dd7c3000__Situations___Dean_of_Students__Recommended_Responses
[Issue] Unprofessional Behavior in an Internship/Clinical Setting Ex: A student’s internship supervisor reports that she/he is not performing professionally [Resource(s)] Practicum / Internship Supervisor Director of Field Education Supervisor Professional Standards Code of Student Conduct [Recommended Responses] 
When students perform poorly in placement, the treatment and service needs of clients and/or the needs of the agency become a priority. Agency supervisors and faculty should act to protect the needs of the client and the agency to ensure appropriate action is taken. Faculty and community supervisors need not, and should not, be therapists to students. Practicum education does not permit automatic access to students’ private lives or personal problems. However, students may voluntarily share personal information to explain or rationalize their poor performance. It is important that this personal information be treated confidentially, and that students be provided with guidance, resource information, and concerned support. Document the problematic behavior and be sure the student is aware of the problems that you are identifying. At the same time, the student may need to be relieved of their client responsibilities, based on the collective judgment of supervision staff and faculty. A written action plan could be developed for the student to follow to improve the standard of her/his performance. A deadline should be included for demonstrating the desired behavioral changes, along with a notation that failure to demonstrate sufficient improvement may result in a failing grade in the practicum course. These guidelines should be given to the student in writing, with copies also distributed to the practicum supervisor, the practicum faculty, and the director of field education. The student, the practicum supervisor, and practicum faculty should all sign and date the Action Plan. In some instances, students may be asked to write a reflection paper, demonstrating the student’s understanding of the problem and the plan to remediate the situation. Students may also be given additional practice assignments to demonstrate particular skills needed to satisfy the educational expectations.
Response Guide for Difficult Student Situations — Dean of Students
Recommended Responses