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ASOT OTD Handbook: Fieldwork Educator Resources and Information​​

​Professional Skill Development

Professional Skill Development
The Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy at Spalding University is a doctoral level professional program.  Throughout the ASOT curriculum, professionalism is an interwoven theme in all classes and an expectation of all students and faculty.  In addition, students of occupational therapy are held to the same professional standards as licensed practitioners. Students are educated on the Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy, an AOTA Official Documents which includes a standard for Professional Standing and Responsibility.
Because of this program's heavy emphasis on consistent demonstration of professionalism, students are required to read The Oz Principle; Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability and reflect upon their readings throughout the curriculum. Please click this link to read a brief summary of what this book is about as well as ordering information if you choose to purchase for your own library.
Throughout The Oz Principle, it references "above the line" and "below the line" behavior.  Faculty and students alike strive for consistent above the line behavior to help prepare future practitioners and leaders of occupational therapy and healthcare. Please click this link to view a more detailed summary of each chapter in the book and more about identifying below the line behaviors by "seeing and owning it" and operating above the line by "solving and doing it." After you have an understanding of these phrases, "above the line" and "below the line," we highly encourage your use of them when circumstances support such feedback to the student.
In addition to ideas described in The Oz Principle, students are graded on professional behaviors during fieldwork.  These behaviors are captured on their final evaluations completed by their Fieldwork Educators as well as per grading criteria for the fieldwork course. Click this link to view definitions of professional behaviors as included in Level I Fieldwork courses. Professionalism during Level II Fieldwork is scored according to the AOTA Fieldwork Performance Evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Student.
As a general rule of thumb, this program supports fieldwork agencies when they hold students to the same professionalism expectations as the agency's employees are - from appearance, to punctuality, to dependability, to communication, to attitude, and beyond. Should students demonstrate notable below or above the line behaviors, please communicate these observations with the Academic Fieldwork Director so faculty will know how to support the agency and the student for continual professional development.
 
All information found on the OTD Program Fieldwork website is property of the Auerbach School of Occupational Therapy at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Information contained in ASOT fieldwork LibGuide may be borrowed or edited with credit given to this program. Please report any malfunctions related to the information or links found on this page to the Academic Fieldwork Director, Juliet Steffe. Email: [email protected]; Phone: 502-873-4226.