Professionalism on Fieldwork
Fieldwork education is a vital part of the OTD curriculum. It is a requirement that students successfully complete fieldwork in order to graduate from the OTD Program. Knowing that, the Fieldwork Educators have volunteered to offer their expertise to each of our students. All students should demonstrate appreciation by being respectful, courteous, and actively involved in their clinical education experience. Students are expected to treat their educators and coworkers with dignity and respect; and their coworkers and educators are expected to treat students with dignity and respect as well.
When a student is at their clinical site, they are a representative of the University, School, Program, and the OT profession and must behave in a professional, ethical, dignified, and respectful matter at the fieldwork site and in accordance with the American Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2015).
Professional behavior expectations, include but are not limited to:
Any student who behaves in a manner that is not professional, respectful, or courteous may be dismissed from and shall expect to fail fieldwork regardless of performance in other skill areas. Dismissal on the grounds of professionalism is at the discretion of the Fieldwork Educator and/or Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Unprofessional behavior and practices will result in a course failure and/or disciplinary action from the university.
Fieldwork education is a vital part of the OTD curriculum. It is a requirement that students successfully complete fieldwork in order to graduate from the OTD Program. Knowing that, the Fieldwork Educators have volunteered to offer their expertise to each of our students. All students should demonstrate appreciation by being respectful, courteous, and actively involved in their clinical education experience. Students are expected to treat their educators and coworkers with dignity and respect; and their coworkers and educators are expected to treat students with dignity and respect as well.
When a student is at their clinical site, they are a representative of the University, School, Program, and the OT profession and must behave in a professional, ethical, dignified, and respectful matter at the fieldwork site and in accordance with the American Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (AOTA, 2015).
Professional behavior expectations, include but are not limited to:
- Respect to all clients, coworkers, and Fieldwork Educators
- Professional communication with coworkers, clients, and Fieldwork Educators
- Good conflict management skills
- Adherence to HIPPA laws and patient’s rights
- Adherence to the fieldwork site’s rules and regulations
- Proper attire
- Clean, professional appearance
- Timeliness
- Attendance
- No use of cell phones, smart phones, or text messaging during fieldwork. The expectation is that these technological items are stored and only used during lunch and breaks.
- Respect for the fieldwork site’s equipment and supplies
Any student who behaves in a manner that is not professional, respectful, or courteous may be dismissed from and shall expect to fail fieldwork regardless of performance in other skill areas. Dismissal on the grounds of professionalism is at the discretion of the Fieldwork Educator and/or Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Unprofessional behavior and practices will result in a course failure and/or disciplinary action from the university.