Module 2

Responsibilities of

Field Instructor

Overview of Field Instructor requirements and responsibilities

Role of Preceptor Brief overview of Field Instructor document

responsibilities Problem solving student issues Scope of practice of student

A field instructor (FI) is committed to the values and ethics of the social work profession.

A field instructor has an integral role of assisting, teaching and guiding a student in their learning process in the field of social work.

The hands-on field experience that a student receives is vital for their professional development.

A field instructor should have an MSW degree and at

least 2 years of post graduate experience.

Provide each student with a minimum of 1 hour of

individual supervision each week.

Group supervision is an added benefit to a student

learning experience however it cannot be substituted for

the required weekly individual supervision.

Field instructor should be present at the days and times the

student is in field placement. If the field instructor is

unavailable, a preceptor in the agency should be available to

assist student if needs arise. Having a preceptor assigned to

a student is not a requirement.

A preceptor may be chosen by field instructor. The preceptor

may hold a degree in the Behavior Sciences other than

Social Work.

Develop a Learning Agreement along with student that

describes learning objectives and opportunities.

Review process recordings with student. Process

recording log should also be signed by field instructor to

verify submission and review of required process

recordings.

Sign student timesheet that verifies days and times of

student field work.

Complete student Comprehensive Skills Evaluation

along with a credit/no credit recommendation.

Provide student with agency orientation on safety,

policies and procedures.

Become familiar with student’s learning style. Is the

student a visual learner, hands on, trial and error, etc?

Discuss what your expectations are and ask your

student what expectations he/she has of the agency.

Meet with Field Liaison to assess student progress during placement period.

Contact Field Liaison to inform of issues or concerns that arise with student field performance.

Attend field instructor orientations and other field-related activities.

At times, you may encounter concerning issues with an intern that require corrective action. Some of these issues include:

Unethical Conduct Unsatisfactory Performance

Boundary violations with clients, professional colleagues, agency staff, etc. This includes sexual misconduct

Violating agency policies regarding recordkeeping, attendance, tardiness, confidentiality or practice

Misusing social media/technology. This includes disclosing and/or accessing personal information of clients, professional colleagues, agency staff etc.

Inability to cooperate in the learning process with field instructor and or professional colleagues

Physical and/or verbal misconduct/assaults Inability to meet learning expectations

Any violation of the NASW Code of Ethics Inability to demonstrate improvement in performance within the agreed upon timeframe as described in corrective action plan/performance contract

Additional issues to be aware of: Personal problems that interfere with the student’s

performance and/or interactions with clients and agency staff/FI

Negative attitude that impairs the student’s ability to actively participate in the learning experience.

Inability to function in the role of a student (e.g. focus on being an expert and not a learner)

Inability to work with FI

Being on top of any potential issues/problems that may arise will increase the effectiveness of problem solving with your student.

Prevention is key. It is best to identify the issues/concerns early and address them directly and honestly with the student first.

Most students will correct any issues once it is addressed in supervision.

Document the areas where the students needs to make changes; including your meeting with the student to address concerns.

In additional to documenting any issues/problems with students, it’s equally important to engage with the assigned Field Liaison.

The Field Liaison is a resource who can assist in navigating through the problem solving process.

Should there be a need to meet, collaborate in writing a corrective action plan/performance contract for the student, or simply to keep the field liaison informed, communication is key.

Biopsychosocial AssessmentsCase managementSupportive counselingAdvocacyInterdisciplinary Treatment Team PlanningMacro PracticesNetworking/Linkage with other community agenciesShort term/long term treatmentCrisis interventionGroup workPsychotherapy (MSW only)

Program Planning, Development & Evaluation

Community outreach/Organizing

Work with Committees & Boards

Fiscal/Budgetary Issues

Research & Grant Writing

Policies & Procedures

Event Planning

It is within an MSW student’s scope of practice to

perform Psychotherapy or any of the previously

mentioned student activities

Psychotherapy is a form of treatment for emotional

problems in which a therapist establishes a relationship

with an individual for the purpose of modifying self-

defeating patterns of behavior and promoting positive

personality growth and development. Psychotherapy is

generally undertaken to gain self-knowledge. Most

people come to therapy because defenses which have

served them in the past are no longer working or useful.

BSW students are not trained to and may not be allowed to conduct

Psychotherapy(group or individual).

Supportive Counseling is acceptable to be performed by BSW

students.

Supportive counseling is considered an exchange of ideas to

effectively problem solve an individual’s daily living issues

associated with his or her emotional, cognitive, or behavioral

problems. BSW students may engage in skill building or co-

facilitating a group.

Thank you

THE END