developed in the previous placements in readiness to practice as a new graduate occupational therapist.

2025 20

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Prerequisites

OTHY301 Mental Health Recovery in Occupational Therapy 2 AND OTHY302 Children Youth and Families AND OTHY304 Neurological Rehabilitation 2 AND OTHY307 Professional Practice Education 2 AND ALHT411 Honours Literature Review for Allied Health AND ALHT412 Honours Research Methods for Allied Health

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 practice in an ethical, s...

Learning Outcome 01

Demonstrate professional practice in an ethical, safe, lawful and accountable manner, supporting client health and wellbeing through occupation and consideration of the person and their environment
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC8, GC11

Apply occupational therapy knowledge, skills and b...

Learning Outcome 02

Apply occupational therapy knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice informed by relevant and contemporary theory, practice knowledge and evidence
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC8, GC12

Evaluate and reflect on own performance acknowledg...

Learning Outcome 03

Evaluate and reflect on own performance acknowledging the relationship between health, wellbeing and human occupation, and demonstrating professional practice that is client centred for individuals, groups, communities and populations
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC3, GC4, GC7, GC11

Demonstrates open, responsive and appropriate comm...

Learning Outcome 04

Demonstrates open, responsive and appropriate communication which maximises the occupational performance and engagement of clients and relevant others
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC4, GC11, GC12

HCF LO 14.2 Examine one’s own positioning in terms...

Learning Outcome 05

HCF LO 14.2 Examine one’s own positioning in terms of White Privilege and other social privileges
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC5, GC6, GC12

HCF 17.2 Illustrate strategies to develop personal...

Learning Outcome 06

HCF 17.2 Illustrate strategies to develop personal and professional leadership qualities, including resilience to work with possible health system challenges in delivering culturally safe health care
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC4, GC5

Content

Topics are drawn from the Occupational Therapy Competency Standards in preparation for the placement block.

AOTCS 1: Professionalism

Further development of professional skills for professional practice education

  • Reflecting on Practice Educators’ feedback OTHY307
  • Debrief OTHY307 Professional Practice Education 2
  • Stress and (performance) anxiety management
  • Identifying and problem solving common and specific placement challenges, e.g. supervision and feedback processes, models of supervision, caseload management, professional and clinical reasoning
  • Resume Preparation Tool (SPEF-R2) – How to use & Interview guidelines
  • Preparation for OTHY407(H) Professional Practice Education 3
  • Using the learning tools, SPEF-R2 & Competency Standards in OTHY407(H)
  • Recapping placement self-management skills
  • Identifying, debriefing and managing stressful situations
  • Preparing for supervision sessions and responding to feedback
  • Identifying learning needs & developing learning objectives & strategies
  • Preventing and management of performances issues
  • Professional attitudes and behaviour
  • Professional communication skills
  • Professional responsibilities
  • Culturally responsive and culturally safe practice, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
  • Identify and manage the influence of own values and culture on practice
  • Recognise and manage any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients

Ethical practices

  • In interprofessional teams
  • In accordance with WFOT standards


AOTCS 2: Knowledge and Learning

Performance evaluation:

  • Utilising reflective practice
  • Determine appropriate actions to enhance future performance
  • Adjusting intervention plans
  • Determining and utilising appropriate therapy outcome measures
  • Maintaining current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting

Lifelong learning:

  • Professional development planning
  • Managing your professional practice portfolio
  • Cultural capability: Understanding and responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices


AOTCS 3: Occupational therapy process and Practice

Enhancing skills in occupational therapy practice implementation:

  • Establishing the therapeutic relationship
  • Developing interview and assessment approaches relevant to the practice setting
  • Interpreting interview and assessment results
  • Planning an intervention
  • Incorporating evidence-based practice
  • Implementing individual and group intervention sessions, and implementing a series of intervention sessions
  • Utilising professional reasoning skills
  • Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections


AOTCS 4: Communication

Advanced development in effective communication skills:

  • clients
  • groups and / or communities
  • professional colleagues
  • managers and key stakeholders
  • Articulating professional reasoning
  • Working 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

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with university assessment requirements. Professional Practice placements are assessed in line with Occupational Therapy Australia guidelines using the common assessment tool the SPEF-R2 (Student Practice Evaluation Framework – Revised (2nd Edition). The SPEF-R2 is an accredited method of assessing student performance on placement and includes eight domains, i.e., Professional Behaviour, Self-Management Skills, Co-Worker Communication, Communication Skills, Documentation, Information Gathering, Service Provision and Service Evaluation. Learning plans which indicate a student’s capacity to reflect on their learning needs and identify learning goals aligned with these SPEF-R2 domains are developed by students prior to placement and submitted as a hurdle requirement.

