Field Instructor Roles &
Expectations
UCF School of Social Work
16 Hr. Field Instructor Training
Jacquie Withers, LCSW
Coordinator of Field Education
Supervision of Student Interns vs.
Registered Interns
 This course meets the requirements to become a Qualified Supervisor for social work
registered interns. The focus of this training is on the supervision of social work
interns who are students in an accredited social work program.
 There are differences between the supervision of student interns and the supervision of
registered social work clinical interns.
Student Interns
 Still completing the MSW degree
 Requirements are set by Council on Social Work Education (national accrediting body
of graduate and undergraduate social work programs)
 Students must receive 1 hour of weekly face-to-face supervision with a professional
with a degree in Social Work
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Supervision of Student Interns vs.
Registered Interns
Registered Interns
 Have graduated from a School of Social Work with a MSW degree and are registered
with the 491 Board as a “Registered Clinical Social Work Intern”
 Rules set by Florida’s 491 Board
 Must have 1 hour of supervision per 15 client contact hours with supervision with a
“Qualified Supervisor”
This training is required by most colleges and universities in the State of
Florida and is transferrable
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COHPA – School of Social Work
Field Education website:
www.cohpa.ucf.edu/social/field

Manuals and forms for field education (students and
agencies)

Employment opportunities

Qualified Supervisor listing
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Learning Objective
The learning objectives for this module are to
review and examine the roles and expectations of:
 Students
 Field Instructors
 Agencies
 Field Faculty
 UCF School of Social Work
For Social Work Field Education
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Review of Field Education - MSW and
BSW Programs
The UCF School of Social Work is accredited by the
Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
We have 600+ students in our program divided evenly
between our BSW and MSW Programs
All students, undergraduate and graduate, complete
field placements and are part of the Field Education
Program
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Field-At-A-Glance
Field At a Glance is a one page document that provides an
overview of field education including:
 Learning
competencies
 Hours
in field – full-time students
 Hours
in field - part-time students
 Supervision
 Field
requirements
Seminar
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Overview of Full-Time MSW Program
Two year MSW Program

Generalist/Foundation Field Placement (1st year)

Clinical Field Placement (2nd year)
One year MSW Program (Advanced Standing)

Students have a BSW Degree

Clinical Placement only
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Overview of Part-Time MSW Program
Orlando Campus:
3 year program (9 semesters)
 Generalist
 Clinical
Field Placement (2nd year)
Field Placement (3rd year)
There is no part-time advanced standing program offered on the Orlando
campus.
We no longer offer part-time programs at our regional campuses in
Daytona and Osceola
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Overview of BSW Program
Two Year BSW Program
Students are in field for a block placement during their final
semester(s) of the BSW program
 Full-time
students – Spring Semester
 Part-time
students – Spring and Summer
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MSW Concurrent Program
MSW students are in field and classes at the same time. The curriculum is
designed to accommodate time in the classroom and time in the internship
that do not conflict




Students must establish a consistent internship schedule that accommodates their
classroom requirements
Most generalist students will be in field on Mondays and Tuesdays and have classes for
the remaining days of the week
Most clinical students will be in class on Mondays and Tuesdays and will be in field for
the remaining days of the week
Students who are in the full-time generalist program will NOT have taken any social
work courses prior to starting their field placement. They start their field placement at
the same time they start their academic social work courses
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Your Generalist Student
Students who are in the two year MSW program will need special attention as
they begin their generalist internship during Fall semester.






This is their first semester in the MSW Program
They will not have taken any social work courses prior to starting their field
placement
They start their field placement at the same time they start social work courses
They may have limited understanding or misunderstanding of our profession
and what social work is actually all about
May want their placement to have a clinical focus rather than a case
management focus
Will attend one field seminar class before starting their field placement
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Concurrent Program & Block Placement
Students entering their clinical field placement will
have had a previous field placement either as a BSW
student or a MSW generalist student
BSW Students
BSW students are typically completing their internship after
they have completed all course work.
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Impact on Field Instructor and Supervision
It is important to understand “where the student
is” just as social workers strive to understand
“where the client is” so that we can meet them at
this starting place
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Changes in the MSW Curriculum
Effective 2012, all MSW Students must take 2 required courses
during Summer semester before entering their clinical field
placement.
Two courses:
1.
Psychopathology
2.
Theories of Social Work Practice
Purpose: To better prepare students for their clinical internships starting
the following Fall Semester
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Changes in Field Hours
Effective Fall Semester 2012:



