Independent Community Placements

Independent Community Placements (ICPs) have a long history within the 海角社区 Department of Occupational Therapy. ICPs offer students an extra-ordinary, but equivalent, opportunity for fieldwork learning as well as providing positive service contributions to our Alberta and Saskatchewan communities.

ICPs are 'role-emerging' or ‘role expanding’ placements

Role emerging occurs when/where there is an identified need/role for Occupational Therapy but where OT services are currently not available to the clients because an OT is not currently employed at the agency or fieldwork site.

Role expanding occurs when/where there is an identified need/role for a greater scope of Occupational Therapy services. The OT employed by the site may be part-time or perhaps new to their position.

Examples of ICP sites

Housing Programs + Shelters

  • Senior’s Association of Greater Edmonton (Sage)
  • Inn from the Cold (Calgary)

Non-profit agencies

Supporting communities and equity deserving individuals negotiating mental illness and poverty.

  • Boyle Street Community Services
  • The Crocus (Saskatoon)

Agencies providing support + programming for specialized populations

  • Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE)
  • Potential Place (Calgary)
  • Children's Cottage (Calgary)
  • Camp Horizon (Bragg Creek)

海角社区 supported programs

  • Academic Success Centre
  • Corbett Clinic (Communication Sciences and Disorders)

In an ICP, a designated Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Educator, provides weekly and on-call OT supervision as well as hands-on teaching and consultation throughout the placement through a mentoring relationship. Students are involved in 1:1 interventions, client education, group interventions and assessment, linking with community resources, consultation and site staff education.

ICPs offer students significant, valuable learning opportunities that promote independence and initiative while fostering personal and professional growth.

News articles about role-emerging placements