Purpose
The Occupational Therapy Program is a professional program. Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the responsibilities of health care providers in all settings (classroom, lab, fieldwork/clinical education, online learning, and program-related activities).
Policy
Students must consistently demonstrate professional behaviors that support safe practice, effective learning, and a respectful learning environment. Professional behaviors are evaluated as part of program progression and readiness for clinical education. Failure to meet professional behavior expectations may result in remediation and/or disciplinary action.
Professional behavior expectations include, but are not limited to:
- Respect and civility: professional communication; appropriate tone and language; respectful disagreement; no harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation.
- Accountability and integrity: honesty; responsibility for one’s actions; compliance with program, course, and site policies; meeting deadlines; accepting and implementing feedback.
- Preparedness and participation: punctuality; preparation for class/lab/fieldwork; active engagement; attire and hygiene consistent with safety and site requirements.
- Professional communication and boundaries: timely, clear, respectful communication with faculty, staff, peers, clients, and clinical educators; appropriate boundaries; appropriate use of program communication systems.
- Safety and judgment: adherence to safety procedures; practicing within level of training and supervision; appropriate judgment in lab and clinical contexts.
- Confidentiality and technology use: protection of sensitive information; appropriate use of electronic communication and social media.
- Collaboration: reliability in teamwork; constructive conflict resolution; professional conduct in group work.
Reporting and Review Process
Professional behavior concerns that are significant, repeated, or impact safety or learning may be documented by faculty, staff, or clinical educators and communicated to the student. Reported concerns will be forwarded to the Policies and Procedures Committee (PPC) for review. The PPC may request additional information and/or meet with the student to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of the concern(s).
Committee Recommendations and Program Action
Following review, the Policies and Procedures Committee will make recommendations to the LMU OTD Program Director regarding appropriate next steps. The Program Director will determine and implement any further action in accordance with program and University policies.
Possible Outcomes
Actions may include, but are not limited to:
- coaching and documented warning
- a Professional Behaviors Improvement Plan (expectations, measurable goals, supports, and timeline)
- required remediation activities
- limitations on participation in lab/clinical activities when safety is a concern
- referral through applicable academic/professional standing processes, including probation, suspension, or dismissal, depending on severity, frequency, and/or risk