FIELD PLACEMENT ORIENTATION

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• FIELD PLACEMENT ORIENTATION
• Field Placement Coordinator
• Jackie Walker
• jwalker_at_mail.sdsu.edu
• [phone]

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GLOSSARY

• Field Placement (a.k.a. field practice,
  internship, field practicum) The placement of a
  student in a real world setting that gives the
  student an educational experience in direct
  public health work. Application of what is
  learned in course work.
• Field Placement Coordinator Your go-to person
  for assistance and guidance through the
  internship or career development process.
• Field Placement Site (a.k.a. Preceptor, Agency
  Site, Field Site) The organization/company where
  the practicum will take place.
• Field Placement Planning Form (FPPF) A required
  form for all students wishing to obtain PH
  650/750 credit. Includes learning objectives and
  tasks/duties for planned internship.

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GLOSSARY CONT.

• Field Supervisor (a.k.a. Field Practice
  Supervisor)
• Management-level employee individual of the
  field agency that is responsible for on-site
  supervision of the student. Must agree to meet
  with the student at least 2 hours/week for
  guidance and feedback.
• Professional Liability Insurance - Known as
  malpractice
• coverage this protects students against
  liability for damages
• and cost of defense based upon his/her alleged
  or real
• professional errors and omissions or mistakes.
  
• Service-Learning Agreement A formal agreement
• between SDSU/GSPH and the field sites. Sites
  with agreements
• on file will ensure student liability through
  the SDSU Student
• Professional Liability Insurance Program
  (SPLIP).

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Purpose of Field Practice

• The primary purpose of the field practice is to
  provide GSPH students with a real-world public
  health learning experience, where the student
  will have the opportunity to apply the skills and
  knowledge they have acquired through their
  coursework.

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BENEFITS

• Enhances your resume with career related
  experience.
• Contacts for your future job search.
• Learn more about your chosen industry or field.
• Apply academic learning to hands-on situations.
• Become more knowledgeable about general work
  functions.
• Investigate organizational culture.
• Learn career-related skills such as, public
  speaking, report-
• writing, dealing with customers...
• Polish communication skills needed in the
  workplace.

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PAID OR UNPAID?

• Hard times means most need paid jobs or
  internships, however dont be quick to reject
  unpaid internships. Consider these reasons
• You stand out to that employer as someone who is
  sacrificing for the opportunity and they will
  look for ways to keep/pay you.
• As a student, you get the first foot in the door
  during a rough economy with thousands of people
  looking to get in.
• You get the opportunity to network and may find a
  part-time job in the field.

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Unpaid internship When is it legal?

• 1. It must be an educational experience, the
  equivalent of vocational school.
• 2. It must primarily benefit the trainee.
• 3. The intern cannot do work that would otherwise
  be done by a paid employee, and must work under
  the close supervision of a manager.
• 4. The employer cannot profit from the intern's
  work.
• 5. The employer must not promise upfront a paid
  job at the conclusion of the internship. It's OK
  to offer a job once the internship ends.
• 6. The intern and employer must agree if no wages
  are to be paid. It's best to put this
  understanding in writing, and have both parties
  sign the paper.
• Sources Jay Zweig, a Phoenix labor lawyer U.S.
  Labor Department

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Field Placement Policies

• All MPH students are required to have
  successfully completed a community-based public
  health field practice experience before
  graduation.
• Requirement of a minimum of 3 units in a
  community setting, and a maximum of 12 units of
  PH 650/750 (6 of 650/6 of 750) will be allowed
• One unit of field practice credit equates to 60
  hours or 180 hours for 3 units (360 hours for 6
  units)

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Community-based Internship

• Exposure to community health issues, practices
  and culture.
• Experience with diverse ethnicities/cultures.
• At least 60 of your duties/activities involve
  working outside of a university research office.
  For example, community members, public
  health/healthcare professionals and other
  stakeholders.

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Field Placement Policies Cont.

• Requests to work on a research project of SDSU or
  
• any other university for the community field
  practice credit is acceptable as long as it can
  be demonstrated that it is a community-based
  project.
• REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
• PROJECT DESCRIPTION - If you cannot find the name
  of the project on the list of Approved Sites
  located on the GSPH field practice website, then
  the project description on the FPPF must
  demonstrate that it is a community-based
  research project.
• ACTIVITIES/DUTIES IN COMMUNITY On the FPPF, you
  must clearly indicate which duties will be in the
  research office and which will be in the
  community (i.e. community organization, outside
  venue, other public health orgs).

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Field Placement Policies Cont.

• Students employed in the public health field may
  be approved to work at their site for credit
  however, students must demonstrate that the
  experience will not be part of currently assigned
  work-related duties. Hours spent on reassigned
  duties must equal that of the required hours.
• Students requesting a continued internship may be
  approved to continue at the same site for credit
  however, students must provide new learning
  objectives and demonstrate that the experience
  will include advanced skill acquisition and other
  new learning opportunities.
• REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
• Employer/Preceptor Verification of Field Practice
  Requirements form along with FPPF

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FP COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

• PH 650 (option of 3 or 6 units) The first
  internship experience. Should be the
  community-based field practice requirement.
  After you meet requirement your next internship
  does not have to include duties in the community.
• NOTE If you choose 3 the first semester, you
  can enroll in another 3 in another semester, but
  not recommended unless you have to.
• PH 750 (option of 3 or 6 units) The
  second/third internship. An advanced training
  experience. May be at the same site.
• Course has corresponding division code
• A EPI/BIO D EH E HSA
  F HP

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ENROLLMENT OPTIONS

• 3 UNITS (180 hours) or 6 UNITS (360)
• Hours can be spread out over two semesters (max).
• Register in the semester the hours will be
  completed (at least 80 of hours must be
  completed by the last day of classes) or in the
  semester following.
• Example You start in June and you will finish
  by end of August. You could register in the
  summer OR fall.
• OR
• You start in September and youre pretty sure
  you will have worked 144 hours by Dec.18th. You
  can register in Fall. If not, you would register
  in Spring.
• NOTE You must complete required hours (180/360)
  by the end of the month.

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FIELD PRACTICE FORMS

• Field Placement Planning Form (FPPF) Site info,
  learning objectives duties. All students are
  required to email me a DRAFT (without signatures)
  no less than 2 weeks before last day of spring
  classes (summer) or 2 weeks before last day to
  add/drop (fall/spring).
• Employer/Preceptor Verification of Field Practice
  Requirements Supervisor/student verification
  that internship is different. Only for those who
  request another semester at the same site OR
  credit for work at place of employment. Must be
  turned in with FPPF.

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FIELD PRACTICE FORMS

• Verification of Professional Liability Insurance
  
• Coverage
• ONLY IF
• A Service-Learning Agreement is NOT on file
• You are employed by site
• You are covered with company liability policy
  (need to ask supervisor or HR dept.)
• You purchase your own liability coverage (see
  instructions on form)

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FIELD PRACTICE FORMS CONT.

• Field Practice Enrollment Application (web-based)
  Schedule number application. Submit only AFTER
  you received email approval from Field Placement
  Coordinator.
• Student Evaluation of Field Placement (web-based)
  Within 2 weeks of completing hours or by the
  last week of classes, whichever comes first.
• Supervisor Evaluation of Field Placement
  (web-based) -
• Within 2 weeks of completing hours or by the
  last week of classes, whichever comes first.

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Options for Liability Coverage

• 1. SDSU Student Professional Liability Insurance
  
• Program (SPLIP) - all students are eligible
  to be
• covered under the university insurance
  policy,
• Student Professional Liability Insurance
  Program
• (SPLIP) as long as a formal Service Learning
  
• Agreement is on file between the university
  and
• the internship site.
• NOTE SLA sites will be posted on website.
  Process of establishing agreement can take at up
  to 4 weeks.

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Options for Liability Coverage

• Employer Coverage Students employed by their
  field site are most likely covered. Have
  Supervisor complete the Verification of
  Professional Liability Coverage form.
• Personal Coverage Students who select a site
  without a formal agreement in place and do not
  want to wait 2-4 weeks to establish a
  Service-Learning agreement may opt to purchase
  their own coverage (approx. 20-30 annually). The
  student must sign the Verification of
  Professional Liability Coverage form and email or
  attach copy of policy.

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Examples of Field Sites

• In order to ensure that students are getting a
  truly integrative learning experience, the field
  practice must be completed in in a community
  setting including but not limited to
• Hospitals
• Managed Care Organizations
• Government Agencies
• Community Based Organizations
• Research Institutions
• Private Institutions
• Some SDSU research projects/services (check
  policy)

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PRECEPTOR REQUIREMENTS

• Site, project and duties are relevant and
  appropriate to concentration.
• For community-based requirement Duties/Tasks
  must include activities in the field/community
  via interaction with community members and/or
  public health professionals (for
  community-based requirement). Examples include
  interviews, surveys, community meetings, health
  fairs, outreach, etc.
• Organization can provide the student with two or
  more learning opportunities, and has adequate
  staff and support (i.e. not just data entry).

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PRECEPTOR REQUIREMENTS CONT.

• Field Supervisor (FS) holds a paid
  management-level position within the
  organization, with the ability to assign duties.
• FS is able to devote at least 2 hours per week to
  field training activities, including planning,
  supervision and evaluation.
• FS agrees to complete online Evaluation Survey.

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FIELD PLACEMENT PLANNING FORM (FPPF)

• Read instructions and utilize sample FPPF on the
  website.
• Fill out completely and thoroughly.
• Provide bulleted learning objectives
  comprehensive description of the organization AND
  the project and list duties in office AND
  community.
• Email me DRAFT at least 2-3 weeks BEFORE your
  planned start date (longer if no SLA on file). No
  signatures at this time.

