Welcome to the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the Anschutz Medical Campus. A Top Ten Medical School, our departments, centers and institutes work with the University of Colorado Hospital, The Children's Hospital and Barbara Davis Center.

This program is recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a Clinical Instructor (CI) Education and Credentialing Program. The program was developed through a grant funded by APTA. It takes 15 hours to complete the entire program for CI Education and Credentialing.

The program addresses issues of planning and preparing for physical therapist students during their clinical education experiences; developing learning experiences and supporting ongoing learning through questioning and effective feedback. Skills of evaluation are discussed, as well as the identification and management of students with exceptional situations. The program closes with a brief look at legal implications for the clinical educator, including issues presented by ADA legislation.

The “Assessment Center” provides each participant with the opportunity to apply information from the program in simulated situations. Successful completion of each station in the Assessment Center results in the awarding of APTA CI Credentialing. The six stations of the Assessment Center have been integrated into the program schedule. Therefore, it is necessary for each participant to attend all sessions of the Course and Assessment Center in its entirety in order to be eligible for credentialing.

The Course and Assessment Center will be useful for both new and experienced physical therapist educators involved in clinical education. While the information presented covers the basic skills for clinical instructors, the interactive tasks and large and small group discussions will be of benefit even to experienced educators.

At completion of the course, the participant will be able to:

1. Compare the roles of the clinician and the Clinic Instructor;
2. Determine the student’s readiness to learn;
3. Develop learning experiences;
4. Describe methods to facilitate learning in the clinic;
5. Discuss rationale and strategies for evaluation of the student;
6. Identify and address legal issues regarding clinical education.