Success in the site-specific objectives will demonstrate the student’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to practice in a safe and ethical manner.

Additionally, it will establish a baseline for the student in being able to effectively carry out the occupational therapy process, in the practice setting, as an entry-level occupational therapy assistant.

Level I Fieldwork Site-Specific Objectives

PSU PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

  • Objectives for learning and professionalism in practice

COMMITMENT TO LEARNING  

  • Formulates and verbalizes appropriate questions. 
  • Seeks out & utilizes diverse resources to obtain information. 
  • Demonstrates and articulates a positive attitude (motivation) toward learning.
  • Participates in and/or assists in meaningful & therapeutic activities and occupations (assessment and intervention) to support client’s performance skills and performance patterns to enhance occupational engagement, as directed by Fieldwork Educator.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS    

  • Respects and listens to the opinions and ideas of others in a nonbiased manner.
  • Respects the cultural and personal differences of others.
  • Communicates verbally and/or in writing with others in a respectful, professional manner.
  • Talks about difficult issues with sensitivity and objectively in a constructive manner.
  • Demonstrates an awareness of and ability to monitor own biases to facilitate the process of occupational therapy.

USE OF CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK    

  • Demonstrates active listening skills.
  • Demonstrates a positive attitude toward feedback.
  • Considers the consequences of multiple approaches to responses to feedback.
  • Utilizes feedback from FW Educator, peers, and self in a manner that promotes professional growth.

EFFECTIVE USE OF TIME AND RESOURCES

  • Focuses on tasks at hand.
  • Attends sessions and is consistently on time.
  • Allots sufficient time to do research and complete FW related assignments & is well prepared on-site. 
  • Utilizes diverse resources effectively for obtaining information.
  • Completes all tasks in the assigned time frame.

PROBLEM-SOLVING

  • Recognizes problems affecting situation.
  • Describes known solutions to problem.
  • Identifies known resources (site and university provided) needed to develop solutions.
  • Considers consequences of multiple possible solutions to a problem.
  • Reassess solutions.
  • Accepts responsibility for implementing solutions that reflect needs and goals of the group.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

  • Demonstrates correct grammar, spelling & punctuation.
  • Demonstrates active listening skills within the practice setting.
  • Maintains open and constructive communication.
  • Displays body language appropriate to fieldwork settings.
  • Presents information with logical organization and sequencing using professional terminology.
  • Applies concepts of health literacy when communicating with clients and the community.
  • Identifies communication styles appropriate for responding to clients with social, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive needs.
  • Identifies characteristics of occupational therapy staff in utilizing therapeutic use of self.
  • Demonstrates therapeutic use of self when interacting with clients and others.

PROFESSIONALISM

  • Demonstrates an understanding of the AOTA Code of Ethics.
  • Dress is appropriate & according to site and PSU policies.
  • Respects privacy & confidentiality of clients & staff.
  • Demonstrates ability to modify behaviors and communication style to meet varying expectations    professional settings and situations.
  • Demonstrate awareness of and ability to participate in the principles of inter-professional team dynamics.

RESPONSIBILITY    

  • Demonstrates punctuality.
  • Demonstrates dependability.
  • Follows through on commitments:  assignments, meetings, etc.
  • Adheres to principles of infection control, universal precautions, HIPAA, and job site safety.
  • Effectively assumes roles to meet the needs of the group.
  • Accepts appropriate responsibility for outcomes of team actions.

CRITICAL THINKING    

  • Initiates relevant questions.
  • Articulates ideas and opinions.
  • Gathers and uses all available information when making decisions/judgments.
  • Discusses role or potential contributions to occupational therapy at fieldwork site.
  • Discusses occupational performance & challenges of clients with FW Educator.
  • Justifies solutions or decisions.
  • Demonstrates a novice ability to offer alternative solutions to complex problems and issues.
  • Communicates potential outcomes to a problem.
  • Identifies how psychological and social factors influence client’s participation in occupation(s) 
  • Describes the process utilized by occupational therapy practitioners in designing, implementing, and modifying interventions based on a client’s psychosocial needs.

STRESS MANAGEMENT    

  • Seeks assistance as needed.
  • Acknowledges (verbally or non-verbally) emotional and behavioral needs of others.
  • Shows empathy for others. 
  • Demonstrates the ability to manage multiple commitments to self and others.
  • Assists others in recognizing stressors.
  • Identifies own strengths in solving problems.
     

Level II Fieldwork Site-Specific Objectives

PSU PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Specified expectations

  • Objectives for learning and professionalism in practice

 

FUNDAMENTALS OF PRACTICE

Adheres to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics and all federal, state, and facility regulations.
Examples: Medicare, Medicaid, client privacy, social media, human subject research.

