Practicum SCWK 1364/65
SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM
E
ASTFIELD
PURPOSE
Field experiences are part of all of the counseling programs with internships marking the synthesis and culmination of the academic preparation to become a professional. These provide candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate and
improve knowledge and skills learned in the classroom setting. Internships provide supervised learning experiences to meet the professional needs and goals of the candidate while providing a service to the school or agency. During internships the focus is on face-to-face direct service including individual/group counseling. There are varying numbers of hours required.
The Practicum provides an opportunity for students to apply counseling skills, under close supervision, in a real life work
environment. As a part of the practicum the student will be expected to:
1. Practice skills learned in previous course work;
2. Receive feedback on his/her level of effectiveness in a helping
relationship;
3. Share clinical counseling experiences with others in a supportive setting; 4. Learn what problems others are
encountering and what solutions could be considered;
5. Share techniques that are promising;
6. Work with a variety of clients and presenting problems;
7. Experience those characteristics that are unique to different settings; e.g., schools, businesses and agencies; 8. Relate theory to practice;
9. Begin the formulation of an applied theory of counseling;
10.Research areas of professional interest;
11.Work in an ethical and professional manner;
12.Work toward professional
certification/licensure requirements. In addition to providing actual counseling experiences for the student, it is anticipated that the practicum will help meet the needs of the community's businesses and agencies by providing well-trained students who can perform a variety of human services.
PRACTICUM REQUIREMENTS
Each student is REQUIRED to attend the
ORIENTATION schedule in the campus schedule (fall, spring or summer).
Before enrolling in the practicum you must have completed the following courses:
SCWK 1305 Group Work Intervention
SCWK 1313 Introduction to Social Services
SCWK 1321 Orientation to Social Services
SCWK 2301 Assessment and Case Management
SCWK 2307 Human Behavior and Social Environment
SCWK 2311 Interviewing and Counseling Theories
SCWK 2331 Abnormal Behavior
You are required to complete 336 CLOCK HOURS at your practicum site. This averages out to about one day full-time per week, but may be acquired in smaller increments. LOGS, EVALUATIONS, AND FINAL HOURS are due the last class of the semester. Unreturned field supervision evaluations will result in an “I” grade for that semester.
The instructor reserves the right to make assignments throughout the practicum as part of the group or individual supervision sessions. The instructor also reserves the right to assign remediation work.
STEPS FOR SECURING A PRACTICUM SITE
In order to secure an appropriate internship site the student intern is responsible for the following:
1. Begin your search early – securing an internship site is more difficult than it sounds. It is recommended that you begin your search early in the semester prior to your internship year. You should consult with the coordinator regularly during this time. Many agencies require on-site training of the intern prior to commencement of internship work. You should check with your agency about this requirement and arrange dates for your training as early as possible. A list of possible practicum and internship placements is available on the Eastfield website.
2. Make sure your site can accommodate your needs – your site must agree to
provide you with opportunities to complete all of your internship requirements. Most importantly, you should make sure that:
a. Your site can provide you with enoughcontact hours to complete your requirements
b. You will receive regular weekly supervision with your on-site supervisor
c. Your on-site supervisor is licensed as a LMHS, LCSW, LMFT, or Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. If you are completing an internship in another state, you should assure that your supervisor has the appropriate license in that state. Students will not be allowed to complete an internship experience
without a licensed supervisor present on site.
d. You will be able to complete all course requirements specified in this handbook AND your course syllabus.
3. Complete necessary paperwork - Prior to your internship you should have an agency agreement completed with your chosen site, an initial contract, and a start date for your internship experience. All forms are attached. Many agencies require on-site training of the intern prior to
commencement of clinical work. You should check with your agency about this
requirement and arrange dates for your training as early as possible.
