Phase 1 Internship Policy - Midwest College

During Phase 1 internship, students learn about clinic operations and clinical standards. A student’s experience includes observation of TCM intake and treatments and participation in physical examination.

Students are required to attend patient interviews, observe procedures and learn about TCM and biomedical diagnostic examinations. They are expected to take every opportunity to take pulses and observe tongues and engage in palpatory examination; however, the student is not required to accurately interpret these examinations.

The student does not work with needles or participate in invasive procedures, although he or she may administer non-invasive techniques for which they have completed classes, such as, massage, moxa, etc. However, treatment credit cannot begin to be awarded until 150 hours of observation is completed and a student has progressed to Phase 2.

The students begin to learn charting by documenting the Western diagnostic examinations and non-invasive procedures that they will perform, and by checking over intake and consent forms to make sure that they have been properly filled out. They must also learn to comply with the standards of sanitation, dress code, and personal hygiene set by the clinic.  Finally, the student learns how to conduct their self in a professional manner when exposed to patients and to respond appropriately to supervision.

Students begin their observation internship during the first quarter. Observation interns immediately begin helping with the intake process. They will begin to take vital signs and perform massage after completing course work. During Phase 1, students will wear a badge indicating their status in the clinic.  Phase 1 students learn the workings and procedures of the clinic.

The student observer takes a passive role in the diagnostics and procedures of acupuncture and does not disturb the supervisor or senior interns during the delivery of treatments. The observer is not to render advice, and any questions the patient might ask must be referred to the supervisor.

There are no rollovers of hours from Observation to Phase 2 treatments.

Students must spend their first and last clinic quarter at an on campus clinic.

Prerequisites for Phase 1 Internship:

Passing the examination that is part of Blood-borne Pathogen Training.

Phase 1 Performance Objectives

·    Learn pulse, tongue, and palpation examinations

·    Demonstrate basic clinical intake and screening skills

·    Assists with the operation of the clinic: setup, charting, patient flow etc.

·    Complies with blood borne pathogen safety

·    Takes advantage of opportunities to observe patient treatment

·    Displays skill in non-invasive procedures, such as massage, indirect moxa etc.

·    Demonstrates accurate and thorough record keeping

·    Displays knowledge of point location consulting texts and charts

 

Phase 1 Grading process:

Each quarter students are graded on performance objectives.

Requirements for completing Phase 1 Internship:

1.   Passing score turned in each quarter.

2.   Sufficient attendance.

3.   Completion of the Observation Workbook; showing 150 hours.

4.   Book turned in when completed.

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