On the First Day

Review expectations:

Have open, honest dialogue with your student about what is expected of them, and discuss appropriate role and boundaries for students in your agency.

Schedule supervision meetings:

Schedule and emphasize the importance of weekly, one-on-one, face-to-face supervision meetings. Part time students have an hour of supervision every other week or 30 minutes each week minimum. Provide thorough orientation to the agency: Plan and identify activities that will help your student get to know agency staff, become aware of key agency functions and techniques, and to identify and prioritize skills and knowledge that will help them be successful.

Relationship Development:

Get to know your student and work to build trust, rapport, and a professional relationship. Assess student’s skill and confidence level. Discuss their preferred learning style. Be aware of any information about the student that may impact their work in the agency and provide support as needed.

Assist Student with Completion of Learning Agreement:

Students are expected to assume primary responsibility for identifying learning activities that will help them develop practice skills and competencies. As students may have a limited understanding of opportunities available to them in your agency, please take the time to review the learning agreement together and to help students brainstorm, identify, and personalize meaningful learning activities.

Task Assignment: As you ask students to complete tasks, be sure to clarify the purpose of assignments. Help them understand why it is important for them to complete the task. Provide sufficient instructions and support. Allow students to shadow or work collaboratively with you
early in their practicum experience. Provide early opportunities for client contact.

Discuss Problem-Solving :

Help students understand how they should approach problems they may encounter during practicum. In addition, be up-front with students about what steps you will take if concerns arise about their performance in field. The  manual outlines steps we expect students and Agency Field Instructors to take if problems arise and provides a good basis for discussion.