Outline

Overview

Integrating theory and practice in context and becoming skilled in the application of the occupational therapy process is essential for meeting requirements for registration as an occupational therapist. Building on OCCP1100 Professional Practice I, OCCP2086 Professional Practice II and OCCP3061/OCCP3065 Professional Practice IIIA/IIIB, this unit concludes the focus on professional development in context with students responsible for a caseload approximating up to 80% of that expected of a new graduate in that specific position. Students will participate in an eight-week, supervised fulltime experience within a professional service setting.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Participation Sciences
Credit points	18
Prerequisites ?	OCCP3061 and OCCP3065
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Josephine Gwynn, josephine.gwynn@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Kylie Angelou, kylie.angelou@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 March 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Placement	Continuing professional development plan Planning and completion of continuing professional development activities	0%	Multiple weeks	Completed template
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Simulated job application and interview Application and interview for an OT job relevant to the placement.	0%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Placement	Student Placement Evaluation Form – Revised 2 (SPEF-R2) Placement performance assessment completed by student and educator.	0%	Progressive	Form based on performance throughout
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Tasks

Continuing Professional Development Plan: Using a modified form of the CPD planning and implementation expected of AHPRA-registered practitioners, students will demonstrate competence in managing this process as applied to their placement. In the first two weeks of placement, students with their supervisors will collaboratively identify CPD goals and planned CPD activities for the placement. Students will implement CPD throughout their placement, documenting the completed CPD activities, and reflecting on their learning and impacts on their student occupational therapy practice. To satisfactorily complete this hurdle task, students must satisfactorily engage with the task and submit their CPD record, verified by their supervisor, by the due date.
Simulated Job Application and Interview: Students will work with their placement sites to, wherever possible given any site constraints, work through a simulated job application and interview process. Students will complete a job application (cover letter, application form if relevant, and CV) in response to a past/current/mock job advertisement. Students will then complete a simulated interview for that position. Placement sites will provide the student with feedback regarding their application and interview.
Student Placement Evaluation Form - Revised 2: Using the SPEF-R2 (online or on the provided form), students and educators will independently rate students’ demonstration of professional behaviours and skills during their placement. Students will arrange with their educators for each to complete and then together discuss the assessment in a formative review of performance midway through the placement (Week 4). The student will then arrange to repeat this process again near the end of the placement in the final summative placement performance assessment. The educator will make their final recommendation and return their assessment directly to the university for academic staff to review and determine the final result (Pass/Fail) in relation to the placement expectations and unit learning outcomes.

Additional required tasks to satisfy unit requirements

This placement unit has additional required tasks contributing to the requirement for satisfactory participation in the unit of study. These include, participation in pre-placement briefing and post-placement debriefing activities, completion of a letter of introduction and peer audit, completion of pre-placement student to placement site contact, completion of WHS inductions at their placement sites, satisfactory participation the community of learning, and timely maintenance of an accurate timesheet addressing the required attendance requirements.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021. In this unit, no marks are issued, but rather a Satisfied Requirements (SR) or Failed Requirements (FR) grade. These results are defined as:

Satisfied Requirements (SR): To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured as a pass or fail only without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Failed Requirements (FR): To be awarded in units of study where student achievement is measured either as Satisfied Requirements or Failed Requirements only, without a mark to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty.

To receive a ‘Satisfied Requirements’ (SR) grade in this unit of study, students must complete all hurdle tasks to the appropriate standard and achieve a pass grade on the SPEF-R2. As this unit includes placement, students are reminded that the FMH Sydney School of Health Sciences Placement Provisions and FMH Professionalism Provisions 2019 will apply.

Irrespective of other performance in the unit, ‘Failed Requirements’ (FR) grade for the unit of study will be issued where a student breaches client/patient privacy or for other serious breaches of professional standards.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Information about late penalties can be found in the University Coursework Policy 2021 and the University Assessment Procedures 2011. The above policy applies to graded assessments. Late submission or inadequate completion of placement and skills-based tasks may result in lowered ratings on the relevant competencies and may thereby negatively influence unit results.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Preparedness for employment (mixed activities)	Workshop (5 hr)
	Professional Practice IV placement	Placement (320 hr)
	Synchronous and asynchronous online interactions during placement to support student well being and learning.	Tutorial (8 hr)
Week 01	Preparation for practice education placement	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 01	Careers information	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 09	Practice education debriefing	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

This unit has minimum attendance requirements that include on-campus mandatory classes, placement attendance and self-directed learning. Attendance records may be taken for mandatory classes and attendance at placement reported. Students are required to maintain an accurate log of their attendance for all categories of activity in Sonia timesheets according to the guidelines provided on the WIL Canvas site Occupational Therapy page. Failure to meet and accurately log minimum attendance requirements will prevent students satisfactorily completing the unit of study (grade of RI or AF).

Mandatory classes: Preparation and debriefing sessions

Attendance at mandatory preparation for placement briefing classes, and placement debriefing classes is required. Students are responsible for following up appropriate actions during absence to ensure that minimum requirements to complete the unit of study are met.

Placement Attendance (40 hours/week for 8 weeks)

Students must attend placement every working day, five days per week, from the start date to the finish date of the placement notified in Sonia. Attendance is not required on public holidays.

