Procedures for the Assignment Process
For Specific Types of Fieldwork Experiences
The process of assigning students with fieldwork facilities involves the AFWC, CEPSA, the fieldwork sites, and program faculty.
a. Level I Fieldwork Experiences
The AFWC, Course Faculty and CEPSA complete all Level I Fieldwork assignments, considering the sequence and content of the curriculum, and the scope of each student’s prior fieldwork experience.
b. Level II Fieldwork Experience
Students meet with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) or Clinical Education Placement and Student Affairs (CEPSA) staff early in their academic program to initiate the fieldwork advising process.
The MGH Institute’s EL-OTD program organizes Level II fieldwork placements into three categories to provide clarity and help students navigate their placement options:
• Regional Pool Placements
Placements located within a 60-mile radius of the IHP. These sites include major hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and community-based settings. Students will submit a list of preferred sites as part of the fieldwork assignment process, but final placements are determined by the IHP Fieldwork Team based on multiple factors, including student performance and site availability.
• National Placements
Placements located beyond the 60-mile radius of the IHP. These opportunities are pursued individually based on student interest and require early advising and planning. Students interested in national placements must engage with the Fieldwork Team early in the advising process.
• Sites with Specific Requirements
Certain placements, whether regional or national, have unique application processes, specific timelines, or additional requirements that must be considered early in the planning process.
Students will participate in Level II Fieldwork meetings each semester to learn more about these categories, timelines, and application processes. Advising is an interactive and ongoing process to support students in identifying and securing appropriate placements.
Fieldwork Placement Commitment Policy
Some fieldwork sites require the submission of a student's name to secure a reservation or mandate participation in a formal application process. Once a student’s name has been submitted to a site, whether to reserve a placement or to initiate an application, the student is obligated to follow through with that placement. This policy also applies to students who commit to out-of-state placements. Students are expected to honor these commitments to maintain the integrity of the fieldwork process and the Institute’s relationships with clinical partners.
Fieldwork Site Information
Information on all fieldwork sites is maintained by the program using the EXXAT software platform.
Fieldwork Site Information Form
Each fieldwork education site is responsible for completing and submitting the Fieldwork Data Form (FWDF) and Fieldwork Site Profile to the program. This form provides comprehensive details about the facility, including health status requirements, descriptions of the practice environment, and types of clients/patients served. Additional site-specific information, such as learning objectives, dress code, and required forms, are posted to the individual site in the EXXAT system. As you prepare for Level II fieldwork, be aware that although there is a history of requirements listed in EXXAT, these may be outdated. Direct communication with the site coordinator (an assignment in OT 760) or a site representative (such as human resources or health services) should be considered the most current source of information. Please note that sites may update their requirements, and these updates will supersede previous listings in the EXXAT system. Students can review the experiences of previous students by accessing the Student Evaluation of Fieldwork Experiences (SEFWE) forms, which are posted on each site in EXXAT. When examining these completed forms, it is important to remember that each student's experience can vary. Therefore, these evaluations should be considered as just one part of your information-gathering process.