Course coordinator
Dr Tomomi McAuliffe
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 6
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Health & Rehab Sci School
This course provides supervised professional practice experience for students in occupational therapy. Students attend a professional practice placement in an area of occupational therapy and undertake graded learning experiences to develop professional practice competencies.
External (i.e., International) placements in this course are only available where the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has been able to source an overseas placement under a placement agreement. This is typically restricted to international students for placements in their home country if these can be sourced and arranged by the Clinical Education Liaison Managers. A Clinical Education Liaison Manager will contact students if an external placement offering is available.
OCTY4104 provides opportunities for undergraduate students to learn to implement the roles and responsibilities of an occupational therapist within contemporary practice settings. A major component of the course is 350 hours of OT professional practice education under the supervision of an occupational therapist known as the practice educator. This 350 hours is typically done over 10 weeks of full-time placement at 35 hrs per week. The course also includes a range of learning support activities available to students via the course Blackboard site as well as a lecture/workshop series in Orientation Week of Semester One. Details of this lecture/workshopﾠseries are provided on the course Blackboard site.ﾠﾠ
Professional practice education is an integral part of the occupational therapy curriculum. Students will be provided with opportunities to build upon their earlier clinical and coursework experiences and to expand their professional skills. Students will be expected to develop skills in occupational therapy practice and the associated communication and self-management skills.ﾠ
Student professional practice placements will reflect the diversity of occupational therapy professional practice. Students may be assigned to placements in either hospital or community-based service environments, spanning across acute or long-term settings within both government and non-government organisations. During their professional practice placement courses students may work with people of various ages and stages of development across the life span. Students will be required to work in different models of service delivery which may involve direct service provision, case management, consultancy or project management or a mixture of these models of service delivery. Supervised practice education is an integral part of the occupational therapy curriculum. The World Federation of Occupational Therapy requires a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised professional practice education within an occupational therapy program for accreditation.ﾠ
NOTE: In the process of allocating clinical placements, students' email addresses may be provided to organisations in order to allow for planning and orientation purposes. This will be reviewed in line with UQ privacy policies.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students will have successfully completed the prerequisite courses as outlined before undertaking OCTY7818.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
OCTY3208
Restrictions
BoccThy (Hons) students only
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
- OCTY7818
This course is run concurrently with the equivalent OCTY4104 course scheduled for Teaching Period 4 and the equivalent postgraduate course, OCTY7818. In particular, the intensive in O-week will see teaching activities delivered jointly with the equivalent undergraduate and postgraduate courses as relevant.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Field coordinator
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
A series of lectures and workshops will be held on campus in Orientation Week with full-time professional practice placements to then take place as negotiated.ﾠ Students will be advised of the timetable for lecture series via email by the course coordinator and a notice on the course Blackboard site.
Aims and outcomes
To provide the opportunity for undergraduate students to develop professional practice skills through involvement in delivering services to occupational therapy consumers in contemporary practice settings.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Carry out your practice in a professional and ethical manner as a student occupational therapist.
LO2.
Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, including use of relevant theory, in carrying out the role of student occupational therapist.
LO3.
Apply principles of evidence-informed practice, including consideration of person factors, service context, available research and student therapist expertise, in providing and evaluating services.
LO4.
Plan, implement and evaluate service delivery processes to address occupational roles and performance.
LO5.
Reflect on practice and respond to feedback to improve level of competence throughout the duration of the placement.
LO6.
Identify and apply behaviours that indicate an emerging level of competence in identified core areas of occupational therapy practice as specified in the Student Practice Evaluation Form - Revised Second Edition, i.e. Professional practice, Self Management, Communication, Information gathering, Service Provision, Documentation and Evaluation/ Reflection.
LO7.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with all people you work alongside (e.g. service users, their significant others, colleagues, supervisors and other professionals).
