Using Fieldwork as Professional Development:

NBCOT Certification Renewal Activities Chart - Fieldwork Supervision

NBCOT recognizes fieldwork supervision of Level I and Level II OT and OTA students as appropriate activities to support your ongoing professional development and NBCOT certification renewal. The chart below describes valid activities, Professional Development Unit values, and appropriate documentation of such activities.

NYS Office Of Professions License Renewal Activities - Fieldwork Supervision

According to §76.10 "Continuing competency for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants", Part 76, Occupational Therapy of Commissioner's Regulations, preparation associated with the fieldwork supervision may be applied toward continuing competency and OT/OTA license renewal. Preparation and learning activities related to fieldwork supervision are considered "Independent Study", according to NYS Office of Professions and are explained in section §76.10.  Although actual supervision cannot be counted toward independent study activities, those activities related to preparing and learning to be an effective fieldwork educator CAN be counted using the following formula:
  • 3 clock hours of independent study activity shall equal 1 continuing competency hour.
  • NOTE: No more than 1/3 of the mandatory continuing competency requirement may be completed through independent study. Thus, a maximum of 12 (of 36) continuing competency units (CCU) every three years can earned through fieldwork supervision preparation. 

(Source: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/ot/part76.htm#contcomp).
The Fieldwork Supervision Continuing Competency Narrative form (developed by WNY OT Fieldwork Consortium) is an easy-to use form to briefly document activities related to "preparation [and learning] associated with supervision".  This completed document (which satisfies NYS Office of Professions requirement for a  "narrative account" of "preparation" and learning ), and a letter of verification or certificate from the academic program that includes the dates of fieldwork, should be retained for 6 years. The academic program will provide such letter or certificate at your request. 

Fieldwork Educator On-Line Training Program

You may take advantage of this free on-line Preceptor Education Program (PEP) as you prepare for supervising your OT/OTA intern. PEP was designed to help prepare both students and fieldwork educators (preceptors) for clinical placements. PEP consists of eight learning modules and many of the modules are designed so that preceptors and students can work through them together. The learning modules can be used by any health care discipline.   

Whether you are an experienced fieldwork educator, or this is your first supervisory experience, this comprehensive online training program will be useful.  Once you complete the short registration process and instantly receive your login information, you can access the PEP program anytime, anywhere.  Each module takes about 30 minutes to complete and is full of quick tips and downloadable learning activities and tools.  It is easy to navigate, colorful, and fun to use.  Consider utilizing the Preceptor Education Program as part of your first-week Level II orientation. A certificate can be printed at the end of the module to record the education completed.
Preceptor Education Program Ferguson, K. & MacPhail, A. (2015). Preparation and orientation. In Kinsella, E.A., Bossers, A., Ferguson, K., Jenkins, K., Bezzina, M.B., MacPhail, A., Moosa, T., Schurr, S., Whitehead, J. & Hobson, S. Preceptor Education Program for health professionals and students. (2nd ed.) www.preceptor.ca. London, ON: The University of Western Ontario.
The time involved in completing this training program can be counted toward your Independent Study activities related to New York State OT/OTA License renewal (3 hours of independent study = 1 Continuing Competency Unit). Additionally, this self-paced learning program can be applied toward your NBCOT professional development activities.