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Show this checklist to your student on their first day. Discuss the list together. Ask the student which items on the list surprised them, if there are any items they would add/delete, or if they have questions. The list contains great hints for a successful clinical rotation, and will help you set the tone with your student.
Do This
Do This
be open minded
ask lots of questions, keep open body language, smile
make a calendar of due dates
talk with your supervisor
be flexible
be over prepared
be an active learner
be on time
speak appropriately, respectfully, professionally
show compassion and enthusiasm for patients
take initiative and work hard
produce your own ideas
take responsibility for looking up new methods/treatments
be conscious of patients' comfort and discomfort and seek to understand and calm their fears
be safe and accountable
complete all assignments
introduce yourself to those around you (MD, RN, therapists, patient/family)
be prepared to look up concepts you don't know
say when you need help right away
know the facility's expectations
be direct with your supervisor
be honest with patient, staff, and self
have a good attitude
advocate for yourself
leave cell phone in the department/bag/car
take time to relax each day
go the extra mile to learn more
observe other disciplines
complete documentation in a timely and efficient manner
come to work well groomed
identify any additional accommodations you need
give your supervisor feedback about your experience
respect confidentiality
stay within your scope of practice/follow HIPAA
budget your time
wear a watch
lock brakes on wheelchairs
dress appropriately
be a good listener
know how to describe your discipline
Don't Do That
Don't Do That
arrive later than your supervisor
forget precautions
use your cell phone as a clock/timer/any other purpose
be unethical
be high maintenance
have a negative attitude
be passive
refer to yourself as "Doctor"
date someone at your practicum site
lie, break HIPAA, fraudulently charge
sign paperwork on a patient you've never seen
be close-minded or not open to new ideas/experiences
call out your supervisor in front of patients
invite your supervisor, patient, or anyone else at the site to go to Church, Mosque, Synagogue, or drumming circle with you
badmouth your school or supervisor
wait until the last minute to complete assignments
stay up too late
wear excessive jewelry, perfume, accessories
be afraid to ask questions
complain
come unprepared
take criticism personally
be unfriendly towards patients or staff
swear loudly and colorfully when someone runs over your foot
show disinterest with body posture, facial expressions, tone of voice, lack of eye contact
be unable to follow basic rules
say you don't want to work with this population
rely on your supervisor for all intervention ideas
act superior to anyone
expect to be told all the answers
drop a patient
drink alcoholic beverages during the work day
wear uncomfortable shoes
do surgery or anything else outside your scope of practice
be afraid to touch the patient
talk about the patient like he/she is not there
exclude the patient's family from a treatment session
refer to the OTA or PTA as "my COTA" or "my PTA"
be late or absent
discuss fieldwork on any social media site
Once you've established your expectations with your student, move on to the "Feedback" page. Giving effective feedback is crucial to the learning process. Here, you will learn about effective strategies for quality feedback.
Modified from The Ohio State University's Division of Occupational Therapy's Class of 2010 "Do This, Don't Do That...on FW" Handout
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