Fieldwork Educator Qualifications & Responsibilities

FIELDWORK EDUCATOR QUALIFCATIONS

Department Requirements

Level I

Any licensed or credential professional (e.g. psychologist, physical assistant, teacher, social worker, mental health specialist, nurse, recreational therapist or physical therapist).

Level II

United States
Settings with occupational therapy services - A currently licensed or credentialed occupational therapist who has a minimum of 1 year of practice experience subsequent to initial certification or licensure.

Settings without occupational therapy services- A currently licensed or credentialed occupational therapist who has a minimum of 3 years of practice experience subsequent to initial certification or licensure.

Outside the United States
An occupational therapist who graduated from a program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy and has 1 year of experience in practice.

State of Maryland
An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant supervising a Level I or Level II fieldwork student shall have a minimum of 1 year of experience as a licensed occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, excluding temporary licensure.

Responsibilities

Each Fieldwork Educator (FWEd) should become familiar with the Towson University Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science curriculum design, philosophy, fieldwork learning objectives and role of the FWEd. The FWEd facilitates and supervises the student practitioner's experience. FWEd ensure that the expectations below are met and that students receive appropriate orientation and supervision.

Student Orientation

• Create a welcoming atmosphere that will allow the student to feel comfortable
• Have a current student manual
• Provide overview of the facility, unit assigned, rules and regulations
• Identify specific student performance expectations including fieldwork objectives, caseload, and additional learning assignments

Student Supervision

• Review student’s goals and learning style survey results to assist with planning the experience
• Meet with students on a regular basis during a designated time
• Define developmental performance objectives
• Provide students with honest objective feedback; i.e. their progress and performance level
• Treat students with respect
• Provide direct supervision initially and gradually advance to less direct supervision as is appropriate for the setting, client’s condition, and student’s ability
• Be a role model and mentor
• Approve University evidence based assignment per course requirements

Administrative

• Maintain current state license
• Contact the department immediately with concerns about student’s performance or at first sign/observation/indication of student performance issues
• Complete a mid-term and final evaluation using the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation (FWPE) supplied by the department
• Complete the department’s Mid-Term Assessment and return to faculty
• Return FWPE within 2 weeks of students completion of fieldwork or termination

Regulations for Student Supervision

• AOTA Practice Advisory: Services Provided by Students in Level II Fieldwork Settings
• Medicare
  See page 194, Section 230, "Practice of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology," under letter B titled, " Therapy Students."
• Joint guidelines for Therapy Co-treatment under Medicare
• AOTA: OT/OTA Student Supervision & Medicare Requirements
• Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy
  See 10.46.05
• District of Columbia Board of Occupational Therapy
• Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy

Department of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science
Enrollment Services, Room 245

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-2762
Fax: 410-704-2322