Students gain real world, hands-on experience in the clinic and outreach components of the Massage Therapy Program. All students are required to complete the mandatory minimum 350 hours of supervised practice in order to graduate and be eligible to take the provincial certification exams. The clinic and outreach components begin with an Introduction to Clinic course in Semester 2.

The student clinic operates outside of class time. Students may be assigned to the Fennell campus clinic or to clinics at another Mohawk campus or a partner site. Students are required to attend their scheduled shift as selected during registration.

The outreach component of the Massage Therapy Program operates at various times and locations. Students are not permitted to select outreaches that conflict with class time. Outreaches consist of events in the community organized by hospitals, long-term care facilities, corporations, sporting events, trade shows, expos, and open houses. Students are required to complete a prescribed number of hours in a variety of settings, depending on the semester of study.

Professionalism

Students representing Mohawk College in any of the aforementioned venues are expected to present and conduct themselves in a professional manner. The Clinic Coordinator reserves the right to deem any behaviour unprofessional. Refer to section 6.2 for examples of unacceptable behaviour.

Confidentiality

Students are not permitted to discuss a client with anyone other than the clinic coordinator, supervisor, or faculty.

Attendance and Punctuality

Students are required to arrive at their clinic and outreach assignments fifteen minutes in advance to prepare for their shift. Any student who is unable to arrive on time or attend their shift must give 48 hours’ notice. The clinic coordinator and faculty reserve the right to decide what actions will be taken for tardiness and absences. Absences without notice will result in a failed clinic shift and a warning. To make-up one missed shift, students are required to complete two shifts. Two missed clinic shifts results in a failed course. Students wishing to switch clinic shifts are required to request the change in advance and get approval from the clinic coordinator, supervisor, or faculty.

Closure of Clinic / Outreach

The Massage Therapy Student Clinic will be closed for statutory and public holidays, and may be closed due to inclement weather. If an outreach activity is scheduled on a day when the College is closed due to inclement weather, outreach events scheduled for that day may be cancelled. (See Section 6.5)

Student Duties

Students are required to greet each client, perform a full intake, assessment, and obtain consent prior to treating their client. Client appointments are one hour in length including intake, assessment, and consent. Clients failing to show up on time will have a full intake and a shortened treatment. The supervisor may request a modified intake for some outreach venues.

Students are required to be aware of contraindications to massage, including general and local contraindications, as well as general and local precautions, and must modify treatments accordingly. If unclear about a client’s health status, students must consult with the clinic supervisor prior to commencing treatment (See Appendix 9.4 Contraindications to Massage).

Students will use a plant-based hypoallergenic massage medium. Any student wishing to use their own medium must have it approved by the clinic coordinator, supervisor, or faculty.

Students are asked to report any malfunction in clinic equipment to the clinic coordinator, supervisor, or faculty. (See Appendix 9.5 Clinic Inventory Checklist)

Once treatment has concluded, the student must escort clients back to the waiting area and ask them to complete a short feedback survey (Client Comment Card) prior to leaving. Students are responsible for submitting their completed files to the clinic supervisor for review.

Clinic assistant/Team leader duties

Clinic assistant duties include client reception, communicating client check-in status and distributing linens to students who are treating, filing, checking inventory, and cleaning equipment. Students assigned the role of team leader are required to respond to needs or requests for assistance from students providing treatment and relay information or concerns to the clinic supervisor.

Charting

Students are required to complete treatment notes following the appointment. Treatment notes must be reviewed and signed off by the clinic supervisor. Students must make any corrections deemed necessary by the clinic supervisor. Students must not leave until all treatment notes are approved by the clinic supervisor.

Clinic Forms

Health History Form / Consent and Release

All clients are required to complete a Health History form through the Jane application. Clients must initial several statements to indicate their acknowledgement and provide a digital signature prior to receiving treatment from any student. Paper adaptations of the document are available. (See Appendix 9.2a Health History and 9.2b Consent and Release.)

Special Consent for Treatment of Sensitive Areas

Students must obtain written consent prior to treatment of any sensitive areas. Treatment of sensitive areas is only permitted if it is clinically indicated. Paper adaptations of the document are available. (See Appendix 9.2e Written Consent for Treatment of Sensitive Areas.)

Treatment Notes 

Students will complete treatment notes for each client at every appointment. Treatment notes include the client’s primary goal for treatment, pain questions, assessment findings, techniques used, body areas treated, home care recommendations, and recommendations for future treatments. Paper adaptations of the document are available. (See Appendix 9.2d Treatment Notes)

Treatment notes may contain approved abbreviations. (See Appendix 9.3: Massage Abbreviations.)

Appendix 9

MT Forms