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FPPF - Learning Objectives

• The competencies, skills, knowledge or
  understanding that you hope to acquire through
  your field experience, NOT duties.
• Minimum of 3
• Specific, reasonable and realistic
• Concise statements
• Written in present tense with action verbs that
  describe how learning will be demonstrated
• See FPPF Instructions and Field Practice Manual
  for more guidance

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Examples of Learning Objectives

• Acquire skills in survey design and
  administration for a Latino health study
  assessing physical activity and nutrition habits
  of adult Latinas.
• Develop and facilitate HIV health education
  classes for youth ages 12-24.
• Network and develop working relationships with
  members and participating organizations of the
  Coalition of Children and Weight.  

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Examples of Tasks/Duties

• OFFICE DUTIES
• Review, revise and prepare study protocols
• Perform literature review
• Data Entry/Analysis
• Research and develop study tools, materials and
  curriculum.
• IN COMMUNITY
• Participate in outreach activities including
  health fairs and other community events.
• Conduct street surveys, stakeholder surveys and
  focus groups at various sites.
• Conduct health education classes for teens at
  community recreation centers.
• Attend community and professional meetings.

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Preparing for Field Practice

• Go to the GSPH website and SDSU Career Services
  for resources (i.e. internship listing and
  ideas) www.publichealth.sdsu.edu
• Sign-Up for GSPH List-Serve (Student Handbook) as
  well as others (i.e. APHA/ASPH)
• Determine what semester to do your field practice
  in (consider class load/finances, etc.)
• Do a complete self-assessment of your skills,
  personality traits, interests, goals and
  preferences for work settings (office, lab,
  field, etc.).

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Preparing for FP Cont.

• Set up Informational Interviews with several
  organizations/companies.
• Network with faculty, students, friends, etc.
• Update your resume cover letter (SDSU Career
  Services)
• GET INVOLVED!! - DSAC, clubs, community
  coalitions related to your health area of
  interest, professional organizations (APHA)

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Selecting a Site

• Does the internship site/project qualify as an
  appropriate GSPH field practice site?
• Are the duties/responsibilities appropriate and
  relevant to my concentration? Skill level?
• Will I be able to apply what I am/have been
  learning in the program?
• Will I learn a new skill (s) that I have wanted
  to learn?

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Selecting a Site

• Is the work setting/environment a good fit with
  my personality?
• Will I have the opportunity to participate in
  trainings, conferences or other professional
  development events?
• Does the Field Supervisor have sufficient time
  and interest in being a mentor/supervisor?
• Is there a potential thesis opportunity?

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Tips for your Internship

• Keep yourself in check You may be a student but
  it is expected that you adhere to the same rules
  as the employees. Observe the office
  rules/environment/culture and adapt to it.
• Always be professional Good manners, respect,
  appropriate dress and language at all times.
• Don't refuse any task Take on all tasks and do
  them well and willinglyyou will get noticed and
  rewarded.
• Ask questions It is okay if you dont know
  something, even if you think you should.
• Keep a journal/portfolio Keep track of your
  contacts, resources and products you developed.

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Tips for your Internship

• Utilize me as your resource to assist you
  throughout your internship and pathway to your
  public health career.
• Tell me about problems If your supervisor is not
  giving you the guidance/support you would like,
  youre not being given a variety of learning
  experiences, you dont have the resources you
  need to do your job, etc.then PLEASE TELL ME!

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PH 650/750 Approval Process

• Read Field Practice Manual thoroughly.
• Download the Field Placement Check-List
• Email DRAFT of FPPF and other documents
• 1. Summer - 2 weeks prior to the last day of
  spring classes
• 2. Fall/Spring - 2 weeks before the last day to
  add/drop
• 3. During a semester- 2 weeks before the start
  of the internship.

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PH 650/750 Approval Process

• I review and approve. If not completed correctly
  I will send back to you. Otherwise if okay I then
  send to your Faculty Advisor for final approval.
• Once the site/project has been approved, I will
  send you an email with approval and instructions
  to obtain signature from field supervisor
  complete online Field Practice Enrollment
  Application.
• When you submit the application you will receive
  an electronic confirmation informing you that the
  schedule number and add code (for late
  registration) will be sent to you within 5-7
  business days.

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Approval Process Cont.

• Use schedule number (and add code if applicable)
  to officially add your course through WEBPORTAL.
  IMPORTANT University deadlines apply, therefore
  do not delay this step.

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Important Dates

• December Submit evaluations for completed fall
  internships by last week of classes
• Dec/January Submit FPPF for spring internships
• May
• Submit FPPF for summer internships
• Submit Evaluations for spring internships by last
  week of classes.
• July/August
• Submit FPPF for fall internships
• Submit Evaluations for completed summer
  internships

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PH 650/750 Summer Enrollment Options

• Option 1 You want to work in the summer, but
  get credit in the Fall.
• Must submit paperwork before summer break.
• Wait until Fall registration to submit Enrollment
  App.
• Option 2 You want to work and get credit in
  the summer (Not an option for all divisions-
  Check summer schedule).
• You will need to submit your paperwork no later
  than
• April 30th.
• Must submit enrollment application at least 1
  week
• prior to last day of summer registration

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