Clinical Practicum Schedule

Students will receive clinical education for eight hours a day, generally between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., depending on the site. Occasionally, the student may need to begin at 6:00 a.m. in order to participate in vital educational activities such as morning instrument maintenance. Each laboratory will distribute a work hour schedule to the students.

Usually, the student can expect 30 minutes for lunch and either one or two 15 minute breaks – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Breaks must be taken at times that do not interfere with laboratory operations. The student is expected to be ON TIME and in the area assigned; permission MUST be obtained from the clinical coordinator or designee before leaving the area.

Clinical Practicum Attendance

Students should report to their clinical rotations eight hours a day, five days a week. Exact times will be arranged by individual laboratories. If time is missed, it will be made up at the convenience and discretion of the affiliate instructor (i.e., Saturday, evenings, etc.) Any time missed which is not made up by the end of rotations may result in completion of the rotation during summer session or postponement of graduation.

Note: The student should note that spring break during the senior clinical practicum period will not coincide with the University calendar. Senior students will participate in spring break in mid-March following the end of the second rotation period. Thus, the week of spring break will fall between the second and third rotation periods. 

All missed time from the clinical rotations requires the notification (via phone) of the affiliate Clinical Coordinator AND the University Education Coordinator before the start of the scheduled work day. All absences must be documented on the Clinical Practicum Attendance Record.  Students should be prepared to show documented evidence of illness or serious emergency upon request.

Hazardous Weather

In the event of hazardous weather, students are asked to use their judgment on behalf of their own safety. Students should contact the affiliate site in advance for advice from the coordinator or designee. Options include delayed arrival at the clinical site or a day off. Any make up of material and experiences will be will be scheduled at the convenience and discretion of the clinical coordinator or designee.