The OT School House Podcast:
Episode 12: How to Pay It Forward by Being a Fieldwork Educator
Featuring Akemi Davies-McNeil, MS, OTR/L

In this episode, Jayson interviews his older sister and fellow occupational therapist, Akemi McNeil (formerly Davies). Akemi is currently the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at Stanbridge University's Master's of Science in Occupational Therapy program where she works with hospitals, clinics, schools and other employers in order to place upwards of 120 students in an appropriate fieldwork setting.
In this podcast, Jayson and Akemi talk over what it means to be a fieldwork educator and what every school-based OT should know before taking on a student.
Have a listen if you are interested in the following objectives:
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Listeners will understand the fundamental requirements for being a level 1 and/or level 2 fieldwork educator.
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Listeners will understand the basics of what is expected of both fieldwork educators and fieldwork students.
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Listeners will understand the basics to providing learning experiences to fieldwork students in a school-based setting
Links to Show References:
Have a question for Akemi McNeil? You can contact her at Adavies@stanbridge.edu
AOTA's Fieldwork Educators Certificate Workshop - If you would like to further dive into the theory and supervision models of being a fieldwork educator, check out AOTA's certificate workshop.
AOTA Official Document: "Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Education: Value and Purpose" - Check out this document to solidify your understanding of the purpose of fieldwork education.
AJOT Article: "Supervision of Occupational Therapy Level II Fieldwork Students: Impact on and Predictors of Clinician Productivity" - While this study was not conducted in a school district, their findings do support the idea that taking on a fieldwork student does not typically cause a decrease in productivity.
Earn Professional Development for being a Fieldwork Educator:
Click here to see what counts toward your NBCOT renewal.
Click here to see what your state's OT board says about earning PDUs as an educator.
More Helpful Resources not mentioned in the podcast, but passed on from Akemi McNeil (Affiliate links for your convenience)
When someone asks Akemi for references on how to improve as a fieldwork coordinator, these two books by Donna Costa are her go-to recommendations. Check them out on Amazon if you would like to dive even deeper into being a fieldwork educator.