Outline

Overview

This unit of study will give students the opportunity to advance their assessment, intervention and professional communication in the area of workplace health and safety, rehabilitation and other areas of private practice, where there is a strong focus on client and customer centred services. Students will practice work health and safety assessments through hazard identification, risk assessments and development of an intervention plan in an industry. In this unit, students will conduct a functional assessment, as well as develop their communication skills, needed to negotiate and collaborate with other health professionals and stakeholders in this area of practice. Students will also refine their written communication skills to be able to produce professional reports. In all areas of this unit, there will be a focus on students articulating their clinical reasoning and justification in decision making.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	OCCP5246
Academic unit	Participation Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	OCCP5219
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jo Lewis, jo.lewis@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Creative assessment / demonstration	Case Conference: Negotiation with Doctor Viva Voce	20%	Formal exam period	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Work, Health and Safety Report Written assessment	35%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 23:59	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Work, Health and Safety: Executive Summary Written assessment	0%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 23:59	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Creative assessment / demonstration	Work, Health and Safety Report: Q&A Panel Viva Voce	15%	Week 09	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Functional Assessment Report Written assessment	30%	Week 12 Due date: 24 May 2021 at 23:59	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case Conference: Letter to Doctor Written assessment	0%	Week 12 Due date: 24 May 2021 at 23:59	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Work health and safety assessment report: In pairs, students will conduct a work, health and safety assessment and write up a summary of the findings in a report.
Work health and safety assessment executive summary and viva voce: An executive summary must highlight significant findings with particular focus on the prescribed risk (issue, injury/illness) and include necessary tables, statisitics, photos etc. A question and answer panel will ask students quetions to assess verbal communication skills.
Functional assessment and report: Students will conduct a functional assessment in pairs. They will then write up an individual functional assessment report.
Case conference viva voce: Following on from the functional assessment report, students need to communicate and negotiate changes to a medical certificate with a nominated treating doctor. This task will assess your professional behaviours in written and verbal communication.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

For more information see 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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity 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 integrity breaches seriously.

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

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to Work Health and Safety, Risk Management, and Rehabilitation 2. Work, Health and Safety Legislation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	1. Hazard Identification 2. Risk Assessment	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Risk Controls 2. Risk Assessment Report Writing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Ergonomic Assessments 2. Manual Tasks	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Child Care Worker Case Study - Site Visit 2. Workplace Education and Training Programs	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to Functional Assessments	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Functional Assessment (Demonstration and Practice)	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Functional Assessment Interpretation and Report Writing	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Aids and Equipment Prescription 2. Computer Workstation Assessments	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Managing Workplace Psychological Injuries 2. icare and SIRA Vocational Rehabilitation	Tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Negotiation and Communication Skills - Working with Doctors	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Providing Rehabilitation in the CTP Scheme	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	1. Activities of Daily Living Assessments in Compensable Schemes 2. Ethical Issues in Medico-Legal and Private Practice Work	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all seminars. Students must attend at least 80% of seminars to pass this unit of study.

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

Essentially, this unit is divided into two main modules:

Work, Health & Safety
Workplace Rehabilitation (advanced skills)

There will be an e-handbook for each module. The handbook contains information and materials relevant to the weekly seminars. Advice will be given each week regarding the sections of the manual required for each weekly class.

There are no prescribed text books for this subject. However, some key references for this unit are listed below (# placed on closed reserve):

Marks, F., Dinnen, D. And Fieldus, L. (2013).The New Work Health & Safety Legislation: A Practical Guide.Sydney: The Federation Press.#
Dunn, C. (2012). Planning Work Health and Safety. Sydney, Australia: CCH Australia.
Genovese, E. & Galper, J. (2009). Guide to the evaluation of functional ability. How to request, interpret and apply functional capacity evaluations. Chicago: American Medical Association.
Toohey, J. Borthwick, K. & Archer, R. (2005) OH&S in Australia. A management guide. Melbourne, Australia: Thompson.
Jacobs, K. (Ed.). (2008). Ergonomics for therapists (3rd ed.). Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann.
King, P. andOlsen, D. (2014). Work. In B. Boyt Schell, G. Gillen and M. Scaffa (Eds.). Willard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy (pp 678 – 696)
James, C. (2011).Occupation analysis and occupational rehabilitation.In L. Mackenzie and G. O’Toole (eds.). Occupational Analysis in Practice (1st ed.). (pp 232 - 245).
Quinlan, M., Bohle, P. & Lamm, F. (2010).Managing Occupational Health and Safety; A Multidisciplinary Approach (3rd ed.).Victoria: Palgrave Macmillan.
Braveman, B. & Page, J. (Eds.).(2012). Work: Promoting Participation & Productivity Through Occupational Therapy. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis
Gatchel, R. J. (2014). Handbook of Musculoskeletal Pain and Disability Disorders in the Workplace [electronic resource]. Dordrecht : Springer, 2014.
Söderback, I. (2015). International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions [electronic resource]. Cham, Switzerland : Springer.
Barrett, T., Strickland, E. and Browne, D. (Eds.) (2016). Rehabilitation: work and Beyond (3rd ed.).Western Australia:Safety and Rehabilitation Books

