In this short module, you will find a description of the role competencies of a Fieldwork Educators and the purpose and recommended components of a Fieldwork Manual. 

Here is a list of the recommended items for your Fieldwork Manual. 

You can access AOTA recommended content for a Student Fieldwork Manual here. 

To help students prepare for fieldwork in your setting, and to support their transition from student to clinician, the VAOTEC has developed the following surveys to support student reflection on their confidence in their practice knowledge and skills. This short video describes the purpose and guidelines for these confidence surveys. You might find it helpful to request that students complete the survey prior to and throughout their placement.

• Acute Care  Confidence Survey 

• Adult Outpatient Confidence Survey

Take a look at this study, completed by The University of New England, examining what is most effective for OT students to prepare for clinical practice. 

This study describes how clinical competence is established and what teaching strategies can be used to help students prepare for the rigor of clinical placements. 

OBrien, J. C., & McNeil, S. D. (2013). Teaching Effectiveness: Preparing Occupational Therapy Students for Clinical Practice. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.15453/ 2168-6408.1045