Standard 1 - 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:

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

1.2. Adheres to legislation relevant to practice

1.3. Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1.11. Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts

1.12. Identifies and uses relevant professional and operational support and supervision

1.13. Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively

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

1.15. Addresses issues of occupational justice in practice

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

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Standard 2 - 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:

2. 1. applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice.

2.2. applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making.

2.3. identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision making.

2.4. understands and responds to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health philosophies, leadership, research and practices.

2.5. maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting

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

2.7. implements a specific learning and development plan when moving to a new area of practice or returning to practice.

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

2.9. main tai ns knowledge of relevant resources and technologies,

2.10. maintains digital literacy for practice.

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Standard 3 - 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:

3.1. addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement

3.2. performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client's status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals

3.3. collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals  

3.4. develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals        

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

3.6. seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples· experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections

3.7. reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision making

3.8. identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment 

3.9. implements an effective and accountable process for delegation, referral and handover  

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

3.11. evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice

3.12. uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and inter-professional approaches for decision-making and planning

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

3.14. contributes to quality improvement and service development

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6

Standard 4 - 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:

4.1. communicates openly, respectfully and effectively

4.2. adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context    

4.3. 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

4.4. uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies

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

4.6. maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice.      

4.7. obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian

4.8. maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others

4.9. uses effective communication skill s to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

4.10. seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly,

4.11. identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others

LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6