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USC to offer Occupational Therapy degree
The University of the Sunshine Coast’s introduction of an Occupational Therapy degree in 2008 has been welcomed by health professionals locally and will assist in meeting the growing demand for qualified professionals in this field.
The degree will complement existing USC health programs and reinforce the University’s growing reputation for quality degree programs and state-of-the-art facilities for studying health and well-being.
Occupational Therapy Services director at Nambour and Caloundra hospitals, Bronwyn Sawer, said the profession offered numerous opportunities to work with people of all ages in many different fields around the world.
“The advantage of this degree is that more Occupational Therapists will be trained in our local community,” she said. “It also enables us to take more undergraduate students on fieldwork placements, which is exciting.”
The USC degree program will include physical and mental health training, so students will be able to work with those who have issues caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.
Students also will gain expertise in analysing and understanding barriers to people’s everyday functioning as well as the specific therapeutic strategies used to overcome them.
Details about the new degree program will be on display at an Occupational Therapy Week activity at the University for prospective students, career counsellors and others on Wednesday 24 October from 11am to 1pm.
USC program leader Craig Greber will discuss the degree, experienced Occupational Therapists will answer questions about employment opportunities, and there will be equipment displays and splinting demonstrations.