Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student. (WECM 51.0803)
Level II Fieldwork rotations are 8-week, full-time capstone experiences designed to help students integrate and apply information learned in didactic courses. Successful completion will conclude with the student being proficient in critical analysis and clinical reasoning and functioning as a competent, entry-level occupational therapy assistant.
All Level II Fieldwork experiences (OTHA 2266 and OTHA 2267) must be successfully completed within one semester following the didactic portion of the OTA program.
Professional Behavior
Professional conduct and communication are considered to be essential skills in healthcare professions and are required during a student’s fieldwork at all times. Students are expected to be polite and respectful whether talking face-to-face, emailing, or posting online. Behavior that is disruptive (i.e., excessive talking, rudeness to others, distracting behaviors such as leaving and cell phones ringing, etc.) will not be tolerated. Cell phones must be placed on silence and/or handled in accordance with clinical site policy. Unprofessional behaviors will not be tolerated and can be reflected in the Fieldwork Evaluation per the Clinical Supervisor and/or the Participation component of the fieldwork grade as given by the AFWC.
Clinical Appearance
Proper attire is required while working in clinical facilities. Revealing clothing is not appropriate. Close-toed shoes must be worn at all times.
When an instructor requests that a student dress in a certain fashion for lab or special event, failure to comply will result in the student not being allowed to participate and being counted absent. When working with clients, the student must maintain personal health such that there is no risk to self or patient. Personal cleanliness and hygiene are essential for acceptable interpersonal activities, such as those engaged in by OTAs.
- Students are required to adhere to the prescribed OTA dress code (see OTA Student Uniform below).
- Students are required to wear Weatherford College student identification cards at all Fieldwork sites.
- Jewelry should be worn with caution. Single pierced earrings consisting of a post are permitted. No dangles or loop earrings may be worn. No bracelets or necklaces that may interfere with patient treatment are permitted. No extraneous piercings will be permitted. A watch with a second-hand should be worn.
- Tattoos must not be visible.
- Hair must be clean. Only simple hair accessories are permitted. Students with long hair styles must tie hair back and pin it up so that it does not interfere with treatment.
- Fingernails must be clean, filed smoothly, and should not extend beyond the finger tips. Only clear nail polish is acceptable.
- Mustaches and/or beards must be neatly trimmed.
- No perfume, lotion, or other similar item in excess is permitted. What is pleasant to many may be noxious to some. A patient should NEVER be able to detect any obvious smell as you approach them – not from perfume, powder, body spray, lotions, body odor, or cigarette odor. The smell of cigarettes on a student will ABSOLUTELY NOT be permitted.
Students are expected to be aware of these standards. Acting in a manner counter to these standards will result in consequences that reflect the severity of the infraction.
OTA Student Uniform
Polo Shirt A solid color, black, college logo polo shirt must be purchased by each student. The black shirt is to be worn at all off-campus OTA class functions and in all clinical settings unless the clinical facility has a different dress code. There are no exceptions.
Pants Pants must be khaki, full-length, and trouser-style. Pleated or flat-front pants are acceptable. Unacceptable styles include hip-huggers, cargo pants, carpenter-style pants, and flared-leg pants.
Shoes Shoes must be black with rubber soles and low heels. Laces must match the shoe color. Unacceptable styles include open-toe, open-heel, platform, and boots.
Identification Student identification cards must be worn at all times.
Confidentiality
Sharing information with other individuals regarding patients/clients, facilities, fieldwork educators, or classmates outside of the classroom is unethical. Violation of this ethic may result in expulsion from the OTA program.
Safety
While in clinical facilities, students must abide by all safety, security, and evacuation policies and procedures in effect at the facility. Failure to do so, either by negligence or by lack of awareness, may result in patient injury and/or create the potential for injury/harm. Failure of a student to strictly adhere to safety guidelines may result in removal of the student from the fieldwork training site resulting in an “F” for the course.
Fieldwork Problems or Concerns
Fieldwork concerns may be identified at any point by the fieldwork educator or the student or by the AFWC. Students may contact the AFWC at any time if he or she has a concern. However, the student will be encouraged to resolve issues as independently and professionally as possible. If unresolved concerns remain, the fieldwork educator, AFWC, and student will discuss problem areas and strategies for success. In such cases, the AFWC will remain in weekly contact with the fieldwork educator, the course instructor, and/or the student until the issues are resolved. The OTA Program Director may be asked to participate in meetings or discussions at any time during this process. All conference minutes and information related to student performance are maintained in the student’s file in the OTA department office.
As outlined in the learning plan, apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry and will demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry. (WECM 51.0803)
After completing this course, the student must be able to:
- Apply occupational theory involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting.
- Apply occupational concepts involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting.
- Apply occupational skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting.
- Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior.
- Demonstrate safety practices.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and team skills.
- Demonstrate appropriate written and verbal communication using terminology within the occupational and business/industry.