  • Maintains strict client confidentiality and adheres to all HIPAA procedural guidelines.
  • Accurately documents and bills for services provided.
  • Maintains quality client care and client satisfaction as a guideline for professional behavior.
  • Identifies and addresses ethical concerns in the context of clinical supervision.
  • Recognizes personal strengths and limitations and uses intervention modalities that are within level of ability and experience.

Adheres to safety regulations and reports/documents incidents appropriately. Examples: fire safety, OSHA regulations, body substance precautions, emergency procedures

  • Consistently uses infection control precautions and procedures.
  • Maintains a clear and orderly work area, including equipment and supplies.
  • Follows facility procedures relating to codes.
  • Consistently follows specific client safety measures (locking wheelchair brakes, providing supervision, placement of TABS units, activation of bed alarms)
  • Maintains an awareness of and adheres to all pertinent facility safety policies and procedures

Ensures the safety of self and others during all fieldwork related activities by anticipating potentially unsafe situations and taking steps to prevent accidents. Examples: body mechanics, medical safety, equipment safety, client specific precautions, contraindications, community safety.

  • Provides appropriate supervision of client during the OT process based on their physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive status.
  • Refrains from providing interventions without appropriate training or skills.
  • Seeks and is receptive to supervision to ensure client safety.
  • Demonstrates willingness to function within constraints of center policies and procedures.
  • Identifies and reports safety concerns to fieldwork educator and/or appropriate clinical staff.
  • Adheres to the principles of ergonomics during tasks.
  • Identifies and enforces client precautions and avoids contraindications in all aspects of intervention.

BASIC TENETS

Articulates the values, beliefs, and distinct perspective of the occupational therapy profession to clients and other relevant parties clearly, confidently, and accurately. Examples: families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, the public.

  • Explains the role of OT within the practice setting in terms and language that is clearly understood by the recipient (clients, families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, & the public)
  • Explains the domain and process of occupational therapy intervention.
  • Explains to other disciplines the intervention procedures implemented by OT practitioners.

Articulates the value of occupation as a method and desired outcome of occupational therapy to clients and other relevant parties clearly, confidently, and accurately. Examples: families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, the public.

  • Selects occupations and activities that reflect an understanding of client’s interests and occupational values.
  • Articulates rationale for selection of occupations, activities, and intervention strategies.
  • Explains the use of occupation as an outcome and means of intervention.

Articulates the role of occupational therapy practitioners to clients and other relevant parties clearly, confidently, and accurately. Examples: families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, the public.

  • Verbalizes and demonstrates the differences in role delineation for an OT/OTA within the practice setting.
  • Explains the roles of the OTA in the clinic in a manner that reflects a value and appreciation for the contributions of the OTA in the OT process

SCREENING & EVALUATION

Obtains sufficient and necessary information about factors that support and hinder occupational performance from relevant sources throughout the evaluation process. Examples: record or chart reviews, client, family, caregivers, service providers

  • Appropriately gathers relevant information from chart review, client/family/caregiver interview, or staff interaction regarding the client’s functional status, prior level of function, performance patterns, and client factors (including physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive functions).
  • Selects and filters relevant and important information from all data collected.

Establishes service competency in assessment methods, in accordance with setting procedures and applicable laws, by administering assessments accurately and efficiently to ensure findings are valid, reliable, and timely. Examples: record or chart reviews, observations, interviews, standardized and non-standardized assessments

  • Observes fieldwork educator in administering assessment tools.
  • Verbalizes understanding of scope and application of each assessment tool utilized at fieldwork site.
  • Demonstrates administration of assessment tools under the supervision of the fieldwork educator.
  • Completes assessment tool administration in an acceptable timeframe as directed by the fieldwork site.

Administers delegated assessments using appropriate procedures and protocols.  Examples: standardized and non-standardized assessments, interviews, and observations.    

  • With appropriate supervision and instruction, administers assessments relating to occupational therapy performance.
  • Adheres to professional standards of assessment administration following site procedures and published assessment guidelines.
  • Accepts responsibility and is aware of the importance of accurate assessment and data gathering.

Assists with interpreting information in relation to the client’s needs, factors, and performance. Examples: record or chart reviews, observations, interviews, standardized and non-standardized assessments. Client factors: Specific capacities, characteristics, or beliefs that reside within the person and that influence performance in occupations. Client factors include values, beliefs, and spirituality; body functions (includes psychological functions); and body structures. Includes the consideration of psychosocial factors.

  • Completes necessary documentation based on assessment guidelines and site procedures.
  • Records performance data objectively
  • Determines correct assistance levels based on client performance.
  • Selects pertinent data from client’s record to develop an accurate profile of the client’s strengths and weaknesses.

Reports results clearly, accurately, and concisely, reflecting the client’s occupational performance.

  • Reports assessment information to the occupational therapist in a clear, accurate, and concise manner
  • Reports client’s status in relationship to goals to the occupational therapist throughout the intervention process based on on-going assessment.

INTERVENTION

Articulates a clear and logical rationale for the intervention process based on the evaluation results and other relevant considerations. Examples: contexts, theories, frames of reference, practice models, and evidence

  • Explains and applies knowledge of the various frames of reference, models, and evidence-based treatment interventions in occupational therapy practice.
  • Demonstrates clinical reasoning consistent with consideration of client needs and current occupational therapy evidence.

Under the supervision of and in cooperation with an occupational therapy practitioner, uses professional literature to make informed intervention decisions. Examples: textbooks, journal articles, other relevant and reliable informational resources    

  • Develops and implements intervention plans for clients in collaboration with the fieldwork educator. 
  • Seeks and utilizes professional literature during intervention planning and implementation.
  • Demonstrates ability to locate books, journals, and other resources through professional organizations and the university library that contribute to the clinical reasoning process.

Selects client-centered and occupation-based interventions that motivate and challenge the client to achieve established goals. Includes the consideration of all client- centered components including psychosocial factors    

  • Recognizes appropriateness for specific tasks based on client’s current physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive status.
  • Implements intervention types that match the client’s performance skills, patterns, context, activity demands, and client factors (including physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive)
  • Chooses occupations and activities that motivate and challenge the client.
  • Selects occupations and activities that are appropriate based on established goals.
  • Selects interventions that will be most effective in maximizing the client’s occupational performance and allow for ongoing assessment of the client’s functional capacity and readiness for discharge.

Implements client-centered and occupation-based intervention plans. Includes the consideration of all client-centered components including psychosocial factors

  • Develops and implements an intervention plan based on client preferences, goals, and expected outcomes as identified in the occupational profile and evaluation process.
  • Delivers occupational therapy services following a plan that considers all client factors (including physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive)
  • Considers all types of intervention when providing occupational therapy services.
  • Prioritizes problem areas and addresses foundation skills needed for intervention progression.

Modifies the task and/or environment to maximize the client’s performance. Examples: upgrades/downgrades task; arranges client’s workspace for optimal performance    

  • Demonstrates the ability to be flexible with intervention plans and adapts to changes in a timely manner.
  • Identifies barriers to the client’s progression and makes necessary changes to the intervention plan.
  • Grades and modifies intervention to allow for progression in functional status without frustration.
  • Recognizes changes in the client’s physical, mental, emotional, or cognitive status and adjusts the intervention plan as appropriate.
  • Identifies contextual and environmental barriers to client performance and makes necessary changes.
  • Grades activity to motivate and challenge the client in order to facilitate progression of goals

Recommends modification or termination of intervention plan based on the client's status.

  • Articulates client status to the occupational therapist in regard to goal progression/attainment.
  • Identifies and notifies occupational therapist of barriers to client performance and goal attainment

Documents the client's response to services in a manner that demonstrates the effectiveness of interventions.    

  • Participates in on-going assessment of client progress throughout the intervention process.
  • Produces documentation that articulates intervention effectiveness. 
  • Reports objective outcomes of intervention in relation to goals.
  • Collaborates with the occupational therapist in writing client’s discharge summary

MANAGEMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES    

Demonstrates through practice or discussion the ability to collaborate with and assign appropriate tasks to, as indicated, the occupational therapy aide or others to whom responsibilities might be assigned. Examples: paraprofessionals, nurses’ aides, volunteers.    

  • Verbalizes understanding of state guidelines regulating the delegation of duties to non-licensed personnel.
  • Demonstrates appropriate delegation of tasks to non-licensed personnel

Demonstrates through practice or discussion an understanding of costs and funding systems related to occupational therapy services, such as federal, state, third party, and private payers. Examples: billing for OT services, inventory and ordering of supplies for OT services, and options for client procurement of adaptive equipment.

  • Completes site orientation process that includes introduction to billing and reimbursement processes and procedures.
  • Adheres to all regulatory standards established by funding systems. 
  • Participates with staff in clinic processes of maintaining and ordering supplies.
  • Collaborates with care team to ensure client access to recommended adaptive equipment (identifying community resources, writing letters of medical necessity, understanding local supplier capabilities, etc.)

Demonstrates knowledge about the organization. Examples: mission and vision, accreditation status, licensing, specialty certifications.

  • Represents the site through behaviors consistent with the published vision and mission statements.
  • Completes site orientation process that includes introduction to accreditation, licensing, vision, and mission.
  • Demonstrates understanding of occupational therapy staff credentials, specialty certifications, and expertise.
  • Adheres to all regulatory standards as established by accreditation and licensing

Meets productivity standards or volume of work expected of occupational therapy assistant students.

  • Demonstrates understanding of site OTA student productivity expectations.
  • Completes intervention and non-intervention tasks within the time expectations of the site.
  • Reports productivity in an accurate and timely manner per site expectations

COMMUNICATION & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIORS 

Communicates clearly and effectively, both verbally and nonverbally. Examples: clients, families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, the public.

  • Clearly communicates the need for and the process of implementing occupational therapy services to clients, families, caregivers, colleagues, service providers, administration, and the public.
  • Clearly articulates client status updates with clients, families/caregivers, and other professionals.
  • Presents oneself in a professional manner through body language, posture, eye contact, etc. with clients, families/caregivers, and other professionals.
  • Presents oneself in a professional manner through use of appropriate content, volume of voice, and level of language with clients, families/caregivers, and other professionals.

Produces clear and accurate documentation. Examples: legibility, spelling, punctuation, grammar, adherence to electronic health documentation requirements.

  • Prepares clear and accurate reports of client participation and progress.
  • Uses proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  • Produces all written communication in a timely manner.
  • Uses facility approved abbreviations.
  • Reports unusual and/or critical information in writing.
  • Demonstrates ability to produce clinic reports using site-specific documentation system.
  • Effectively utilizes all documentation systems (formal and informal)
  • Adheres to all site and legal requirements of client documentation

Collaborates with fieldwork educator(s) to maximize the learning experience. Examples: initiates communication, asks for feedback about performance, identifies own strengths and challenges.

  • Expresses personal expectations and goals for the affiliation
  • Collaborates with fieldwork educator in establishing and reviewing weekly expectations/performance.
  • Communicates preferred learning style(s) to the fieldwork educator.
  • Discloses personal challenges to the fieldwork education experience as appropriate.

Takes responsibility for attaining professional competence by seeking out learning opportunities and interactions with fieldwork educator(s) and others.

  • Collaborates with appropriate staff to participate in additional learning opportunities.
  • Expresses interest in experiencing additional learning opportunities.
  • Attends meetings and trainings offered by the site.

Responds constructively to feedback in a timely manner.

  • Appropriately acknowledges feedback, instruction, concern from fieldwork educator and modifies behavior. 
  • Adjusts behavior in response to cues and directions from fieldwork educator, staff, and the environment.
  • Incorporates feedback from fieldwork educator into intervention planning and implementation. 

Demonstrates consistent and acceptable work behaviors. Examples: punctuality, initiative, preparedness, flexibility, dependability, professional appearance.    

  • Arrives on time and consistently completes work assignments on time.
  • When appropriate, initiates intervention, conducts client updates, ADL scheduling, cleans clinic, etc. without instruction from fieldwork educator to do so.
  • Maintains professional appearance and hygiene per PSU and site expectations.
  • Adapts to operational changes faced at the site (change of fieldwork educator, census, documentation, workload, etc.)
  • Completes all tasks as assigned.

Demonstrates effective time management. Examples: plans ahead, adheres to schedules, completes work in expected timeframe.    

  • Demonstrates effective time management regarding intervention implementation and documentation.
  • Organizes intervention and non-intervention responsibilities in order to ensure they are completed in a timely and professional manner.
  • Utilizes available resources to plan and provide intervention and complete related tasks in a timely manner (such as schedules and calendars).
  • Anticipates and adjusts for changes in the site’s daily operations that affect time management (ex: census and staffing)

Manages relationships effectively through therapeutic use of self and adjusts approach to meet the needs of clients and others.    

  • Develops rapport with clients and others through effective interpersonal skills.
  • Identifies barriers to building a therapeutic relationship and modifies methods.
  • Utilizes occupational profile and evaluation results to gain insight into client’s personality, interests, and motivation.
  • Incorporates empathy and understanding during the intervention and training with clients and families.

Demonstrates respect for diversity factors of others. Examples: culture, socioeconomic status, beliefs, identity    

  • Demonstrates an understanding and tolerance of diversity among socio-cultural, socioeconomic, spiritual, and lifestyle choices.
  • Maintains respect and open mindedness to diverse backgrounds and ideas in the workplace.
  • Seeks to understand the client’s perspective and context when collaborating in intervention.
  • Refrains from imposing one’s own beliefs and values on clients.
     

AOTA Site Specific Objectives: http://www.aota.org/Education-Careers/Fieldwork/SiteObj.aspx 
AOTA (2014). Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 3rd Edition. Bethesda: AOTA Press.
Schell, B., Gillien, G., Scafffa, M. & Cohn, E. (2013). Wiilard and Spackman’s Occupational Therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Williams.