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Department of Social Work

Preparing for Field

All student participating in field education must meet the University's Health Clearance Requirements and maintain a health insurance policy.

Additionally, our partner organizations (field sites) may have additional requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be placed with the organization. Requirements vary from organization to organization, and we continually work to ensure these requirements are outlined in the EXXAT database. Some organizations may have one or two requirements, while others may have none. Students may be required to pay out of pocket for some of the requirements while in other situations, the organization may cover the cost.

Consult with your Field Coordinator regarding the requirements.

 

Field Placement Interview

Every organization will require you to provide a resume and conduct an interview with the Field Instructor.

Consider the following

  • Think of this as a professional interview and act accordingly.
  • Consider your attire and dress in appropriate attire.
  • Learn about the agency ahead of time.
  • Familiarize yourself with the agency, find out their mission and the populations they serve.
  • Prepare to ask questions of those interviewing you, but thinking of three to five questions ahead of time.
  • Be prepared to answer questions that the agency asks of you.
  • Practice ahead of time by preparing answers to potential interview questions.

Helpful Tips

#ProTips

Field Education Recorded Interview

Field Interviews – Social Work Field Podcast Video

Tips to Contacting the Field Site

National Association of Social Workers – Resources for Students

#ProTips

National Association of Social Workers – How to Write a Winning Cover Letter

NASW Common Interview Questions

5 Ways to Ace Your Social Work Job Interview

Veteran’s Administration (VA) Performance Based Interviewing (PBI)

Other Requirements

Please note that these requirements vary by site and are outlined in the EXXAT site profile.

  1. Option 1 – Check with your field site if they prefer that you get a TB Clearance through their preferred health site.
    • If they do not provide a TB Clearance health site, see options 2 & 3 below:
  2. Option 2 – Visit the Department of Health TB Control Program at Lanakila Health Center in person.
    • Address: 1700 Lanakila Avenue, Ground Floor, Honolulu, HI, 96817
    • Days of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (No TB screenings on Thursday)
      Hours of Operation: 7:45 AM to 3:30 PM
    • Patients seen on a walk-in basis
    • It is best to arrive early and to be in line before 3:30 pm or you will have to return the next day.
      For more information about neighbor island locations and additional locations on Oahu visit the Department of Health TB Control Program Website
  3. Option 3 – Visit University Health Services at Mānoa in person
    • Address: 1710 East West Road, Honolulu, HI, 96822
    • Days of Operation: Monday- Friday
      Hours of Operation: 8 AM – 4 PM
    • If you have health insurance the TB screening will be charged to your insurance
    • If you do not have health insurance you will need to pay $15
    • To contact the University Health Services at Mānoa, call (808) 956-8965
    • TB clearances require a 2nd visit 2-3 days later for a results reading.

Child Abuse and Neglect Clearance


Download and print a PDF or Word version of the Child Abuse Protective Services Central Registry Form on the Department of Health and Human Services website.

  • Complete, sign and date the form. Be sure to print clearly or type the requested information. Forms without all the requested information may be returned which could delay the completion of your request.
  • Mail original form to the address listed below (FAXES NOT ACCEPTED):
    Department of Human Services
    Child Welfare Services Branch
    Statewide Child Welfare Services Section
    420 Waiakamilo Road, Suite 300A
    Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96817

For more information visit the Department of Human Services Website

  1. Option 1: In-Person
    • A traffic abstract can be obtained in-person at your local District Court’s Traffic Violations Bureau.
    • For a list of District Court locations on each island, visit the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary website.
    • Days of Operation Monday- Friday, Except federal state holidays
      Hour of Operation are 7:45 am to 4:30 pm,
      You will need to provide the following information:
    • Full Name
      Date of Birth
      Driver’s License Number
      Fee: $20 for each traffic abstract
  2. Option 2: By Mail
    • A traffic abstract can also be obtained by mail. You will need to send in the following:
    • Self-addressed stamped envelope
      Money order or cashiers check for $20
      Typed or written on a paper
      Full Name
      Date of Birth
      Driver’s License Number
      Mail request to your local District Court’s Traffic Violations Bureau.
  3. For a list of District Court locations on each island, visit the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary website.

Criminal background checks are also referred to as a “Police Clearance” or “Police Abstract”.

  1. Option 1: On-line Request
    • Confirm with your field placement that they will accept an online printouts before purchasing a criminal background check online. If they do not accept an online printout , you will need to mail in your request (see option 2).
    • If an online printout is acceptable, follow the steps below:
    • Go to Hawaiʻi’s Adult Criminal Information (eCrim) website
      • Sign-up for an eCrim account
      • Conduct a record search by providing the information requested.
      • Enter your payment information. The following fees apply:
      • Step 1: $5 to view a record
      • Step 2: $10 for a PDF copy of the record
      • If no criminal record is found the print out will say “No Criminal Convictions Found”
        If a criminal record is found, consult your Field Coordinator
        For an audio and video version of on-line request instructions, visit the Hawaiʻi Adult Criminal Information website
  2. Option 2: Request by Mail
    • Send in the following information to mailing address listed below:
    • Full Name
      Date of Birth
      Social Security number (optional)
      $30 payment in form of a money order or cashier’s check made payable to “State of Hawaiʻi”
      • Mailing Address
        Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center
        Attn: CHRC Unit
        465 S. King Street, Room 102
        Honolulu, HI 96813
    • Results are mailed within 7-10 days. For more information visit the Hawaiʻi Criminal Justice Data Center website.

You can get a drug test through Diagnostic Lab Services on walk-in basis. Fees Vary. See information below:

  • Visit the Diagnostic Lab Services website to find the nearest location.
  • You will not need an appointment, however, make sure you note the hours operation at each site as these may vary by site.
  • Bring a form of payment to your appointment. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card.
  • Fee information:
  • $46 for 5 panel test (most common)
    $54 for 10 panel test
    It is not required that you download, print, and bring the Diagnostic Lab Services form with you as they will have copies on site for you. However, if you would like to do so, you can.