OT Fieldwork Education
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). The AFWC works closely with students in selecting fieldwork sites in Idaho, the Northwest, and nationally that meet both student choice and departmental requirements.
The four fieldwork experiences are included in the programs curriculum. One or more fieldwork will be out of state, and due to limited fieldwork sites, may also be out of the Pocatello area.
Level I Fieldwork
- Each rotation is two weeks long.
- Occur in the summer semester of the first year and the fall semester of the second year.
- Exposes students to persons with occupational performance problems in community-based and clinical settings.
- Allows students to observe and have some participation 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.
Level II Fieldwork
- Each rotation is twelve weeks long.
- Occur in the summer semester of the second year and the spring semester of the third year.
- 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
- Traditional clinical to community-based settings.
- Level II fieldwork rotations must be completed within four years from the time of entry into the OT program and 12 months after the completion of academic course work.
Fieldwork Educators:
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, a CPR course 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.
Idaho State University does not require you to have health insurance, however we strongly encourage you to do so. Some clinical sites may require proof of health insurance prior to placement.
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.