Key Websites include:

Safe WorkNSW http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/
icare NSW https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/
State Insurance Regulatory Authority http://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/
SafeWork Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA
National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH – USA) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Ergoweb http://www.ergoweb.com/
Occupational Safety & Health Resources http://www.osh.net/
Health Direct https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/workplace-health
Federal Government – Jobs and Workplaces http://www.australia.gov.au/information-and-services/jobs-and-workplace

All State and Territory government websites have good work, health and safety, as well as workplace rehabilitation information, that are specific to that State or Territory.

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. Describe the causes, prevention, and management of work-related injury and illness within an Australian context.
LO2. Produce a work health and safety report that contains risks and hazards identified in a workplace using various assessment tools and an intervention / implementation plan designed to address identified risks/hazards using the hierarchy of risk controls.
LO3. Describe the key aspects of WHS and workers' compensation legislation and regulations related to the responsibilities and entitlements of employers, employees, and the general public, rehabilitation and re-training, and be able to access this information.
LO4. Conduct a functional capacity assessment for an injured worker and create a report that demonstrates interpretation and synthesis of observations and findings.
LO5. Communicate and negotiate a return to work plan with a nominated treating doctor.
LO6. Develop a greater understanding of the role of the occupational therapist in primary, secondary, and tertiary rehabilitation within the workplace.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 2.1. Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 2.2. Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making 2.9. Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 2.10. Maintains digital literacy for 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 3.1. Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement 3.11. Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice 3.12. Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning 3.13. Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and 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 3.5. Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 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 4.5. Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 4.6. Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice 4.8. Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others 4.9. Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.2. Adheres to legislation relevant to practice 1.8. Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for 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 2.8. 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
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.14. Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice 1.17. Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients. 1.7. Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice 1.8. Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice 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 2.2. 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 2.8. 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 3.1. Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement 3.10. Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes 3.12. Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning 3.13. Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and 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 3.5. Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 3.7. Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making 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 4.8. Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others 4.9. Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.10. Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise 1.3. Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships 1.4. Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships 1.5. Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups 1.7. Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice 1.8. Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice 1.9. Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice 2.8. Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice 3.1. Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement 3.10. Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes 3.11. Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice 3.12. Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning 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 3.5. Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 3.7. Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making 3.9. Implements an effective and accountable process for delegation, referral and handover 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 4.8. Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others 4.9. Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.10. Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise 2.1. Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 2.2. Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct
1.10		Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise
1.14		Recognises and manages her/his own physical and mental health for safe, professional practice
1.17		Recognises and manages any inherent power imbalance in relationships with clients.
1.2		Adheres to legislation relevant to practice
1.3		Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships
1.4		Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships
1.5		Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
1.7		Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
1.8		Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice
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
2.8		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
3.1		Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement
3.10		Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes
3.11		Evaluates client and service outcomes to inform future practice
3.12		Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning
3.13		Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and
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
3.5		Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client
3.7		Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
3.8		Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
3.9		Implements an effective and accountable process for delegation, referral and handover
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
4.6		Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice
4.7		Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian
4.8		Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others
4.9		Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No major changes have been made to this unit since it was last offered.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

This subject involves a field / site visit to a child care centre. Further details regarding this visit will be made via announcements on Canvas.

Work, health and safety

This subject involves a field / site visit to a child care centre. As such, you will require a current Working With Children Check number to be provided to the child care centre.

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

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

OCCP5246: OT in Work Injury Prevention and Rehab

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect