UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORD Academic Year 2014-15School of Health StudiesDepartment Allied Health Professions Programmetitle: BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal and interim award(s): / BSc (Honours) Occupational Therapy
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
BSc (Ordinary) Health Studies
Diploma of Higher Education in Health Studies
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education in Health Studies
[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 4]
Programme title: / Occupational Therapy
Health Studies (for students gaining an award who do not meet the clinical or professional body requirements that permit application for professional registration )
Programme approved by: / The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
The College of Occupational Therapists
Duration: / 3 Years full time. Maximum 5 years full time in accordance with the College of Occupational Therapists Quality Assurance guidance
UCAS code: / B930
Subject benchmark statement: / Occupational Therapy
Date produced: / July 2012
Last Approved School Board: / August 2014
Introduction
The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy at the University of Bradford is an innovative programme that seeks to provide you with the opportunity to become a creative, resourceful practitioner with the skills to take advantage of a diverse range of employment opportunities. Distinctive features of the programme include the enquiry based learning approach which puts you at the centre of learning; cultural competency; credit rated practice placements and opportunity to undertake a role emerging placement in stage three.
The University has a commitment to develop each students understanding of sustainability, through its environment, the programmes content and methods of teaching. The programme is hosted within the School of Health Studies, which features well on league tables and complies with the requirements of the nationally recognized bodies for the profession. The programme sits within the Division Allied Health Professions where innovation in the field of technology-enabled learning is a significant feature to support enquiry based learning.
The health service and care sectors are changing rapidly. To increase your ability to work collaboratively in an inter-professional environment the programme includes some inter-professional learning activities in each stageincluding the school core modules.
Our programme has been designed and developed with reference to standards set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, 2007); the Curriculum Framework of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT,2009); guidance from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT, 2002); the subject benchmark for occupational therapy set by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAAHE, 2001); and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (QAAHE, 2008, 2011) and Work Based and Placement Learning (2007).
On successful completion of this three-year, full time programme graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and can apply for Membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists. The title of ‘Occupational Therapist’ is protected by law and anyone using the title must be registered with the HCPC. It is a criminal offence for someone to claim that they are registered when they are not, or to use a protected title that they are not entitled to use.
Student places are funded by the Department of Health and these will vary in relation to the annual commissions made by the education commissioners. The programme takes up to 25 students per year, this means that there are often self-funded places available to applicants who are not eligible for Department of Health funding.
Programme aims
The programme is intended to:
A1Develop the subject skills and knowledge required for safe, competent, evidence based practice of occupational therapy within diverse socioeconomic and multicultural communities.
A2Meet the requirements and values of the Health & Care Professions Council and the College of Occupational Therapists such that graduates exercise initiative and personal responsibility in the provision of occupational therapy according to professional standards of proficiency.
A3Provide a supportive active learning environment in which you are encouraged to problem solve, reflect, debate, and develop autonomous skills for life-long learning in a university and inter-professional environment.
A4Develop a clear professional identity that enables you to work in a wide variety of health and social care settings and to identify and embrace opportunities within emerging areas of practice.
A5Develop the ability to reason and critically evaluate practice and the evidence upon which it is based, whilst appreciating the existence of limitations and uncertainties.
A6Provide opportunities for engagement with service users and carers to ensure you develop the conceptual understanding underpinning the need for their involvement in the planning and delivery of services.
A7Develop additional skills commensurate with graduate employment; team working, interpretation of number leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Level 4 Learning Outcomes
When you have completed Level 4 of this programme you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with your area of study and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of health.
LO2Demonstrate an ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to develop lines of argument and make sound judgments in accordance with basic theories and concepts relevant to health.
LO3 Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to health.
LO4 Communicate the results of your study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments
LO5 Have the skills and understanding to undertake further training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment.
LO6 Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility.
Level 5 Learning Outcomes
When you have completed Level 5of this programme you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of health and the way in which these have developed.
LO2 Demonstrate an ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including the application of those principles in an employment context.
LO3 Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in health, and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in health.
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the limits of your knowledge and how this impacts on your analyses and interpretations of that knowledge
LO5 Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis
LO6 Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively
Level 6 Learning Outcomes
When you have completed Level 6 of this programme you will be able to:
LO1Critically analyse theoretical constructs of occupation and occupational therapy as it relates to health, well-being and development in a variety of contexts.
