Fieldwork

"Fieldwork education is a crucial part of professional preparation and is best integrated as a component of the curriculum design. The fieldwork experience is designed to promote professional reasoning and reflective practice, transmit the values and beliefs that enable ethical practice, and develop professionalism and competence in career responsibilities. Fieldwork experiences should be implemented and evaluated for their effectiveness by the educational institution. The experience should provide the student with the opportunity to carry out professional responsibilities under the supervision of qualified personnel serving as a role model. The academic fieldwork coordinator is responsible for the program’s compliance with fieldwork education requirements." [Standard C.1.0] (ACOTE, 2023)

Fieldwork is a vital aspect of occupational therapy education, consisting of two levels: Level I and Level II.

The fieldwork experiences for Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) are generally similar but have some distinctions based on the different roles and responsibilities of OTs and OTAs within the occupational therapy team.

Standards for fieldwork are set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).