RHS 458 - Management and Ethics of Occupational Therapy Profession

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students in the course will learn about the responsibilities of the occupational therapist in administrative, supervisory, and entrepreneurial roles. The influence of theory, practice and reimbursement regulations, and ethics on occupational therapy service management issues are examined. This course will focus on teaching strategic planning, facility planning, program planning, accreditation, continuous quality improvement, marketing, management theories, supervisory styles, state licensure regulation and liability/malpractice issues and insurance. Students in the course will gain skills in financial management, including program funding, third party reimbursement, and budgeting. Opportunities for the occupational therapy entrepreneur are explored, including private practice, consultation, and other innovative occupational therapy business endeavors.
 
The Aims of the course are:

1. Description of various management functions & strategies in Occupational Therapy
2. Discussion on the role of Occupational Therapist as a manager
3. Analysis of essential managerial functions of Occupational Therapy managers
4. Demonstration of different managerial styles used by Occupational Therapy managers
5. Practice of the application of management functions in establishing an ideal occupational therapy department

OBJECTIVES:
Upon the successful completion of course, the students should be able to:

1. Define different management functions & strategies
2. Understand the role of Occupational Therapist as a Manager
3. Explain and apply the different management procedures in Occupational Therapy
4. Understand various strategies applied by Occupational Therapy managers
5.  Plan to organize an Occupational Therapy department