Outline

Overview

Students will work in teams to develop and implement a structured self-directed fieldwork project over the course of the semester in partnership with a community organisation. Student teams will be supported to work independently and attend regular peer and academic supervision sessions on-campus. The project will focus on enabling participation within diverse communities relevant to OT practice. In this unit study students will develop project management skills, demonstrate their application of professional reasoning and develop competency in four key OT enablement skills.

Details

Academic unit
Unit code	OCCP5239
Unit name	Community Based OT Fieldwork
Session, year ?	Semester 1, 2020
Attendance mode	Normal day
Location	Cumberland, Sydney
Credit points	6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	OCCP5237 and OCCP5238
Corequisites ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator	Meryl Lovarini, meryl.lovarini@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Narelle Elise Oste , narelle.oste@sydney.edu.au
Administrative staff	OT Program Administrator: fhs.occupationaltherapy@sydney.edu.au OT WIL Placements Administrator: fhs.otclinical@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Attendance Please see details under Attendance and class requirements.	0%	Multiple weeks	N/A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Specification Brief Report	10%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2020 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Professional development report 1 Report	30%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2020 at 23:59	750 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Professional development report 2 Report	60%	Week 13 Due date: 25 May 2020 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Deliverable The completed project deliverable as per the project specification brief.	0%	Week 14 (STUVAC) Due date: 01 Jun 2020 at 23:59	Variable depending on type of project
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Project Specification Brief: Each student team will develop and submit a project specification brief.

Professional development report 1: Students will demonstrate their professional development to date as a result of their participation in early fieldwork project activities.

Professional development report 2: Students will demonstrate their professional development from their participation in the fieldwork project.

Project Deliverable: Each student team will develop and submit the final project deliverable.

Important information:

Students must complete all the assessment tasks to pass the entire unit. Failure to complete and submit any assessment item will result in being awarded a Fail grade, regardless of cumulative marks in the unit of study. Students must pass Professional Development Report 2 to pass this unit of study. That is, students must score 30 marks or higher on this assessment task to pass this unit of study. An automatic fail will be awarded for this unit of study if a student breaches client/patient privacy. All students on academic plans or requesting special consideration can only be granted up to a one-week extension for Professional Development Reports 1 and 2 due to the nature of the unit of study and the rapid marking turnaround times required. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. See also additional information regarding compulsory submission of the WHS checklist, timesheets and the Community Partner Verification Form.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties will be applied as per university policy.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, and the resources available to all students.

The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic dishonesty or plagiarism seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of dishonesty, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to unit & Project management 1 (All teams)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	First meeting with community partner (off campus) (All teams)	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 03	Project management 2 (All teams)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 04	Project management 3 (All teams)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	Mentoring session: project management (Teams 1-8)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	Mentoring session: project management (Teams 9-16)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Mentoring session: occupational therapy enablement skills (Teams 1-8)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Mentoring session: occupational therapy enablement skills (Teams 9-16)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Mentoring session: professional reasoning (Teams 1-8)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Mentoring session: professional reasoning (Teams 9-16)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Mentoring session: review of project deliverable (Teams 1-8)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Mentoring session: review of project deliverable (Teams 9-16)	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Wrap up, review & debrief (All teams)	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance requirements for this unit of study refer to mandatory classes and mentoring sessions, placement attendance, and self-directed learning. Students should refer to attendance guidelines on the Occupational Therapy Placements website at http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/placements/disciplines/occupational_therapy/index.shtml.

Students are required to log their attendance using Sonia timesheets, according to the guidelines provided. Attendance records are taken for mandatory classes and attendance at placement recorded.

Total fieldwork engagement (minimum 200 hours)

Students are expected to be “on placement” the two timetabled sessions per week, whether attending classes and mentoring sessions, attending placement, or engaged in self-directed learning. Additional self-directed learning is also required.

Mandatory classes: workshops and mentoring sessions (13-14 hours)^

Attendance at scheduled classes and mentoring sessions is mandatory. Students who do not attend may be required to undertake alternative learning tasks within specified timeframes.

Other fieldwork activities (minimum 187 hours)

Students are required to work in their team with an allocated community partner organisation. The nature of the work, including the time required at a placement site, will vary according the project and role within the team.

It is a minimum requirement that each student complete and record 187 hours of combined fieldwork site attendance and eligible group and individual self-directed learning. This includes time spent preparing submitted fieldwork components such as the project brief and professional development reports.

It is a minimum requirement that each student meet on site with their community partner at least three times, and have this attendance verified. Placement attendance is as arranged with individual sites, and may commence from Friday Week 1.

^ The timetable uses a standard format where the word “lecture” is inserted for any session that applies for all enrolled students. Please be aware that the University of Sydney “lecture” flexible attendance rules do not apply to the workshops and mentoring sessions in this unit of study. Due to the interactive and sometimes confidential nature of fieldwork-related discussions, recordings of an acceptable quality will not always be made.

