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Tips for Placement Coordinators

When negotiating educational affiliations for clinical or field work placements, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• UWM has insurance coverage through the State of Wisconsin's Self-funded Property and Liability Program.
• Affiliation agreements are a formalization of the state statuatory coverages.

  • 893.82: Claims against state employes; notice of claim; limitation of damages

  • 895.46: State and political subdivisions thereof to pay judgements taken against officers
• The State's insurance coverage is always EXCESS to any other applicable coverage.
• Affiliation agreements are not necessary between departments on-campus or between other state agencies.
• Placements can and do occur successfully without an affiliation agreement (ie., a written agreement is not mandatory UNLESS the student will have access to patient/client records at the facility/agency).
• Requests to send an agreement to an affiliate are best submitted to the Department of University Safety & Assurances at the Affiliation Agreement Request Form Page.
• Students should be referred to the Memorandum to Students for a brief description of the type of insurance coverage (professional liability coverage only) that is provided to them by the University.
• The University does not provide students with medical coverage--this includes any injuries going to, coming from or at a placement; in addition, there is no coverage for personal property taken to a placement by the student which may be lost, damaged, or stolen.
• Placement coordinators are responsible for sending out their Program Memorandum; the Program Memorandum is a document separate and distinct from the affiliation agreement.
• Only the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Affairs and the Director of University Safety & Assurances have the authority to sign affiliation agreements with outside agencies -- all agreements must be forwarded to our office for review.
• Students should always negotiate placements and request affiliation agreements through their program coordinator -- otherwise coordinators are "out-of-the-loop".

Froedtert Hospital has requested that all Placement Coordinators and students being placed in a program at Froedtert Hospital read their HIPAA handbook.

Please direct any questions regarding affiliation agreements, field work placement or risk management to:

Updated May 15, 2008 by SAK