What will I learn on this module?
This is your first practice-based learning module and will support you to develop occupational therapy knowledge and skills in a professional setting. The target placement hours for this module are 300 hours of supervised practice, contributing to the 1,000+ hours required for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration. 100% attendance on placement is expected in order to meet required practice hours. Absences will be reported to the placement area and the University, and if required, opportunities to catch-up with missed time negotiated at the next most appropriate opportunity.
To meet ‘Assisted’ practice-based learning outcomes, you will be given close supervision and direction to carry out a range of activities, as delegated to you by your practice educator.
Practice based learning takes place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community environments and people’s homes. You will focus on personal and service user safety and developing awareness of what it means to be a health professional. As part of your inter-professional education, you will learn about how occupational therapists work as part of teams to provide person-centred services.
People with lived experience have been involved in identifying core values. Alongside other Level 4 modules, we will continue to think about lived experience as a source of knowledge through exploring our own lived experiences and reflecting on the experiences of people we meet during placement.
You will develop an awareness of the professional behaviours expected of occupational therapy students, in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Professional Standards for Practice, Conduct and Ethics (2021) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency (2023). You will use an ePortfolio to support reflective practice and develop as a lifelong learner.
At level 4, you will be assisted to develop a broad understanding of continued professional development and reflective skills through the use of the ePortfolio. You will use these skills to plan and develop further learning goals, in a range of varied and specific contexts.
How will I learn on this module?
This module has integrated components to teaching and learning:
• Small number of workshops to support preparation for practice placement
• A period of practice placement in a professional area working alongside qualified occupational therapists
• Specific small group training and online training in mandatory skills, e.g. Moving & Handling, Basic Life Support, Safeguarding.
There will be a mid-placement workshop which is an opportunity for peer support during placement, to integrate theory with your practice experiences and to reflect on working together in teams.
You will have the opportunity to gather examples of activities and evidence of your learning, self-appraisal and reflection to contribute to your student ePortfolio. This aims to enhance your learning by taking you beyond the limits of the individual module, and helping foster lifelong learning, as portfolios support inquiry, reflection and integration of learning. Items for your ePortfolio could include placement assessment documents, reflective records, case studies or informal presentations from placement.
At an ‘Assisted’ level, learning on placement will include role-modelling, supportive questioning and direct feedback, often in low-stakes situations where you can repeat and rehearse skills and reasoning.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will be supported throughout the module by your module tutor, personal tutor, and other academic staff, with key points of contact before, during, and after your placement.
In practice, a qualified occupational therapist will be your practice educator. They will guide your learning and help you make the most of your placement experience. You will also be encouraged to connect with other professionals and team members in your placement setting to broaden your learning and support network.
Attendance at university mid-placement workshop provides opportunity for peer learning and support.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand the role of the occupational therapist within a specific area of contemporary practice.
2. Recognise and value the insights of individuals and communities with diverse lived experience, and use this understanding to support inclusive, person-centred care.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate self-awareness of your own health and wellbeing, understanding its importance for safe, effective practice and recognising when to seek support.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Work collaboratively with others, actively seeking opportunities to learn with and from peers, professionals, and service users.
5. Act in a professional and ethical manner across all learning environments, in line with RCOT and HCPC standards and relevant legal frameworks.
6. Manage your time, workload, and resources effectively and use reflection to support your learning and development as a student occupational therapist.
How will I be assessed?
Assisted Practice Based Learning - Practice Placement 1
Formative Assessment:
Ongoing formative assessment of practice where strengths and areas for development are identified. This will be supported through regular supervision meetings between you and your practice educator and will be summarised during a mid-point contact with an academic tutor.
Both weekly supervision and the mid-point contact will be summarised in writing and any additional action plans documented and added to the assessment documents as part of ongoing supervision records.
Summative assessment:
8 week placement with achievement of all Level 4 Practice Placement Learning Outcomes
You will be assessed by your practice educator on a pass/fail basis in line with specified level 4 learning outcomes. You will receive written and verbal feedback on your strengths and areas for development from your practice educator. Your placement grade and feedback is given to you at the end of your placement before being submitted to the University,
In the event of a fail outcome, the Occupational Therapy Practice Assessment Document (OT-PAD) will be completed in full, with final assessment summary detailing action plan for resit placement. Your personal tutor will support you to develop your action plan based on the feedback.
The summative assessment will promote achievement of all MLO’s
Module abstract
This is your first practice-based learning module and will support you to develop occupational therapy knowledge and skills in a professional setting. This experience will contribute to the 1,000 hours of supervised practice required for professional registration. It begins with university-based learning to help prepare for placement and make links to level 4 modules.
Practice based learning takes place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community environments and people’s homes. Over 8 weeks, you will work as part of a team in a specific area of practice, learning from and with service users, occupational therapists, and other professionals. You will continue to develop your understanding of occupation and of occupational therapy skills. University-based sessions before, during, and after placement will help you prepare, reflect, and plan for your ongoing development.
Throughout placement, your learning will be supported by your practice educator, with regular supervision, feedback, and guidance to help you work towards the required placement learning outcomes. These are assessed on a pass/fail basis.
