DMC Fieldwork Objectives

Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Level I Fieldwork Student Learning Objectives

By the conclusion of the Level I fieldwork experience, the DMC OTA student will:

1. Explain how the OT domain and process are applied at the site (such as in traditional and nontraditional settings or could be applied in emerging practice areas).
2. Apply didactic (classroom) learning to the setting (i.e., recognize effects of disease process and its considerations on OT treatment, draft a rudimentary SOAP note, etc.)
3. Become comfortable working with clients (who receive or could benefit from OT), their caregivers, and professionals (OT and other disciplines) of different ages, health literacy, and skills.
4. Understand and participate in processes to identify psychological and social factors that influence client engagement in occupation and develop/utilize therapeutic use of self and to support client psychosocial well-being.
5. Participate in the OT process, such as:
   1. Guided participation in assessment (i.e., such interviewing to develop an occupational profile, chart review, or skilled observation)
   2. Select delivery of OT intervention under the supervision of an occupational therapy practitioner
   3. Guided completion of documentation of OT services
6. Develop professionalism skills, such as:
   1. Confident/appropriate verbal, nonverbal, and written communication
   2. Punctuality
   3. Collaboration (with FW educator, OT practitioners, and other professionals/staff at the site)
7. Understand and apply safety and confidentiality policies as established at each site.
8. Engage in reflection to develop professional reasoning skills through informal daily communication with the FW educator and through formal weekly reflections.
9. Create a meaningful fieldwork project through observation and assessment of client/site needs and discussion with the FW educator.
10. Complete any additional site-specific objectives as outlined by the site and/or FW educator.

Additional site-specific objectives may be set at request of the clinical fieldwork site. Please contact the Del Mar College OTA Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in reference to this request.

Level II Fieldwork Student Learning Objectives

By the conclusion of the Level II fieldwork experience, the DMC OTA student will:

1. Demonstrate professional behavior in appearance, attendance, communication, attitude, and initiative.
2. Assess/provide for safe environments and interventions that protect the well-being of the client/patient, OTA, and others involved with care of the patient.
3. Collect essential information pertaining to the assessment and treatment of the client/patient, including interviews, chart reviews, skilled observations, and formal assessments, as appropriate to the role of the OTA at the site.
4. Design client-centered interventions to support the patient’s/client’s return to (or achievement of) desired occupations through a “just right” challenge.
5. Assess psychological and social factors that influence client engagement in occupation; and provide for the psychosocial well-being of patients/clients, such as through therapeutic use of self and other skilled OT interventions to address psychosocial well-being and motivation.
6. Document OT service delivery in accordance with accepted practice at the site and prepare other documents/communications (e.g., progress updates, contact notes) in accordance with entry-level OTA practice.
7. Manage time and resources effectively in accordance with an entry level practice (e.g., attain productivity standards at or close to levels commensurate with those of an entry-level practitioner; become increasingly more independent with managing schedule).
8. Communicate with the OT and other members of the treatment team regarding providing optimal care for the patient/client and maximizing the student’s learning experience.
9. Educate the client, caregivers/families, and other stakeholders about the role of OT, to explain interventions, and to educate about community resources.
10. Complete a fieldwork project that reflects understanding of the needs of clients served, delivery of OT services, or other aspects unique to the site.

Additional site-specific objectives may be set at request of the clinical fieldwork site. Please contact the Del Mar College OTA Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in reference to this request.

Documentation of Fieldwork Objectives is required per Standard C.1.3. in compliance with ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) standards.