4. Interns will not be permitted to accrue internship hours prior to the start of the semester and/or prior to having all necessary paperwork completed.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the internship is the acquisition of competence in the skills required by the work role of the counselor in a specific setting. The internship requires the Counseling candidate to:
Demonstrate skills in developing a counseling relationship;
Articulate a counseling approach that is consistent with personal values, and theoretical beliefs; Accurately identify client concerns
and issues;
Assess clients from a multicultural perspective to understand their worldview, values, family structure and behavioral norms;
Demonstrate the appropriate use of assessment instruments based on a familiarity with the validity and reliability of these instruments; Interpret data about clients
Demonstrate familiarity with and an understanding the DSM-IV
classification of disorders and the various diagnostic categories (of particular importance for mental health counselors);
Make recommendations for clients based on available data and develop a counseling plan;
Provide individual and group counseling services from the beginning of the counseling relationship to termination; Demonstrate an ability to provide
information to a group through a presentation, workshop, or classroom guidance program; Demonstrate an understanding
means of evaluating professional effectiveness.
Demonstrate sensitivity for legal and ethical dilemmas and conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner at all times. Demonstrate verbal
communications that are clear and concise in daily interactions with co-workers and other professionals; Engage in consultation with
professionals and during
interdisciplinary team meetings; Educate clients on such issues as self
care, daily living skills, parenting, education and other support services;
Demonstrate effective referral and collaboration skills;
Write reports required by the site supervisor including progress notes and written client records;
Demonstrate computer skills for word processing, specialized software application, web, email, and search of data bases;
Communicate with other professionals using appropriate terminology pertaining to
counseling, psychopathology, special services and psychotropic
medication;
TIME REQUIREMENTS
The internships are associated with specific hour requirements of 336 hours.
INTERNSHIP SITE SELECTION
Often internships lead directly to employment. Therefore, identifying appropriate sites requires careful thought and research. When possible, candidates should interview counselors and/or
internship directors at the site of interest. A variety of community sites are listed in the Internship Directory available online. If a student identifies a site that meets these criteria and which is not on the directory, they should consult program faculty for possibly adding the site. When selecting field placement sites, candidates should take the following steps:
1. Candidates should begin formulating their practicum and internship plans when they enter the program. 2. Students should plan to diversify
their internship experiences in terms of counseling issues/goals,
populations, and settings. 3. Candidates may wish to set up
appointments to visit several sites in order to make a more informed choice.
4. Field Placement sites must provide an organized and varied training
experience in which candidates receive consistent, qualified, individual supervision during their placement. Candidates may not be used as clerical or support staff. Internship experiences are intended to mirror the work of the
professional counselors.
5. When candidates and sites agree to work together, they should meet to discuss their specific plans. Once a student has identified a potential site they should complete their application and submit it for faculty review and program approval. Note that completion of the program depends on successful completion of each and every internship which may require a positive background check and fingerprint review. 6. Candidates should have a current
resume ready to take to the site. Again, they are likely to be subjected to a background check (finger
printing), or a drug screen.
7. Interns are expected to be involved in those activities in which the regular staff is engaged. During the course of internships candidates should assume all duties of a staff counselor while they are on site (for instance, intake interviews,
individual, and group counseling appropriate to their course
experience). Sites that severely limit the candidates’ activities will lose the intern and will not be used in the future.
8. Internship sites have the option of accepting or declining to have an intern student at their site.
Therefore, candidates should make the best possible impression and conduct themselves in a
professional manner when they visit sites on an informal or formal basis. Some sites offer paid positions to internship candidates before they begin their placement, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Conversely, there are some candidates who can arrange an internship as part of their work. This should be carefully considered and planned, and requires program approval.
9. Once the internship placement has been approved by the program faculty, the student and site supervisor should meet to develop clear activities in which the
candidate will be expected to engage throughout the placement.
EVALUATIONS
The college and on-site supervisor will collaborate in the evaluation of the candidate.
Internships are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A satisfactory grade is earned if the candidate:
Completes all experiences agreed to in the field experience agreement and the course syllabus;
Participates in and is prepared for the supervision sessions;
Competently completes all course requirements and assignments including those for hours;
Demonstrates good interpersonal relationships with clients and co-workers;
Demonstrates a willingness to address personal issues or professional limitations by following the recommendations of the faculty or site supervisor;
Demonstrates counseling and related skills consistent with their training.
SUPERVISORY EVALUATION
Faculty supervisors, site supervisors, and internship students work collaboratively throughout the semester to assess the student’s performance and monitor his/her progress. Feedback to students is a continuous process and student progress is documented in final semester evaluations. Each professional providing supervision to internship candidates must complete evaluation forms at the end of the student’s field experience. Site supervisors are expected to review their evaluations with students before submitting the evaluation form to the Faculty Supervisor. It is strongly recommended that students use this same evaluation process to compare self-ratings and supervisors’ ratings. Supervisors are also encouraged to write specific strengths and weaknesses in space provided since this gives university supervisors areas where they can intervene for improvement.
