Spalding University Library: ASOT OTD Student Handbook: Fieldwork: Professional Behaviors for Fieldwork

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR DEFINITION FOR FIELDWORK AND RELATED CRITERIA

As stated in the ASOT Student Handbook Statement of Professionalism, this program requires its students to uphold the commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and health of all clients served. Important elements of professionalism include: adequate preparation; sensitivity to the client and the client’s caregivers/support system; concern for the client’s best interests; consultation with fellow professionals; and most importantly integrity, honesty, and accountability in all of one’s actions. Professionalism is a trait over which each individual has control. One can demonstrate professionalism through personal appearance, behavior, communication, punctuality, dependability, and accountability, among other characteristics.

ASOT is a program that prepares professional practitioners. To this end, ASOT's curriculum design has professionalism integrated into all threads that flow through each course throughout the Program of Study. In fact, before students start the program, they are assigned readings in the book(s), The Oz Principle and/or Professionalism in Occupational Therapy, both of which focus on accountability and how it relates to being a successful OT student and future practitioner. Students reflect upon these readings and learning moments throughout the program.

Being professional and accountable students of occupational therapy is an expectation of this OTD program and University. While students engage in Level I Fieldwork education, professional behaviors will be assessed on the following items:

1. Participation: Participation is an important aspect of Level I Fieldwork and is required for the student to demonstrate integration and understanding of the occupational therapy process. Participation will be assessed by a student’s active engagement and quality of contributions that facilitate his/her own learning as well as peer learning during in-class and online discussions. This component will be scored each week as a part of in-class and online seminars.

2. Attendance/Dependability: Students are expected to attend all learning experiences per policies stated in the ASOT Student Handbook and the Spalding University Catalog. Attendance will be taken throughout the session and included in the Participation scoring each week as a part of in-class, online discussion, and on-site fieldwork attendance.

If a student will be absent from or late to fieldwork, the Fieldwork Director and Fieldwork Educator must be notified prior to the student’s expected arrival time. Likewise, if students are going to be unexpectedly absent from in-class or online seminars and/or documentation labs, the Fieldwork Director must be notified prior to class time by the individual student. Communicating absences through peers to the Fieldwork Director is not acceptable.

Students must be actively engaged; a major component of this means being present. Attendance for each Level I Fieldwork visit, seminar, documentation lab, and orientation is mandatory. More than 1 absence (from fieldwork, seminar, documentation lab, and/or orientation for the respective level 1 class) will result in 3 points taken from final course grade for each occurrence thereafter. More than 1 event of either being late to and/or leaving early from class, online discussions, or fieldwork will result in 1 point taken from final course grade for each occurrence thereafter.

3. Professional Presentation: According to Kasar and Clark (2000), “Professional presentation of oneself and communicating interest and a positive attitude toward our clients and coworkers tell them that we care about our relationships and the well-being of those to whom we provide services.” This component will receive one numerical score at the end of the session based on the student’s performance as a whole throughout the duration of the respective Level I Fieldwork course. Professional presentation will be assessed at the end of the session by the following criteria:

a. consistent presentation of oneself in a manner acceptable to clients, peers, colleagues, and leaders

b. using body posture and affect to communicate interest or engaged attention

c. conveying a positive attitude toward role (Kasar, J., Clark, E., 2000, p. 20)

d. effectively interacting through written, oral, and nonverbal communication with clients, families, significant others, colleagues, other health providers, and the public in a professionally acceptable way (e.g. clearly, effectively, timely, respectfully) (ACOTE Standard B.4.23.).

4. Academic Integrity/Professional Ethics: All students are required to uphold a high standard of academic integrity and will be held accountable to the policy as written the Spalding University Catalog. In addition, all students are expected to practice occupational therapy in the role of a student that is supportive of the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards (to include client safety and confidentiality) Students must use sound judgment in regard to safety of self and others and adhere to safety regulations throughout the occupational therapy process as appropriate to the fieldwork experience/setting and scope of practice (ACOTE Standard B.3.7). All students are expected to be familiar with both of these components that help support professional behavior as described in this syllabus. Failure to do so may impact a student’s ability to progress as a part of this professional program and/or this university. This component will receive one numerical score at the end of the session based on the student’s performance as a whole throughout the duration of the respective Level I Fieldwork course. A score of “1” may result in being summoned to appear before the Ethics Committee of this university. Please note that any HIPAA/HITECH violation may result in being dismissed from the program.

