PRACTICUM AND SIMULATION SUPERVISION POLICY
Classification: Academic
Responsible: Manager of Operations, Director of Operations, Clinical Instructors, Practicum Site Supervisors
Executive Sponsor: Vice President, Product and Operations
Approval Authority: Robertson Leadership Team
Date First Approved: October 21, 2022
Date Last Reviewed: November 21, 2022
Scheduled Review Date: [2024-10-20, or as needed]
A. PURPOSE
The Practicum and Simulation Supervision Policy provides a framework for ensuring high quality, practical, relevant and safe educational experiences for students in practicum and simulation experiences.
B. SCOPE
This Policy applies to all practicum and simulation experiences affiliated with Robertson programs.
C. DEFINITIONS Term Definition
Practicum Experience
The Practicum Experience is a practical work experience in industry, business, government, and social service organizations that complements the student’s program of study. The practicum experience may be offered off campus at a host site or, for select
Simulation Experience (Labs)
Robertson programs, such as Massage Therapy, in the on campus clinic. Practicums may be supervised by clinical instructors, by site supervisors or preceptors.
The Simulation Experience involves practical application in which students can practice key discipline-related skills and competencies. Simulation experiences may be delivered on site in Robertson clinical labs and on campus clinics, at outreach sites or in designated teaching settings of partner organizations.
Direct Supervision
Direct Supervision refers to situations where the supervisor is in close proximity to the student. This involves the supervisor being present in the same room as students at all times.
Indirect Supervision
Indirect supervision refers to situations where the supervisor may be out of close proximity to the student. This involves the supervisor being present in the same building as students.
Robertson is responsible for ensuring that Practicum and Clinical Experiences are high-quality, relevant educational experiences that support the teaching and learning objectives of Robertson Programs. Effective supervision is a key component of high-quality Practicum and Clinical Experiences.
1. PRACTICUM SUPERVISION
1.1 Practicum supervision is designed to provide sufficient quantity and quality as to positively impact student’s learning and acquisition of relevant entry-to-practice skills.
1.2 Practicum supervisors are responsible for training, supervision and student evaluation.
1.3 Practicum supervisors must be in proximity to facilitate enough direct hours to be able to sufficiently assess student skills, offer support and observe each student’s performance on a daily basis.
Practicum & Simulation Supervision Policy: Page 2 of 4
D. POLICYThe percentage of direct supervision required may vary by program and depend on the skill development progression of students.
1.4 Practicum supervision may increase when students are earlier in their training, learning a new area of practice, or encountering learning challenges.
1.5 Primary supervisory responsibility for the Practicum Experience falls on the site-based supervisor or clinical instructor, preceptor or site supervisor, with support from Robertson team members as necessary.
2. SIMULATION (LAB) SUPERVISION
2.1 Simulation supervision is designed to provide sufficient quantity and quality as to positively impact student’s learning and acquisition of relevant entry-to-practice skills.
2.2 Instructors are responsible for training, supervision and student evaluation.
2.3 Instructors must facilitate direct supervision the majority of the time when reasonable to do so.
*For the MT program, instructors are required to be present and available for immediate consultation at all times when students are performing massage in simulated or clinical environments.
**Review of a recorded treatment on a member of the public is not considered to be faculty-supervised and not to be used as it may place students and clients in an unsafe situation that cannot be immediately attended to by a supervisor.
2.4 Simulation (lab) supervision may be intensified when students are earlier in their training, learning a new area of practice, or encountering learning challenges.
3. SUPERVISOR QUALIFICATIONS
3.1 Practicum supervisors, preceptors and instructors must be qualified, licenced and/or certified practitioners with the discipline and be staff in the setting in which the Practicum occurs.
3.2 Simulation Instructors must be qualified, licenced and/or certified practitioners with the discipline and staff with Robertson College.
E. RELATED LEGISLATION
None
F. PROCEDURE
None
G. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
None
H. RELATED POLICIES
Practicum Education Policy
I. RELATED MATERIALS
None