Level I Fieldwork

Level I experiences provide the opportunity for students to apply course learning in a practice context under the supervision of faculty. Our program uses a faculty led Level I fieldwork model to apply the occupational therapy practice domains and frameworks in a variety of pediatric, adult, older adult, and mental health community and traditional settings.

Aim of Level I Fieldwork

Level I fieldwork is to introduce students to fieldwork, apply knowledge to practice, and develop an understanding of the needs of individuals, groups, and populations (ACOTE, 2023).  The University of Minnesota uses a faculty-led Level I fieldwork model to guide student’s in the application of the occupational therapy practice framework to individuals, groups, and communities in community and traditional contexts. 

Our Approach to Field Experience

Our Level I fieldwork experiences are completed in semesters one through five where students participate in 36-40 hours of faculty-led Level I experiences addressing lifespan occupations with child & youth, adult, older adult, and one focused on psychosocial/mental health occupations. These Level I fieldwork experiences are primarily with individuals, communities, or populations in non-traditional or emerging settings. 

The experiential learning activities in any given Level I experience will facilitate professional development and be directly tied to the application of the OT process and foundational knowledge. This structure will also allow for a developmental approach to evaluation of any given Level I experience, where students will be assessed on demonstrated competencies expected in any given semester rather than on skills specific to a level I site or population.

Level I Fieldwork Course Objectives

1. Apply the OT process across various populations and conditions that may be served by occupational therapy.
2. Demonstrate professional and therapeutic use of self when interacting with persons, groups, and/or populations at a variety of settings / contexts.
3. Report occupational performance observations and interactions of persons, groups, and/or populations in oral or written methods using the occupational framework and process.
4. Communicate and collaborate effectively with members of interprofessional teams and associated partners related to the individuals, groups, and populations served at a variety of settings / contexts.
5. Appraise your own knowledge, skills, and behaviors associated with the role and scope of occupational therapy practice when serving individuals, groups, and/or populations in a variety of settings and contexts.
6. Articulate occupational therapy practitioner’s role in addressing the psychosocial aspects of the client(s), group(s), or population(s) engagement in occupation

Level 1 Community and Traditional Sites include:

1. 125Live Rochester
2. M Health East Bank Minneapolis
3. Mayo Clinic-Rochester
4. Open Circle
5. Pillars Minneapolis
6. UMN Employee Health
7. SMB Homes Rochester
8. Vail Place
9. Minneapolis Public Schools
10. Northside Child Development
11. Boutwell Landing
12. UMN Child Development Center
13. Multiple Traditional and Community Based Mental Health Sites