Tasks
- Apply occupational theory involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in applying occupational-based theory as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Apply occupational concepts involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in applying occupational-based concepts as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Apply occupational skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry in the fieldwork setting. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in applying occupational therapy skills as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in practicing legal and ethical behavior as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Demonstrate safety practices. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in applying safety practices as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Demonstrate interpersonal and team skills. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency for interpersonal and team skills as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Demonstrate appropriate written and verbal communication using terminology within the occupational and business/industry. (SCANS )
- Student will demonstrate entry-level competency in written and verbal communication skills using appropriate terminology as established by the AOTA Student Fieldwork Performance Evaluation.
- Student will participate in Midterm and Final Evaluations and communicate to Academic Fieldwork Coordinator progress and/or concerns.
- Student will complete Student Evaluation of Fieldwork forms and communicate relevant feedback to Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
Grading
Each fieldwork placement is intended to be a unique learning experience and will be assigned a grade as reflected in the Grade Compilation section of the course-specific syllabus.
Fieldwork Assignments
Students should be prepared for assignments that may be required by the AFWC and/or the fieldwork educator at the facility. Assignments are designed to enhance your learning experience and should be treated as such. All assignments must be completed in accordance with the syllabus and/or the clinical supervisor’s direction in order to successfully complete the clinical affiliation.
Course Evaluation/Required Documentation
Student performance and grade in Level II Fieldwork is assessed by the fieldwork educator and the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator per the respective course syllabus. There are four formal forms associated with the Level II experiences:
- AOTA’s Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (AOTA FWPE) for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Student – Level II fieldwork grading is guided by the FWPE. This evaluation form allows for an objective assessment of the student’s skills as performed at the clinical site. The fieldwork educator meets with the student to discuss progress at the midpoint and upon completion of the affiliation. In the case that a student receives an Unsatisfactory Performance rating during their Midterm review, it is the student’s responsibility to report back to the AFWC within one business day. (The AOTA FWPE can be found on the AOTA website).
- Level II Fieldwork Midterm Feedback Form – At the midpoint of the rotation, the student will complete this form as a companion document to the AOTA FWPE. This feedback form should be reviewed with the fieldwork educator, and it is intended to assist the student in identifying personal strengths and areas of growth, as well as, facilitating discussion between the fieldwork instructor and student regarding student status at mid-term. A copy of this form should be signed and returned to the AFWC by the end of the 5th week of the rotation.
- Student Evaluation of the Fieldwork Experience (SEFWE) – This form is intended to enable the Level II fieldwork student to evaluate and provide feedback regarding the supervisor and fieldwork setting. The student will complete this PRIOR to the final meeting with the fieldwork supervisor, and review it with the supervisor AFTER the Fieldwork Performance Evaluation. A copy signed by both parties will remain at the clinical site and the original is due to the AFWC the first business day following the conclusion of the fieldwork.
- Level II Clinical Attendance Record – When completing this form, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the time log entries, obtain required signatures, and keep a running total of fieldwork hours completed. Inaccurate or incomplete time logs will be considered an ethical violation and may result in disciplinary action and/or course grade reductions. This form is due to the AFWC the first business day following the conclusion of the fieldwork.
Students are responsible for arranging times with their fieldwork educators to discuss the above documents and return signed copies of these forms to the AFWC in accordance to the established deadline. Failure to turn in the required documents on time will impede the students’ assignment of a grade and can result in dismissal from the course.
Grade Compilation
Midterm and Final Evaluations are to be completed by the clinical site supervisor and reviewed by the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator.
Final Evaluation (AOTA FWPE)* 90%
Participation 10%
Total 100%
*A passing Final Evaluation grade on the AOTA FWPE will be assigned a 90% (A) as the Final Evaluation score.
The remaining 10% will be dependent upon participation including:
- Punctual attendance
- Active communication
- Responsiveness to deadlines related to turning in midterm and final student evaluation of fieldwork forms, as well as, midterm and final AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluations
- Professional behavior
Grading Scale
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 75-79%
F Less than 75%
If a student is tardy or absent on the scheduled days of fieldwork, he/she MUST notify the OTA Program Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) AND their clinical fieldwork supervisor by telephone prior to the assigned reporting time. Failure to follow this policy will result in point reductions from the student’s grade and may impact a student’s graduation eligibility. All absences must be approved and make-up days will be at the discretion of the clinical supervisor and AFWC. Extended excused absences due to special circumstances will be handled at the discretion of the college AFWC. Unexcused absences during fieldwork will not be permitted and will result in dismissal from the program.
Clinical practicum with supervision; instruction will be site specific and will include a hands-on, entry-level clinical experience.
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
The Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) identified Foundation Skills in the areas of Basic Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities, and Workplace Competencies in the areas of Resources, Information, Interpersonal, Systems, and Technology. This course is part of a program in which each of these Skills and Competencies are integrated. The specific SCANS Competencies that are recognized throughout this course are noted in the Tasks section of this syllabus; and the Scans Competencies chart is the last page of this syllabus.