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
Lectures and Workshop series
|
Non graded compulsory component |
17/02/2025 - 21/02/2025
Students will be expected to log their attendance at each session they attend during the O-Week Intensive Lecture week. Make-up task due dates: For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to their placement: Friday 18th April at 5 pm. For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to other legitimate reason: Tuesday 25th February at 5 pm. |
| Performance, Placement |
Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised Second Ed (SPEF-R2)
|
Halfway & Final Evaluation pass/fail (MUST PASS) |
Within one week of placement completion. |
| Participation/ Student contribution, Performance |
Submission of placement documentation
|
Non graded compulsory component |
Within one week of placement completion. |
| Reflection | Faculty Cultural Safety Module 4 Reflection | Pass/Fail |
21/02/2025 5:00 pm
For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to their placement: Friday 18th April at 5 pm. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Lectures and Workshop series
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- Non graded compulsory component
- Due date
17/02/2025 - 21/02/2025
Students will be expected to log their attendance at each session they attend during the O-Week Intensive Lecture week.
Make-up task due dates:
For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to their placement: Friday 18th April at 5 pm.
For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to other legitimate reason: Tuesday 25th February at 5 pm.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L07
Task description
Students are required to attend and participate in the scheduled intensive week lecture and workshop series in Orientation week of Semester 1. See Learning Activities for arrangements if you are on early placement or rural/remote placement outside of Brisbane during the intensive week. Any student unable to attend any classes during the intensive week due to legitimate exceptional circumstances needs to seek permission to complete make-up activities following the process outlined under the Learning Activities section of this course profile.
Submission guidelines
Students will be expected to log their attendance at each session they attend during the O-Week Intensive Lecture week. For those who are not in attendance and complete make-up activities, these activities will be submitted online via Learn.UQ/TurnItIn.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Student Practice Evaluation Form-Revised Second Ed (SPEF-R2)
- Hurdle
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Performance, Placement
- Weight
- Halfway & Final Evaluation pass/fail (MUST PASS)
- Due date
Within one week of placement completion.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Professional practice placement evaluation is based on the practice educators assessment of the student using the Student Practice Evaluation Form- Revised Second Edition (SPEF-R2). The SPEF-R2 is completed by the practice educator at halfway, to provide formative feedback, and at the end of the professional practice placement. Students will be assessed on their clinical performance across a range of domains and items as outlined in the SPEF-R2.
Hurdle requirements
This course is rated on a nongraded PASS/FAIL basis primarily according to the criteria as outlined in the SPEF-R2 Manual, which is provided to every student.Submission guidelines
Students must submit their required placement documentation (SPEF-R2, Personal Placement Learning Goals, Clinical Placement Documentation Summary, and Student Review of Placement) via Blackboard within 1-week post-placement completion.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
Students who don't submit their SPEF-R2 and their placement documentation are unable to Pass OCTY4104.
Submission of placement documentation
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Performance
- Weight
- Non graded compulsory component
- Due date
Within one week of placement completion.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05, L06, L07
Task description
At the completion of placement, students are required to submit the following via BB to the Clinical Education Liaison Managers:
1. SPEF-R
2. Personal Placement Learning Goals
3. Clinical Placement Documentation Summary Form
4. Student Review of Placement Form
Submission guidelines
Students who don't submit t placement documentation and their SPEF-R2 are unable to Pass OCTY4104.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
Students who don't submit t placement documentation and their SPEF-R2 are unable to Pass OCTY4104.
Faculty Cultural Safety Module 4 Reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
21/02/2025 5:00 pm
For those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to their placement: Friday 18th April at 5 pm.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L07
Task description
Students are required to complete a reflection after engaging with Module 4 of the Understanding Cultural Safety modules. There will be a session to assist you in completing this assessment during the O-week intensive lecture series. The task description and rubric are available on Learn.UQ. Submission of this assessment will be counted as an attendance for the relevant session in the intensive week.
