Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Eugene Applebaum - College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Health Care Sciences
Occupational Therapy

Division of Fieldwork Education

A. Level I Fieldwork
The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), 2008 Standards state, “The goal of Level I Fieldwork is to introduce students to the fieldwork experience, and develop a basic comfort level with an understanding of the needs of clients. Level I fieldwork shall be integral to the program’s curriculum design and include experiences designed to enrich didactic coursework through direct observation and participation in selected aspects of the occupational therapy process. The focus of these experiences is not intended to be independent performance. Qualified personnel for supervised Level I fieldwork include, but are not limited to, occupational therapy practitioners initially certified nationally, psychologists, physician assistants, teachers, social workers, nurses, and physical therapists”.

Each student will be responsible for one week in a Psychosocial setting and one week in a Physical Disabilities setting in the fall semester.

Overview of Level II Fieldwork
The Accreditation Council of Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) states, “The goal of level II fieldwork is to develop competent, entry-level, generalist occupational therapists.” According to Merrian-Webster (1999, Merrian-Webster), “fieldwork is a supervised practicum experience that involves the practical application of previously studied theory”. It provides opportunities for students to study, model, plan, and apply theories/concepts/interventions of occupational performance. It is designed to “include an in-depth experience in delivering occupational therapy services to clients, focusing on the application of purposeful and meaningful occupation and/or research, administration and management of occupational therapy services” (2008, ACOTE).

The Fieldwork experience includes but is not limited to:
1. Enhancing abilities in clinical reasoning and reflective practice.
2. Training and practice in evaluation and assessment techniques, treatment planning and implementation, documentation and reporting.
3. Interacting with persons involved in general facility operations.
4. Enhancing professional communication skills.
5. Being exposed to or involved in department administration and management.
6. Being involved with political and economic health industry issues that will/are effecting clients, OT practice and the profession.
7. Being involved in and with clients’ communities and their immediate environments

For more information, please contact:

Nancy Vandewiele Milligan PhD, OTR
Coordinator of Fieldwork Education & Assistant Professor
af7880@wayne.edu
Telephone: (313)577-5881

Regina Parnell PhD, OTR
Assistant Professor & Level I Fieldwork Coordinator
ad9049@wayne.edu
Telephone: (313) 577-6794

 

Please access the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) website at the following link for further fieldwork information

 http://www.aota.org/Students/Current/Fieldwork.aspx

Additional Fieldwork Resources