Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) Level 7

Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) Level 7

Occupational therapists help people participate in everyday activities including learning, communication, interpersonal interaction and relationships, mobility, self-care, domestic life, and social life. Occupational therapists can also modify people’s environment – or the activity itself – to help them participate in the activity. The occupational therapy degree is intensive and involves learning in an interprofessional environment, in the classroom and in clinical practice settings.

Modules

Year 1

Semester 1 courses

• HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
• HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
• HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment

You develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.

Semester 2 courses

• OCTY606 Experiencing Occupation
• OCTY607 Occupational Therapy Practicum I
• OCTY608 Personal and Environmental Factors in Occupation

You may also have the opportunity to work with an occupational therapist and begin to better understand and apply your knowledge.

Year 2

You explore how illness or injury impacts on people performing their occupations and typical occupational therapy intervention. You can experience practice education in both semesters. Throughout the year students will need to complete fieldwork hours, alongside coursework, in community settings.

Complete the following courses

• HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry
• OCTY601 Enabling Physical Performance for Occupation
• OCTY602 Enabling Cognitive Performance for Occupation
• OCTY603 Enabling Affective Performance for Occupation
• OCTY604 Creating Enabling Environments
• OCTY605 Enabling Occupation for Groups
• OCTY705 Evidence and Practice

And choose one of

• HEAL723 Health Coaching
• MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
• MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
• RHAB701 Rehabilitation and Participation

Or any other bachelor’s degree courses with the approval of the programme leader.

Year 3

You learn about working with communities, organisations or groups of people, and how to change systems to enable participation. You also develop decision-making skills around assessment and intervention.

Complete the following courses

• OCTY701 Enabling Systems Change
• OCTY702 Professional Reasoning for Occupational Therapy
• OCTY703 Preparation for Occupational Therapy Practice
• OCTY704 Transition to Occupational Therapy Practice
• OCTY706 Promoting Occupational Justice and Participation

Practice education (workplace experience)
Throughout your study you complete block placements (at least 1,000 hours) in a number of practice settings to prepare you for professional registration.

In your final year, you spend a 15-week block placement (either within Auckland or in a region outside of Auckland) in the second half of the year. You apply your learning in a range of practice settings under the supervision of an occupational therapist ahead of completing your degree.

During your programme you’ll be required to travel both within and outside the Auckland region for clinical/practical experience. Please note that travel, accommodation and other expenses will be an additional cost to you.

Te Ara Hauora Māori courses
If you’re interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following courses as electives or as an alternative course of study

• MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment (instead of HEAL507 Health and Environment)
• MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
• MOAH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
• HEAL710 Utilising Supervision in Practice

Career Outcomes

When you graduate you can apply to register as an occupational therapist in New Zealand and other countries. Occupational therapists work with all age groups in:

• Primary Health Organisations (PHOs),
• Community development,
• Health centres and hospitals,
• Research,
• Schools,
• Residential care facilities,
• Rehabilitation and ACC.

What will I learn?

Year 1

If you choose to study midwifery after your first semester, you take the following courses in Semester 2

• Art and Science of Midwifery I
• Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• Developing Midwifery Practice
• Professional Frameworks for Midwifery Practice

Year 2 & 3

You further your understanding of the art, science and practice of midwifery and pharmacology. Courses also explore complications of childbirth, the newborn with special needs, women’s health and factors that impact on midwifery. These skills prepare you for professional practice.

Year 4

You spend 80 percent of your time in practice placements with lead maternity carer midwives (self-employed case loading midwives) in the community and in primary and secondary maternity hospitals.

Workplace experience
Throughout your studies you complete 2,400 practice hours, an experience that reflects the real world of medicine.