Field Directors

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  • 1.  Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 03, 2023 12:11

    Hello, fellow field directors! I am the field director for a relatively new online MSW program in New York, and we are running into issues finding enough placement sites with on-staff licensed MSWs. We want to create a pool of qualified candidates we can utilize as needed to provide regular supervision for our interns when needed. What is the going pay rate for this? Does your school pay hourly or per semester? Do all schools/programs offer this service? Thanks so much! 



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    Leigh Ann Hewes
    Utica University
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  • 2.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 04, 2023 11:12

    We do not pay for field instructors, but some agencies we work with sometimes do (though not often)

    The concern I have with paying field instructors is that it does become an equity issue and we are a profession with a code of ethics that asks/expects us to give back. However, I absolutely understand why this model is used when programs run into this issue. 

    --Courtney



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    Courtney McDermott
    UMSL
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  • 3.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 15:08

    Thanks for your reply, Courtney! 



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    LeighHewesUtica University
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  • 4.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 15:15

    Hi,

    To clarify - we do not pay field instructors at agencies and simply do not have the means to do that for hundreds of folks. However, to ensure placements for students often residing in areas without AFIs on site that meet the CSWE accreditation requirements, including rural or indigenous communities across Montana and the Rocky Mountain West, we have decided to pay additional outside supervisors providing the social work lens to students. Students still have an AFI on site serving as their main go to and practicum supervisor. 

    Sorry for any confusion.

    Best

    KAT



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    Katharina Werner
    Director of Field Education
    University of Montana
    Missoula MT
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  • 5.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 04, 2023 14:15
      |   view attached

    Hi Leigh,

    we pay outside supervisors $50/hour and offer a group supervision model for students that do not have a BSW/MSW AFI on site. Outside supervisors, most of them are LCSWs and program alumni,  meet with students 1-1.5 hours every other week via Zoom. I am including the intro email below and am attaching the position overview as well for your review. 

    Best

    KAT

    Hi [names],

    I hope this email finds you both well as you dive into this academic year and your practicum roles. I wanted to take a moment and get you connected to .... (LCSW, MSW) who will serve as your outside MSW supervisor for this academic year since your AFI at your agency does not meet the CSWE (Council on Social Work Education) MSW supervision requirements, which state that all MSW students must receive supervision from a person who holds a MSW with at least two years of post-degree experience. Thanks ...for agreeing to serve in this role and sharing your insight and experience with both our campus and online MSW students. [outside SV bio here]

     

    ROLE:

    In the outside supervisor role, ...will offer mostly educational and supportive supervision with a focus on the social work and social justice lens of our profession. Your day to day work and responsibilities at your practicum sites will be supervised and guided by your AFI on site who will assist with the development of your learning agreement, follow through on goals, regular site visits at the agency, practicum evaluations etc. ... is another support person for you who will have much to offer as you integrate your classroom learning into your practicum experience.

     

    TIME:

    Your regular group supervision time with ... will be every other Friday, 3:00-4:30pm (MST) via Zoom throughout this fall and spring term. ... will follow up with the exact first official meeting date and a regular Zoom link.

     

    EXPECTATIONS:

    • Please be advised that outside MSW supervision is not optional and that it happens in addition to your regular on-site supervision at your agency. You are expected to actively participate in these meetings, utilize supervision as a tool for reflection and learning, and come prepared for engagement and discussion. You can count outside supervision time towards your practicum hours.
    • Students are allowed one excused absence from MSW supervision meetings per semester (one in the fall, one in the spring); absences must be professionally communicated to the outside supervisor as soon as you know you will not be able to attend the meeting. Students missing more than two outside supervision meetings per term will risk not receiving a passing grade in their practicum course.  
    • While students are allowed one excused absence per semester, a written reflection will be required if a student misses additional meetings. Please save the attached document to your computer and review the essay guidelines and deadlines carefully! Due dates for missed meeting reflection essay:

    ·         If students know they will be missing an upcoming outside supervision meeting, they must email reflection to outside MSW supervisor the day of the scheduled meeting.

    ·         If students miss a meeting due to an unexpected illness or situation, they must email reflection to outside MSW supervisor within FIVE days of the scheduled meeting.  

    ·         Assignments must be saved in a digital Word file as follows: First Name_Last Name_SVreflection

     

    Any questions please let me know. I hope you have a great semester together and will utilize this small supervision group as an additional community of practice space!

     

    Best

    KAT



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    Katharina Werner
    Director of Field Education
    University of Montana
    Missoula MT
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    Attachment(s)



  • 6.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 15:13

    Thanks so much for all this, Kat! I think your coworker Jen also replied to my comment on her similar post from 2022. Very helpful! 

    Leigh Ann



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    LeighHewesUtica University
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  • 7.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 09:17

    Hello,

    At University of Minnesota Duluth we pay offsite field supervisors a $500 stipend. We have a student field fee from which the money comes. Through this payment they are also required to go through our background check process. It has really helped grow our pool of offsite folks who are willing to supervisor for us. We actually have more than we need, which is a good thing. :)

    Sara Lien



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    Sara Lien
    MSW Field Director
    University of Minnesota Duluth
    Duluth MN
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  • 8.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 15:15

    Thank you, Sara! This sounds like a sensible solution. 

    Leigh Ann



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    LeighHewesUtica University
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  • 9.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 11:24

    Hi Leigh Ann,

    We have started paying a $500.00 stipend for supervising a student at an agency without a social worker. It helps agencies, the students (when we do not move them to a different agency) 



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    Bonnie Rinks
    Director of Field Education
    University of Southern Indiana
    Evansville IN
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  • 10.  RE: Hire/pay for external field supervisors

    Posted Oct 05, 2023 15:17

    Thanks so much for your input, Bonnie! 

    Leigh Ann



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    LeighHewesUtica University
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