Submission guidelines
Please submit your reflection prior to the due date via the Turnitin submission link on Learn.UQ. Please attach the completed School assignment coversheet.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
Students who do not complete this reflection assessment will not be eligible to PASS OCTY4104.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: To obtain a passing grade for this course all of the following must be obtained/completed: 1. A passing grade on the FINAL Student Practice Evaluation Form -ﾠRevised Second Edition (SPEF-R2). 2. Submission of required records and documentation for the professional practice placement.ﾠ 3.ﾠParticipation inﾠthe compulsory intensive lecture and workshop series in Orientation Week of Semester 1, including completion of relevant online modules, or submission of make-up activities if approved to complete these in place of attendance. |
| F |
Course grade description: Failure to pass/completeﾠall assessment components for the course will constitute a FAIL. A PASS for this course will not be awarded until students have submitted the required documentation and records for the professional practice placement and any required make-up activities in place of attendance at the compulsory lecture and workshop series. |
Additional course grading information
This course is rated on a nongraded PASS/FAIL basis primarily according to the criteria as outlined in the SPEF-R2 Manual, which is provided to every student. Students must however also submit their Placement Learning Goals, Clinical Placement Documentation Summary, and Student Review of Placement within one week of placement completion.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Resubmission/Resit of assessment items
A resubmission or resit of assessment items is not available for this course.
Placement Withdrawal Policy
If a placement is withdrawn by the University or Placement Provider due to the health, conduct, compliance or performance of a student, or if the student chooses to withdraw from a placement, the University will not source an alternative placement for the same semester period.
In circumstances where the withdrawal of a placement is unrelated to the student’s actions (e.g., placement provider withdrawal or unforeseen external factors), the University will make reasonable efforts to source another placement within the same semester period. However, due to placement availability and constraints, the provision of an alternative placement cannot be guaranteed.
Students are encouraged to contact the course coordinator or Clinical Education Liaison Managers (CELMs) for further information or support.
Use of Generative AI in Student Placements
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (e.g., ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) are increasingly used in society. In terms of clinical placements, students are not permitted to use AI unless explicitly indicated by the provider that this use is permitted, and the parameters of use are clear. If these are not explicit, students are expected to consult with their practice educators before implementation to determine the acceptability of generative AI use and ensure that any potential risks associated with the intended use are addressed. AI is not a replacement of, or substitute for, professional reasoning or clinical skills. Human oversight is essential in its use, and to employ generative AI effectively and responsibly, students must understand how AI works, including its functions, data storage methods, and its impact on adherence to professional codes of conduct.
If used on placement, students are responsible for any outputs generated by AI, such as clinical notes and reports, and will be held accountable for the actions of any AI that is used in clinical practice. This responsibility includes ensuring adherence to the relevant profession's code of conduct and ethical standards. Transparency about generative AI use is essential in placement environments. Students must follow the relevant policies and procedures of their placement provider. Students are reminded that they need to demonstrate their ability to meet the inherent requirements of the relevant profession, operate within its scope of practice, and ensure that client/patient privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all times. Under no circumstances should identifiable clinical information be uploaded to open or external AI platforms, as it is unethical and irresponsible.
Submitting assessment in Blackboard and Turnitin
When assessment is submitted through Blackboard you will receive a confirmation page as a digital receipt. This information will also be sent to your student e-mail account. Please ensure you keep this email.
When assessment is submitted through Turnitin you will receive a confirmation page displaying “Submission Complete!” and can then proceed to download your digital receiptﾠfrom yourﾠAssignment inbox.ﾠIt is suggested that you save a copy of the receipt for your personal records.
Instructions on how to submit assignments through Blackboard and Turnitin are available at: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/learnuq-blackboard-help/learnuq-assessment. Please review this information so you understand how to successfully submit your assessment items.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Previous Occupational Therapy Course notes, workbooks, clinical texts, and readings as recommended at your placement. The Occupational Therapy Practice Education Guidelines, made available to students in the pre-clinical workshops and on the course Blackboard site, should be referred to throughout placement.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Placement |
Professional Practice Placement 350 hours of professional practice experience in a supervised setting with start dates as negotiated. Online reflection and support activities will also be available. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Clinical coaching |
Online drop-in sessions with CELMs There will be monthly drop-in sessions to allow students time to connect, reflect, seek support, and celebrate their placement wins. Time is 3.00pm-4.00pm
CELMs will notify via Blackboard and send zoom links (small adjustments to dates may occur if necessary to support placements). Please note that support can be provided outside these times via the usual methods of email, text, or phone call. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L07 |
|
O-week |
Lecture |
Intensive week lectures and workshops A range of clinically focused lectures and workshops will be held in Orientation Week at St Lucia campus. Some of these workshops relate to your companion courses (OCTY4106). All these hours count as WFOT approved practice education hours. Therefore, attendance at the lectures and workshops is compulsory. For students who have been allocated an early start placement, the CELMs will negotiate with your clinical educator on your behalf about the potential of you having time off to attend all or some of these sessions. Those students on rural placements at the time of the intensive will be required to do make-up tasks. Any student who is unable to attend any session for another legitimate reason is required to follow the process described below and seek approval to complete a make-up task. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L07 |
Additional learning activity information
Placements can commence from 20/01/2025 through to and inclusive of 24/03/2025. Placement allocation details can be found in InPlace.
