OTAS 201 - Practicum/Fieldwork Level 1-A
PREREQUISITES: APHY 102 Anatomy and Physiology II; PSYC 201 Lifespan Development; OTAS 101 Foundations and Theory in Occupational Therapy; OTAS 102 Applied Kinesiology in OT; OTAS 103 Conditions in Occupational Therapy
COREQUISITES: OTAS 202 Occupational Performance in Pediatric Care; OTAS 203 OT in Mental and Behavioral Health; OTAS 204 Health and Wellness Promotion in OT; OTAS 205 The Role of OTA in Interdisciplinary Health
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 1
PRACTICUM HOURS MIN: 3
TOTAL CONTACT HOURS MIN: 48
The purpose of Level I fieldwork is practice, client, and supervision exposure. Provides observational/experiential opportunities for students to apply knowledge learned to develop a basic comfort level while understanding/responding to client/patient needs. Students will be evaluated on basic performance skills and competencies (i.e., related to foundational principles, practice fundamentals, professional behaviors, etc.) essential for successful program progression, including successful Level I-B and Level II fieldwork. Level I Fieldwork is not intended to develop independent practitioners, but to provide clinical/community-based experiences that support OTA program curriculum by requiring active student engagement and participation in process aspects of OT. Services may be provided to a variety of populations, settings, methods; experiences may include occupational therapy and/or treatment experiences that enhance the student’s understanding of the developmental stages, tasks, roles, and/or occupations of individuals throughout the life span. Although fieldwork placements and experiences may vary, all students will have similar Level I fieldwork experiences (i.e., learning activities, objectives, assignments, and outcome measures).
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
1. As applicable and provided, the student will review information (i.e., from Fieldwork Data Sheet,” and/or “Site Profile”) before FW placement to promote professionalism and ensure student is aware of housekeeping items (i.e., security clearance, location, dress code, etc.) before placement starts.
2. As applicable and provided, the student will review information (i.e., from Fieldwork Data Sheet,” and/or “Site Profile”) regarding theories/frames-of-references, conditions/diagnoses, assessments, and treatment/interventions commonly utilized/treated at site to promote professionalism and aid professional reasoning before placement starts.
3. Score at or above “Meets Standards” on the first three mandatory sections of the Level 1 Fieldwork Competency Evaluation for OTA Students (AOTA, 2024). NOTE: The first 3 sections (i.e., Fundamentals of Practice; Foundations of Occupational Therapy; Professional Behaviors) are identified as mandatory, as they are applicable to all practice settings and assess basic skills. The last 2 sections are optional, allowing an AFWC to select relevant sections for a particular Level 1 experience.
-Fundamentals of Practice:
4. Adheres consistently to AOTA’s Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics [B.2.10].
5. Adheres consistently to safety regulations and uses sound judgment to ensure safety [B.2.8].
-Foundations of Occupational Therapy: The student will score a “Meets Standards” or above for the following:
6. Articulates values and beliefs of occupational therapy, emphasizing the unique and distinct nature of OT and the concept of occupation [B.2.4].
7. Utilizes relevant evidence to make informed practice decisions {B.5.1; B.5.3]. -Professional Behaviors: The student will score a “Meets Standards” or above for the following:
8. Time Management Skills [B.2.9; B.2.10].
9. Organization [B.2.9; B.2.10].
10. Engagement in FW Experience [B.2.9; B.2.11].
11. Self-directed Learning [B.2.9; B.2.10, B.2.11].
12. Reasoning and Problem-Solving [B.2.8; B.3.2].
13. Written Commuinication [B.3.21].
14. Initiative [B.2.9; B.2.11]
15. Observation Skills [B.3.3].
16. Participation in the Supervisory Process [B.3.21; B.4.5; B.4.9].
17. Verbal communication and interpersonal skills with patients/clients, staff, and caregivers [B.2.9; B.3.21]
18. Professional and Personal Boundaries [B.2.8; B.2.9; B.3.1; B.3.2].
19. Use of Professional Terminology [B.2.9; B.3.1; B.3.2].
NOTE: For the next two sections, if applicable to site, student will score at or above “Meets Standards” for areas relevant to Screening/Evaluation and Intervention. If not applicable, students will demonstrate understanding of simulated task competency through applicable assignments part of the course.
