These are common questions that students ask regarding the FTP:
On the Palmer Website. Applications for the FTP and Postgraduate Preceptorship, as well
as the Reports, Hour Sheets and other Forms, are all available for download and printing on
the respective website page.
By the end of Week 6 of 12th Quarter.
We will attempt to get the doctor approved by the time the program starts but make no
guarantees. If we do not have the doctor approved by the end of the quarter, you will be
assigned to another in-area office.
Not if they have had an intern in the last three (3) years. They are, however, required
to submit the Statement of Understanding/Acceptance Letter form and provide a copy of their
D.C. License, Malpractice declarations page and X-ray certificate to the director at fax #
(408) 944-6093.
Yes - Some states/provinces have additional requirements and/or fees to do the FTP in
that location. Known locations that require additional application time, fees and/or
processing are: Arizona, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia. If you intend to go to
one of these locations, it is strongly recommended that you get your application completed
by Week 2 of your 12th quarter.
No - Some states/provinces do not have provisions for unlicensed (pre- and/or post
graduate) individuals to provide chiropractic services under the license of a chiropractor
in that state. Known locations that do not allow pre-graduate preceptorships are: Colorado,
Hawaii, Nevada. If you intend to go to one of these locations, you may be assigned in an
Observational Only capacity.
It depends - you and your Field Doctor are responsible for researching the scope of
practice for an unlicensed DC/pre-graduate student in the state/province/country in which
you wish to do your preceptorship. Due to the constantly changing laws from location to
location, if you wish to go out of the State of California for your FTP, you take on the
responsibility of researching, learning and abiding by the rules and regulations of the
location of your choice.
No - You may go to any place in the United States and Canada. Outside of the US/Canada,
you can go to a country where chiropractic is recognized and legal, where there is a
governing body that regulates the practice of chiropractic, where our malpractice insurance
applies, and where it is safe for you to live. Assignments outside the US/Canada are at the
discretion of the college and dean of Clinics. If you wish to go outside the US/Canada, you
should start researching this early in 10th or 11th quarter. You may be asked to sign a
safety/security/liability waiver if you choose to participate in a foreign location.
No. We can check to see if there is a particular doctor in the program and if they are
active, but there is no list.
Probably not. We will not give out a list of local doctors, as this is a promise we've
made to these doctors when they joined our program. We are more likely to give out names of
approved offices in out-of-area locations.
The dean of Clinics, Dr. Greg Snow, manages all aspects of the Field Training and
Postgraduate Preceptorship programs. If you have questions regarding your assignment,
potential assignments, would like to further specify your office preferences, or would like
information on approved out-of-area offices, please make an appointment to do so by
emailing Dr. Snow at greg.snow@palmer.edu.
The choice is yours and there are positives to both. If you find your own doctor, you
can "interview" the doctor in more detail and select the practice style, location and
personality that best suits you. The downside is the doctor may be inexperienced at
mentoring interns, not know what to do with you, and this may make the experience less
satisfying. If you are assigned by the program director, you'll likely get a seasoned
mentor who knows the program well and how to integrate an intern into the office; however,
the practice location, style and personality may not all suit your preferences. In general,
placements by the college seem to have fewer issues than intern selected offices.
180 hours during the quarter, 20 hours minimum and 35 hours maximum per week, excluding
lunch and other breaks.
Yes, you need at least 180 hours to graduate. Please make arrangements, beforehand, with
the D.C. if you intend to finish early; be professional.
Maybe, you must appeal to the Clinic Standings Committee (by letter, to Dr. Snow) if you
wish to start prior to the first day of your 13th quarter. At times, the start date may be
pushed back a week for the entire class, due to conflicts and/or a shortened quarter. In
this case, you will be notified of the early start date by Dr. Snow. If you start prior to
the first day of the quarter without permission to do so, your hours during those days will
not count towards you totals. If you are planning to start one quarter early (or
half-quarter), you must follow the policies in the FTP policy and procedures manual. Early
participation may NOT be out-of-area.
No. The only hours that count are those completed during the regular scheduled 13th
Quarter.
Provided you are on track to finish by the end of the first week of the subsequent
quarter, you will still be allowed to walk the stage for the graduation ceremony. You will
not receive your diploma at the ceremony. You will then continue to work until you've
accumulated the necessary hours. Once you've accumulated and submitted your hours, you will
receive your diploma, with the "official graduation date" for your class on it. If you fail
to accumulate the necessary hours by the end of the first week of the next quarter, you
will receive an "F" grade for the course, and will have to retake it.
Anything that is not "in the area". In the Area is anything contained within the
boundary of the Bay to the north (San Francisco east through to Antioch), south to Tracy,
and south west to Gilroy, and west to Aptos. Anything outside that area is considered
"out-of-area." You must have all clinic requirements completed to qualify for
out-of-area.
Yes.
No.
Yes, you must complete 75% of all clinic requirements in order to pass Clinic IV (12th
Q) and become eligible to register for 13th Quarter and participate in the Field Training
Program. If you fail to meet the 75% requirement, you will fail Clinic IV and will need to
retake and pass it before being allowed to register for 13th Quarter. Appeals may be made
to the Clinic Standards Committee via Dr. Snow.
No.
Yes, a preceptor (licensed Doctor of Chiropractic) may have up to two (2) interns in
their office at a time, regardless of how many doctors work there. The two-intern limit
applies to both 13th Quarter and post-graduate interns from ALL colleges who would be in
the office at the same time.
No compensation may be received for 13th Quarter. If this policy is violated, your hours
worked will be void. You will be considered an employee of that office and the college's
malpractice policy will not cover your actions. You may also be guilty of practicing
without a license.
Those reports must be turned in to Dr. Gary De Wet by the due date. Failure to do so may
result in an incomplete grade for the course and no diploma at graduation. Ask your doctor
to complete and submit them in a timely fashion to ensure you receive your diploma at
graduation. Return them to Dr. De Wet directly, or fax them to the number of those
forms.
Yes, if you provide a typed explanation as to the reasons you are requesting a change
(email is okay). An attempt will be made to locate an alternative office. The later in the
quarter this request is made, the more difficult this process will be. Try to resolve any
issues with the doctor before reaching this step.
Yes, it has happened on occasion, but is the exception, not the rule. The FTP is
intended to provide the student with a well-rounded experience in the operation of a
chiropractic office. Patient treatment is certainly one aspect, but should not dominate
your time. Before starting with the doctor, discuss his/her and your expectations for the
program and ask him/her to set out a schedule where you will be exposed to the multiple
facets of practice. You have a handout summarizing the seven subjects that should be
covered. Communicate your wishes to your doctor about the things you want to learn and your
expectations for your FTP. If the doctor is unable to elaborate on how your time will be
spent in the office, or indicates you won't be involved in certain aspects of the business,
you may want to reconsider this office.
The FTP is a unique opportunity to become involved in an office before being licensed;
make the most of it.
If there are any other questions that should be on this list, please contact the
director in room 315 or (408) 944-6036. Thank you for your input.
For more information, please contact us at field.training@palmer.edu