Generalist students enter their field placements during the second week
of the semester in order to attend a field seminar along with academic
courses at least once prior to starting internship
Clinical Students enter their field placements during the first week of
the semester
All students will attend at least one field seminar prior to entering field
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Changes in Field Hours
Effective Fall 2012, Clinical students had an increase in the
number of required field hours from 550 hours to 600 hours


Generalist students had a decrease in the number of required field hours
from 500 hours to 400 hours
BSW students hours have not changed from the required 420 hours
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Different Roles in Field Education
University:

Field Education Office Faculty and Staff

Field Seminar Instructor/Liaison
Agency:

Field Instructor

Task Supervisor
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Field Education Office – Faculty & Staff
Full-Time Field Faculty & Staff consists of:
 Coordinator
 Assistant
of Field Education
Coordinator of Field Education
 Instructor
 Program
Assistant
In addition, we utilize part-time faculty (also known as adjunct faculty) to
teach field seminar and to serve as field liaisons for courses not being
taught by the full time faculty
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Field Seminar Instructors/Field Liaisons

Teach field education seminar (weekly for BSW students and bi-weekly for MSW students)

See your student in class and monitor performance in field

Serve as the liaison between the university and the agency



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Conduct a site visit at least once during the internship
Maintain phone and e-mail contact with the agency field instructor throughout the field
placement
Each agency field instructor will receive an email from their UCF field liaison within the first
two weeks of the field placement to introduce themselves, explain their role and to provide
contact information
Is the contact person for any problems that arise with students during the course of the
internship

Contact the UCF field liaison early and as often as necessary to assist you with problems
Collects all papers – learning contract, midterm evaluation, final evaluation, record of hours,
supervisory log

Assigns the grade for field education course

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Agency Field Instructors and Task Supervisors
THANK YOU for all that you do for our social work students
THE FIELD INSTRUCTOR IS, IN MANY WAYS, THE SINGLE
MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE QUALITY AND
SUCCESS OF A STUDENT’S INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE!!
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Requirements to be a Field Instructor - MSW
Students

MSW Degree from an accredited Social Work Program

Two years of post-MSW social work experience


Attendance at the 16 Hour Supervisory Training (one time is
required)
LCSW is not required to be a Field Instructor
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Requirements to be a Field Instructor - BSW
Students

MSW with 2 years post graduate experience OR

BSW with 5 years post graduate experience

Attendance at the 16 Hour Supervisory Training
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The Role of the Field Instructor
Responsibilities include:

Attend annual orientation (held prior to the start of semester) at the beginning of the
academic term for updates on field education (4 hours)

Attend the 16 hour Supervisory Course (one time)

Work closely with the UCF Field Liaison

Develop and structure the internship experience

Provide weekly supervision for the student



Review and sign all documents required by the School of Social Work (learning contract,
midterm evaluation, final semester evaluation, supervisory log, record of field hours)
Have the capacity to teach social work practice to the student
Organize and transmit understanding of social work practice beyond knowledge of the
specific placement setting
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Field Instructor’s Valuable Role
To relate warmly and effectively to the student, to
support the student in the learning process and to assist
the student to incorporate the values and ethics of the
social work profession
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Specific Components of Field Instructor Role
 Provide
student with a general orientation to the field agency
 Identify
and/or design learning assignments for the student
 Review,
modify (as needed) and sign the student’s learning contract
 Provide
ongoing supervision to the student concerning field assignments
 Schedule
weekly supervisory conferences (minimum of 1 hour) with the
student to assist with relating assignments and theory to social work
practice and to discuss other issues associated with the profession of
social work
 Provide
ongoing feedback to the student concerning his/her
performance in field
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Specific Components of Field Instructor Role
 Meet
with the Field Liaison to discuss student progress
 Communicate
and collaborate with the Field Liaison to assist students
with performance issues
 Complete
a written evaluation of the student’s performance (see
Midterm Evaluation and Semester Evaluation of Student on website)
 Complete
the request form for a Certificate of Participation and submit
document to the Coordinator of Field Education (within 2 weeks of the
end of the semester)
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Task Supervisor


The Task Supervisor is an agency staff member who may be
assigned to supervise specific learning assignments given to
the field student
The Task Supervisor (when assigned) should participate in
the evaluation of the student with the Field Instructor and
student and should sign forms
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Orienting Student to Agency
The agency is expected to orient the student to the field setting at the
beginning of the placement and should be comparable to that of a new
employee


The orientation is seen as the primary mechanism for ensuring that the student both
understands and is able to function within the expectations of the field agency
The student should gain a basic familiarity with the agency setting and practices before
specific work assignments are made

Student orientation to the agency can include, but is not limited to, the following areas:

