Level I OTD Fieldwork Schedule

Sequence: Fall Trimester 1

• Students will participate in observation and assessment during fieldwork experiences at community-based organizations with a focus on understanding how psychological and social characteristics of the population affect their ability to engage in occupation. Examples of community-based experiences may include independent living facilities, after-school programs, adult day centers, and family shelters.
• Level IA fieldwork is integrated with fall courses including OCTH 6130 Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: Framing and Evaluation, OCTH 6140: Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: Intervention and Outcomes, and OCTH 6110: Lifestyle, Health Equity, and Occupational Justice.
• There may or may not be an occupational therapist on staff during this experience.
• Students will be evaluated on their observation skills, communication abilities, professionalism, and adherence to safety and ethics standards.

Sequence: Spring Trimester 2

• During trimester two, students will complete an intensive 40-hour, one-week fieldwork experience in either an adult or older adult setting.
• Settings may include hospital/inpatient, outpatient rehabilitation, hand clinic, skilled nursing home, home health, and neurorehabilitation.
• Students will be evaluated on their observation skills, ability to recognize the distinct value of occupational therapy in their setting, adherence to safety and ethics, professionalism, communications, documentation, and patient interactions.
• Level IB fieldwork is integrated with spring courses including OCTH 6230 Adult Occupational Therapy: Framing and Evaluation and OCTH6240 Adult Occupational Therapy: Intervention and Outcome.

Sequence: Summer Trimester 3

• During trimester three, students will work through case studies, standardized patients, and simulated environments using in-person and virtual learning to ensure parity in Level I adult and older adult experiences.
• Level IC fieldwork will occur after the conclusion of all adult occupational therapy coursework. It is integrated into the trimester with OCTH 6330 Adult Occupational Therapy II: Framing and Evaluation and OCTH 6340 Adult Occupational Therapy II: Intervention and Outcome.

Sequence: Fall Trimester 4

• During trimester four, students will work through case studies, standardized patients, and simulated environments using in-person and virtual learning to ensure parity in Level I pediatric experiences.
• Level ID fieldwork is integrated with OCTH 7430 Pediatric Occupational Therapy I: Framing and Evaluation and OCTH 7440 Pediatric Occupational Therapy I: Intervention and Outcome.

Sequence: Spring Trimester 5

• During trimester five, students will incorporate the lifestyle medicine principles learned throughout their didactic coursework to design and deliver lifestyle medicine groups a variety of settings across the lifespan.
• Students will be evaluated on their group development and leadership skills, ability to communicate the role of OT in lifestyle medicine, documentation, professional reasoning, and client-interaction skills.

Sequence: Spring Trimester 5

• During trimester five, students will complete an intensive 40-hour, weeklong fieldwork experience in a pediatric setting.
• Settings may include inpatient pediatrics, outpatient pediatric clinics, schools, and early intervention.
• Students will be evaluated on their observation skills, ability to recognize the distinct value of occupational therapy in their setting, ability to communicate effectively with families/caregivers/other disciplines, adherence to safety and ethics, professionalism, communications, therapeutic use of self, and documentation.
• Level IF fieldwork will occur after the conclusion of all pediatric occupational therapy coursework. It is integrated into the trimester with OCTH 7530 Pediatric Occupational Therapy II: Framing and Evaluation and OCTH 7540 Pediatric Occupational Therapy II: Intervention and Outcome.