September 2014 Enhanced Role for Field Instructors Marilyn Luptak, PhD, MSW, LICSW Associate Professor & Chair, MSW Aging Concentration Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar ( ) Spafford Endowed Chair in Social Work ( ) University of Utah College of Social Work, Salt Lake City, UT

Differences from Working in Traditional Field Model  Students are in an agency for shorter periods of time  Field instructors are more active in student training  Allows students to develop a broad array of learning experiences with older adults rather than a single in-depth experience

New Roles – New Definitions  Field instructor oversees and coordinates the overall learning experience for the intern  Task supervisor/preceptor supervises the intern within a specific rotation  Field instructors may instruct multiple interns for shorter times

Selection of Interns  Inclusion of field instructor in selecting intern o Improves “match” o Increased buy-in by field instructor  Field instructor focuses on intern’s involvement in identifying learning needs  Students are genuinely excited about aging

Communication and Coordination  Increased coordination of learning experiences for students  Greater case management role: o Communicating with task supervisors o Coordinating rotations o Updating participants  When there are student difficulties: o Supervisors need to share info quickly o Can support each other

Expanded Role of Field Instructors  Facilitate basic requirements  Co-facilitate didactic groups  Provide enhanced geriatric competency supervision to interns rotating in their site  Facilitate their interns’ presentations of the Community Organization and Administrative Research Projects  Guest lecture in MSW courses  Serve as advisory board members

Benefits to Field Instructors  Increased support  Increased connections to others in field; exciting new perspectives, resources  Shared responsibility of intern  Increased connection to Universities

Benefits to Field Instructors  Opportunity to shape curriculum/shape interns’ learning  Can view their own practice in a larger context, incorporating connections for clients  Intellectual stimulation

Benefits to Field Instructors  University of Utah online postgraduate Gerontology Interdisciplinary Certificate: o Offers specific training in gerontology o First field instructors started in May credit hours of online courses plus practicum experience  SLC VA waiver program for field instructors – free  Competency levels of field instructors will be evaluated before enrolling in and after completing the certificate program

The Crucial Role of HPPAE Field Instructors “With participation in the HPPAE, and particularly in the HPPAE planning, monitoring, and administration, our field instructors seemed to take a more holistic view of field education. They became more aware of the connection between and among staff at various agencies serving the elderly; they began to see the broader picture of services to the agency; and, with the help of the competency scale, were able to identify and teach to the skills and knowledge required for gerontology social work services across a variety of settings.” Comments from a Principal Investigator at an adoption school: