Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) (BOccTherapy (Hons))
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) (BOccTherapy (Hons))
Program Code
HOCTH
Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Academic Year
2024
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) is designed to develop the knowledge and clinical skills required for entry-level occupational therapists, through practice education, coursework and simulated learning experiences within the classroom. The four-year program will prepare students to work with people and communities promoting occupational engagement through processes which include assessment, prevention and rehabilitation in all areas of health and well-being and across the lifespan. This includes working in paediatrics, mental health, musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, aged care, rural health, primary health care, Aboriginal health and research.
Students will apply their learning in professional practice settings, by completing professional placements under the supervision of qualified registered occupational therapists. Throughout the program, students will undertake over 1000 hours of clinical practice in a variety of settings. Through over 1,000 hours of supervised practice placement students will gain hands-on experience with real clients, learning to apply knowledge, clinical reasoning and the practical skills required of the profession.
Students will enter into one of two pathways in third year: Research or Industry. Students in the Industry Pathway will complete an industry related project, while students in the Research Pathway will undertake an individual research project, under supervision.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Graduates are also eligible for membership of Occupational Therapy Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) is an AQF Level 8 qualification with a standard duration of 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Integrate knowledge of the biosciences and public health with specialist discipline knowledge in the practice of occupational therapy.
- Critically analyse and apply occupational, biopsychosocial and cultural understandings in order to plan, implement and evaluate occupational therapy practice in diverse and changing contexts with individual communities and populations.
- Critically evaluate research evidence to enable knowledge transformation for ethically informed and evidence based occupational therapy practice.
- Plan, execute and interpret the findings of project work or research with independence.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with professional and non-professional stakeholders using advanced and culturally safe, verbal, non-verbal and written skills.
- Exercise personal autonomy and collaborative decision making in the application of clinical reasoning and skills in a range of health related contexts.
- Evaluate knowledge and practice using appropriate technologies to support continued professional and personal development.
Conditions
Conditions of enrolment
Clinical Deed Poll: The University of Adelaide and the Minister for Health have a clinical placement agreement in place which allows the University to request clinical placements in SA Health facilities. As part of this agreement students are required to complete a deed poll. A deed poll is an agreement between the student and SA Health to ensure patient information is treated with confidentiality and that the student has met the required clearances. By signing a deed poll students understand their obligations and agree to comply with the relevant state legislation. See https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/student-support/clinical-placements
Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Registration: Students undertaking a clinical placement at a hospital or other health facility require student registration with the relevant National Board. This process is undertaken by the AHPRA. It is completed on enrolment into the program and does not require action by the student. Students will be advised when they have been registered. Students will also have additional requirements for each hospital site that must be met and maintained throughout their study.
Criminal History Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable are now required to demonstrate clearance by producing either a Working with Children Check (WWCC) or Criminal History Clearance obtained through the Department of Human Services (DHS). International students are required to obtain a certificate from their home country. All students studying a clinical-based program will be required to demonstrate a satisfactory criminal history clearance and maintain an up to date National Police check throughout their study.
Immunisation: Students undertaking professional placements are required to demonstrate the appropriate level of immunisation requested by the placement provider.
Students are required to have the appropriate level of immunisation required by the Immunisation for Health Care Workers in South Australia Policy Directive for tuberculosis (TB) screening and criminal history clearances (CHC), Prescribed Communicable Infections (PCI) screening, including recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
Failure to comply with the immunisation requirements will prevent students from attending their professional placement(s). Immunisation records are requested by placement providers and it is a student's responsibility to acquire their immunisation record and take it with them to all professional placements.
Tuberculosis Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable are required to demonstrate tuberculosis (TB) clearance through obtaining a TB Screening Notification from SA Tuberculosis Services.
Inherent requirements: Students are required to acknowledge their understanding of the University of Adelaide Occupational Therapy programs inherent requirements. Please see https://health.adelaide.edu.au/study-with-us/allied-health/occupational…
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedure in place at the time.
Uniform: During clinical placements students are required to comply with professional dress standards.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
There shall be a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 96 units, comprising:
- Core courses to the value of 96 units
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) comprises of two options:
Option # 1 Industry Honours Pathway
1. Core courses to the value of 48 units
2. Industry Honours Core courses to the value of 48 units
Option # 2 Research Honours Pathway*
1. Core courses to the value of 48 units
2. Research Honours Core courses to the value of 48 units
*Entry into the research pathway will be based on academic merit
Work Based Learning / extra mural studies
Students must complete a mandatory minimum of 1000 hours of practice placement.
Students will be required to attend placement experiences that may take place outside the standard academic year and traditional working hours. This will require attendance at metropolitan, rural, interstate and / or possibly remote locations or overseas. Students are expected to travel to and from clinical placements.
Core Courses
-
Core Courses
Students must complete Level III and Level IV courses relevant to the pathway they are enrolled in.
Level I
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HLTH SC 1400 Biosciences for Human Health A 3 HLTH SC 1401 Communication in Professional Practice 3 HLTH SC 1402 Foundations of Health and Wellbeing 3 HLTH SC 1403 Biosciences for Human Health B 3 HLTH SC 1404 Evidence Based Practice in Allied Health 1 3 HLTH SC 1405 Psychological Foundations for Allied Health 3 HLTH SC 1406 Introduction to Behavioural Neuroscience 3 OCCTH 1000 Introduction to Occupational Science 3 Level II
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HLTH SC 2400 Evidence Based Practice in Allied Health 2 3 ANAT SC 2401 Anatomy of Lower and Upper Limbs 3 OCCTH 2000 Occupational Perspectives of Health A 3 OCCTH 2001 Participation in Diverse Communities 3 PATHOL 2400 Pathophysiology for Allied Health 3 HLTH SC 2401 Development Across the Lifespan for Allied Health 3 OCCTH 2002 Occupational Perspectives of Health B 3 OCCTH 2003 Rural Health and Occupational Therapy Practice 3 Level III Industry Honours Pathway
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value OCCTH 3001 Enabling Change: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 6 OCCTH 3002 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice A 3 OCCTH 3004 Enabling Change: Mental Health across the Lifespan 6 OCCTH 3006 Advanced EBP in Occupational Therapy 3 OCCTH 3007 Enabling Change: Children and Families 6 Level IV Industry Honours Pathway
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value OCCTH 4000 Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice 3 OCCTH 4002 Enabling Change: Population Approaches B 6 OCCTH 4003 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice B 6 OCCTH 4004 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice C 6 OCCTH 4005 Enabling Change: Population Approaches A 3 Level III Research Honours Pathway
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value OCCTH 3001 Enabling Change: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 6 OCCTH 3002 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice A 3 OCCTH 3004 Enabling Change: Mental Health across the Lifespan 6 OCCTH 3007 Enabling Change: Children and Families 6 HLTH SC 4400 Allied Health Research Project Planning 3 Level IV Research Honours Pathway
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value OCCTH 4000 Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice 3 HLTH SC 4401A Allied Health Honours Research Project A 0 HLTH SC 4401B Allied Health Honours Research Project B 9 OCCTH 4003 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice B 6 OCCTH 4004 Occupational Therapy Clinical Practice C 6