Enrolment in OCTY4104 in Standard Semester 1 is for students commencing their clinical placement from 20/01/2025 to 24/03/2025.
Students will be placed in a range of professional practice settings under the supervision of one or more occupational therapists who will act as practice educators. Students will partake in a graded program of professional practice experiences and responsibilities. As students will be at placement for 35 hours per week, support to students will be available via the course Blackboard site and through contact with the Program's Clinical Education Liaison Managers (CELMs). CELMs will be accessible via mobile phone/landline or email and will visit students at placement facilities and/or arrange appointments with students at the University as required. CELM contact details are located in section 1.3 of this course profile.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who are scheduled additional clinical placement opportunities should note that this could occur at any time, and during semester breaks, and students are expected to be available.
The course shares teaching activities which are delivered jointly with the equivalent undergraduate course student cohort.
Work Integrated Learning Compliance: Please be advised that vaccination against COVID-19 is a recommended requirement for all students enrolled in this course. This is because it includes completion of work integrated learning placements that occur in facilities and locations where this vaccine has been mandated for students. Failure to complete your pre-placement requirements will mean that you won’t be able to attend your placement and it is not possible for you to progress in this course without completing your placement. It is not possible for UQ to provide you with alternative placement options if you choose not to meet the requirements of your placement provider. Therefore, it is important that you understand this when making decisions about your enrolment in this course.
Intensive Week Attendance:
Attendance at the intensive week is mandatory, except for those students who have been allocated to an early placement. If you have been allocated to an early placement, the CELMs will liaise with your practice educator and notify you if you are able to attend the whole or part of the intensive week. Those students who are unable to attend the whole or part of the intensive week due to their placement will need to complete make-up tasks by the given due date. If you have been allocated to a rural and remote placement at the time of the intensive, you will be required to do make-up tasks. Please check the due date in the assessment section of this ECP. The make-up activities will be released on the course Blackboard site at the end of each day.
If you are unable to attend for another legitimate reason (i.e., medical or extenuating circumstances), you are required to email a completed absentee form to the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Student and Academic Support Unit (enquiries.shrs@uq.edu.au) within three calendar days. The absentee form to complete is located in Blackboard/Learning Resources/Course Information Folder. Please remember to cc your Course Coordinator into the email and attach your required evidence. With approval, you will be asked to complete make-up activities by the due date. Please note that your due date will be different from those students who are unable to attend the week due to placement. The Student and Academic Support Unit will respond to you via email outlining whether you have been approved and they will inform course staff of the outcome. Failure to complete the make-up activities without suitable medical or extenuating circumstances will result in not meeting the requirements of this course.
Statement re class attendance
As occupational therapists-in-training, occupational therapy students are required to develop a range of professional competencies that must be demonstrated as graduate therapists. Because OCTY coded courses aim to provide students with learning activities and experiences that support the development of these professional skills and behaviours, attendance at tutorials and other practical sessions may be compulsory, and hence monitored. Marks and/or pass/fail requirements are assigned for attendance and appropriate participation. Non-attendance will result in students being required to undertake additional work to demonstrate their understanding of this component of the course.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:
- Working with Children Policy
- Fitness to Practise Policy
- Vaccinations and Immunisation Procedure
- Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy
- Student Travel Procedure
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: