Occupational Therapy Program Information
OT Fieldwork
The fieldwork component of the ISU MOT Program provides students with diverse experiences for applying skills and knowledge in actual practice settings under the guidance of practicing occupational therapists or other professionals. Fieldwork gives students an opportunity to practice within the context of a variety of service models, including those in rural settings, while serving individuals with a wide array of physical, cognitive, and/or psychosocial disabilities affecting occupational performance in work, self-care and leisure activities. The combination of academic and fieldwork learning experiences enhances student knowledge, technical skills, and confidence in preparation for practice as a registered occupational therapist.
The fieldwork experiences are organized by the program's Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC), who works closely with students in selecting fieldwork sites in Idaho, the Northwest, and nationally that meet both student choice and departmental requirements. The goal is to find a good match between student knowledge and skills with the experiences offered by the fieldwork site.
The four fieldworks are divided into two levels, with two fieldworks at each level. At least one fieldwork will be out of state, and due to limited fieldwork sites, may also be out of the Pocatello area.
Level I fieldwork is three weeks long and occurs in the summer semester of the students' first year and the fall semester of the second year. Level I fieldwork exposes students to persons with occupational performance problems in community-based and clinical settings. This exposure allows students to observe and work with persons in the natural settings and helps students gain a holistic perspective of occupational performance. Professionals other than occupational therapists may supervise students in these settings. They are generally located in Southeast Idaho to allow for closer guidance by the AFWC and other faculty.
The two Level II fieldworks are each twelve weeks long, and occur in the summer semester of the students' second year and the spring semester of the third year. Level II fieldwork exposes students to the entire occupational therapy process from referral to discharge/follow-up. Students work under the supervision of experienced, licensed occupational therapy practitioners. Practice settings for Level II fieldwork range from rural to urban, pediatric to geriatric, psychosocial to physical rehabilitation, acute to long-term, and traditional clinical to community-based settings. At the end of the final Level II fieldwork students are expected to perform the entire occupational therapy process independently and with the competence expected of an entry-level professional.
Fieldwork Educators:
Fieldwork Manual for 2008-2009
Abbreviated Fieldwork Manual for 2008-2009
Note:
As part of your Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy program, you will be placed in several off-campus sites for clinical training. You will be required to successfully complete a series of immunizations, drug testing and a criminal background check prior to entering the program. Once the acceptance form is received you will be sent a list of these immunizations.
Conviction of a felony or other serious offense will likely result in denial of placement for the clinical assignment, and consequently affect your standing in the program.
If you have any questions about whether your criminal history, if any, will prevent or restrict your ability to obtain a license in this field, you should discuss this with the appropriate licensing agency or board.
Immunization, Background Check and CPR Verification Form