Fieldwork

The transition from classroom-based learning to clinically-based apprenticeship learning is an exciting time to apply what you've learned on campus. 

Fieldwork for students

During the spring semesters of your fourth and fifth years, you will register for three months of full-time supervised fieldwork experience each year. UB's Occupational Therapy program maintains more than 240 clinical affiliation agreements throughout the United States. Students will choose their fieldwork sites by a lottery system and in consultation with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator. Students should expect to leave the Western New York area to fulfill this requirement.

Students should note that the graduate component of the professional program includes multiple fieldwork experiences and does not follow the standard university academic calendar regarding semester start dates, end dates, final exams, recess. Fieldwork does not allow for flexibility to accommodate university athletic team schedules. Specific information about each semester will be provided at the time of course registration.

OT 620 Level II Fieldwork A

6 Units, Spring Semester

Three months of full-time supervised fieldwork experience following the completion of required academic courses. This fieldwork experience will take place in a medical or home-based setting.

OT 621 Level II Fieldwork B

6 Units, Spring Semester

Three months of full-time supervised fieldwork experience following the completion of required applied practice academic courses. This fieldwork experience will take place in a setting that is different than that completed for OT 620, including (but not limited to) educational/school based, community-based, work/ergonomic based, and emerging practice settings.

May 2021 locations of health care facilities with UB affiliation agreements that accept UB OT students on fieldwork placements. This map is for general reference only. We cannot answer questions about the future availability of fieldwork in a certain area.

Fieldwork in my workplace: information for clinicians

Benefits of Clinical Education in your workplace: Free Con ED: Free CEUs or PDUs for taking students Free Continuing Professional Education Free UB Library Access and Clinical Resources Free UB services Tuition Waiver Productivity: Evidence shows that productivity is not negatively impacted, but may even increase in some settings when students are involved! Finding a balance between clinical activities and student supervision. Preceptor and Student benefits: Enhance your clinical knowledge Opportunities to give back to your profession Patients believe that students are an important part of the care team Gain mentoring experience  In-person and social networking Hiring opportunities: Get to know the students’ skills at YOUR site Expedited on-the-job training for a potential future employee. Allows student and site determination of right fit Students become aware of the facility protocols and practices. Many students often accept positions at their one of their previous internship sites. UB Points of pride: UB OT and PT faculty hold state and national professional leadership roles. UB OT and PT programs have excellent board pass rates and employment rates of recent graduates. UB DPT students complete more clinical education than nearly any program in the country. UB Clinical Education Contact Info: OT: Turquessa Francis: tpgreen@buffalo.edu PT: Mike Policella: mep9@buffalo.edu.

Thank you for considering mentoring University at Buffalo OT students on fieldwork placements.

The above infographic outlines some of the ways participating in clinical education programs benefit your workplace, including:

  • free continuing education
  • hiring opportunities
  • free UB Libraries database access
  • mentoring experience

We hope to see you on zoom for UB’s free continuing education opportunities, which can be found on the Rehabilitation Science department's Events page.

For more information about working with UT OT students on fieldwork placements, contact UB's OT Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Turquessa Francis, tpgreen@buffalo.edu