The University of Notre Dame Australia's new state-of-the-art simulation lab is giving aspiring occupational therapists the hands-on experience and training they need to become leaders in their field.
Notre Dame launched a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in Fremantle this year – further strengthening the University's reputation for building the care economy.
The students have access to a new simulation lab which is designed to elevate their training and better prepare them for the challenges of the profession.
Nestled among the heritage-listed buildings of Fremantle's west end, the high-tech lab simulates a home environment and includes a laundry, kitchen, bedroom and lounge room.
It allows students to practice real-world scenarios such as helping a client with a spinal cord injury get into and out of bed using a hoist.
Occupational Therapy Campus Lead, Associate Professor Dave Parsons, said clinical simulation helped students build their confidence and develop the expertise to transition into their careers.
"We are giving our students access to an immersive, hands-on environment where they can apply theory to practice," he said.
"This allows them to build essential skills and gain experience in the kinds of therapeutic settings they will encounter in their professional lives."
Notre Dame welcomed its first Occupational Therapy students in Sydney last year and has also built a state-of-the-art lab on the east coast.
With a focus on rural health and evidence-based practice, the course will help address the critical shortage of occupational therapists in Australia.