LO2Evaluate the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic barriers within environments, cultures, societies, individuals and groups that prevent people engaging in valued occupations from a local and global health and care perspective.
LO3Critically apply detailed knowledge to underpin the necessary skills of clinical reasoning, problem analysis, and problem solving to assess, deliver and evaluate therapy for occupational function, dysfunction, impairment and deprivation across the lifespan.
LO4Critically evaluate empirical evidence including data analysis, and apply findings in proposals for the development of service provision.
LO5Promote and lead on opportunities for individuals, groups, and societies to engage in occupation, re-able and enhance function, increase personal feelings of value and purpose, and achieve well-being.
LO6Utilize therapeutic relationships, and the relevance of self to demonstrate the principles of client centred work within practice.
LO7Practice competently applying all aspects of practice as defined by professional, national, and international regulatory standards for occupational therapy.
LO8Examine opportunities to apply contemporary issues within occupational therapy provision for, entrepreneurship, enterprise, and innovation to enhance current and future practice.
LO9Work collaboratively with and contribute to multi-disciplinary teams, leading where appropriate for the benefit of the patient/client and the service.
LO10Communicate complex ideas to a range of individuals: from the service user to the professional using a range of technologies and interpersonal skills.
LO11Manage time and prioritisation of workload, and reflect on practice as a basis for the lifelong learning expected of health professionals.
Curriculum
Description of each level:
Stage 1/Level 4:
The curriculum at this level seeks to develop your knowledge of health and wellbeing, and to link this robustly with the values, principles, and practice of occupational therapy. Thus, modules in the first semester of level 4 include developing understanding on occupation, the occupational therapy profession and the relationships of these aspects to the health and well-being of people and societies. Learning is facilitated to ensure you acquire knowledge about the emotional and physical issues which can impact upon occupation. You will develop an appreciation of the individual as a whole in relation to their lived experience and context.
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodHP-T401D / Occupational Wellbeing, People and Populations / Core / 20 / 4 / Semester 1
HP-T402T / Professional Knowledge, Values and Beliefs / Core / 30 / 4 / Semester 1
HEA4012L / Principles of Collaborative Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 4 / Semester 1 & 2
HP-T400Q / Occupational beings in Context / Core / 40 / 4 / Semester 2
HP-T403M / Professional Practice Placement 1 / Core / 10 / 4 / Semester 2
Students who have achieved at least 120 credits at Level 4 and exit the programme at this stage would be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education in Health Studies.This award does not confer eligibility to register with the HCPC.
To facilitate the inter-professional learning you will be allocated into an inter-professional learning group for all three levels. Key activities are scheduled not only to develop your understanding of others work but also enable you to work collaboratively with other professionals in the real and virtual clinical environments.
At level 4 you will develop the ability to collaborate, through understanding of each other’s roles and the significance of working relationships with service users and carers. You will explore principles of person centred care and its relevance to caring for the vulnerable by studying patient cases. The written activities start to develop the academic skill of writing and researching by exercises shared and posted in an electronic portfolio.
You will have many opportunities to learn from and within the local community to develop your knowledge of occupation, health and well-being, providing interesting and varied opportunities for your learning, in addition to those within the University. In the second semester you will assimilate and expand on the information you gained by developing more depth of understanding about occupational beings and the lived experience/context of peoples’ lives. The placement opportunities in semester 1 and at the end of level 4 allow you to further integrate and use your knowledge of the community, people, occupational roles, health and well-being within the profession of occupational therapy.
Stage 2/Level 5:
At level 5 you will build on the knowledge you acquired in stage one to develop your skills in occupational therapy practice. The academic modules introduce you to specific interventions and methods of engaging with people, which will enable people to maintain/ enhance their functional skills, overcome barriers, and promote well-being. A module in semester 2, (Occupational Therapy in Action 2) provides specific opportunities for you to utilise these skills within the delivery of health and well-being groups for community groups orUniversity staff, providing real experiences in the application of skills, and appreciating the increasingly diverse opportunities for professional practice.
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodHEA5000L / Evidencing Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 1 and 2
HP-T501D / Occupational Therapy in Action 1 / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 1
HP-T503D / Professional Practice Placement 2 / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 1
HP-T500D / Contemporary Issues in Occupational Therapy / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 2
HP-T502D / Occupational Therapy in Action 2 / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 2
HP-T504D / Professional Practice Placement 3 / Core / 20 / 5 / Semester 2
Students who have achieved at least 120 credits at Level 5 and exit the programme at this stage would be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education in Health Studies. This award does not confer eligibility to register with the HCPC.
