The Ohio State University Medical Center Observation Hours Process
for PT, OT, Speech Therapy, or Radiology
Please note: our observation hours process is for students interested in obtaining observation hours for an application to a Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy or Radiology program.
Additional information on directions to key locations and required dress code for observers is at the end of this document.
Step 1: Initiation
Who: Student
How: Student obtains list of observation opportunities (Therapy Observation Opportunities PDF, Radiology Opportunities PDF and contacting the observation staff member directly).
Step 2: Acceptance
Who: Observation Staff Contact
How: Observation staff contact e-mails Volunteer Services (jane.federer@osumc.edu for all but University Hospital East, for which the contact is margaret.high-thomas@osumc.edu) when a student is accepted for observation. E-mail should include: student name, student e-mail address and observation location.
Step 3: Orientation, Application and ID Badge
Who: Volunteer Services
Time Required: 20 minutes
How: Student goes to University Hospital Volunteer Services, 157 Doan Hall, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. While in Volunteer Services student reviews self-study orientation packet, completes basic application and receives observer identification badge unless TB screening required (see next step).
Exception: If students wish to do observation hours at University Hospital East, they must call ahead and make an appointment with the Volunteer Services office at (614) 257-3155.
Details: Student will not be processed if observation staff contact has not notified Volunteer Services of their acceptance of the student.
Step 4: TB Screening
Why: Required if student will be observing more than 12 hours in any one month.
How: Students can receive screening at no charge through the Medical Center's Employee Health Department or provide documentation of a screening within the last 12 months.
Details: Volunteer Services will communicate policy, provide information on how to get screened and collect documentation. Volunteer Services will not provide identification badge until documentation is submitted.
Step 5: Tracking Hours
Who: Student
How: Hours are tracked via sign-in computer in 157 Doan Hall, the sign-in process at University Hospital East, or monthly time sheets submitted by the student to Volunteer Services (if department is not on the Columbus campus).
Step 6: Final Documentation
Who: Observation Staff Contact
How: Observation staff contact e-mails Volunteer Services that the student has completed observation hours. E-mail should include: student name, last observation date and name of licensed staff member who was observed (if possible).
Details: If this information is provided, Volunteer Services will add it to the student’s electronic record. Volunteer Services can then respond to all future documentation requests.
Directions to Key Locations:
University Hospital Volunteer Services, 157 Doan Hall
Step 3: Orientation, Application and ID Badge can be completed any business day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.; no appointment needed.
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/pdfs/maps/osumc315.pdf
University Hospital East Volunteer Services
Step 3: Orientation, application and ID badge can be completed by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled at (614) 257-3155.
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/pdfs/maps/UHEast.pdf
Required Dress Code for Observers:
Observers will be interacting with patients, families and staff and therefore, must look professional. The following guidelines must be followed:
Pants: Wear nice pants, not jeans, shorts, scrub bottoms or athletic pants. Pants should not have holes, drag on the ground or be excessively baggy.
Tops: Males should wear a shirt with a collar; a short-sleeved "golf" shirt is fine. Women should wear a blouse or top with sleeves. Tops should not be low-cut, sheer, off the shoulder, show the midriff, or have any sayings on them.
Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes. Clean athletic shoes are acceptable, but no sandals or Crocs with holes. Socks must be worn.
Jewelry/Piercings: Observers may not have more than two piercings per ear. Facial piercing jewelry (e.g. eyebrow, tongue, lip, etc.) is prohibited. Facial nose piercing is not allowed unless it is concealed with an adhesive bandage. If a nose ring is worn for religious purposes, the observer must supply the manager with proper documentation for support.
Parking fees are the responsibility of the observer.
If you have questions about this process, contact University Hospital Volunteer Services at jane.federer@osumc.edu or (614) 253-8653.