OT6002 - Professional development and lifelong learning

What will I learn on this module?

You will draw on your learning from previous modules and placement experiences to continue to develop and consolidate your knowledge skills and values in preparation for practice and meeting the requirements for registration with HCPC as an Occupational Therapist. You will continue to develop your reflective skills and identify your own areas for development to focus your learning and support your transition to Professional Occupational Therapist; learning to assess your own skills, take responsibility for own learning and continual professional development. This will be in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Career development Framework (RCOT 2021 ). This module also considers employability and enables you to identify the next step in terms of applying for posts, professional use of social media and interview preparation. Engagement with this module will provide you with mentoring skills to support learners in practice as preparation for supervising students as a qualified practitioner.

How will I learn on this module?

This module will focus on professional development as you make the transition for student to qualified practitioner with an emphasis on reflection and continuing professional development. You will learn through a range of blended learning opportunities including interactive online workshops, pre-recorded lectures and interactive seminars designed to enable you make the transition to practice as a qualified practitioner with its requirement for life-long learning and continual professional development. An introductory lecture will be utilised to introduce you to key module concepts and the RCOT career development framework to guide a process of self-assessment and action planning for your transition into practice. You will work in small groups and independently to facilitate autonomous learning. Sessions will be led by the module team with contributions from expert clinicians and the graduate futures team

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The identified module tutor, alongside the programme team, will structure a blend face-to-face and on-line learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module team will provide guidance and support in the development of the portfolio alongside the module guide, the electronic reading list, and information communicated throughout the module within sessions. The e-learning portal will all signpost you to resources to support your professional development. The formative assessment takes the form of a mock interview session engaging with local employers enabling you to identify areas for development prior to applying for employment following the conclusion of your programme.

Assessment preparation with the module teaching team will also be an integral part of the module.

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. 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.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate critical understanding of principles of self- assessment and development
2. Critically appraise own professional knowledge and skills

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Consistently apply organisational skills to the planning and organisation of learning activities including accessing relevant resources and sources of support

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Demonstrate initiative and creative approach to problem solving
5. Demonstrate commitment to own personal and professional development in developing and promoting the future of the profession

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment:
20 min Mock interview for an entry level occupational therapy post

Summative assessment:
4000 word professional development portfolio

You will present a digital professional development portfolio reflecting the knowledge skills and attributes you have developed during the occupational therapy programme linked to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Career Development Framework (100%) (All MLOs)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

In this module you will consolidate your understanding of Occupational Therapy in preparation for your transition to a qualified and registered professional. You will be supported by the academic team to increase your confidence in further developing your own knowledge and skills of occupational therapy. This will be achieved through the structure of the RCOT Career Development Framework, with particular focus on reflecting on your knowledge and skill acquisition to date and the development of an action plan to support you continuing professional development in your first few years as a qualified occupational therapist.

In order to achieve this, you will critically reflect on and critically evaluate your own knowledge, skills and values identifying areas for your professional development and planning/managing your own learning with support and guidance. This module will equip you with skills and experience of self-assessment and Professional Development Appraisal for continual professional development as required by Professional and Regulatory Bodies (HCPC and RCOT).

Course info

UCAS Code B925

Credits 30

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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