-Screening and Evaluation Process: The student will score a “Meets Standards” or above for the following:
20. Demonstrate understanding and/or contribute to the screening, evaluation, and/or assessment process [B.2.12; B.3.2; B.3.3; B.3.5; B.3.21].
21. Demonstrate understanding and/or complete an interview/occupational profile [B.3.3].
22. Demonstrates understanding and/or complete documentation consistent with given practice setting/area [B.3.21; B.4.3].
-Intervention: The student will score a “Meets Standards” or above for the following:
23. Contributes to intervention process [B.3.5; B.3.6].
24. Identifies interventions consistent with client evaluation and goals [B.3.5; B.3.6].
25. Identifies (verbal or written) interventions consistent with client-centered approach and provides clinical reasoning for interventions identified [B.3.2; B.3.21].
26. Engages in and values evidence-based practice by seeking evidence to support or negate intervention approach [B.3.7; B.3.10].
27. Administers interventions that are occupation-based and client-centered within guidelines of facility [B.3.6].
28. Recognizes (verbal, written, or demonstration) need to modify interventions on basis of client response [B.3.9].
29. Recognizes (verbal, written, or demonstration) need to modify or terminate intervention plan on basis of client response [B.3.10].
30. Drafts documentation for intervention using typical procedures used in FW practice setting [B.4.3].
Other:
31. Discuss and review Level 1 Fieldwork Competency Evaluation for OTA Students (AOTA, 2024) with AFWC; implement constructive feedback.
32. Complete and discuss with AFWC an evaluation completed by the student regarding the site and FWE/CI supervision to ensure objectives were met.
NOTE: Per ACOTE Standard, C.1.0, the fieldwork is designed to promote professional reasoning and reflective practice, transmit the values and beliefs that enable ethical practice, and develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities and provide opportunities to carry out professional responsibilities under the supervision of qualified personnel. Requires weekly seminar attendance where objectives will be discussed and supplemented as needed.
Level I fieldwork may be met through one or more of the following instructional methods: simulated environments, standardized patients, faculty practice, faculty-led site visits, supervision by a fieldwork educator in a practice environment. All Level I fieldwork must be comparable in rigor, but placements and experiences may vary. As such, the following objectives will be met by all students.
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include - COURSE CONTENT: Level I fieldwork may be met through one or more of the following instructional methods:
Topical areas of study will include:
Pediatrics/Adolescents:
- Early Intervention (i.e., “First Steps”). May be in-home or pre-school, etc.
- School System or school-based programs.
- In Patient (i.e., NICU or Children’s Hospital)
- Pediatric Outpatient Clinic (community-Based or inside hospital)
- Pediatric Outpatient Psych/Community and Home-Based Health.
- In-Patient Psych Peds/Young Adults (i.e., “Hendricks Behavioral Hospital”; “Resource Residential Treatment Facility,” “Neurodiagnostic Institute,” etc.)
- Emerging Practice (i.e., areas without an OT that could benefit, (i.e., mental health hospitals, YMCA after-school programs, etc.)
Adults/Older Adults:
In-Patient:
Outpatient:
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Outpatient Specialty (i.e., Hands, “VA,” Orthotics, Prosthetics)
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Older Adult Community Living (ALF, ILF)
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Older Adult Day Program Outpatient
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Private Practice Specialty (i.e., hands”)
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Adult Day Program for ID/DD; dementia care
Other:
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Home-Health (in-home or in ALF/ILF)
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Emerging Practice (i.e., areas without an OT that could benefit, i.e., mental health hospitals, substance-abuse, correctional facilities, etc.)
Other Skills:
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Assessments/Interventions review. NOTE: AFWC will request info (i.e., found on a fieldwork data form or profile) on common assessments and intervention strategies used at each site prior to experience for students to review)
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Professionalism (including intra-/interprofessionalism, communication, collaboration skills); interpersonal skills (i.e., active listening, enthusiasm, timeliness, etc.).
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Ethics, Values/Principles (i.e., client/patient confidentiality; autonomy vs. beneficence, etc.).
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Psychosocial (i.e., general “mental functions”) aspects of client/patient engagement. NOTE: Per ACOTE Standard C.1.3 (2023), all fieldwork experiences must include an objective with a focus on the occupational therapy practitioner’s role in addressing the psychosocial aspects of the client’s engagement in occupation.
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