Hi Bonnie. I always go to the standards first:
Accreditation Standard 3.3.7: The program has a policy documenting whether it permits field placements in an organization in
which the student is also employed. If permitted, student assignments and employee tasks may qualify as field hours when
directly linked to the nine social work competencies (and any additional competencies added by the program) and level of
practice (generalist or specialized). Field education supervision may be provided by the same supervisor if field education
supervision is distinct from employment supervision and the supervisor meets the requirements of Accreditation Standard 3.3.6.
The policy documents how the program assists students with field education continuation or change in situations where a
student becomes unemployed in an organization where field education has co-occurred with employment.
a. The program provides its policy related to field placements in an organization in which the student is also employed. If
permitted, the program's policy includes:
i. how the program ensures that student assignments are directly linked to the nine social work competencies (and any additional competencies added by the program) and level of practice (generalist or specialized);
ii. how field education supervision is distinct from employment supervision time, even when provided by the same supervisor; and...
If you look at the 2022 EPAS Interpretation Guide, it states:
Programs may elect to permit students to complete field requirements at their place of employment.
• Explicitly state if the program does not permit co-occurring field education and employment.
• Each program has the autonomy to develop its own policies regarding co-occurring field education and employment.
• Paid field placements in any form (e.g., salary, stipend) are permitted.
• Payment may include both field and
employment hours.
• How the program ensures that student assignments are directly linked to the nine social work competencies (and any
additional competencies added by the program) and level of practice (generalist or specialized).
• Student field assignments and employee tasks may qualify as field hours when directly linked to:
o Nine social work competencies (and any additional competencies added by the program)
o Level of practice
As with most standards, CSWE leaves leeway for programs to implement policies in our own way, with limited description of what it looks like. I have developed a robust Employment Social Work (ESW) application and process that supports students to use their actual job, oftentimes with no additional tasks, as their educational practicum. We ask that students demonstrate to us how the activities of their job align with the competencies and where, if needed, they will engage in new activities. I'm happy to to talk with you about our program and process if you're interested.
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Julie Kates, MSW, LCSW
Associate Professor of Practice
Director of Practicum Education
School of Social Work
Portland State University
503.725.9891
jkates@pdx.eduPronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Original Message:
Sent: Sep 11, 2024 14:10
From: Bonnie Rinks
Subject: counting current work as field placement hours
Hello Friends,
I know we have had some discussions about allowing students to count current employment as part of their field placement as long as it is an appropriate level work (case management for a generalist level). However, I cannot find any measurable guidance. I am seeing wording like "most of the field experience should be a new learning experiences).
Thoughts?
Thank you,
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[Bonnie Rinks, LCSW
Director of Field Education
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN 47712
812-465-1106
berinks@usi.edu
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