Clinical Instructors | Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
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Clinical Instructors  
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

Clinical education and training are integral components of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. The 34 weeks of full-time clinical experiences provide students with exposure to a variety of practice settings and patient populations while allowing them the opportunity to apply applicable knowledge, skills and behaviors.

  • Discounted/complimentary continuing education courses offered by the PCOM Department of Physical Therapy
  • Continuing education credits as specified by state professional organization
    • Example: Georgia- (490-4-.02) Acting as a clinical education instructor for an accredited physical therapist or physical therapist assistant educational program; Continuing competence credit is one (1) hour per eight (8) contact hours with a maximum credit of 10 hours
  • Adjunct clinical faculty appointment. Requirements for appointment are as follows:
    • Clinical Instructor (CI)
      • Must serve as a placement for two or more students in a three-year span
    • SCCE (previously CCCE)
      • Must serve as a CI annually for PCOM Georgia - or -
      • (If SCCE/CCCE is not a physical therapist or able to serve as a CI) Offer annually reserved placements for PCOM Georgia students during appropriate clinical experiences
  • Access to the online PCOM library
  • Opportunities for research collaboration
  • Service opportunities
    • Locally
  • Opportunities for guest lecturing
  • Access to faculty and opportunities to access PCOM Georgia facilities/equipment

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Chaffin, PT, DPT, ATC
Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor
Email: elizabech@pcom.edu
Phone: 770-682-2305

Melissa Tavilla
Academic Coordinator
Email: melissata@pcom.edu
Phone: 770-682-2368

  • Clinical instructor must be a licensed physical therapist in his or her state of practice.
  • Must have completed one year of clinical practice.
  • Must be able to provide direct supervision of the student during patient/client interactions.
  • Provide open lines of communication with DCE regarding student’s performance.
  • Must be able to evaluate students’ performance based on professional judgment and by use of the Clinical Internship Evaluation Tool (CIET).
  • Must maintain an ethical approach to the care of patients by serving as a role model for the student.

 

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