Standard 3.8B Clinical Education - Client Welfare
Standard 3.8B Clinical Education - Client Welfare
Clinical education in the program is structured to ensure the welfare of every individual served by student-clinician and clinical educator teams, adhering to recognized standards of ethical practice and relevant federal and state regulations.
On-Campus Clinic Supervision
Supervision for new clinicians in the on-campus clinic is initially set at 50% for evaluations and 30% for treatment sessions. This supervision may be increased for clinicians working with complex cases or decreased (but not below 25%) for returning clinicians with more experience. Supervisory meetings will occur at least weekly, with the option to increase meeting frequency as needed. For each session, supervisors will provide written and verbal feedback to ensure students understand the service plan and have clear, positive direction for skill development.
Off-Campus Placements
The Director of Clinical Education will establish guidelines for off-campus supervisors, tailored to each student’s level of clinical experience and the complexity of their caseload. Site visits by clinical faculty will support the assessment of supervisory needs and ensure adjustments are made as necessary. Mid-semester supervisory ratings will guide modifications in supervision for the remainder of the semester, ensuring student progress and client welfare.
Health and Safety Requirements
Prior to beginning their first clinical practicum, students must complete background checks, fingerprinting, drug testing, TB screening, and provide immunization records for measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and hepatitis B. Certain off-campus placements may have additional health screening requirements. Proof of compliance with these measures is mandatory.
Ethics, Training, and Confidentiality
All students will receive training in HIPAA compliance, confidentiality, nondiscrimination practices, and the ASHA Code of Ethics before starting clinical practicum. Supervisors will address any client interaction issues in collaboration with the Director of Clinical Education. Supervisors must be licensed by the State of Michigan and have completed ASHA-mandated supervision training.
The ASHA Code of Ethics will be prominently included in both the clinical handbook and the graduate program handbook. Students will also undergo in-service training annually on universal precautions to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens
Policies and procedures regarding universal precautions are outlined in the clinical and graduate program handbooks. The program complies with NMU’s policies and adheres to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Students who may encounter occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials will follow the program’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Policy.
By implementing these comprehensive measures, the program ensures a safe, ethical, and supportive clinical education environment that prioritizes client welfare and student readiness for professional practice.
Supporting Documentation can be reviewed by following the links provided below.
MS-SLP Clinical Policies and Procedures
- MS-SLP Website
- Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic Website
- MS-SLP Handbook of Academic Policies and Procedures
- The academic and university policies include the procedures related to the health and safety of students and individuals served.
- MS-SLP Handbook of Clinical Policies and Procedures
- Onsite and Offsite Clinical Practicum Experiences describe the policies and procedures used by the program to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational opportunities provided at each active site.
- CALIPSO - Cumulative Hours Form
- Clinical Practicum - Student Evaluation
- Clinical Practicum - Supervisor Evaluation
- Clinical Practicum - Clinical Placement Evaluation