Description of the history, philosophy and goals of the agency


Interpretation of the agency’s organizational structure and governing body, staffing
pattern, funding sources and interface with other agencies
Profile of the clients served, services offered, eligibility requirements and sources of
referrals
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Orienting Student to Agency
 Tour
of the facility and introduction to agency personnel
 Identification
seminars
of available agency in-service training and community
 Explanation
of relevant agency procedures, forms and requirements as
delineated in agency policy manuals
 Other
information as related to assigned work area and specific tasks (for
example, work schedule, record keeping procedures, confidentiality laws,
dress requirements, time for supervision)
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Assignment of Learning Activities
Learning assignments should be arranged for the student which include a
variety of practice experiences and provide a wide range of meaningful
encounters with the social service delivery system
 Learning
assignments should be designed according to the goals and
objectives outlines for the specified learning level (generalist versus
clinical)
 Initial
assignment of cases and projects should be made within the first
three weeks of the placement so the student immediately feels involved
and productive.
A
minimum of 50% of the student’s field hours should be face-to-face
client contact
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Evaluation of Student’s Performance
Evaluation of the student’s performance is seen as an ongoing
activity during the placement semester
 If
there are problems with the student’s performance during the
placement, the Field Instructor should pursue resolution of the problem
with the student
 If
resolution is not successful, the Field Instructor should inform the
Faculty Field Liaison and/or Field Coordinator immediately
 Please
contact us early in this process as we are here to help!
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Evaluation of Student Performance
Fall Semester - MSW Students
Full-time students

Mid-term Semester Evaluation of the Student (by the Field Instructor) is completed at the end of
the Fall Semester
Part-time students

Semester Evaluation of the Student (by the Field Instructor) is completed at the end of the Fall
Semester
Spring Semester - MSW Students
Full-time Students

Semester Evaluation of the Student (by the field instructor) is completed at the end Spring
Semester
Part-time Students

Mid-term evaluation is completed at the end of the Semester
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Evaluation of Student Performance
Summer Semester
Part-time students (only)

Semester Evaluation of the Student (by the field instructor)
Spring Semester: BSW Students

Mid-term Evaluation

Semester Evaluation
Summer Semester

Semester Evaluation (part-time students only)
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Evaluation of Student Performance
 All
of these documents are located on the website for the School of
Social Work/Field Education
 http://www.cohpa.ucf.edu/social/field_education
 It
is the student’s responsibility to provide these documents to the field
instructor and to schedule adequate time for the documents to be
completed prior to the due date
 Students
are given a schedule of assignments and due dates for field
education during the first seminar class
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Forms to be Completed

Learning Contract

Mid-Term Evaluation

Field Logs

Record of Field Hours

Supervisory Log

Semester Evaluation
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Learning Contract
The student is to provide the field instructor with a copy of the learning
contract


The learning contract is to be completed by the student with guidance/input
from the field instructor
Students are not to come to the field instructor with a blank learning contract
and say “I don’t know how to do this”

One document for all semesters

Should be realistic, specific, achievable with target dates for completion
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Record of Field Hours
It is the student’s responsibility to bring the Record of Field Hours to
weekly supervision for signature

Signed weekly by the Field Instructor or Task Supervisor

Will be checked by the seminar instructor/field liaison during class

Will not be accepted if all of the hours are signed at once

Required as part of the assessment plan for the School of Social Work

Students are given 14 hours of credit for field if they attend LEAD Day (Lobby Day)

Students can receive field hours for events and trainings attended at the request of
their agency/field instructor which relate to their internship learning experience
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Supervisory Log
Students are responsible for bringing the Supervisory Log form to
supervision each week for signature by the Field Instructor



The Supervisory Log should be completed with specific information about the
content of supervision
The Supervisory Log will be checked by the seminar instructor during seminar
class
This form is being utilized as part of the School of Social Work assessment plan
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Balancing Needs and Expectations in
Field Placements
Appropriate Internship Learning Experiences
Student Preparation for Field
All students will have attended a thorough orientation
to field education prior to the start of the semester and
prior to the start of their field placement. Attendance is
mandatory for students
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Student Preparation for Field
The following are examples of information shared with the students
during their field orientation:
Field Placement: Your field placement is where social work comes alive. It
presents you with multiple opportunities to become part of the professional
social work community, to put learning into practice and to develop your social
work skills.
Your Career: This is the start of your professional career in many ways. Field
education is the opportunity to network and to establish your professional
reputation. It can lead to job references, contacts and employment upon
graduation
Poor performance at your field placement can have negative consequences for
you as a developing professional
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Student Preparation for Field
What to Expect From Your Agency: First Weeks
Orientation to the agency:





