Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) Role

The Cox College Academic Fieldwork Coordinators are responsible for coordinating and monitoring the level I and level II fieldwork experiences. It is the role of the Academic Fieldwork Coordinators to act as a liaison between the student and the Fieldwork Educator at the facility. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator determines the most appropriate Fieldwork placement that will meet the student's needs. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator is responsible for communicating with prospective fieldwork sites, establishing relationships with facilities, assuring a formal contract is in place, educating Fieldwork Educators, preparing essential documentation for experiences, and communicating essential information to all involved pertaining to the Cox College Occupational Therapy program.

The students should not negotiate dates, contracts, or schedules with any fieldwork site or educator. 

The Cox College Academic Fieldwork Coordinator is responsible for the following:

1. Following all conditions outlined in the Cooperative Agreement.
2. Implementing and following all fieldwork related ACOTE standards.
3. Establishing and maintaining the necessary communication between the fieldwork site and Cox College, including ensuring (with the assistance of responsible staff) all written cooperative agreements between Cox College and the fieldwork placement sites are signed and reviewed every five years.
4. Serving as a resource to the fieldwork sites in establishing and maintaining a suitable clinical education program.
5. Maintaining current information files in Exxat on each fieldwork placement.
6. Communicating to ensure students’ health information is up to date and meets requirements of Cox College and clinical site
7. Orienting all students to the purpose and to the procedures for fieldwork education.
8. Advising students in regards to fieldwork placement planning.
9. Assigning all eligible students to fieldwork experiences.
10. Providing information (that is not accessible by student) to the fieldwork site at least 4 weeks prior to the student’s arrival.
11. Communicating with students while they attend fieldwork through Canvas coursework, email, and text messaging as needed.
12. Ensuring that students receive proper assessment and supervision during the fieldwork experience by communicating with supervisors as needed. 
13. Serving as a liaison to the Occupational Therapy Program throughout the students’ fieldwork experiences. Performing on-site visits are scheduled on an as needed basis.
14. Coordinating continuing education for fieldwork educators on topics related to supervision, clinical education, and OT theory and practice.
15. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator may actively supervise fieldwork students.
16. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator enters grades for fieldwork after receiving student evaluations from fieldwork educator. The Academic fieldwork coordinator has ultimate authority in student grade over the fieldwork educator and might, in a rare instance, pass or fail a student based on individual situation even if the fieldwork educator has a differing opinion.