Academic Programs
MScOT Program Contact Information
For more information about fieldwork and placements in the MScOT program, contact:
Erin Williams
Clinical Placements Coordinator, Rehabilitation Sector Schools
519-661-2111 ext. 88754
otclined@uwo.ca
Preceptor Resources
Our clinical partners are an integral part of our fieldwork courses. Preceptors play an important role in teaching, mentoring, and inspiring our students throughout their placement experience and shape today’s students into tomorrow’s future clinicians.
Benefits of Becoming a Preceptor
There are many reasons why clinicians and organizations work with students. Some of the benefits include:
- Professional Development Opportunities
- Team Growth
- Connection to the University
- Awards and Recognition
- Giving Back to the Profession
Click here to learn more about how to enhance your clinic by joining our OT Fieldwork Program.
Site Approval Process
Is your clinic interested in taking a student for the first time? Please reach out to otclined@uwo.ca to see if your site is the right for our program.
All sites must complete a Fieldwork Site Profile which is reviewed and approved by our Fieldwork Advisory Committee. Once approved, Western University will work with the facility to set up an affiliate agreement. The school will contact your site when your profile needs to be updated.
An affiliate agreement must be in place before the student can start their placement at the new site.
Preceptor Education Program
The 3rd edition of the Preceptor Education Program provides a completely new user interface, with updated modules, and two new modules including Anti-Oppressive Practices and Virtual Placement.
Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and comes with a certificate of completion for your professional portfolio. This training is excellent for new or seasoned clinical instructors and is free to complete.
Click the link to view the program at preceptor.ca!
Roles and Responsibilities
There are many people involved in the fieldwork placement process to ensure everyone has a meaningful experience!
Click here to learn more about your role and responsibilities.
Student Absence Policy
As with academic coursework, 100% attendance is expected in fieldwork placements. One hundred percent attendance is defined as the full participation of the student in the assigned daily activities conducted at the facility in which the student is placed. This is consistent with the professional behavior expected in the MScOT program.
Any absences (illness, bereavement, medical leave, etc.) must be approved by the placement clinical instructor and Fieldwork Coordinator. Students can make up missed placement hours by:
- Staying late
- Arriving early
- Working a weekend shift
- Completing work at home
- Any other work assigned by their preceptor
Click here for more information on the fieldwork absences and attendence policy.
Navigating Challenges During Placements
Most placements run smoothly. However, occasionally concerns can arise during placement. It is important to inform the Fieldwork Coordinator immediately of any major concerns.
Please click here to view a flow chart designed to help clinical instructors and students navigate potential challenges.
Accident/Incident Reporting
The government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities (MTCU), reimburses WSIB for the cost of benefits it pays to Student Trainees enrolled in an approved program at a Training Agency (university). Ontario students are eligible for Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage while on placements that are required by their program of study. MTCU also provides private insurance to students should their unpaid placement required by their program of study take place with an employer who is not covered by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act.
In an event of an injury/incident while attending a placement, students must:
- Notify their clinical instructor and receive first-aid treatment,
- Complete required reporting documentation for their placement site,
- Complete the Western Student Placement Accident/Incident Report Form, Postsecondary Student Unpaid Work Placement Workplace Insurance Claim Form and the WSIB Form and email them to the Fieldwork Coordinator with assistance from their clinical instructor, within 24 hours of the incident.
OT Preceptor Fieldwork Guide
This guide is meant to be a brief overview of the main topics and questions that arise before, during, and at the end of each fieldwork placement, in addition to being a reference for questions you might have about our fieldwork program.
A guide can also never replace having individual questions answered, so please feel free to reach out to the Fieldwork Coordinator if questions do arise.
Click here to view the guide.
