Orientation tips
Orientation Tips: Students benefit from a structured, planned orientation. Orientation plans should include:
Discussion of Expectations: Schedule, agency dress code, how student should identify themselves to clients and agency staff, and appropriate roles and boundaries for the student should be discussed.
Tour of Physical Space: Make sure students know where staff restrooms, break room, and other important areas are located. Be sure to provide a space for students to store their personal belongings. In large agencies or hospitals, providing a map or floor plan can be helpful.
Introductions to Agency Staff: Introducing students to staff early in their field experience can help students feel they are important to the agency as a whole. You may want to consider having students meet with different staff during their orientation to get acquainted and to learn about the
different roles staff have in the agency. Including students in staff meetings (as possible) can be a good way for students to learn about decision-making processes, staff dynamics, and agency leadership.
Safety & Emergency Procedures: Students should review agency policies relevant to student/staff and client safety. Students should be provided with instructions on how to contact Agency Field Instructor or another staff person should an emergency arise.
Agency Mission, Organizational Structure, and Governance: Assist students with understanding the agency’s mission, program objectives, and role in the service delivery system and larger community. Provide students with an organizational chart and discuss roles of
different staff members, Board of Directors, and other important stakeholders. Discuss funding sources for agency operations.
Agency Policy & Procedure: Students should review and discuss key policies and procedures that govern the agency including but not limited to: confidentiality (HIPAA), client eligibility for services, informed consent, and professional conduct.
Service Delivery Models, Methods, & Guiding Theories: Students should read about and discuss primary models and methods used by the agency (e.g. case management, peer support) as well as discussing and learning about theories that guide the agency’s work (e.g. strengths-based
practice, cognitive-behavioral therapy). Program evaluations and annual reports can provide students with information about the effectiveness of the agency’s work.
Client Assessments & Case Studies: It can be very helpful for students to review completed client assessments and review case files. A case review can provide an opportunity to discuss common presenting concerns of clients, interventions utilized, and documentation expectations
and format.
Where Can I Find? Make sure students know where to locate information such as telephone numbers for agency staff, community resource information, location of client files and client contact information.