Professional Observation Placement

Professional Observation Placement Program

Student interested in shadowing a healthcare provider in the Lakeland area are eligible to request a clinical observation experience via the placement process. As of Summer 2018, the placement program is limited to students who have already been accepted into the FSC Pre-Professional Program, P3. Through this process, the Career and Internship Coordinator will work to secure you a position with a site that will provide a meaningful and worthwhile experience.

Eligibility:

To participate in the Professional Observation Placement Program facilitated by the Career and Internship Coordinator:

• Students must be active members in good standing within the Pre-Professional Program (P3)
• Students must be currently majoring in a Chemistry or Biology degree at FSC
• Students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits at Florida Southern College and obtained a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• See the Professional Observation Guide for additional information

Steps:

Students must secure a professional observation experience PRIOR to the start of the upcoming semester. Therefore, it is recommended that students initiate the steps below at least 8 weeks before the start of the upcoming semester:

1. Students will complete the Professional Observation Experiences Interest Form.
2. After submitting the Professional Observation Experiences Interest Form, students must make an appointment with the Career and Internship Coordinator.
3. Students must email a completed resume to lalbaum@flsouthern.edu prior to their appointment.
4. Meet with the Career and Internship Coordinator to discuss their interests and observation goal.
5. Following the appointment, the Career and Internship Coordinator will contact observation locations to find professionals willing to host a student observer.The student will allow at least 4 weeks for the Career and Internship Coordinator to identify a potential observation site. In order to limit confusion or communication errors, students completing the placement process with the Career and Internship Coordinator agree to cease from contacting any observation/clinical sites in Lakeland. The Career and Internship Coordinator is more than happy to update students on the status of your placement request via email or phone.Once a location has been found, the Career and Internship Coordinator will contact the student via email regarding the location details and contact information.
6. At that time, the student is responsible for immediately outreaching to the observation site to introduce themselves, clarify the observation activity, and complete the Professional Observation Agreement. Any questions or concerns regarding the placement should be immediately addressed with the Career and Internship Coordinator at lalbaum@flsouthern.edu.

Once a placement is secured by the Career and Internship Coordinator, the student agrees to accept the placement and actively participate in the responsibilities assigned.

FAQs

What if a student wishes to secure their own clinical observation experience or already has a connection with a local facility/professional?

Although students are able to secure their own positions, without the assistance of the Career and Internship Coordinator, all students are encouraged to complete the Professional Observation Agreement and Code of Conduct (if applicable) prior to beginning the experience. These documents can be found in the Professional Observation Guide section at the top of the page.

How should students track their experiences?

Although there is not a specific form you need to use to track your activities (other than notifying the Career and Internship Coordinator of your experience by completing the Professional Observation Agreement Form or Internship Form), you will want to keep a journal of your experiences. This journal is for your personal record keeping and should list the experience start/end dates, supervisor information, average hours shadowed/volunteered per week, and your reflections on the experience including great moments, terrible moments, "ah-ha" moments, great patients/clients, difficulty patients/clients, hot topics in the field, new philosophies, new technology/devices you saw, etc. Be sure to notate the specific procedure names as well as medical/scientific terminology.

If I do not qualify for a Clinical Observation Placement, how else can I get a shadowing experience?

Students who do not qualify for a professional observation placement or who wish to secure their own experience have helpful information at their disposal. Great tips and information can be found here: Professional Observation Experiences. Generally, the process of researching facilities, outreaching to individuals, and securing an opportunity takes multiple weeks. Therefore, it is recommended that students begin the steps below well in advance of their intended start date.