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Attendance Policy
Required Attendance
ACOTE requires that students complete the equivalent of 16 weeks of full-time Level II fieldwork. Therefore SUNY Erie requires students to complete a minimum equivalency of 40 full-time days for each of two 8-week Level II rotations. Students are expected to attend ALL assigned days of their fieldwork assignments. Missing days may result in course failure. Students are expected to manage all of their personal affairs (childcare, employment, family needs, etc.) in such a manner as to not interfere with the completion of fieldwork hours/days. Attending weddings, meetings, or other planned events are NOT acceptable reasons for missing fieldwork.
Absence
In the case of emergencies that may necessitate absence from the clinical site (sickness, injury, death of immediate family) the student should follow the protocol of the fieldwork site AND contact the SUNY Erie Academic Fieldwork Coordinator as soon as possible BEFORE the anticipated absence. Any such absences may require written documentation (by a physician, for example). Absences for reasons other than verifiable emergencies will be treated as insubordination and a violation of OT Department and fieldwork site policy, and may result in immediate suspension or termination from the fieldwork. Absences beyond two days (or equivalent) for ANY reason may result in fieldwork failure. Students who do not follow these specific guidelines may be penalized with grade reduction, suspension, or termination from the Level II or program.
Tardiness
Students are expected to report at their clinical sites and be ready to begin on time. Repeated tardiness will be grounds for dismissal and failure of the Level II clinical. It is the prerogative of the clinical site to send home a student who does not call to advise the site of lateness.
Lengthy Absence/Illness
In the event of lengthy illness (surgery, for example) or other absence (death of a family member, for example), each case will be reviewed individually in regards to time lost, time available for completion, and clinical content or objectives to be covered. Any such absences will require documentation (by a physician, for example). At the discretion of the SUNY Erie OTA Department, disruption of fieldwork may result in fieldwork termination, course failure, incomplete grade status, or extension of fieldwork.
Making Up Time/Extended Time
It is the prerogative of the site and SUNY Erie OTA Department to require that students make up any missed time. Also, in cases where student performance is marginal, additional time may be required if the fieldwork educator, intern, and the academic fieldwork coordinator agree that extra time would enable the intern greater potential for success. The academic fieldwork coordinator should be contacted as soon as it is evident that the intern will not be able to meet the expectations for the 8-week minimum due to marginal performance or absences.
Participation and Conduct
Behaviors will be considered inappropriate when they degrade the social and physical environment, disrupt the intended flow of activities, violate policies, or are considered unethical, illegal, dangerous, or threatening. Inappropriate behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
- Repeating irrelevant questions and comments, speaking out of turn, or interrupting others.
- Disagreeing persistently or and arguing.
- Cheating, lying, providing false information, or stealing.
- Gossiping, slandering, or violating confidentiality of patients, employees, or agency.
- Working or attending under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or misused prescription medications.
- Refusing to comply with reasonable requests for reasons other than personal health, safety of others, or religious exemption.
- Missing deadlines.
Students with Disabilities
Students with a disability are encouraged to voluntarily disclose their needs for fieldwork accommodations with the Student Access Center well in advance of fieldwork placement. They are also encouraged to voluntarily disclose their need for accommodations with the academic fieldwork coordinator prior to selection of fieldwork sites. Then, through collaboration with the academic fieldwork coordinator, Disabled Student Services counselor, and the student an accommodation plan may be developed.
As with classroom expectations, fieldwork outcome expectations will be the same for all students regardless of
abilities/disabilities. However, strategies to achieve entry-level competency may differ based on individual needs. Once an eligible student has disclosed the need for accommodation and/or accessibility to the academic fieldwork coordinator, and has signed a release of information, the fieldwork educator (fieldwork supervisor) may then be contacted to discuss strategies to be implemented at the fieldwork site.
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Safety/Precautions
General Training
SUNY Erie OTA attempts to properly prepare students for practice. However, we recognize that many fieldwork sites have specific policies and practices in place and acknowledge that any student education and/or training is NOT intended to fulfill or replace requirements of interns or employees at healthcare facilities.
Education topics inlcude:
- General Safety
- Standard & Universal Precautions
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Hand Washing,
-HIPAA & FERPA
- Mandated Reporting
- First Aid
- Mental Health First Aid.