1. Mentors & Field Supervisors

2. Roles and Responsibilities

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)?