General Safety
Students should recognize that practicum placement, as in any workplace, may involve exposure to potential risks and hazards. In addition to documented risks from disgruntled employees and clients, some agencies serve clients who have histories of assaultive behavior, or employ modes of intervention such as home visits in which security may be significantly less than in traditional office-based services. Students are expected to take reasonable precautions for their own safety. This includes parking vehicles in safe areas, refusing to make after-hour appointments with clients, and refusing to see potentially violent clients alone. The student is advised to leave an area and seek assistance immediately after discovering a situation is potentially unsafe. Additionally, the expectation is that the hosting agency will orient the practicum student to safety procedures the same as any agency employee would receive.
Job Site Risks and Hazards
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- Agency representatives are expected to fully disclose any known or suspected risks to the student at the field site as part of the pre-placement selection process.
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- Students are expected to review and become familiar with the agency's policies and procedures for identifying and dealing with job site hazards, violent clients, and other emergencies.
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- The faculty liaison expects that students are trained to deal with potential risks in their placement by agency representatives and field instructors when the placement begins.
Liability and Injury Insurance
Eastern Mennonite University carries professional liability insurance for students in practicum placements. Students should additionally determine if their practicum placement activities are covered by the liability and workman's compensation insurance of the placement organization. If not, they should recognize that they may be personally liable for any accident, injury, or damage either occurring to them or caused by them to another.
Students may purchase liability insurance through National Association of Social Workers at minimal cost by joining that organization.
Use of Personal Vehicles
EMU has no coverage for personal vehicle use by the student. Using personal vehicles for job-related travel, other than commuting to and from work, involves additional risks, particularly if clients are being transported. Students using personal vehicles should consult with the agency to understand agency's policy regarding the use of personal vehicles and their own insurance agent to see if these activities are covered.Anchor