VCU College of Health Professions

Fieldwork I

Fieldwork I at VCU is designed to give the student hands-on experiences to practice the application of course materials under direct supervision. It builds on knowledge from the first full semester in school where foundational occupational therapy concepts are learned and students are exposed to community learning experiences in daycares and hospitals. Students engage and participate in the therapy process to the degree that the individual student and supervisor agree is optimal for learning.

Fieldwork I is taught as a separate course in the spring of the first year and fall of the second year while concurrently taking the following courses:

Spring, 1st year	Fall, 2nd year
(OCCT 521) Neuroscience Applications to Occupational Therapy (3)	(OCCT 621) OT Practice Activities II (1)
(OCCT 534) OT Evaluation and Intervention Overview (3)	(OCCT 633) Adult Evaluation & Intervention II (4)
(OCCT 630) Adult Evaluation and Intervention I: Foundations (2)	(OCCT 641) Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention II: Ages 6-12 Years (4)
(OCCT 635) Psychosocial Evaluation and Intervention I (2)	(OCCT 709) Research Process and Statistical Analysis in Occupational Therapy (4)
(OCCT 640) Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention I: Infant and Preschool Children (3)	(OCCT 660, section 002) Level I Fieldwork in OT (1)
(OCCT 660, section 1) Level I Fieldwork in OT (1)

Design of Fieldwork I at VCU

During their third, fifth and sixth semesters in the program, students participate in Fieldwork I experiences that align with the application and synthesis course content in adult, pediatric and psychosocial evaluation and intervention.  Students are placed in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, early intervention, and community based settings within 1.5 hours of the Greater Richmond area, working alongside occupational therapy practitioners to build understanding of the disability experience, gain hands-on experience with the occupational therapy process, and in the case of their psychosocial Fieldwork I, provide valuable service to vulnerable populations in the community. 

Reflective logs, seminars with faculty, class discussions, and a list of assignments are completed during the Fieldwork I experience. Students are evaluated by the Fieldwork I supervisor and must pass Fieldwork I before beginning Fieldwork II.

Types of Fieldwork I Placements

Fieldwork I may occur in hospitals (acute care, rehabilitation, children´s, psychiatric), schools, early intervention, private practice, outpatient facilities, day rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health, group homes, or mental health facilities. Students request the types of FW I experiences they would like but final placements are decided by the Director of Fieldwork and the Fieldwork I Coordinator to assure a variety and balance between settings.

Most Frequently Asked Questions about Fieldwork

AOTA website has answered many questions about Fieldwork I and II.