5. Accountability: Accountability, empowerment, and engagement in the learning process results from students and student teams who continually ask the accountability question posed by the Oz Principle: “What else can I do to operate Above the Line and achieve the desired results?” According to Connors, Smith, and Heckman (1994), accountability is defined: “A personal choice to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrate the ownership necessary for achieving desired results – to See It, Own It, Solve It, and Do It.” This component will receive one numerical score at the end of the session based on the student’s performance as a whole throughout the duration of this Level I Fieldwork course. Accountability will be assessed by:

a. taking responsibility for professional development by seeking out learning opportunities and interactions with others in light of the circumstances surrounding fieldwork experiences

b. responding constructively to feedback

c. demonstrating consistent work behaviors including initiative, preparedness, dependability, and work site maintenance

d. demonstrating effective time management

e. maintaining up-to-date immunizations, CPR, and health insurance as required by ASOT and all Fieldwork agencies.

i. While on any Level I Fieldwork, five points will be deducted from a student’s final course grade for allowing any required documentation to expire and/or for not providing this information to the Fieldwork Educator on the first day of the fieldwork experience. In addition, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the course if any required documentation expires while on fieldwork and will only be re-enrolled once documented proof of compliance is provided. This includes TB skin test, tetanus/diphtheria immunization, Hepatitis B vaccinations (or declination form), flu vaccination, varicella immunization, MMR immunizations, CPR, health insurance, Spalding liability, and background checks. Maintaining these requirements supports ACOTE Standard C.1.2.

6. Positive Interpersonal Skills: Positive interpersonal skills are sometimes referenced as having good “people skills.” By demonstrating skillful interpersonal skills, an OT is able to use his/her therapeutic use of self as an effective intervention for helping his/her client toward goal achievement. While in this professional program of study, students are expected to continue to develop how they relate with one another, with their leaders, and with their clients to prepare for being an effective member of a healthcare service delivery team. (ACOTE Standard B.4.25) This component will receive one numerical score at the end of the session based on the student’s performance as a whole throughout the duration of this Level I Fieldwork course. Positive interpersonal skills will be assessed by a student’s demonstration of:

a. Cooperation

b. Flexibility

c. Tact

d. Empathy

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For Level I Fieldwork, all components of Professional Behaviors will be graded on a 0 – 5 point scale as defined below.

5 = The student functions with leadership qualities by performing all professional behaviors in all settings and makes positive and constructive contributions that demonstrate integrity and ethics in all course interaction areas that facilitate others’ learning as well as his/her own. Consistent demonstration of all professional behaviors is easily identifiable during all learning experiences. The professional behaviors include but not limited to taking initiative for own learning, thoughtful questions, responding well to others, clarifying points, encouraging others’ discussion, practicing confidentiality, positive response to feedback, effective time management, maintaining required personal documents, positive interpersonal skills, etc. “All course interaction areas” means during large and small group discussion in the classroom, online discussion, actively listening to other students’ contributions, and positive collaborative work during interactions within the community.

4 = The student functions as an active contributor to the academic/clinical environments by performing all professional behaviors and makes positive and constructive contributions in all course interaction areas that facilitates his/her own learning. Demonstration of all professional behaviors is identifiable during most learning experiences. This includes engaging in tasks/discussions with integrity and ethics, taking initiative for own learning, requesting clarification or assistance, paraphrasing content to demonstrate understanding, effective small group discussion, online integration through written comments, effective time management, positive response to feedback, maintaining required personal documents, positive interpersonal skills, etc. In addition, this is the maximum score a student may earn for making up planned absences.

3 = The student functions as a participant in the learning and development process. Demonstration of any/all professional behaviors is identifiable but only during approximately half of learning all experiences. This includes but is not limited to maintaining integrity/ethics, completing all assignments on time but effort may be questionable, voluntarily and appropriately participating in discussions, attending to instructor and classmates when they are speaking, general response to feedback may occur, maintains required personal documents, positive interpersonal skills may be inconsistent by demonstrating lack of flexibility/cooperation or reduced tact/empathy for others, etc. In addition, this is the maximum score a student may earn for making up unplanned absences (e.g. illness).