EVALUATION OF PROGRESS
At the mid-point of the practicum or internship experience, supervisors and students will be expected to evaluate students’ progress and make any necessary adjustments to the goals and objectives that were developed at the start of the field experience.
It is essential that supervisors engage in ongoing assessment of the student’s performance. If there are any problems with the student’s performance, the supervisor is expected to
communicate this to the student and the practicum/internship coordinator. A remediation plan will be developed by the supervisor and student and submitted to the student’s instructor.
Table of Contents
1.
Syllabus
(Available online via
Start Here Tab
)
2.
Recommended Practicum Site List
(Available online via
Start Here Tab
)
3.
Student Application
4.
Professional Liability Insurance Enrollment Form
5.
Code of Ethics Statement
6.
Placement Contract
7.
Training Station Agreement
8.
Site Visit
9.
Final Internship Evaluation Form (Completed by
Site Supervisor
)
10.
Student Evaluation of Practicum Site (Completed by
Student
)
11.
Practicum Student Self Evaluation Objectives (Completed by
Student
)
12.
Time Sheets (Completed online via
Assignment Tab
)
13.
Seminar Reports (Completed online via
Assignment Tab
)
14.
Bi-Weekly Supervision (Completed online via
Assignment Tab
)
15.
Bi-Weekly Journal (Completed online via
Assignment Tab
)
16.
Resume (Submitted online via
Assignment Tab
)
Dallas County Community College District Internship/ Practicum/ Cooperative Education
Student Application
Name:
Last First Student ID.:
Email: Day Phone:
Degree Program: Year/ Semester
Course Section: Course Number
Work Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Class Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Hours Worked Weekly: ______________________________________________
Present Employer: __________________________________________________
Employer Address: ___________________________________________
Professional Liability Insurance for Students
Responsibility. As your student responsibilities increase, so does the chance of you being named in a lawsuit, regardless of the charges. Frivolous and unjustified claims are commonplace in today’s courts. Professional Liability insurance is a necessary safeguard for any student healthcare professional. Vulnerability. A lawsuit could end your career and cripple you financially. Professional Liability insurance could help protect you from professional and financial devastation… as soon as you’re threatened in a law suit.
Pays 1,000,000/3,000,000 Professional Liability Coverage
1,000,000/ 3,000,000 Professional Liability protection on covered claims arising from real or alleged negligence. The insurance company may pay up to $1,000,000 per incident or up to a total of 3,000,000 for all covered incidents, regardless of the number of claims of persons involved.
Additional protection with Supplement Liability Coverage By adding supplement liability coverage, subject to the terms of the insurance certificate, you are covered for bodily injury and property damage occurrences not related to your professional duties.
If you have passed your licensing examination and are licensed or registered do not use this form. Please contact the administrator for appropriate enrollment form indicating your professional status.
Check Type of Student
Student Recreational Therapist Student Rehabilitation Therapist Student Rehabilitation
Student Substance Abuse Counselor Student Occupational Therapist Student Social Worker
Other– Explain and include a copy of the curriculum on a separate sheet of paper.
Last Name: _______________ First Name:___________________________
School ID. Number:______________________
Address (Home)_______________________________________________
City:________________ State:_____ Zip:__________________________
Daytime Phone Number:_______________________
Full Name of School:_____________________________________________
Address of School:
__________________________________________________
City:_______________ State:_________________ Zip:______________
Scheduled Date of Graduation: Month ______________ Yr:________
Allied Health Insurance
I understand that I am not covered by this insurance if I am any of the following: physician, surgeon, dentist, nurse midwife, chiropractor, podiatrist, osteopath, psychiatrist, attorney, accountant, financial advisor, investment consultant, or real estate or insurance agent or broker. I understand that these professionals’ occupations are excluded from coverage. I understand that the insurance will not apply to any partner, principal or owner of a residential overnight facility. The insurance described herein is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the insurance certificate.
