UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions
Office of Student Services
Academic Success
Clinical Placement | | How should I start? | | | | | | • Familiarize yourself with the facility | | | | | | 1. Take a dry run to the facility to confirm the travel time needed, allow for traffic, finding parking, etc. | | | | | | 2. Become familiar with the physical layout of the facility. | | | | | | 3. Familiarize yourself with policies and procedures in the areas of your clinical work. | | | | | | 4. Familiarize yourself with the hierarchy of the site. | | | | | | 5. Clarify the history of SHRP with that facility as a clinical site. (e.g. Are you the first student placed there? Will there be more than one SHRP student?) | | | | | | 6. Confirm dress code. Obtain ID for facility entry and parking if necessary. | | | | | | 7. Introduce yourself to the staff. | | | | | | • Clarify the evaluation process | | | | | | 1. Will you be evaluated by a variety of site facilitators or one specific evaluator? | | | | | | 2. Are you clear on the criteria of evaluation? | | | | | | 3. Do you understand the process of evaluation (e.g. weekly, mid-term, completion of rotation)? | | | | | | 4. Is there a structured supervision time? | | | | | | 5. Are there structured seminars to attend as part of the clinical experience? | | | | | | 6. What is the program and/or site policy regarding absentees, lateness, and make-up days? | | | | | | 7. Are you clear on who has access to the evaluation information? (e.g. evaluator, site, program director, faculty advisor, and/or student). | Additional Suggestions: | | Maintain a journal documenting clinical experiences on a daily basis. Include the following: | | |
• Date, time of arrival, time leaving clinical assignment, name of staff person to whom you are assigned.
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• A brief description of the significant experiences of the day.
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• A list of questions that may have arisen due to clinical involvement.
| There are several skills outside the classroom that are crucial in a clinical experience: • Professional attitude
• Initiative
• Patient rapport
• Communication skills - patient, staff, and peers
• Humility
"You have one chance to make a first impression."
Remember:
• It is your facilitator's job to ask questions - don't take it personally. • Learn quickly the people who facilitate the workflow. • If occasionally asked to perform routine work, remain pleasant and complete the tasks. However, if a majority of your assignments constitute busywork, speak with your supervisor. • Once you have learned a procedure or task, do not be tempted to repeat it. Your mission is to move on and gain as much varied experiences as possible. • Your clinical experience is not only an educational opportunity but it could be future employment. • Site supervisors and evaluators can be sources of future recommendations. • Often times professional communities are small and colleagues communicate with one another…what will their conversation about you be? • As a student, mistakes can be expected but skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and professional behavior will be observed. • Stay focused on the reason you are there. Gain as much experience and knowledge as possible. |
