Fieldwork Supervisors Role

It is the role of the Fieldwork Supervisor to act as educator, mentor and guide during the student’s clinical experience. It is essential that students communicate all needs to the Fieldwork Supervisor in a responsible and professional manner. The Fieldwork Supervisor is responsible for orienting the student to the facility, and reviewing facility policies, procedures and expectations for the Fieldwork experience. The Fieldwork Educator will oversee all written documentation and interactions with clients, family, and team members. It is the Fieldwork Educator’s responsibility to inform the student about special projects and assignments related specifically to that Fieldwork experience. The Fieldwork Educator is also responsible for both informal and formal evaluations and communicating student progress with the student and the academic institution.

As established by the ACOTE 2018 Standards, the Fieldwork Educator of Level-I and Level-II students are expected to work together with the Cox College MSOT faculty to develop learning objectives, ensure proper supervision of students, effectively communicate about student performance and progress, and maintain a signed Cooperative Agreement. 

All individuals involved in student education at the fieldwork site are considered Fieldwork Educators. Other terminology which may be used at the sites may include: clinical instructor, student educator, student supervisor, or preceptor.

At the fieldwork site, there may also be a Fieldwork Education Coordinator who actively participates in the communication process between the two institutions. This person or an otherwise appointed fieldwork educator at the site, takes care of administrative responsibilities for fieldwork education at the site, which includes the following:

1. Providing the day-to-day supervision for the occupational therapy students, while maintaining responsibility for all patient/client care.
2. Following all conditions outlined in the Cooperative Agreement.
3. Working with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to schedule students at the fieldwork site.
4. Collaborating with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the development of the clinical program to provide the best opportunity for application of theoretical concepts from the academic program including development of fieldwork site objectives.
5. Developing a student manual which includes an orientation to the facility and objectives for Level II fieldwork experiences. See suggested contents of student manual.
6. Updating the AOTA Fieldwork Data Form on an annual basis.
7. Exercising good judgment in assigning clients/patients to the students
8. Assessing the knowledge, skill, clinical reasoning, and professional development of students by completing a midterm and final evaluation with students
9. Providing due process in the event of poor performance and potential failure. This includes developing a learning agreement in conjunction with the student, with advisement from the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Performance expectations and learning activities to address problem areas must be clearly identified.

Qualified supervisors for Level I Fieldwork include but are not limited to OT and COTA practitioners, psychologists, social workers, physician assistants, teachers, recreational therapists, nurses, and physical therapists.

Recognition and Appreciation of Fieldwork Educators

The Cox College Occupational Therapy Department appreciates the commitment made by the fieldwork educators to the occupational therapy students. The Occupational Therapy Program plans to periodically offer workshops/clinical education seminars to fieldwork educators. 

OT Student Supervision and Medicare Requirements information from AOTA can be found here: https://www.aota.org/education/fieldwork/medicare-requirements-for-student-supervision