MSW Field Orientation

1
MSW Field Orientationthe HEART of Social Work
Education

• Vivian Hurt, MSW,CSW
• Field Director BSW and MSW Programs

2
Whos Who in Field Placement

• Field Director- Responsible for Placement
  contracts, matching students, trouble shooting
• Field Instructor-MSW, post 2 years
• Field Liaison- faculty member responsible for
  coordination and oversight of placement
• Field Placement-agency where student is placed
• Task Supervisor- agency staff person who oversees
  daily activity, under guidance of Field
  Instructor.

3
BSW Field

• 200 Hours First Semester
• 200 Hours Second Semester
• TOTAL 400 Hours in Field -Does not include Pre
  Field Orientation, Travel, or Agency Training
  (only 16 hours per semester)
• Experiential in Nature and Focus
• Application of theories and skills
• Field courses are sequenced with PRACTICE Courses

4
Field Program StandardsProfessional Comportment

• Purpose of WKU MSW Program
• To prepare exemplary social workers that are
  skilled in practice in rural sittings.
• In keeping with this purpose, students are
  expected to possess, appreciate, be able to
  practice and continue to develop the following
  competencies.

5
10 Core Competencies

• Identifies as Professional SW
• Applies Ethical Principles
• Applies Critical Thinking/Professional Judgment
• Engages Diversity
• Advances Human Rights/Justice
• Engages in Research-Informed Practice and
  Practice-Informed Research
• Knowledge of Human Behavior/Social Environment
• Engages in Policy Practice to Advance Economic
  Well-being and Deliver Effective Social work
  Practice
• Responds to Contexts that Shape Practice
• Engages, Assesses, Intervenes, and Evaluates with
  Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and
  Communities

6
CSWE and EPAS
7
Field Application Process

• Student gives top 3 choices.
• Field Director and Student work together to find
  a good fit
• Student approaches the placement process just
  like a job opportunity-always professional
• Student sells themselves to the agency during
  the first contact and the interview
• Agency-Field Instructor
• Visited/approved
• Current Contract/MOU
• Licensed/Exempt
• 2 years post degree experience
• willing to participate in teaching/learning
• abide by WKU field policy

8
Worksite Placements(WKU does not guarantee
Worksite Placement)

• Placements are carefully evaluated and developed
  
• Placement job tasks are different from regular
  work each semester
• Field Instructor and Employment Supervisor must
  be different
• Must have a different Field Instructor each year
• Involved in the Process
• Student
• Employment Supervisor
• Agency Administration
• Field Instructor
• Field Director (final approval)

9
Field Students

• Have realistic expectations
• Communicate with Field Director
• WATCH YOUR EMAIL
• Complete Pre-field ONLINE training
• Apply for Insurance Early
• Submit All Required Paperwork on Time
• Responsible for Grade-Hours, journals, other
  assignments, Beginning Competence on
  objectives- Pass/Fail

10
Student Concerns- Who Can Help

• Anything involving the agency- go to the Field
  Instructor
• Completing Hours, placement problems, grades,
  assignments- go to Liaison
• If not resolved- FD takes to Program Director
• You can always follow Grievance Policy

11
General Policy

• University does not provide any travel
  reimbursement
• Student is responsible for health, automobile and
  liability insurance (notify liaison/field
  director of health/safety hazards)
• If you transport clients-WKU will not be
  responsible-student will (suggest rider)
• Special Agency Requirements
• TB, Criminal Checks, Employment

12
Student Behavior

• Professional/Ethics
• Represent WKU and Agency
• Confidentiality
• Adhere to Personnel Practices/Use of Materials
• Sick, phone numbers, show initiative, responsible
  for learning
• Holidays
• Work schedule is at the discretion of Field
  Instructor

13
Student Responsibility

• Case Recordings
• Agency protocol, transfer or closing summary
• Journals/Field Logs/Hours
• Student Evaluation of Practicum
• Keep Original Learning Plan and us it at all
  Evaluations

14
Have a Great Field Experience

• Visit the Field Website Often
• Vivian.Hurt_at_wku.edu
• Office Phone [phone]
• AC 114
• Remember-
• Field Placement is the HEART of SOCIAL WORK