Clinical Instructor Role

A clinical instructor is an individual that is competent and knowledgeable about the legal and ethical behaviors required by the APTA (APTA, 2012). A clinical instructor is someone who is able to effectively teach, communicate, instruct, evaluation and enhance a students’ clinical performance. CI’s are required to behavior in a professional manner and set examples of how one should conduct his or herself as future members of the physical therapy profession. CI’s and other physical therapist are meant to be role models and teach students good habits as they practice the skills taught didactically and perform them with confidence and competence when providing patient care. With that being said, not all CI’s practice using the clinical guidelines

One tool the APTA has developed is the Clinical Instructor Education and Credentialing Program (CIECP). CIECP is “ a voluntary professional development program designed for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant clinical educators to enhance their clinical education skills” (Housel, Gandy, & Edmondson, p.27, 2010). The program is broken up into two sections: didactic and opportunities for self assessment. The CIECP focuses on: “preparation and planning for scheduled PT student clinical experiences, development of learning experience, supporting ongoing learning….” (Housel, Gandy, & Edmondson, p.27, 2010). According to the survey study performed by Bridges et al, this program is concerned to be a valid and reliable tool ( p.292,

When a student is given the the opportunity to work with them a lot can be learned. For example, I realized that most of the therapist that I concerned “elite CI’s” have an extensive amount of years practicing in a particular setting, they are very personable, professional, knowledgeable in the current evidence and love what they do. However, the APTA believes one year of is sufficient enough to be a CI, but I believe more experience is needed (APTA, 2012). Elite CI’s are able to adapt to the students unique learning skills (i.e. visual, auditory, tactile, or more concrete learner). This is extremely important because I believe no two people are the same and no two clinicians are they same as well. It is important that a CI as well as the student are able to learn based on their preferred learn styles in order for learning to take place. Another characteristic that an elite “CI” has compare to a mediocre CI is their ability to accept individuals such as patients, patient families, other healthcare staff, etc. despite any cultural, social, or economical differences they might