Appendix E: Notification of Concern
It has come to my attention that there are one or more areas of professional performance on your part that need attention leading to this Notification of Concern (NOC). A Notification of Concern is issued when the student is determined to inconsistently meet one or more of the professional performance criteria (or when there have been one or more incidents of concern relative to professional performance criteria). A Notification of Concern is intended to assist the student with professional development in such a way that professionalism is enhanced, and subsequent similar or more serious problems are avoided as the academic and fieldwork portions of the program continue.
The area(s) of professional behavior identified as a concern is/are identified below:
RESPONSIBILITY:
- Be punctual and dependable.
- Complete responsibilities in a timely manner.
- Follow through with assigned or accepted responsibilities.
- Know and abide by relevant policies and procedures (e.g., for the Institute and its facilities, the Program and its resources, program-related fieldwork setting.)
- Use scheduled meeting times effectively.
Comments/Examples:
SELF-DIRECTEDNESS:
- Seek out and make use of a breadth of available and appropriate resources.
- Independently pursue learning without being consistently reliant upon others.
- Initiate completion of responsibilities without waiting for direction or reminders from others.
Comments/Examples:
COMMUNICATION:
- Use a volume and clarity of speech that is understandable to the listener or audience.
- Utilize an appropriate level and type of language for the person, group and/or situation.
- Utilize a tone and attitude that demonstrates respect for others and their roles (e.g., peers in program-related situations, faculty, staff, clinicians, patients, families, other health professionals).
- Present or discuss one’s own views in a way that demonstrates respect for those with differing viewpoints.
- Maintain appropriate body language and non-verbal cues in a way that demonstrates respect for other
- Be attentive and respectful when others are speaking.
- Be timely and respectful in all electronic communications (e.g., email, electronic medical records, social media) Comments/Examples:
PROFESSIONALISM:
- Be honest and demonstrate integrity in all situations.
- Maintain personal boundaries that are appropriate for the situation.
- Demonstrate respect in verbal and non-verbal communications.
- Respect the role and contribution of others to one’s education and to health care delivery.
- Accept and respond appropriately to feedback.
- Demonstrate regulation of emotional responses appropriate to the situation.
- Demonstrate sensitivity for interpersonal differences, including cultural, racial, religious and gender.
- Dress professionally and maintain a level of personal hygiene that is appropriate for a given situation.
Comments/Examples:
COLLABORATION:
- Collaborate effectively with others in a way that facilitates achievement of goals or objectives.
- Manage or attempt to manage conflict in constructive ways.
Comments/Examples:
Given this Notification of Concern, it is your responsibility to (1) acknowledge receipt of the NOC within 3 days of the date on this memo, and (2) contact and meet with your advisor within the next 10 days. In this meeting, you must discuss the areas of concern noted here, as well as your strategies for strengthening your performance and minimizing future problems.
A copy of this NOC is being sent to your academic or ADE advisor, the Department Chair, the Program Director and the Chair of the Committee on Academic Policies and Procedures (CAPP). The Committee will decide whether disciplinary action is warranted (see the section on Disciplinary Action in the OTD Program Manual).
It should be noted that a Notification of Concern in the OT Department is what the IHP Catalog refers to as an “Oral Warning”. In the case of oral warnings, no permanent record is retained after the student leaves the Institute. If expectations related to corrective action are not met in the delineated time, a written warning will be issued.”
Please also recognize that the Academic Support Counselor for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Office of Student and Alumni Services are available as a resource to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please address these to your advisor, the Department Chair, or the Program Director.