Fieldwork Education: Do you know?!?
From the desk of Christine Achenbach, M.Ed, OTR/L, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator
Do you know that there are 13 masters degree programs for OT in Pennsylvania? Our neighboring states of Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and New York add 27 more programs, not to mention the OT Assistant programs. ALL of these programs, along with Etown, must place their students for level II fieldwork. Enrollment at ALL OT and OTA programs across the country has tripled in the past 5 years, according to the American Occupational Therapy Association. Your role is crucial to helping these future therapists complete their education.
Do you know that only 3% of OTs work in psychosocial settings? We still value this component of their education, and we are committed to mental health in all aspects of therapy. We face extra challenges to find psychosocial placements. Do you know that the OT education accreditation standards now require that students have exposure to psychosocial issues in at least ONE of their level I or II fieldworks?
How do you address psychosocial issues in settings that treat brain injury, autism, or other settings that encompass behavioral strategies and impulse control? Could you see yourself supervising a student and helping him/her understand and apply psychosocial concepts in your setting? We are hopeful that as clinicians take jobs in settings that serve the community in nontraditional and emerging practice areas, they will commit to taking students for fieldwork experiences.
My clinical background spans outpatient and inpatient physical rehab, mental health and pediatrics. I practiced for 14 years before making the switch to academic fieldwork coordinator in 2001. I maintain a small private practice, serving children and adults in home and community settings for physical, cognitive, sensory and emotional barriers to participation. I am currently learning about neurofeedback and its role in OT. I am an Etown resident and enjoying small town life!