Occupational Therapy 616
OCTH 616: Fundamental Clinical Skills
Prerequisite: Admission to the MOT program or permission of the Chair
Credit Hours: (3)
This practicum is designed to prepare students for working safely and efficiently in a clinical setting. Health care teams, the language of health care, professionalism, client rights, pharmacological agents and their effects on occupation, and safety issues in the clinic, are among the topics addressed.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topics include:
- Roles and credentialing of health-care team members
- Professional behaviors
- Developing a professional portfolio
- Client confidentiality/rights
- Medical terminology
- Drugs commonly prescribed in physical rehabilitation and behavioral health settings, and their effects on occupation
- Reviewing the medical record
- Safe physical management of clients and equipment
- Positioning clients for function
- Infection control
- Emergency procedures
- Monitoring activity tolerance
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Procedures and techniques will be introduced through readings, lecture and demonstration. Students may complete a medical terminology workbook and practice clinical skills in pairs with faculty supervision. Each student will develop a professional portfolio which includes documentation of clinical competencies (for example, in HIPAA regulations, infection control).
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of applicable national requirements for credentialing and requirements for licensure under state law;
- Discuss and justify how the role of a professional is enhanced by knowledge of and involvement in international, national, state and local occupational therapy associations and related professional associations;
- Demonstrate professional advocacy by participating in organizations promoting the profession (e.g., the American Occupational Therapy Association);
- Discuss and evaluate personal and professional abilities and competencies as they relate to job responsibilities;
- Apply knowledge of medical terminology and prescription drugs to reviewing the medical record of an occupational therapy client presented in a case study;
- Use and instruct others in techniques to enhance client mobility, including positioning for function, physical transfers and wheelchair management;
- With a partner as "client," demonstrate the ability to monitor a client's vital signs as he or she participates in activity and exercise;
- Use sound judgment in regard to safety of self and others, and adhere to safety regulations throughout the occupational therapy process;
- Interact in a professionally acceptable manner with faculty and classmates.
Assessment Measures
Workbook assignments, competency tests, skills checkouts, and a professional portfolio may be used to evaluate the outcomes of this course.
Other Course Information
Review and Approval
February, 2009