DA4025 - Becoming a Professional Occupational Therapist

You will learn through a range of student-centred approaches, designed to help you make the most of your university and work-based learning and to develop and apply knowledge in relation to important topics. A blended approach is adopted, using online course materials and live remote lectures to introduce you to key module concepts; directed study tasks will guide you to explore these concepts and apply them. Study tasks will encourage engagement in, and reflection on, topics relevant to professionalism and occupational therapy. Audio-visual, interactive online material will be used to support observations and discussions with your work-based mentor. Student-led and specified directed learning will be important to help you to develop and consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and principles which will be introduced during the module.

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure a range of blended learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. Your work-based mentor is also an integral element in supporting you to apply learning. The module handbook, the electronic reading list, and information communicated throughout the module on the e-learning portal will signpost you to resources to support your professional and academic development.

A formative diagnostic essay assessment opportunity with staff will assist you to evaluate your own progress within the module and identify areas for development. The final summative essay will be based on the origins and evolution of occupational therapy and the current professional principles and requirements. Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will be an integral part of the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. An awareness of the origins of Occupational therapy

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Organisation and self-management to enable responsibility for own learning, development and reflection
3. Academic writing and referencing skills

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Development of self-awareness, cultural sensitivity and value of continued professional development

Formative diagnostic assessment: 250 word essay plan (MLO 1, 2, 3)

Summative assessment
A 2000 word essay on the Evolution of Occupational Therapy and continued professional development (All MLO’s)

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This module provides you with the foundations to transition to your identity as a professionally qualified and registered member of the Occupational Therapy community of practice. It will also provide opportunity to review your current academic skills and develop them further to make the successful transition to university learning and to your career as an Occupational Therapy student and future professional.

As an introduction to the standards and requirements of the Health & Care Professions Council, and the support and expectations of our professional body the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, you will engage with a range of resources and activities aimed at creating a solid foundation to your Continued Professional Development through the programme and in your future career.

You will be assisted to develop knowledge and skills to enable you to develop effective approaches to study and research in higher education and applicable in your career as a health and social care professional. You will be assisted in your development as a life-long learner and professional, providing you with the ability to access the knowledge base for academic and professional practice. Skills developed in this module will enable you to develop an appreciation of the origins of the profession, the role of research as evidence to inform practice and your own professional development.

You will be applying your skills in finding and exploring professional and discipline specific literature, along with academic writing to help you to learn about the contributions to the evolution of occupational therapy alongside an appreciation of the values, attributes and principles that contribute to your developing professionalism. The assessment of the module – a written essay on the evolution of occupational therapy and continuing professional development – will enable you to start your journey towards becoming and Occupational Therapist by learning about the history of occupational therapy, the contribution of occupational science and the importance of continued professional development to practice, whilst building a solid foundation of academic skills.