Student placement models in a private practice context
Different student placement models exist in private practice due to the differences in practice settings, including the wide range/variety of caseloads. It is important that each private practice develop a model that is most appropriate to that setting, its owners, and their staff (including the supervisor) taking into consideration the level of the student. Models may include one or multiple supervisors, students and workplaces. Models may need to be combined to provide an appropriate casemix/caseload which can fluctuate in many private practice settings.
When deciding upon a model, review other models already in existence and ascertain if some or all of that model would work in your circumstance. Remember, there can be flexibility, and this can be discussed with the University Placement Coordinator. Shared placement models, with another provider (not necessarily a private practice) in your area, can be developed to provide students with diverse learning experiences to meet their learning outcomes.
University placement coordinators and/or Student led clinic coordinators could be contacted to review the placement model/s adopted in your setting and the approaches to manage fluctuations in workload, e.g., providing students with opportunities to be involved in administrative projects such as marketing, updating client resources, observing other professionals in private practice; or pairing a traditional placement model with a project based placement model). Irrespective of the model used, it should be clearly documented in the Placement Profile.
Examples of Clinical Education Models Currently Being Used In A Private Practice Setting
In this video, Megan Saunders from Mobile Rehab describes the model they use in their setting - Sharing the placement with another educator from the same site.
