Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Human Body and Movement

Understand human beings in terms of the key body systems and movement.

1. Explain relevant structures and functions of human anatomy and physiology.
2. Apply the principles of kinesiology and ergonomics to promote and justify better human posture and movement.
3. Explain the impact of system dysfunction on a person’s health.

30

Professional Practice

Develop and apply professional practice skills in a variety of situations.

1. Apply the core skills relating to occupational therapy practice.
2. Apply communication skills and therapeutic use of self-strategies within a variety of situations.
3. Apply the use of reflective models to a variety of specified practice situations.
4. Analyse the components of an activity/occupation

15

Building Cultural Competency in Practice

Develop knowledge of culture and its application in a professional context in bicultural New Zealand.

1. Explain key terms associated with culture
2. Discuss how competency in culture applies to occupational therapy practice.
3. Discuss the key principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi.
4. Apply tikaka/tikanga practices appropriately in a marae setting.

15

Foundations of Occupational Therapy

Understand the concept of occupation and explore the fundamental principles of occupational therapy in the context of health and wellbeing.

1. Discuss the significance of occupation to health and wellbeing.
2. Articulate the whakapapa of occupational therapy practice.
3. Interpret a variety of situations using models/frameworks of occupational theory.
4. Apply the concepts of the occupational therapy process to simple scenarios.

15

Human Mind and Behaviour

Demonstrate knowledge of psychological theories that are relevant to the practice of occupational therapy.

1. Discuss a range of psychological theories and the core beliefs underpinning occupational development and functioning.
2. Recognise and apply psychological concepts in relation to self and others in an occupational context.

15

Fieldwork One

Explore the role of the occupational therapist in a real-life setting(s) and demonstrate emerging professional skills, behaviours and attitudes.

1. Discuss the role of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy within the local context.
2. Demonstrate the ability to practice occupational therapy at an emergent level* across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.

15

Fieldwork Two

Develop and maintain relationships, participate alongside others, and facilitate occupation within communities.

1. Discuss the occupational identity of self and others within communities.
2. Demonstrate participation in and facilitation of occupations that meet need(s) within a placement setting.
3. Explain how the placement setting sustains a sense of place and community within bicultural New Zealand.
4. Demonstrate communication and relationship building skills in diverse populations.

15

Total Credits Year One

120

Applied Professional Practice

Apply and integrate evidence-informed professional practice skills necessary for both occupational therapy and inter-professional practice.

1. Apply an occupational therapy process to scenarios.
2. Demonstrate and critique a range of communication strategies within a variety of situations.
3. Demonstrate and critique the use of ‘therapeutic use of self’ within simulated therapy contexts.
4. Analyse inter-professional practice and its relevance to the New Zealand bicultural context.

30

Fieldwork Three

Apply specific occupational therapy skills and knowledge within the practice setting and demonstrate adequate professional behaviours and attitudes.

1. Justify occupational therapy practice within the local context using evidence-informed practice.
2. Demonstrate the ability to practice occupational therapy at an *adequate level across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.

30

Occ. Therapy: Theory in Practice

Use professional reasoning to justify occupational therapy practice.

1. Apply professional reasoning to justify appropriate occupational therapy conceptual and practice models.
2. Justify and critique the appropriate occupational therapy process.
3. Differentiate between a range of inquiry methods used within evidence-informed occupational therapy practice.

15

Informing Practice: Occupation

Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of occupation and how occupational therapists use occupation in practice.

1. Justify occupational therapy practice in the analysis, use, adaptation, and manipulation of occupations.
2. Analyse occupational impacts within practice settings.
3. Apply the concepts of occupation to people and populations.

15

Informing Practice: Person

Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of people and how occupational therapists work with them to find meaning and purpose as occupational beings.

1. Critically evaluate the features of and impact illness, injury and/or disability has on a person in relation to their occupations and environments.
2. Analyse a person’s capacity to meet the demands of environments and occupations.
3. Justify occupational therapy practice that enhances a person’s occupational identity and satisfaction. 

15

Informing Practice: Environment

Critically analyse the multifaceted nature of environments and how occupational therapists work with and within environments.

1. Critically evaluate the features of multiple environments in relation to occupation.
2. Analyse the interrelationship between environment, self and others.
3. Justify occupational therapy practice in the analysis, use, adaptation, and manipulation of environments.

15

Total Credits Year Two

120

Professional Reasoning

Apply professional reasoning to complex situations.

1. Critique and evaluate a range of sources of evidence to justify practice decisions.
2. Critically analyse the interrelatedness of occupational therapy practice within complex practice situations.
3. Justify and negotiate ethical dilemmas within occupational therapy practice.

15

Fieldwork 4

Demonstrate competence through consistent application of occupational therapy skills and knowledge, within the practice setting, sustaining professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.

1. Critique the role of the occupational therapist and occupational therapy using evidence informed practice within the local context.
2. Practice occupational therapy at a consistent level* across identified areas of competence within the placement(s) setting.

30

Complexity in Practice: Person

Implement occupational therapy intervention and consolidate their professional reasoning in relation to a person’s concept of self.

1. Implement and justify appropriate occupational therapy intervention through the evaluation of the person’s wellbeing and capacity in complex situations.
2. Justify intervention in relation to occupational justice and human rights. 

15

Fieldwork 5

Apply occupational therapy knowledge and skills and sustain professional behaviours and attitudes at a consistent level.

1. Justify an occupational focus to selected health, well-being and community development initiatives.
2. Promote the role of the occupational therapist and the profession’s domain of concern using evidence informed practice within the local context.
3. Practice occupational therapy within a defined population at a consistent level* across identified areas of competence. 

15

Complexity in Practice: Occupation

Use your professional reasoning to justify and implement occupation in complex situations.

1. Critically evaluate the interrelationship between occupation, environment, self and, others in complex situations.
2. Design and apply occupation in relation to the needs of individuals and communities.

15

Complexity in Practice: Environment

Critically evaluate how complex environments inform their professional reasoning.

1. Critically evaluate occupational therapy practice in the analysis, use, adaptation, and manipulation of complex environmental situations.
2. Apply the relevant legislation, policy and guidelines that inform professional reasoning. 

15

Select one elective in Semester Two from either:

Elective 1

Transition Negotiated Learning

Undertake individualised study, which focuses in-depth on a selected topic in occupational therapy.

1. Critically evaluate literature on a selected topic relevant to occupational therapy practice and its significance to bicultural New Zealand.
2. Construct a personal occupational identity within bicultural New Zealand.
3. Apply appropriate tikaka/tikanga of the marae.

15

Elective 2

Transition Showcase

Be competent, reflective occupational therapy practitioners transitioning into entry level occupational therapist roles in bicultural New Zealand.

1. Critically evaluate literature for occupational therapy practice.
2. Construct a personal occupational identity within bicultural New Zealand.
3. Apply appropriate tikaka/tikanga of the marae.

15

Total Credits Year Three

120

TOTAL CREDITS FOR PROGRAMME

360