Introduction to staff
Organization chart
Mission Statement
Understanding of client population
Policies and procedures
Written expectations about dress requirements, leave time and holidays, attendance
requirements, etc.
Agency recording requirements including copies of all reports/forms used and
requirements for recording (deadlines, etc.)
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Student Preparation for Field
What to Expect From Your Agency: First Weeks
Clear explanation about how student is to identify self in written reports
and oral contact with clients, families and others
Confidentiality requirements of the agency and the profession
Policies on how to handle client emergencies (suicidal or homicidal
threats, duty to warn, etc.)
Safety and security precautions
Expectations of supervision responsibilities
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View Yourself As An Employee of the Agency
Time off – students will follow the expectations/calendar of
their agency and not the academic calendar
Discuss time off expectations and needs in advance with the
appropriate staff of your agency
Holidays are based on the agency’s holiday calendar not the
academic calendar
Students do not accrue field placement hours during agency
holidays when they are not physically present at the agency
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View Yourself As An Employee of the Agency
Dress Requirements - Discuss dress policy with your organization and comply with the
dress code at all times

Dress professionally on your first day of field placement unless you have been informed
otherwise by your field agency

No piercing except for earrings

No visible tattoos at any time

No cleavage visible at any time or exposure of mid-section of body

Blouses and shirts are to be tucked in at all times unless specifically designed to be worn outside

No jeans or shorts unless there is a designated dress down day or event

No tank tops or camisoles

No casual shoes (flip flops, etc.) or spike heels

Shoes are never to be taken off

Clothing is to be neat, clean, ironed, etc.

Remember that you are at your agency in a professional role!
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View Yourself As An Employee of the Agency
Establish a regular schedule with your agency field instructor or
appropriate person





Do not be late for your field placement
If you are going to be late for a legitimate reason, call your field agency and let
them know
If you are sick or have a legitimate reason for not being able to come to your
field placement, call your field agency and let them know
You cannot miss hours at your field agency because you have to study or have a
paper due
Absenteeism and/or tardiness can negatively impact the grade you receive for
the field education course
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Transporting of Clients
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS A STUDENT TO TRANSPORT
CLIENTS IN THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLE
Insurance Coverage
Students are covered by Liability Insurance by the University of Central
Florida
Students are NOT typically covered by worker’s compensation by their
agency in the event of an injury on the job
It is strongly recommended that students carry health insurance
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Professional Behavior
Students are expected to behave in a professional behavior at all times during internship

Polite and respectful attitude

Punctuality

Positive attitude during supervision

Use of appropriate title for supervisor (do not call your supervisor by his/her first name until
requested to)

Appropriate dress

Personal hygiene

Strong work ethic

Team player

The relationship between you and your field instructor is always professional not personal

Do not socialize with your field instructor outside of your field placement unless it is a work
event
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Social Media & Technology
 Computers
are not to be opened during field seminar
 Do
not use computers at your field site unless it is work related
 Do
not look at Facebook on the computer during your internship
 Do
not text, twitter, blog, Instagram, etc. during your field placement
 Do
not ask your field instructor to be your friend on Facebook
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Other Important Field Information
 Students
can complete ONE employment based internship if
all requirements are met
 Students
may complete one field placement per agency
 Fifty
percent of field hours must be completed during normal
business hours
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Falsification of Field Hours
Students who falsify field hours in any form will be reported to
the Office of Student Conduct, will receive a failing grade for
the course and will forfeit all earned field hours
We strongly recommend that agencies keep a separate sign-in
log for all students to record the hours they are working
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Placement Confirmation Form
This is often referred to as the “purple form” as we print it on
purple paper
This document is signed by the agency and the student to
confirm that the student is accepted for an internship
The student is responsible for submitting the original form to
the Field Education Office prior to the start of the internship (as
soon as possible is greatly appreciated)
Must be turned into the Field Education Office prior to starting
field hours in order for hours to count
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Nomination of Student for Field Award
If you have an exceptional student, please nominate him/her for field
student of the year. This award is given at graduation and is presented to
the student by the field instructor
The Field Office will send an email reminding field instructors to submit
the nominations (during Spring semester)
The nomination forms are located on the field website and can be faxed to
the field office at 407-823-5840
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Sincere Appreciation From Field Office
THANK YOU for your ongoing commitment as a
Field Instructor for our students – we cannot
achieve success without you!
56
Field Instructor Roles & Responsibilities
Questions?
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Sincere Appreciation From Field Office
58