2 = The student functions as an observer of the learning and development process by attending classes but becomes involved only when called upon or asked. There is limited demonstration of any/all professional behaviors during most learning experiences due to passive engagement. This includes but is not limited to positive interpersonal skills are unobservable due to limited or no interactions during learning experiences. The student demonstrates integrity/ethics when contributions to discussion are made, timeliness may be inconsistent with communication and/or assignments, maintains required personal documents but needs reminding.

1 = The student functions as a detractor to the learning environment and process by omitting contributions that would facilitate one’s own or other’s learning, or makes contributions or presents self in a way that is consistently negative and/or interfere with other’s learning (e.g. interrupting, distracting behaviors, carrying on private conversations, texting, doing other class work, sleeping, making derogatory comments, etc.). Observable demonstration of unprofessional behaviors is identifiable during most learning experiences and/or the Fieldwork Director receives specific feedback from Fieldwork Educator beyond what is received on the student’s final evaluation about unprofessional behavior. Unprofessional behaviors may include but are not limited to demonstrations of poor professional integrity or ethics may be observed. Student responds defensively or not at all to constructive feedback. The student maintains required personal documents but requires multiple prompts to update prior to expiration. Misusing the time set aside for class small group discussion is also considered a detractor from class participation. Student demonstrates problematic interpersonal skills so much that success on Level II Fieldwork may be jeopardized if not remediated by student.

0 = The student is physically absent from seminar, fieldwork, and/or orientation for the respective Level I course with no effort to make up missed experience(s) therefore unable to demonstrate evidence of professional behaviors. The student allows one or more of required personal documents to expire during fieldwork.

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For Level II Fieldwork, Professional Behaviors will be graded using the AOTA Level II Fieldwork Student Performance Evaluation. Students must be aware of the following information:

As stated in the ASOT Student Handbook Statement of Professionalism, commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and health of the clients and families receiving services this program and its students’ is a fundamental requirement. Important ramifications include: adequate preparation, sensitivity to the client and the client’s family, concern for the client’s best interests, consultation with fellow professionals, and most importantly integrity and honesty in all of one’s actions. Professionalism is a trait over which each individual has the ability to control. This includes (but is not limited to) personal appearance, behavior, communication, punctuality, dependability, and accountability. Professional appearance and presentation are required at all times. The Spalding University dress code is expected at all times unless otherwise informed by the Level II Fieldwork agency.

ASOT is a program that prepares professional practitioners. The faculty at ASOT expects all students to be responsible and accountable for their behaviors while a part of this program and beyond. All Level II Fieldwork students are expected to maintain the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of the Level II Fieldwork experience. A student may be dismissed from a Level II Fieldwork experience as initiated by the Academic Fieldwork Director or the Fieldwork Educator at any time before or during the Level II Fieldwork due to unprofessional behavior.

While on any Level II Fieldwork, all required immunizations,/vaccinations, CPR certification, and insurance coverage must be kept current. The student will be administratively withdrawn from the course if any required documentation expires and will only be re-enrolled once documented proof of compliance is provided. Should administrative withdrawal occur, not only will financial aid be interrupted, but the student will not be allowed to return to fieldwork until all required documents are proven to be up-to-date. This will result in missed time that will need to be made up, and it may result in dismissal from the fieldwork experience.

Required items include TB skin test (renewed annually), flu (renewed annually), tetanus/diphtheria immunization (renewed every 10 years), Hepatitis B injections (or declination form), varicella immunization or proof of immunity, MMR immunizations, CPR certification (renewed every 2 years), health insurance (renewed every year), Spalding University general liability (renewed every year), background checks, and any other additional tests, screens, forms, processes, etc. as requested by the Level II Fieldwork agency.

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Students are accountable for their own learning and success in this program which includes utilizing resources and services Spalding University provides its students should needs arise. If a student's learning is affected due to a physical, mental, emotional differences, students are strongly encouraged to visit Accessibility Services to determine if the need is qualifiable for accommodations that will aid in positive learning experiences and academic success. In addition, if students are experiencing emotional challenges that are affecting learning, students are strongly encouraged to visit Student Outreach Services in the Counseling Center.

Lastly, for both levels of fieldwork, any HIPAA and/or HITECH violations will not be tolerated, and the student may be dismissed from this program should the student be proved to have violated HIPAA and/or HITECH regulations/policies.