In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and must pass the following hurdles:

  • Hurdle 1 and Hurdle 2 - Submission of pre-placement learning plans of a satisfactory standard
  • Hurdle 3 - Achievement of a pass rating on the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (2nd Edition) SPEF-R2 as determined by the Placement Educator and ACU Professional Practice Coordinator
  • Hurdle 4 - Submission of post-placement documents including (a) SPEF-R2, (b) post-placement learning plans of a satisfactory standard and (c) timesheet as evidence of having passed the placement and having met the requirements for placement hours.

Students are offered one attempt to achieve a pass on the SPEF-R2, and two attempts to achieve a pass on the pre-placement learning plans and submission of the post-placement documents. Assessment approaches in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ cultural advisors. 

Overview of assessments

Hurdle 1 Submission of a pre-placement learning ...

Hurdle 1

Submission of a pre-placement learning plan which will address a minimum of one professional practice competency goal (Professionalism, Knowledge and Learning, Occupational Therapy Process and Practice and Communication).

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Hurdle 2 Submission of a pre-placement learning ...

Hurdle 2

Submission of a pre-placement learning plan which will address one cultural capability development goal.

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO3, LO5, LO6
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC11, GC12

Hurdle 3 Pass grade on the Student Practice Eval...

Hurdle 3

Pass grade on the Student Practice Evaluation Form – Revised (SPEF-R2) as determined by Placement Educator and ACU Professional Practice Coordinator in order to meet AHPRA registration requirements at the end of the program of study.

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Hurdle 4 Submission of post placement documents ...

Hurdle 4

Submission of post placement documents including (a) SPEF-R2, (b) post-placement learning plans and (c) timesheet as evidence of having passed the placement and having met the requirements for placement hours.

Weighting

Pass/Fail

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6
Graduate Capabilities GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

Teaching and learning strategies for this unit will include preparatory lectures and tutorials with interactive problem-solving exercises, and self-directed online learning activities. The learning on professional practice placement provides a real-world experience. On placement students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and engage in self-directed activities under the guidance of their practice educator. Students are required to prepare a learning plan prior to commencing placement, to seek and respond to peer and tutor feedback, and to reflect on progress towards meeting the learning plan at the end of the placement block. Learning activities are designed to situate the student in the context of a professional practice placement and actively link academic learning to the practice learning environment. Teaching and learning approaches included in this unit were developed in collaboration with First Peoples’ cultural advisors. 

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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Adheres to legislation relevant to practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Identifies and uses relevant professional and operational support and supervision

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Maintains digital literacy for practice.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Contributes to quality improvement and service development.

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • Relating to

    Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

    Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • 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, LO6

  • Relating to

    Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

  • Relating to

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

    Relevant Learning OutcomeLO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Occupational Therapy Board. (2018). Australian occupational therapy competency standards. https://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/codes-guidelines/competencies.aspx

Occupational Therapy Australia. (2014). Code of Ethics. https://otaus.com.au/publicassets/73509493-3865-ed11-9475-005056be13b5/OTA%20Code%20of%20Ethics.pdf

Levett-Jones, T. (2023). Clinical reasoning: Learning to think like a nurse (3rd ed.). Pearson Australia.

Schell, B. & Schell, J. (2024). Clinical and Professional Reasoning in Occupational Therapy. (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Stagnitti, K., Schoo, A. & Welch, D. (Eds.). (2013). Clinical and Fieldwork Placement in the Health Professions (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press

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

World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) (2016). Minimum standards for the education of occupational therapistshttps://www.wfot.org/assets/resources/COPYRIGHTED-World-Federation-of-Occupational-Therapists-Minimum-Standards-for-the-Education-of-Occupational-Therapists-2016a.pdf

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