AHPT 830: Clinical Experience I
Credit Hours: (9)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of all prior coursework or with permission from the department.
Instructional Method: Internship. Conduct of the Course: Students will be able to apply knowledge, skills,
abilities within cognitive, psychomotor and affective domains via interactions with
patients under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Clinical Experience I is the first in a series of courses designed to provide physical therapy students with an opportunity to apply the first year of didactic learning through real world experience. This is the first of a series of three clinical experiences. It requires full time hours (typically 40 hours) per week over the course of the experience. The learning outcomes of the clinical education process are based on the hierarchical pattern of coursework. This initial clinical experience emphasizes basic examination, evaluation, and treatment intervention skills primarily found in nursing homes and outpatient rehabilitation clinical sites. Each student will be assigned an on-site Licensed Physical Therapist referred to as a Clinical Instructor (Cl). The Cl will provide one-on-one supervision during the clinical experience. As the student becomes more competent, the student will assess problems, practice evaluation skills, formulate patient goals and apply treatment techniques.
Detailed Description of Course/Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Clinical Experience I is the first of a series of three internships. This internship
will be 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. The learning goal of the clinical education
process is based on the hierarchical pattern of coursework. The initial clinical internship
emphasizes basic examination, evaluation, and treatment intervention skills primarily
found in nursing homes, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient rehabilitation
clinical sites.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students actively participate in hands-on methods and techniques related to patient/client management including examination, evaluation, and diagnosis, and prognosis, interventions and outcomes measurement. Students perform and collaborate on all aspects of patient care under the direct supervision of a Clinical Instructor who is a licensed physical therapist.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to, written assignments, projects,
and Clinical Performance Instrument self/clinical instructor/Director of Clinical
Education assessments.
Review and Approval
Revised
June, 2023
April 30, 2018
May 9, 2017
February 10, 2014