As a progressive health care partner, Floyd Valley Healthcare provides career development opportunities for individuals to gain realistic insight and exposure to a variety of clinical areas. Career observation participants will gain useful information about the skills and education required for the aspiring health sciences student.

Observation Guidelines

1. All participants must be at least 16 years of age. Participants are accepted at the post secondary level.
2. Participants under 18 years of age must have a parent/guardian signature. Signatures are valid for one year.
3. Participants will receive no financial reimbursement, housing, meals or travel allowance.
4. Career observation is strictly a shadowing activity and participants may not have physical contact with the patient, verbally participate in patient instruction or manipulate any equipment used in patient care.
5. Patients have the right to refuse requests for attendance by career observation participants.
6. Participants are to remain on campus and with a Floyd Valley Healthcare representative at all times.
7. Observation in the Family Medicine Clinics is limited to students enrolled in higher education or an established program (i.e. high school Healthcare Academy, CNA course, etc.), with a maximum of 24 observation hours.
8. Observation should not exceed 8 consecutive hours or more than 3 consecutive weeks. Further approval is required for extended observation periods.
9. Students who observe on a consistent and regularly scheduled basis for five or more hours per week must complete a baseline TB screening. Baseline TB screening consists of two components: (1) assessing for current symptoms of active TB disease and (2) testing using the two-step TST procedure or a single IGRA to screen for infection with M. tuberculosis. If student has a previous positive TST or IGRA then they should submit documentation of previous test, completed treatment and most recent chest x-ray if applicable.
10. If the observation experience occurs between November 1 and March 31, participants must provide proof of a current flu vaccination. 

 

Application Process

Complete the application to let us know you are interested in a career observation opportunity at Floyd Valley Healthcare. The observation experience is approved and scheduled based on review, approval and departmental availability. Placement is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Carefully read all of the information on this page
• Complete the Student Application
• Review the Student Information
• Complete the Acknowledgement and Signature

Confidentiality & HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law imposed on all healthcare organizations. It requires organizations to take measures to safeguard patient information and punishes individuals and organizations that fail to keep patient information confidential.

In the course of your observation experience, you’ll become aware of patient Protected Health Information (PHI). You will be expected to maintain patient privacy and confidentiality during and after your observation experience. Failure to maintain confidentiality can result in immediate termination of your observation experience and may result in civil or criminal penalties.

 Professional Appearance

• Appropriate dress ensures that the facility remains in compliance with issues such as infection control, safety and security, disparity and professionalism.
• All participants are required to wear close-toed shoes.  Socks, tights or hose are to be worn with all shoes.
• Present a clean, neat, professional appearance.
  • Sleeveless tops or dresses may be worn if covered by a sweater or jacket.
  • Leggings are acceptable if worn with a long jacket, sweater or top.
  • Hair must be neat, clean and well-groomed.  Facial hair should be neatly trimmed.  Long hair must be tied back.
  • Hats and/or head coverings are acceptable only when required for the job, while undergoing chemotherapy or required for religious observation.
  • Jewelry must be professional and kept to a minimum. 
  • No pierced jewelry, except earrings, may be shown. 
  • No more than 1-2 tattoos may be visible.
• You may be asked to wear protective clothing if necessary for the safety of the patient or participant (surgical scrubs, personal protective equipment, etc.).
• If you arrive wearing clothing that Floyd Valley staff deems inappropriate, you will be asked to wear a lab coat or be dismissed to change clothes.   

What NOT to Wear:

• Excessively tight, revealing or baggy clothes.
• Sweatshirts, T-shirts, tank tops, halter-tops, open back or spaghetti strap tops or bare midriffs. 
• Any clothing with graphics, designs or offensive words.
• Jeans, shorts, walking shorts, mini-skirts or stretch/yoga/swishy/athletic pants.
• Overpowering perfumes, colognes or scented lotion.
• Excessive makeup.

Safety

Hand washing is the most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of disease. It is required that all observers wash their hands upon entering and exiting a patient’s room.

If you have any active signs of illness, including coughing, sore throat, fever, stomach illness rash, draining skin sores or other symptoms of illness, you must reschedule your observation experience. Proof of a current flu shot must be submitted if your shadow experience occurs between October 1 and March 31.

During your shadow experience, you may be required to utilize the same precautions for personal protection as the employees in the facility. Wear the same protective equipment as the staff person you are shadowing.

Acknowledgment and Signature

• By your signature below, you acknowledge the following:
• I understand that information I see and hear about patient identity and conditions is considered confidential and is not to be discussed outside of my career observation experience. Any violation of patient or hospital confidentiality will result in dismissal from the experience.
• Floyd Valley Healthcare will take immediate action in any situation in which my behavior or performance adversely affects the best interests of the patients or the facility. This action may include, but is not limited to, my removal from the facility and the experience.
• Floyd Valley Healthcare is not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings.
• I will hold Floyd Valley Healthcare and its employees harmless in the event of incident, injury or illness. Floyd Valley Healthcare is not responsible for costs involved with emergency or follow-up care.
• I will call the facility and cancel, in advance, my observation experience if I suspect I may be ill.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information and I have had the opportunity to ask questions for clarification. By providing my signature below, I confirm that I agree to adhere to the conditions and guidelines of the career observation experience. I hereby agree that I will not disclose to anyone information concerning patients and patients’ family members which I may acquire during the observation period.

Marlys VanOtterloo, RN, BSN

Email: marlys.vanotterloo@floydvalley.org
Phone: (712) 546-3388

Clinical Internships/Preceptorships

Floyd Valley Healthcare provides clinical internships/preceptorships and clinical group rotations to assist in establishing and maintaining a health professions workforce. 

1. Students must be enrolled in a college/university curriculum of study.
2. An affiliation agreement with Floyd Valley Healthcare and the College/University must be established.

Please contact Marlys VanOtterloo to inquire about these options at least 30 days in advance of the desired rotation.

Career Planning

Whether you’re a student or professional looking for a healthcare career or a current Floyd Valley Healthcare employee interested in taking the next step, to learn more about employment opportunities, visit floydvalley.org and click on the “Careers” tab.