New Destinations, Inc.
P.O. Box 1515 Carthage, TX 75633
903-692-3463 cell
thefarm@hughes.net
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Student Manual
Welcome! We consider it an honor to have you with our team and have eagerly anticipated
your arrival. Much energy has gone into preparing for you and your educational experience. It
is our hope that you will find this internship informative as well as rewarding. We look forward to
the mutual exchange of ideas as we learn together in this educational journey.
It is our goal to provide you with a diverse fieldwork experience and to assist in your
professional development. Because of the diversity of our intervention areas, it is difficult to
provide a student manual that covers all the aspects, however the attached information should
provide a general outline of what you can expect during your internship.
Mission Statement
New Destinations, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to provide community
members who have special needs a means for improving or developing their capabilities. Our
goal is to provide quality services for these individuals regardless of their financial situation. We
believe in Best Practice therapeutic intervention and strive to achieve this in all settings. Our
services are based on evidence and we strive to demonstrate excellence in the OT process.
Policies and Procedures: Each worksite will provide you with an orientation regarding the
services provided and documentation process. Safety is our primary concern for everyone
involved. If you have any special needs, please discuss these with your Fieldwork Educator
(FWE) within the first week of service. Every effort will be made to make reasonable
accommodations that will ensure both successes for you, the educational experience, as well as
worksite expectations. All supervision standards for fieldwork students according to ACOTE
will be maintained. The FWE will be available at all times via cell phone or you may call Terrie
King, OT who is the Program Coordinator (903) 692-3463 . At each site, there will be a contact
person to discuss any immediate needs which may occur during the working day if the FWE is
not on site at the time and you are completing a Level II rotation with us. Sign and return
attached documents regarding Travel Release and HIPAA.
Absences: Please notify your FWE as early as possible if you are going to be absent.
Students will need to reschedule all days missed based on their FWE's schedule.
Conflict Resolution Procedure: New Destinations, Inc. values professionalism. Although
every effort is made to provide a quality student program, occasionally situations can occur
which need resolution. Our policy in all situations is for you to first communicate directly with
your FWE. Though we have excellent therapists, many have yet to perfect their clairvoyant
skills. If you don’t share, they can’t know you have a need. A plan will be made verbally and
then written if warranted between the student and FWE. Should this step prove ineffective for
the situation, the FWE, student and Program Coordinator will meet to discuss the issues and
determine the best mediation plan. Should parties continue to have conflict, a meeting will be
set up with the student’s school for a final plan to resolve any issues. The student is
encouraged to maintain contact with their school, as they are another resource for all parties
involved.
1
Dress Code
First appearances can make a significant difference with our clients, family members and other
professional staff. Therefore, it is very important for you to spend energy each day to ensure
that you are looking your professional best for each worksite. Clothing should be business
casual and care should be taken that skin does not show when you bend or sit. Each site has
specific needs, but a rule of thumb is to keep it conservative, neat, clean and functional. Closed
toe shoes, limited jewelry and no perfume are requested at all sites. Though diversity and
individual uniqueness are supported in this company, body piercings other than one stud earring
per ear should be removed when working. In addition, any visible tattoos should be covered.
Below are general guidelines for each site. Your support and follow through with these
guidelines is greatly appreciated.
Required Assignments
By this time in your educational process, you have clearly been successful with classroom
achievement. The assignments required during your clinical internship provide opportunity for
you to grow as a professional. The intent of the assignments is not to give you “something to
do”, but rather to assist with your clinical reasoning skill development. As the internship
progresses, natural content and criteria will develop based on your interests and areas of
growth encountered along the process. Before you get started on your assignments, discuss
your professional goals with your FWE.
Level I or Practicum I Rotation Format
Each rotation is unique, however the general format will be 4-6 hours weekly with a FWE.
During a Level I clinical rotation, supervision will be "line of sight" while working with clients at all
times. The generic learning opportunities for this level of fieldwork experience include:






Orientation to program, observation/participation in regular treatment day
Opportunity to read evaluations and documentation using a web based networking
system
Opportunity to practice documentation skills using a web based networking system.
Opportunity to design and implement treatment plans per the POC
Opportunity to observe other professionals who may be working with clients in the
clinical setting
Opportunity to discuss treatment selection, sequence, implementation and outcome
process with FWE
Schedule of Assignments Rotation timeframe and clinical hour schedule are based on current caseloads and agency
program developments. Each rotation has unique opportunities, however the goals for this
rotation include:
The student will:
 Use the OT Code of Ethics to guide all decision making while onsite and/or shadowing
the FWE
 Actively participate in daily treatment process assisting where possible
 Design and implement at least one treatment activity
 Demonstrate ability to complete at least three narrative or SOAP note style progress
notes using a web based networking system.
 Complete a FWE evaluation form with constructive feedback included to assist with FWE
professional development.
Level II or Practicum II Rotation
Based on your school's request, you may be completing a Level II or Practicum II Rotation with
us. The information above should be considered in this rotation as well, however the Schedule
of Assignments is expanded as indicated on the attached document.
2
Tentative Fieldwork Criteria Timeline
Practicum I/II OTA Level
Time Frame
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5-6
Week 7
Week 8
Topic
Orientation
Review of student notebook and expectations
Observation and participation in treatment experiences
Assist with organization and maintenance of clinical environment
Establish and develop professional goals for clinical internship experience
Create journal and begin daily entries. Continue throughout rest of rotation
Review documentation process, clinic equipment and evaluation tools
Review charts, observe evaluation process
Develop and discuss tx plans
Discuss program development concepts and role in each area
Participate and assist FWE with treatment implementation
Select one client for caseload, review POC, design treatment, implement
Document at least 1 treatment plan using web based system
Review professional goals and current FW experiences with FWE
Add 2nd client to caseload, design and implement intervention based on POC
Identify clinical and in-service projects. Discuss with FWE
Continue to participate in all areas of treatment as assigned by FWE
Continue to assist with clinic maintenance and supply management
Complete Midterm Assessment with strategy development for areas of growth
Review clinical internship professional goals and determine progress
Identify areas of growth and areas of strength – develop plan for growth areas
Identify fieldtrip interests and submit to FWE
Identify in-service project and discuss with FWE – Due by 8th week
Maintain caseload of up to 3-5 clients as discussed with FWE
Continue all duties as above through next few weeks
Maintain caseload as discussed with FWE
Continue duties as above
Present in-service by this week
Rough clinical project outline due by 5th week
Rough in-service project outline due by 6th week
Review and discuss any goals, concerns, successes with FWE
Continue Duties as above
Submit Clinical Project by this week
Continue Duties as above
Complete evaluation forms with FWE
Completed
3