The document provides an orientation for field instructors at SFSU's School of Social Work. It introduces the field education program components and requirements. The objectives are to introduce agencies to staff and faculty, provide an overview of field requirements, and ensure a beneficial learning experience. Successful field instruction requires student and instructor choice and commitment, structure, accessibility, consistent feedback, and a clear learning contract. It discusses duties of the agency, intern, and school. Risk management strategies include assuming a proactive stance, reducing foreseeable risk, educating on ethics and safety, and using supervision. The field liaisons should be contacted if any high-risk signs appear or issues arise.

1. FIELD INSTRUCTOR ORIENTATIONSteve Nakajo, MSW Field CoordinatorSonia Melara, BASW Field CoordinatorSFSU School of Social Work 2011-2012 Academic Year

3. Provide an overview of field requirements

4. Provide you with the necessary information to ensure the field learning experience is a beneficial one for your agency and our students. For more detailed information: Please visit our website: http://online.sfsu.edu/~swintern For orientation materials: http://sfsusocialwork.pbworks.com/FrontPage

6. Field Calendar Fall Semester Second Year MSW Students – Sep. 6 BASW Students – Sep. 7 First Year MSW Students – Sep. 20 Spring semester All Students – January 9, 2012 All students may start earlier if needed.

7. The Field Education Program Components: website: http://online.sfsu.edu/~swintern THE FIELD AGENCIES THE FIELD SEMINAR (weekly review) THE FIELD COORDINATORS THE AGENCY FIELD INSTRUCTORS THE UNIVERSITY BASED FACULTY FIELD LIAISONS

8. Supervisory Agenda What to talk about for 60- 90 minutes? Ethics/values Agency issues Individual and group dynamics Documentation Interventions Mission/History of agency Practice Theories Problems of learning professional development

9. Successful Field Instruction is Result of: Student Choice of Placement Field Instructor Choice Consistency with intern Structure Accessibility Feedback to intern Consistent Objective Clear Supportive Issue, not student focused Clear, Mutual, Written Objectives: Learning Contract

10. Learning Contract: TheCriticalInternship Tool Primary Purpose: assure integration of classroom and internship content and learning Identify and clarify learning goals and tasks for agency and student: caseload, trainings, projects, other discipline resources Specify structure of internship for student, agency, University: calendar, supervision time, variations in schedule Defines limits of internship, basis for evaluation, troubleshooting Protection for student and agency

11. Risk Management Strategies in Field Assume a proactive stance-Be aware/Prepare Reduce foreseeable risk (best practices) –follow procedures, stay competent and current Educate yourself and your intern in ethics, safety, best current practices in your field Supervision is the primary tool Share the burden of risk – you are never alone as Field Instructor or Intern Follow established, written procedures in agency, field education; keep current records. Remember: MORE WORK WITH LESS SUPPORT & FEWER RESOURCES = INCREASED LIABILITY

12. Duties of the Agency Provide site free of recognized hazards (risk of death or physical harm) Bring foreseeable risk to the attention of the intern – safety plan Provide close and direct supervision and monitoring of intern (School requirement) Comply with OSHA, ADA, your accrediting body, etc. Understand and follow School policies and procedures (Field Manual) Ethical practice

13. Duties of the Intern Follow the rules of the agency ~ (Orientation by agency is required) Not to engage in illegal activity as part of the internship ~ Use ‘reasonable care’ in internship ~ Follow School Field policies and NASW Code of Ethics (Field Manual)

14. Duties of the School Place intern in qualified placement (student choice is essential) Closely monitor placement (Liaison role) Supervise and ensure the educational and safety components of the placement (Liaison role) Ensure that interns know foreseeable risks of the placement (Liaison/seminar role) Placement is an educational extension of the University

15. Insurance-Malpractice All SFSU social work students are covered by California State University through Lloyds of London for professional liability~ While registered in required academic field classes During the academic/field education calendar (see Field Education website) With confirmed Placement Contract in an approved agency

16. HIGH RISK SIGNSCall the Liaison! Intern disappears Intern doesn’t talk Intern doesn’t want supervision Intern avoids Field Instructor, clients, colleagues Intern has no questions NO LEARNING CONTRACT!

17. CALL THE LIAISON! When to call for help: Earlier rather than later Student away for a week or more Student disappears You’re away for a week or more No supervision available for ANY REASON Your job changes; intern assignment changes Your address and/or phone changes Breakdown in communication with student Difficulty with learning contract

18. A LAST WORD Thank you for what you do We are here to help you and our students If you need assistance, contact the field liaison for your student, Or Contact us Steve Nakajo or Sonia Melara MSW Field Coordinator BASW Field Coordinator snajako@sfsu.eduSmelara@sfsu.edu Or leave a message at 415-338-1004