Welcome
Welcome to your Occupational Therapy placement at Monash Health. Occupational Therapy at Monash Health are committed to providing a supportive learning environment with opportunities focusing on the development, expansion, and application of clinical skills. Please review the following information carefully prior to the commencement of your placement. We look forward to having you on placement, if you have any questions, concerns or challenges then please don’t hesitate to contact the Occupational Therapy Student Coordinator, before or in the duration of placement.
Student Coordinator
Libby Pozzo
Email: Otstudentcoord@monashhealth.org
Phone: 0408976889
Contact with Clinical Agencies
Should you wish to pursue a clinical placement within Occupational Therapy at Monash Health please contact your Universities Field Education Department, as all enquiries of this nature need to occur between the Education provider and Placement Provider only. The Department of Health collects data on the volume and type of clinical placement activity taking place across Victoria, and there is a standardised schedule of Fees for clinical placement of students in Victorian Public Health Services. Monash Health adhere to this and work only with education partners whom we have a schedule with. This also includes queries related to work -based placements which need to be discussed with your Field Education Team in the first instance.
Clinical Placement Hours
Clinical placement hours are mandated by the University depending on what placement you are completing. Start times, finishing times and days may vary between sites and should be discussed when you contact your key contact prior to commencing your clinical placement.
Lunch breaks/morning tea breaks will vary between sites and should be discussed with your site coordinator or clinical educator.
Uniform
Your university Occupational Therapy Uniform should be worn at all times (unless otherwise stated by your clinical agency).
Within the Mental Health settings, generally no uniform is required, however please clarify this with your clinical educator. If you are not wearing a uniform, it is expected you will wear smart casual work attire Your University student ID badge must be worn and visible at all times.
Discipline and Site Specific Services
At Monash Health, there are over 230 Occupational Therapists working in a wide variety of roles, providing services to our community. Our occupational therapists work across the continuum of care to promote health and wellbeing through occupations. Areas of practice include hand therapy, acute care, rehabilitation, mental health, community health and rehabilitation, pain management, disability services and quality and innovation. We work with patients and clients across the lifespan, from new-born services through to palliative care. Please contact your clinical educator prior to your placement commencing to discuss your caseload.
Suggested Preparation for Clinical placements
Please contact your allocated clinical educator two weeks prior to your placement to receive the relevant information on what you are required to prepare before commencing your placement. It is recommended that you discuss with your clinical educator if there is any required reading or preparations that need to be completed prior to commencing.
It is suggested for Mental Health Placements that you become familiar with the Mental Health Act and have basic knowledge of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder and depression.