This course will discuss the impact of contextual factors (socioeconomic, political, cultural, professional, ecological) on occupational therapy practice. Principals and techniques of management appropriate to the occupational therapy assistant will be covered. Students will identify strategies for conflict resolution regarding ethics in the personal and organizational realms. Students will also explore skills needed for the effective, ethical supervision of nonprofessional staff within the healthcare setting. Course discussion will include identification and documentation of quality improvements, understanding of regulatory and legislative systems that impact occupational therapy practice, as well as current policy issues and professional responsibility. Students will explore individual and group leadership issues and be able to identify personal leadership qualities to apply in their lives and practice.
Spring break is not observed during this course so that content is completed before Level 1b fieldwork assignment.