Fieldwork FAQ's

Will I be able to earn continuing education or professional development units when I supervise a fieldwork student?

Yes; you are eligible for continuing education and professional development units when supervision fieldwork students. See below for details:

  • VAOTEC Quarterly Meeting

    • Participants earn XX Continuing education units from the XXXX each time they attend the VAOTFWC Quarterly Meeting.

  • Virginia Type 2 Continuing Education Units

    • The supervision of occupational therapy students is a type 2 continuing education activity that can be used toward Virginia license renewal with the Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Medicine. Each hour of supervision is equal to one hour of Type 2 Activity and practitioners can include up to ten hours each renewal cycle.

  • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy Professional Development Units

    • The NBCOT identifies fieldwork supervision as a professional development activity that may be used towards recertification. One Professional Development Unit per FW I student and 1 unit per 1 week of Fieldwork II supervision is awarded. Clinicians are able to collect a maximum of 18 units over a 3 year period for Fieldwork Supervision.

What are the benefits of supervising a fieldwork student?

  • Benefits to the Therapist:

    • Advance knowledge and skills, career advancement, continuing education, and contribute to the profession

  • Benefits to the Facility:

    • Staff recruitment, practice advancement, and access to faculty

  • Benefits to the Profession:

    • Practice advancement and development of practitioners

How do I develop a fieldwork program at my facility?

  • Analyze Your Facility

    • Build support within organization

    • Establish mission and philosophy

  • Collaborate with Academic Programs

    • Contact at academic programs

    • Discuss program curricula and objectives

  • Establish a Contract of Agreement

    • Identify rights, responsibilities and the expectations

    • Complete a written agreement

  • Develop Student Resources

    • Complete Fieldwork Data Form

    • Establish fieldwork manual and objectives

What is level i fieldwork?

AOTA Definition and Purpose

The goal of Level I Fieldwork "to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, and develop a basic comfort level with an understanding of the needs of clients."

What is level ii fieldwork?

COE Guidelines for Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Experience - Level II

This document describes the desired characteristics of a fieldwork placement for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students in Level II Fieldwork Education.

Position Paper: Fieldwork Level II and Occupational Therapy Students

This document was published by AOTA: "The purpose of this document is to define the Level II fieldwork experience and to clarify the appropriate conditions and principles that must exist to ensure that interventions completed by Level II students are of the quality and sophistication necessary to be clinically beneficial to the client."