Missed hours, special arrangements and special considerations

ALL absences (from classes/supervision, planned site attendance, planned meetings) must be notified to the unit of study coordinator (classes/supervision) or attendees (planned site attendance or meetings). Notification must be timely and should include the nature of the leave and the expected return.
Cumulative absences from more than one scheduled class/mentoring session and/or planned site attendance across the duration of the subject must be notified to the unit of study coordinator AND accompanied by supporting documentation in an application for special arrangements (contact the unit of study coordinator for details).
Cumulative absences from more than two scheduled classes/mentoring sessions and/or planned site attendance meetings accumulated across the duration of the subject will likely require a formal application for special consideration.
Students who will be unable to meet the minimum requirements (hours and/or on site visits) across the duration of the subject must notify the unit of study coordinator AND include supporting documentation as requested in an application for special arrangements or special considerations (contact the unit of study coordinator for details).

Any student who fails to attend without sufficient notice or explanation given to the unit staff within the Special Consideration provisions may risk failure for this unit of study.

Note: Students must also meet all pre-placement requirements as outlined on the University of Sydney Course-specific Checks and Clearances website (http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/enrolment/course_check.shtml). Further, students must have an up-to-date declaration (in Sonia) that they have read and understood key documents related to privacy and confidentiality, codes of conduct, NSW Health policies and general communication/email etiquette. NSW Health and other sites may require students to undertake mandatory orientation and induction modules as relevant to the specific placement site.

Failure to meet these requirements may prevent a student from preferencing for, being allocated to, and/or completing a placement or fieldwork unit of study irrespective of their enrolment status.

Timesheet and Community Partner Verification Form (Individual)

As per these attendance requirements, students must maintain a complete and accurate timesheet in Sonia as per the guidelines provided. Students must also each submit the signed form verifying each occasion of their attendance at their placement site. This must be completed and submitted by Week 14, Friday 5 June 2020 by 23.59pm.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See eReserve on Canvas for details.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University’s graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate professional behaviours and self-management skills appropriate to the expectations of the university and fieldwork settings.
LO2. Demonstrate development in, and application of, project management knowledge and skills through participation in the project and the project management process.
LO3. Integrate data from multiple sources to analyse competence over the project period in four key occupational therapy enablement skills - coaching, collaboration, coordinating and engaging.
LO4. Explain professional reasoning as applied in the project and its influence on successful project delivery.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.10		Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise
1.13		Manages resources, time and workload accountably and effectively
1.16		Contributes to education and professional practice development of peers and students, and
1.9		Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice
2.1		Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.10		Maintains digital literacy for practice.
2.2		Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making
2.3		Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
2.5		Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting
2.6		Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development
2.7		Implements a specific learning and development plan when moving to a new area of practice or returning to practice
2.8		Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice
2.9		Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3.12		Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
3.14		Contributes to quality improvement and service development.
3.2		Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals
3.3		Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals
3.4		Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals
3.8		Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
4.1		Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.10		Seeks and responds to feedback, modifying communication and/or practice accordingly, and
4.11		Identifies and articulates the rationale for practice to clients and relevant others.
4.2		Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
4.4		Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies
4.5		Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice
4.7		Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian
4.9		Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

Closing the loop

Feedback from students in 2019 indicated a preference for some marks to be awarded for the project specification brief. This change has been incorporated in 2020.

Additional information

Student Administration Manual

This unit of study outline MUST be read in conjunction with the Student Administration Manual on the Faculty of Health Sciences Current Students webpage: http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/current-students/coursework/student-administration-manual.shtml

All students are required to familiarise themselves with their academic responsibilities, and the academic policies governing their enrolment and progression. The Faculty of Health Sciences student administration manual provides a direct link to the University of Sydney’s Coursework policy and Faculty provisions.

The Work Integrated Learning Canvas site also provides information specific to Faculty of Health Sciences placements such as essential preparation, forms and policies.

https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/9121

All students are required to familiarise themselves with their academic responsibilities, and the academic policies and protocols governing their placements.

When considering applications and appeals relating to these matters, it will be assumed that students understand their academic responsibilities and are familiar with these key policies and procedures.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities. Consistent with WHS legislation, you are required to complete a WHS induction on your first visit to your placement site, and if relevant at any time you attend to work in another setting. To guide (not prescribe) what you and your supervisor should include in such an induction, you should use the WHS Checklist available on the placements website (http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/placements/essential_preparation/work_health_safety/index.shtml). You are required to evidence your completion of your induction by uploading a scanned copy of the completed and signed form to Sonia. This is an essential requirement that has legal ramifications and is consistent with the professional behaviour expectations required of you to demonstrate attainment of the learning outcome 1.

Key dates
Key dates through the academic year, including teaching periods, census, payment deadlines and exams.
Student administration
Enrolment, course planning, fees, graduation, support services, student IT
Expectations of student conduct
Code of Conduct for Students, Conditions of Enrollment, University Privacy Statement, Academic Integrity
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Financial support
Scholarships, interest free loans, bursaries, money management
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Learning Centre, faculty and school programs, Library, online resources
Health and support
Student Centre, counselling & psychological services, University Health Service, general health and wellbeing

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OCCP5239: Community Based OT Fieldwork

Overview

Details

Enrolment rules

Teaching staff and contact details

Assessment

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Special consideration

Academic integrity

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Closing the loop

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect