Is training required for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students? If so, how can it be accomplished?
In order to meet HIPAA guidelines, individual fieldwork sites will require students to be trained, according to HIPAA standards, to follow privacy and confidentiality guidelines. Sites may meet this objective in several ways. They may send a video to the school and require that student watch the video prior to beginning the fieldwork. They may accept HIPAA training that is covered in the academic coursework, or they may stipulate that all HIPAA training be completed at their facility. It is important to remember that the fieldwork site is responsible for making sure that students meet the HIPAA guidelines as interpreted by their facility, and that there is clear communication between fieldwork site(s) and the school regarding how the school can best help meet those requirements.
