The guidelines for absences are as follows:
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The intern may take up to 3 days (24 hrs.) of excused time. All other absent time must be made up to complete the required scheduled hours of supervised practice.
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A calendar provided to the intern on the first day of the experience denotes all holidays, class dates, etc. Interns are expected to follow the schedule as outlined on the calendar. The only exception to the outlined scheduled will be excused time as noted above.
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Some supervised practice facilities may observe holidays that are not part of scheduled University holidays. In that case, the intern must make up the hours at another time during the program (not necessarily that rotation) to comply with the minimum 1000 hours of supervised practice required by ACEND and the program.
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It is up to the discretion of the facility preceptor to approve requests for absences other than illness. Interns must seek approval of their preceptor and the DI Program Director for proposed absences (personal days) other than illness, family emergency or death of a loved one at least two weeks in advance.
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Although interns should log all hours involved in supervised practice at facilities, banking hours is not permitted. If an intern is scheduled to be at a facility, they must show up. Taking time off because they worked through lunch or stayed late the day before is not allowed. Interns often complete the program with greater than the required minimum hours.
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Interns will work when scheduled by preceptors. This will usually be Monday- Friday. However, there may be occasional weekend days scheduled. Interns are expected to be flexible to take advantage of a variety of learning opportunities. If an intern feels a preceptor is scheduling them inappropriately, he or she should first talk to the preceptor and attempt to resolve the issue. If the result is unsatisfactory, the intern should contact the Clinical Coordinator and/or DI Director who will aid in resolving the issue.
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Deviation from the schedule without preceptor and/or DI Director's approval will not be tolerated. If an intern is going to be late or absent, they are required to immediately contact both the preceptor and the clinical coordinator.
All other time missed (at the practice site or in class) must be made up. If make-up hours are needed, and upon approval of the facility supervisor and the DI Director, the intern may choose to extend daily hours for a given period or add additional days to the required experience. Prior approval must be obtained from the preceptor, Clinical Coordinator, DI Director.
The only other exception to make-up of missed time is if the intern is attending a professional meeting or activity approved in advance by the facility and DI Director. The intern must obtain permission from any supervisor/preceptor and the DI Director well in advance of any personal appointment, such as a doctor's appointment. It is up to the discretion of the facility preceptor as to whether an intern may be excused for such and any such time must be made-up. Interns are discouraged from asking for time away except in emergencies or unusual situations. Personal day requests must be made in writing via email to the preceptor and DI Director no less than 72 hours of the requested date of the personal day (illnesses and family emergencies are an exception). Please note that interns may request time off for interviews, but this must be approved by the DI Director and Clinical Coordinator.
Interns are to call both the respective preceptor and the DI Director or Clinical Coordinator if they are going to be late or absent. Calls should be received prior to the scheduled work time and no later than 8:00 am when calling the DI Director or Clinical Coordinator. When contacting the DI Director or Clinical Coordinator, the intern may send a text message, call the cell phone, or call the work voice mail at: 405-271-8001 x41181. If the intern has an emergency and is unable to reach the DI Director or Clinical Coordinator, the intern may call 405-271-2113 and speak to a member of the department staff. The staff member can direct the intern's call to an available faculty member.
