Revised 8/2023

OCT 290 - Coordinated Internship (level II Fieldwork) (1 CR.)

Course Description

Supervised on-the-job training in selected business, industrial, or service firms coordinated by the college. Credit/work ratio maximum 1:5 hours. May be repeated for credit. Variable hours.

General Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to prepare the student as an entry level Occupational Therapy Assistant. This coordinated internship is commonly called a Level II Fieldwork Placement and is generally fulltime for 8 weeks minimally. The student completes two (2) of these fieldworks during the last semester of the OTA program. Students receive supervision from an OT/OTA at the fieldwork site that meets the requirements set out by the 2018 ACOTE standards. Students are expected to demonstrate fundamentals of practice (e.g. ethics, safety), basic tenets of occupational therapy (e.g. OT philosophy, roles, evidence-based practice), screening and evaluation (e.g. gather data, administer assessments, interpret, report, establish goals), intervention (e.g. plan, select, implement and modify interventions, activity analysis, therapeutic use of self), management of occupational therapy services (e.g. delegate tasks to aides/paraprofessionals, meets productivity standards), communication and professional behaviors. Students are assigned to one of many local clinical facilities which may include: schools, outpatient, rehabilitation centers, inpatient, psychiatric facilities, and others.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite: Completion of semesters 1-4 coursework of the NOVA OTA program coursework.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

  • Function in the entry-level role of an occupational therapy assistant according to the AOTA Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy (2021) and AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2020).
  • Coordinate and deliver the occupational therapy process in collaboration with and under the direction of an Occupational Therapist at an entry level.
  • Utilize sound judgment and effective clinical reasoning in the provision of occupational therapy interventions consistently in a safe and effective manner.
  • Clearly communicate the values and beliefs of occupational therapy, occupation and the role of both the OT and OTA to others.
  • Utilize evidence-based practice in clinical decision making.
  • Accurately gather data and establish service competency in administration of assessments within the context of the service delivery setting.
  • Accurately interpret assessment data and establishes goals in collaboration with the occupational therapist.
  • Accurately report assessment and intervention results.
  • In collaboration with the occupational therapist, plan and modify the intervention plan according to the client’s needs and sociocultural context.
  • Select and implement interventions effectively.
  • Utilize activity analysis to facilitate progress.
  • Effectively utilize therapeutic use of self with clients.
  • Clearly and effectively communicate verbally and in written form with clients, families/ significant others, colleagues, services providers, and the public.
  • Demonstrate professional behaviors including but not limited to: self-responsibility, response to feedback, work behaviors, time management, interpersonal skills, and cultural competence.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Observation of OT practitioner(s)/Level II fieldwork educator(s) and patients in a clinical setting
  • Effective interaction with OT practitioner(s), the interdisciplinary healthcare team and clients in (a) clinical setting(s)
  • Treatment planning, implementation, and discharge planning/termination of patient care
  • Effective communication skills and collaboration with patients and the interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary teams
  • Effective documentation
  • Clinical reasoning and problem solving
  • Demonstration of safe and ethical practice
  • Demonstration of positive and effective professional behaviors