Once the completed application has been approved and the premium has been received you will become a member of the Lone Star Health Care Purchasing Group. Located and Domiciled in Texas and obtain the insurance coverage afforded through the Group Policy on an annual term.
This application is subject to the underwriter’s approval. Your completion of this application and premium payment does not bind coverage or obligate the insurance company to issue you insurance coverage. Coverage will become effective following the receipt of your acceptable application and premium payment. Your application cannot be processed unless it is completed in its entity. The application is subject to the company’s underwriting rules.
I declare the information contained in the application is true and that no material facts have been suppressed or misstated. I understand that incorrect information could void the protection. Any person who knowingly and with intent of defraud any insurance company or any other person files an application for insurance containing any false information, or conceals, for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fat material thereto commits a fraudulent insurance act.
Limits of Liability 1,000,000 each incident/ $3,000,000 aggregate
Premium– 1 year $ 18.13
Coverage is effective the date your enrollment form and payment are received and accepted in our offices.
Code of Ethics
(a) A social worker must observe and comply with the code of conduct and standards of practice set forth in this subchapter. Any violation of the code of conduct or standards of practice will constitute unethical conduct or conduct that discredits or tends to discredit the profession of social work and is grounds for disciplinary action.
(1) A social worker shall not refuse to do or refuse to perform any act or service for which the person is licensed solely on the basis of a client's age, gender, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.
(2) A social worker shall truthfully report or present her or his services, professional credentials and qualifications to clients or potential clients.
(3) A social worker shall only offer those services that are within his or her professional competency. (4) A social worker shall strive to maintain and improve her or his professional knowledge, skills and abilities.
(5) A social worker shall base all services on an assessment, evaluation or diagnosis of the client. (6) A social worker shall provide the client with a clear description of services, schedules, fees and billing at the initiation of services.
(7) A social worker shall safeguard the client's rights to confidentiality within the limits of the law. (8) A social worker shall be responsible for setting and maintaining professional boundaries. (9) A social worker shall not have sexual contact with a client or a person who has been a client. (10) A social worker shall refrain from providing service while impaired due to the social worker's physical or mental health or the use of medication, drugs or alcohol.
(11) A social worker shall not exploit his or her position of trust with a client or former client.
(12) A social worker shall evaluate a client's progress on a continuing basis to guide service delivery and will make use of supervision and consultation as indicated by the client's needs.
(13) A social worker shall refer a client for those services that the social worker is unable to meet and terminate service to a client when continued service is no longer in the client's best interest.
___________________________________ Print Name
____________________________________ _____________________________
EASTFIELD COLLEGE
SOCIAL WORK/ GERONTOLOGY PRACTICUM PLACEMENT CONTRACT
The following Contract is mutually agreed upon in order to clarify the joint and separate responsibilities between __________________________________hereinafter referred to as the “Agency”, and Eastfield College, hereinafter referred to as the “College”, by which the parties will provide field instruction in Social Work for selected students of the College. This Contract supersedes any previous contract or agreement, verbal or written, entered into between the College and the Agency for the purpose of the Social Work Practicum/Field Experience.
SECTION I
It is mutually agreed that:
1. The purpose of the Social Work placement with the Agency is to provide opportunities for learning and to enable the students to meet the requirements for Practicum or Field Work Experience known as Cooperative Work Experience.
2. The Agency will have the right to reject any student who, in the Agency’s judgment, does not meet its criteria for acceptance and to set the total number of students the Agency is willing to accept for placement.
3. The Agency through the Field Instructor(s) will provide input to the College’s Social Work Associate Curriculum and the College is responsible for maintaining adequate structure to consider the utilization of such input.
SECTION II
The Agency agrees to:
1. Accept Social Work training as an integral part of its operation with statue and recognition and include participation in the overall Agency program and activities as appropriate to the objectives of field instruction and practicum requirements. The Agency will provide the students such cases, client contact, access to records and other information within the Agency, as appropriate to meet the objectives of field instruction and practicum requirements, including both a variety of direct service experiences and experiences with the organizational functioning of the Agency.
2. Appoint a professional staff with LMSW, LSW, LPC, psychologist, physician or other behavioral sciences background who demonstrates commitment to practice and to education to assume a day-to-day working relationship with the College’s Field Instructor and to act as On-site Supervisor(s) for the students(s) and will allot said staff member(s) sufficient time for planning, supervision, evaluation, and to gain familiarity with the College’s program.
