| |
|
Occupational Therapy Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an essential part of the educational program at Ithaca
College. Level I Fieldwork is incorporated into the academic program.
Level II fieldwork occurs following the prerequisite academic courses
and must be completed successfully to qualify to take the Certification
Examination for Occupational Therapists administered by the NBCOT
(National Board for the Certification of Occupational Therapists).
Level I Fieldwork Experiences
Level I fieldwork experiences are incorporated into academic courses: Practicum in Pediatric OT, Practicum in Adult OT and Practicum in Geriatric OT.
- Pediatric This fieldwork experience is performed during the
spring semester of the Junior year. It is an observation fieldwork
in which the students spend 1 week at a site during the week following
spring break.
- Adult This fieldwork experience is performed the week following fall break of the Senior year. It is one week, full-time commitment. There are options for sites in the Ithaca area or other locations throughout the US. It is often possible with advanced planning for the student to complete this experience close to home.
- Geriatric This fieldwork experience is performed during the spring semester of the Senior year. The students will establish a relationship with a person 65 years old or older in a local setting. There are also additional short term experiences incorporated into the academic work.
Level II Fieldwork Experiences
At completion of Level II, students should be functioning as an entry level therapist at that site.
Three experiences totaling 8 months will be completed. The Pediatric/Adolescent and Adult/Geriatric fieldwork experiences are 6 credits each. The Specialty/Elective Fieldwork is 4 credits. Level II fieldwork is part of the graduate year of the Ithaca College occupational therapy education. Fieldwork is arranged by the Fieldwork Coordinator at sites throughout the United States and there are a few sites in other countries as well.
- Pediatric/Adolescent: This fieldwork is a three month experience with a pediatric or adolescent population. Possible sites include hospitals, schools, private practices and specialized clinics.
- Adult/Geriatric: This fieldwork is a three month experience with an adult or geriatric population. Possible sites include hospitals, nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, home care settings and others.
The Pediatric/Adolescent and Adult/Geriatric fieldwork may be done in any order. Typically, one will take place in the summer following the Senior year (June, July, August) and the other in the spring of the Graduate year (April, May, June).
- Specialty/Elective: This fieldwork is a two month experience in a specialty/elective setting. This fieldwork typically takes place in the summer of the graduate year but may take place later. This fieldwork is meant to round out the student's fieldwork experience, offer more specialized training, or provide an opportunity in a non-traditional OT setting.
Prerequisites for Level I and Level II Fieldwork Experiences
Each fieldwork has medical requirements for the safety of it's patients, employees, and students. Information about physicals, inoculations and other required and recommended procedures are listed in the prerequisite section of the Fieldwork Data Form for each individual site. Students need to check the requirements and make sure all specific health requirements are completed before beginning Fieldwork. Hepatitis B or a signed declaration form, a physical exam, CPR certification, and Annual PPD inoculations are required for all Ithaca College Occupational Therapy Students.
Students are responsible for health insurance and malpractice insurance while at a fieldwork site. Malpractice insurance is purchased through the college for an approximate cost of $20 per student.
Selecting Level II Fieldwork Placements
During the fall of the Junior year the site selection process begins. Students research available sites from a computer data program and complete a PIFF (Preference Indicator Fieldwork Form). The PIFF provides the Fieldwork Coordinator with five site preferences, chosen by the student, for both their Pediatric/Adolescent and Adult/Geriatric Level II Fieldwork experiences. Usually, by the end of the Junior year, the student has a confirmation with a Pediatric/Adolescent and Adult/Geriatric site. Specialty/Elective sites are chosen in the fall of the Graduate year.
Grading a Fieldwork Experience
Level I and Level II Fieldwork experiences are graded Pass/Fail. To receive a passing grade for Level II Fieldwork, the student must receive a minimum score of 120 on the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation. The ratings for Ethics and Safety items must be scored at 3 or above to receive a passing grade.
Requesting new fieldwork sites
The Fieldwork Office is continuously developing new sites. Students may request that the Fieldwork Office contact a facility they are interested in by completing a form ("Green sheet") available in the Fieldwork Office. This process should be completed by the beginning of the Junior year, as establishing a new Clinical Affiliation Agreement can take a long period of time.
Becoming a Fieldwork site
A facility interested in becoming a fieldwork site for placement of Ithaca College Occupational Therapy students should contact:
Barbara P. Hansen
Fieldwork Coordinator
200 Smiddy Hall
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY 14850-7079
(607)274-1798
(607)274-3055 (Fax)
bhansen@ithaca.edu
|
