Returning to Clinical, Fieldwork and Internship Activity

Graphic for Preparation Responsibility and Opportunity

Do Your Part - Be a PRO!

Preparation – Be prepared each time you enter your site to engage in all of the site-specific requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.   

Responsibility – Take responsibility for helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at your site by understanding your commitment to your profession, honoring your code of ethics, and accepting responsibility for protecting your own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of those around you while on and off site.

Opportunity Engage fully in your clinical, fieldwork or internship opportunities. COVID-19 has complicated your experience, but with responsible actions and thoughtful preparation, you will be set to gain valuable skills, knowledge and experience as your prepare for future educational and professional opportunities.


The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) includes eight departments and two institutes, all of which provide clinical, fieldwork and internship (CFI) experiences as academic preparation for your program.  Furthermore, many programs require CFI to be eligible for licensure or certification necessary to practice in the profession. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CHHS suspended required in-person CFI in March until further notice in order to protect the health and safety of our students. Many programs developed alternative learning experiences by using simulated learning, case studies, telehealth, and virtual or Zoom technology to fulfill requirements. Some of these alternative learning experiences were able to meet accreditation requirements, while others were not. CHHS has made all attempts to keep students on progress toward program completion, on-time graduation, and licensure and certification requirements.

As UNH has announced plans to return to on-campus learning in Fall 2020, CHHS is entering a phased approach to return to CFI offerings for Summer and Fall 2020. Our goal is to provide a safe and dynamic learning experience for each student as they return to CFI. National program accreditation requires that we maintain strict requirements to protect the health and safety of students and that sites must meet certain standards of health and safety for students to return to CFI. In addition to these required accreditation standards, CHHS will require that each site meets the current standards for COVID-19 health and safety and personal protection outlined by the State of NH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK

While we are learning more about COVID-19 - the transmission, detection, testing and impact - we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to or contract COVID-19.  By participating in a CFI experience to fulfill your academic requirements, you are acknowledging that you understand the risks associated with COVID-19 as outlined in this document. You acknowledge the risk and the guidelines for prevention.  

If you are unable to participate in a CFI for which you have been scheduled (e.g., you have a diagnosed pre-existing condition that increases your risk of COVID-19), please notify your departmental CFI supervisor, field coordinator or program director who will try to find an alternative opportunity. However, our academic departments and institutes cannot guarantee that an alternative will be found or that you will be able to meet all of the requirements for graduation or licensure and certification.

COVID-19 PREVENTION EDUCATION

In addition to any COVID-19 education and training you receive from your department, CHHS is requiring you to complete two (2) training programs before participating in a CFI. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed free education about COVID-19 prevention and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The two training programs can be accessed below:

WHO Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

CDC Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

All students will be required to wear at minimum a facemask at all CFI sites while performing clinical activities.. If the appropriate PPE is not provided by the site, notify your UNH CFI supervisor and they will arrange for CHHS to provide the appropriate PPE for you. The level of PPE will depend upon your CFI site requirements and the level of potential exposure to COVID-19.  Some will only require a facemask and proper physical distancing, while other sites will require a protective gown and face shield. Check with your CFI supervisor for the PPE requirements at your CFI site.

HAND HYGIENE

Hand washing and/or using hand sanitizers are among the most effective methods for preventing disease transmission of COVID-19.  Washing your hands after every exposure or contact with another person is imperative. You must make an active effort to consciously wash your hands consistently throughout the day and especially when working at your CFI. Additional information can be found at the CDC website.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 OR ARE SICK WITH COVID-19
  1. Seek medical attention from UNH Health and Wellness if you pay the UNH Health & Wellness Fee.  If you are not covered through the UNH Health & Wellness Fee, seek medical attention from your health care provider.
  2. Begin Isolation or Quarantine at home or at UNH.
  3. Notify your CHHS CFI supervisor and your CFI site supervisor.
  4. Obtain testing to confirm COVID-19 diagnosis.
  5. Pending the outcome of your COVID-19 testing, coordinate with your CHHS CFI supervisor about alternative CFI experiences and when to return to your CFI site.

Quarantine vs Isolation Definitions - See CDC definition here. 

How are quarantine and isolation different? 

Quarantine Isolation Quarantine & Isolation
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department. Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available). Involves the separation of people to protect the public and helps to limit further spread of COVID-19.  This can be done voluntarily or be required by health authorities.