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?
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."