Students are not entitled to accrue days off (i.e., ADO/RDO/SDO) or other time off when their supervisor is absent. Students must not arrange alternate placement dates without approval of their placement academic, including that students must notify their academic if working on a weekend day in lieu of a weekday.

Sites will advise students of the expected daily start and finish times, and students are to attend as requested, up to 40 working hours spread across five days per week (i.e., excluding breaks). Students attending slightly less than 40 working hours per week (e.g., a 35-hour working week) need to complete placement-related self-directed learning to attain the minimum hours, noting that with the permission of the site students are able to attend different (more) hours than their supervisors. Students with any concerns regarding their working roster should contact their placement academic.

Students are responsible for timely follow-up of appropriate actions when absences are absolutely unavoidable in order to ensure that minimum requirements to complete the unit of study are met.

Self-directed learning (including required, site-specific, preparation for placement)

It is expected that students will complete self-directed learning in specific preparation for the placement they have been allocated, which may or may not be directed by the site. Further guidelines for what is suggested and should be entered in this category in timesheets are noted in the timesheet guidelines on the WIL Canvas site Occupational Therapy page.

Missed hours, special arrangements and special considerations

· ALL absences must be notified to the placement academic (classes and placement) and supervisor (placement). Notification must be timely and should include the nature of the leave and the expected return. Students may be required to undertake alternative learning tasks within specific timeframes to demonstrate the attainment of learning outcomes.

· Absences greater than 8 hours cumulative (including classes and placement) across the duration of the subject must be notified to the unit of study coordinator and accompanied by supporting documentation.

· Absences greater than 24 hours cumulative (including classes and placement) across the duration of the subject must be notified to the unit of study coordinator AND accompanied by supporting documentation in an application for special arrangements (contact the unit of study coordinator for details).

· Absences of greater than 40 hours cumulative (including classes and placement) across the duration of the subject will require a formal application for special consideration. Applications for special consideration for missed hours must be entered as “In-class assessment; Attendance”. The nature of fieldwork means that such circumstances are likely to require withdrawal from the subject to complete the entire subject at another time.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 18 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 360-450 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no required text, however please refer to the WIL Canvas site Occupational Therapy page for useful references and resources including codes of conduct and ethics with which you are expected to be familiar and comply, competency standards relating to your assessments, and continuing professional development guidelines. Additional resources will be highlighted throughout the unit of study.

Revision of key topics from OCCP2086, OCCP3061 and OCCP3065, as well as content relevant to your allocated placement, is expected for this unit of study.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate professional behaviours appropriate to the expectations of the university and workplace settings
LO2. generalise self-management skills to enable achievement of entry level competency and identify ongoing professional development needs
LO3. implement evidence-based occupational therapy, with appropriate supervision, for an agreed workload.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct
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
1.17		Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients.
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
2.1		Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.10		Maintains digital literacy for 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
2.5		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		Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3.1		Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement
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 interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
3.13		Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and
3.14		Contributes to quality improvement and service development.
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
4.1		Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.10		Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
4.11		Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.
4.2		Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
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 skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback from the USS and Placement Quality Survey are integrated into continuous improvement across WIL units of study.

Additional information

This unit of study outline must be read in conjunction with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Handbook
The handbook also includes specific clinical education information on your course.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health website has information about placements in the School of Health Sciences.
All students are required to familiarise themselves with their academic responsibilities, and the academic policies governing their enrolment and progression. Including the University of Sydney’s Coursework Policy and Faculty provisions. When considering applications and appeals relating to these matters, it will be assumed that students understand their academic responsibilities and are familiar with these key policies and procedures
The Work Integrated Learning Canvas site also provides information specific to Sydney School of Health Sciences placements such as essential preparation, forms and policies.

Additional costs

Additional costs may be incurred for accommodation, transport and leave from usual employment. Students should prepare to cover these costs and can refer to the University website for financial assistance opportunities. https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/financial-support.html

Work, health and safety

Verification: Students must meet all pre-placement requirements as outlined on the University of Sydney Clinical placements checks and clearances: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/clinical-placement-checks/vaccinations.html. It is recommended that students regularly check their verfication status. Failure to meet these requirements in accordance with communicated due dates may prevent you from being allocated to and/or completing a placement or placement unit of study irrespective of your enrolment status.

Declarations: Students must have an up-to-date declaration (in Sonia) that they have read and understood key documents related to privacy and confidentiality, codes of conduct, NSW Health policies and general communication/ email etiquette. Failure to meet these requirements may prevent you from being allocated to and/or completing a placement or placement unit of study irrespective of your enrolment status.

WHS Induction: Consistent with New South Wales WHS legislation, you are required to complete a WHS induction within the first few days of placement, and if relevant, at any time your placement requires you to work in another setting. This is an essential legal requirement to ensure that all risks are minimised for you, and others for whom you are responsible. The University has a duty of care to you to ensure you have been inducted appropriately. Similarly, you are responsible for demonstrating that you are aware of and know how to manage risk appropriately. You should complete the WHS Checklist from Sonia.

NSW Health or Other Site Training Materials: Students must complete all reasonable training as required by their placement site, irrespective of the completion of similar materials at another time with a different organisation including the University. Failure to do so may prevent you from completing a placement irrespective of your enrolment status.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OCCP4088: Professional Practice IV

Intensive March, 2024 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect