Mentors & Field Supervisors

Roles and Responsibilities

Mentor (FETP) An SME Will guide & assist residents in field assignments Helps with technical issues Evaluates field products & provides feedback Helps guide resident in implementation of recommendations made in field studies An experienced field epidemiologist has responsibility in: Surveillance Epidemiologic investigation Taking public health action Other: Meet regularly with the resident during their field placement Identify projects in which trainees can contribute to their agency Identify resource persons with whom trainees can collaborate or who can help trainees to implement needed investigations or studies Introduce trainees to public health professionals throughout the public health system to help the trainee broaden his/her network of professional colleagues Facilitate to completion of trainees’ projects Encourage publication and presentation of the trainees’ projects (and not compete with trainees for authorship, presentations, or projects) Serves as the link between the resident and the [UNIVERSITY] and submits required documentations (i.e. performance evaluation forms, field product evaluations, etc) to the [UNIVERSITY]. Assures that FETP officers receive a complete and well rounded experience

Field Supervisor Typically, has significant PH management experience Less technical experience than a mentor Helps resident work effectively at field site by: Helping resident prioritize tasks Facilitating integration into unit Providing enabling working environment Establishing guidelines for work & professional behavior Introducing resident to PH professionals to broaden network of professional colleagues Help trainees avoid political or administrative difficulties Other: Seek additional expertise, if needed Regard resident as a colleague who is performing vital work (not as a “student”) Select tasks for the resident that improve agency programs and the health of the people, while achieving the resident’s FETP competencies Protect resident from becoming too involved in routine duties of the agency unrelated to training Serve as a model to the resident and mentor in public health management aspects of the job Recognize weaknesses and address them early Communicate frequently Help trainees avoid political or administrative difficulties

Some Mentor and Field Supervisor roles and responsibilities overlap One person may be able to serve as both Mentor and Field Supervisor. However, in new programs there may be more Field Supervisors available than Mentors Mentoring may be primarily provided by RA until sufficient mentors (i.e., FETP graduates) have been developed

Questions 1. What are some ways to identify, motivate, and retain good mentors/field supervisors? 2. How do you build a cadre of qualified mentors (in places where few exist)?