Field Mentor(s)

The role of the Field Mentor is critical to the development of a successful experience for the student. The Field Mentor is the individual within the placement site that is responsible for overseeing the student’s placement experience which includes but is not limited to; completing orientation, signing College documentation, providing weekly feedback, and completing final evaluations. The placement student may also be mentored by other staff within the placement environment.

Field Mentor responsibilities include the following:

• Provide orientation for the student to the field placement site. This includes an expectation that the student will become aware of the structural organization of the field placement site, the decision-making process, policies and procedures, relevant legislation, emergency procedures/systems, and a tour of the facilities
• Within the first few days, select and make available to the student practice experiences in the field placement site that reflect the range of activities possible in that setting
• Field Mentors are responsible for ensuring that placement students are not to be in ratio to support learners, it is mandatory that students are always overseen by the Field Mentor or by another delegate supporting the student placement
• Facilitate introductions, observation of, and work experience, with other staff in the setting
• Integrate the student’s work with that of other personnel at the field placement site only on the agreed-upon days and hours. Any requests outside of this time are at the student’s discretion
• Include students in team meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, caregiver meetings (where appropriate), in-service worships, professional development activities, and other events held by the placement site as appropriate
• To hold weekly scheduled meetings with the student regarding the learning and practice experience based on direct or indirect observation of the student’s performance or written or taped materials. Field Mentors and students will set these times at the beginning of the placement as an ongoing appointment during their regularly scheduled placement times. A Field Mentor or student may change the appointment through mutual negotiation. During weekly meetings, the Weekly Placement Experience Form should be reviewed to discuss activities complete, accomplishments, feedback, and goals for the following week
• Review field placement attendance by verifying and signing the Weekly Placement Experience Form on a weekly basis for the student to submit to Mohawk College. Fieldwork grades cannot be assigned until all required placement hours are confirmed by signed Weekly Activity Logs
• Immediately report to the Field Placement Specialist any difficulties that may arise in the Placement Student-Field Mentor relationship, or in the placement, that may impede learning so that a mutually agreeable resolution may be found as soon as possible. It is important to note that Field Mentors have the ability to terminate a field placement in the event that the student is demonstrating challenges relating to professional and ethical behaviour, jeopardizing client or learner safety, or demonstrates continued challenges with the application of behaviour analytic principles.
• Complete Midterm and Final Evaluations