The emphasis on inter-professional working at this level is to collaboratively develop your research skills through concepts of wellbeing and health education. There will be a series of activities including the development of skills in critiquing evidence, understanding data collection tools and analysis. This will culminate in production of empirically sourced health promotion materials that can be shared with the local population and accessed by service users through a public display.
Level 5 also provides further opportunities for you to engage in placement learning, demonstrating increasing levels of competence in practice. Level 5 incorporates opportunities to learn and appreciate the contemporary aspects of the profession, developing appreciation for the transferability of occupational therapy knowledge and skills outside the statutory services. This enables you to address the broader occupational aspects related to social and health needs of the general population, marginalised people and populations, and to appreciate the relationship of health, culture and occupation. You will begin to develop further your professional skills in a placement in semester 2, which includes aspects such as project management, thus equipping you with business and entrepreneurial skills, and awareness of how to address sustainability and project development within practice.
Stage 3/Level 6:
Level 6 provides opportunities for you to increase your knowledge and skills in areas such as management, business, leadership, and to develop your entrepreneurial abilities in order that you can become a fully competent practitioner ready and able to undertake employment opportunities in differing settings. At this level you will be expected to be able to defend reasoned argument based on sound evidence, logical and systematic thinking and be able to draw on profession-specific literature and research in order to enhance your practice.
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodHP-T601D / Professional Practice Placement 4 / Core / 20 / 6 / Semester 1
HP-T600D / Competent Practitioner / Core / 20 / 6 / Semester 1
HEA6000L / Research for Advancing Professional Practice / Core / 20 / 6 / Semester 1
HP-T601D / Role Emerging Placement / Core / 40 / 6 / Semester 2
HP-6000L / EvidenceBased Guideline Development / Core / 20 / 6 / Semester 2
Working once more in your established inter-professional groups, the final stage core module builds on your level 5 learning. Level 6 offers challenging opportunities for placement learning, with a role emerging placement for all students providing an opportunity to practice in a setting that does not have existing occupational therapy input. Level 6 provides opportunities for you to consolidate your research knowledge and skills within the school core module (Research for Advancing Professional Practice) and the Evidence Based Guideline Development module, where you will incorporate the strengths associated with researching techniques for clinical practice development to produce a comprehensive literature reviewand formulate guidelines for implementation in practice.
Throughout your progression on the programme your skills in written and verbal English will improve and will be assessed through summative assessments to ensure all students finish the programme with high levels of competence and able to meet level 7 of the International English Language Testing system. In addition to the support available from academic tutors in developing your written and spoken English in relation to professional programme work, the services offered by the Academic Skills Advice Servicein the University can also be easily accessed to develop your skills in these and other academic areas.
Students who have achieved at least 120 credits at Level 6 will be awarded a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy and will be eligable to register with the HCPC. Students who have achieved at least 100 credits (at 40% or above) and 20 credits (at 35% or above) at Level 6 are eligible for the award of BSc (Ordinary) Health Studies. This award does not confer eligibility to register with the HCPC.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The programme articulates with the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the University in that there are a variety of teaching methods to develop your ability to meet the learning outcomes (LO). In the early stages of the programme you will be introduced to enquiry-based learning (EBL) to facilitate your development of active learning. Within the EBL approach, you will develop skills to achieve autonomy in your learning To support EBL academic staff have designed a mixture of activities; key lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and scenarios or tasks, which all aim to engage you in discussions. You will be encouraged to identify your previously acquired knowledge to help resolve the enquiry. Staff will encourage you reflect and document newly acquired skills and knowledge, thus making sense of your learning and applying it meaningfully in your development.As you progress through the programme, you will take increasing responsibility for your own learning so that you will graduate with the independent learning skills needed for life-long learning and your continued professional development.
Modules with multi-professional collaborative work will developinterprofessional skills. Directed study will take the form of recommended reading, directed use of on-line resources such as workbooks and virtual learning environments, and through the completion of practical tasks. Learning activities with service users and external facilitators such as clinicians will ensure you gather an evidence base of knowledge and skills from a wide range of sources.