3. Furnish in writing to the College any exceptional criteria it considers necessary for selection of students placed with the Agency.
4. Inform the College of any difficulties a student is having which might result in termination of the placement or a failing grade. The Agency will be responsible for documenting any student difficulties and efforts to deal with them.
5. Provide the use of existing office space, including privacy for interviewing, and such equipment, supplies, and clerical assistance as are necessary to the accomplishment of the learning tasks and the student’s responsibilities in the Agency.
6. Inform the College of any change in policies, procedures, and/or staffing that might affect the quality or nature of field instruction.
7. Make time available to Field Instructor(s) for participation in periodic workshops and seminars.
8. Provide the College with the Agency’s standards and regulations for personnel. Students will be subject to such rules and regulations of the Agency as are congruent with educational objectives of Practicum/Field Experience.
9. Retain responsibility for services to its clients.
SECTION III
The College agrees to:
1. Assume responsibility for the selection of students to be placed with the Agency, and provide the Agency, prior to placement, information about the student’s academic achievement, previous work experience, and a brief autobiography. The College agrees to endeavor to select students for Placement who meet any exceptional criteria specified by the Agency.
2. Honor a written request by the Agency, detailing the reason or cause, to relieve a student of his/her field placement responsibilities if such a student is found unsuitable for his/her assignment, or if unusual circumstances within the Agency dictate termination of the Social Work Practicum/Field Experience.
3. Conduct periodic workshops and seminars for On-site Supervisors which will include new developments in Social Work education, practice and information on the overall functioning and management of the Social Work Associate Program in the College.
4. Provide On-site Supervisors with a statement of the educational objectives of the Social Work Practicum/Field Experience, explanation of the various forms required for the Practicum/Field Experience, a copy of clinical learning activities and work with them in developing the kinds of learning experiences to which the student should be exposed.
5. Assume responsibility for the overall quality of the student’s education in the Social Work Associate Program and for the administration of the field instruction program in relation to the educational requirements of the Social Work Associate Program and the College.
6. Be responsible for the cooperation with the Agency in maintaining standards in preparing students for placement to assure the quality of service required by the Agency.
SECTION IV
Terms of the contract:
1. This Agreement will become effective on the ___day of ______________.
2. This Contract will remain valid until canceled by either or both of the Parties hereto. In the event that there is no mutual agreement concerning cancellation, then either Party may give written notice of cancellation to the other Party and this Contract will be canceled effective thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice.
FOR the faithful performance of the terms of the Contract, the Parties hereto, in their capacities as stated, affix their signatures and blind themselves.
EASTFIELD COLLEGE _____________________________
Agency
By: _________________________ By: _________________________ Title: _______________________ Title: ________________________ Date: _______________________ Date: ________________________ _________________________ _____________
Dallas County Community College District Internship/ Practicum/ Cooperative Education Training Station Agreement
Program Information:
College: _______________________________Course: _________________ Rating Period:_______ Year: _________ Today’s Date: _____________ Major: ____________________________________ Degree Plan Field: ______________________________________________
Student Information:
Name: ______________________________ Home Phone: ______________ Work Phone: _________ E-mail: _____________________________ Job Title: ___________________
Sponsor Firm: ________________________________________________________________________ Evaluating Supervisor: ______________________________________ Title: _______________________ E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________ Address _________________ City/ Zip __________________________
Training Station Agreement: Three participants- student, supervisor and instructor/ coordinator- in this Internship/ Practicum/ Cooperative Education venture will cooperate to determine the learning
objectives toward which the student will work. Each semester a student enrolls in Internship/ Practicum/ Cooperative Education it is necessary that new learning objectives be identified.
Achievement of the objectives will be part of the basis for the credit and the evaluating supervisor on the job site each semester. The supervisor assists with the evaluation of the student performance. The instructor/ coordinator determine the students’ final grade. The Student agrees to abide by the guidelines of the Internship/ Practicum/ Cooperative Education program.
________________________ _________ ____________________________ _______ Evaluating Supervisor Date Student Date _____________________________ ___________________
Instructor Coordinator Date
