Agency Responsibilities
Agency partnerships
Strong placements begin with shared expectations.
Agency partners help create the structure, support and professional environment students need to grow. These responsibilities outline the commitments that support a safe, educationally focused and successful field placement.
Before placement
Prepare the agency and confirm the placement.
Required agreements, clear communication and a thoughtful agency orientation establish the foundation for the student experience.
- 01
Complete required agreements.The agency signs the Affiliation Agreement and completes all appropriate forms prior to the student beginning field education.
- 02
Confirm the placement.The agency provides written confirmation indicating acceptance of students for placement and notifies the School of agency or field instructor changes that may affect the student experience.
- 03
Orient the student to the agency.The agency provides an appropriate orientation to agency personnel, policies and procedures.
Learning environment
Create the conditions for student learning.
Students need curriculum-aligned assignments, the resources to complete their work and consistent access to supervision.
- 04
Use the Field Education Curriculum.The agency utilizes the Field Education Curriculum as outlined in the Field Education Manual. Specific practice course syllabi are also provided to support the integration of course content and practice behaviors.
- 05
Provide appropriate space and resources.The agency makes available the space and resources necessary for the student to fulfill educational requirements.
- 06
Protect time for supervision.The agency provides time for weekly supervision between the field instructor and student. The minimum expectation is one hour per week of formal supervision and at least one-half hour for informal discussions as needed.
- 07
Support continued preparation.The agency supports the field instructor's attendance at training and enrichment sessions.
Communication and safeguards
Protect the learning experience.
Early communication, appropriate professional boundaries and a clearly educational role help keep placements productive and safe.
- 08
Communicate concerns early.The agency notifies the School in a timely manner through the field liaison when a student's performance may jeopardize the successful completion of placement.
- 09
Maintain an appropriate scope of practice.Under no circumstances will students prescribe, administer or dispense medication or physical therapy.
- 10
Protect the student's educational role.The agency does not use students to substitute for or displace employee positions, in whole or in part.
Student support
Reduce financial barriers where possible.
Placement-related support helps students participate fully in their field education experience.
- 11
Reimburse placement-related travel.The agency reimburses student mileage for field education assignments and provides any other reimbursements customarily given to staff. This does not include daily travel to and from the agency.
- 12
Consider providing a stipend.The agency is encouraged to provide financial stipends to students whenever possible.
Need clarification? Visit the Field Education contact page to connect with the team.