Clinical Education
Clinical Education Curriculum
Our faculty are committed to excellence in PT education and we understand that what we start in the classroom is completed in clinical education. It is vital that each student's clinical education plan has sufficient breadth and depth to complement his/her didactic coursework across all areas of physical therapy practice. Clinical education experiences are required in out-patient, in-patient acute care/skilled nursing/IP rehab, a rural setting experience, and at least one setting outside the local area.
Our curriculum currently has 6 clinical rotations:
- Clinical Practicum 1 - 3 weeks - 1st year student
Clinical Practicum 2 - 4 weeks - 2nd year student
Clinical Practicum 3 - 4 weeks - 2nd year student
Internship 1 - 10 weeks - 2nd year student
Internship 2 - 12 weeks - 3rd year student
Internship 3 - 15 weeks - 3rd year student
Clinical Education for Students
The ultimate goal of East Tennessee State University Department of Physical Therapy is to graduate well-rounded and extremely confident clinicians ready to be responsible for duties in any of the standard areas of physical therapy practice. Clinical education plays an imperative role in this and comprises approximately 70% of a student's time in the ETSU PT program.
Students are given the opportunity to provide input regarding their clinical placements from the 500+ sites which ETSU is affiliation or by nominating a new site.
ETSU PT uses EXXAT clinical education software to manage our rotations. Here, students are able to browse all affiliated sites or to narrow their search by location or care classification. Through EXXAT, students also complete a profile to briefly describe themselves, Thier prior experiences, and their goals for upcoming rotations. This information is then shared with sites to 'introduce' the student. Most required documentation for particular internships is stored in EXXAT so that students can access at any time. Students receive training in using EXXAT during their first semester and us it throughout all three years of program. If you have questions or concerns about EXXAT please contact Cheryl Williams.
Clinical Education for Clinical Instructors
Quality clinical education is critical for effectively preparing our students to be competent physical therapists. Integral to this is the development of excellent clinical education sites and clinical instructors. This page contains information for use by current and prospective clinical instructors with ETSU PT. We look forward to continuing or beginning a wonderful partnership with you!
How to Become a Clinical Site
If you would like to become a clinical rotation site for East Tennessee State University,
please contact
Dr. James Boone, Director of Clinical Education. More information about James
If you have questions about processing your clinical affiliation agreement, please contact Cheryl Williams.
Continuing Education Opportunities in Clinical Education
APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program and Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program
This course addresses issues of planning and preparing for physical therapist students during their clinical rotations, developing learning experiences, and supporting ongoing learning through questioning and effective feedback.
Skills of evaluations are discussed, as well as the identification and management of students with exceptional situations. The course also includes a look at legal implications for the clinical educator, including issues presented by ADA legislation.
The course is 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.
ETSU hosted a clinical instructor course in the Knoxville, Tennessee area in January 2018. We will be hosting or co-hosting more soon.
How to Receive Continuing Education Credits for being a CI
CIs who have been through a CI Credentialing course may receive continuing education credit for being a CI. PTs will receive one credit for each 40 hours of direct clinical instruction. The maximum cumulative credit gained for serving as a clinical instructor shall be no more than one-third (8 hours) of the total continuing education requirement during any certification period. You should receive your CEU certificate 1 - 3 weeks via EXXAT. Please contact Cheryl Williams if you do not receive within 1 - 3 weeks after the end of the rotation.
ETSU PT Clinical Education Award - Applications Accepted until June 15, 2018
Education Leadership Conference - The ETSU PT Clinical Education Award is given annually by the Department of Physical Therapy to a clinical instructor affiliated with our DPT program. The award recognizes leadership in clinical education that benefits physical therapy students in general and ETSU physical therapy students in particular. The award is in support of the recipients’ attendance at the Annual APTA Education Leadership Conference (ELC) as a part of the ETSU PT team attending the conference. The awardee receives $1000 and a certificate recognizing their contributions to physical therapy clinical education. Registration for the conference is required prior to receipt of the award. A call for nominations is announced annually no later than July. Individuals may self-nominate. Selection is made by the DCE and the PT Program Directors in consultation with faculty, student and staff of the ETSU Department of Physical Therapy. For more information and application materials, contact Cheryl Williams.
ELC Clinical Educator Sponsorships - Applications Accepted May 1 - 25, 2018
The Academy of Physical Therapy Education (APTE) and the American Council of Academic
Physical Therapy (ACAPT) will sponsor registration fees for up to 40 clinical educators
and/or clinical administrators to attend ELC 2018. Sponsorship will be awarded at
the APTA member registrant rate at a maximum of $295. Any additional registration
fees and/or travel costs are the responsibility of the registrant. The application
deadline will close on May 25 at midnight EDT. Awardees will be notified by May 30.
Registration instructions for those sponsored will be sent at the time of notification.
Click here to complete the online application.