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PHT 7944C: Clinical Rotation DPT-3B

Credit Hours: 5

Contact Hours: 40+/-hours per week clinical (commensurate with full-time employee)

Class Schedule: Per Clinical Faculty

Instructors

Rob Robinson, PT, DPT, GCS
Director of Clinical Education
Office hours: By Appointment
Phone: (904) 620-1054
Email: rob.robinson@unf.edu

Clinical Faculty Member – Clinical Instructor

Assigned Academic Faculty – Alternate Preceptor

Course Description

Clinical Rotation DPT-3B is the final clinical experience prior to graduation. This experience provides students with the opportunity to meet entry-level requirements to practice as a physical therapist. Students continue to practice examination, evaluation, intervention, documentation, consultation and administrative skills under the supervision and guidance of a licensed physical therapist, but are expected to function at the level of a new graduate by the completion of this experience. Student assignments are individualized and based on the students’ areas of clinical interest, academic performance, prior clinical education experiences, and clinical performance. Students may be placed in inpatient hospital, rehabilitation settings, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, schools, home care settings and/or other specialty practices. Patients with orthopedic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and/or cardiopulmonary diagnosis may be encountered.

Through reflective journal writing or other means students will further develop their self-assessment skills as they begin to transition from the role of student to that of an entry-level doctorally prepared physical therapist. Students will practice in accordance with the American Physical Therapy Association Code of Ethics and Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, the practice act of the state in which they are practicing, and according to the policies and procedures of the individual facility where they are assigned.

  • Prerequisites and Clinical Prerequisites

    Prerequisites: Successful completion of previous courses in the DPT curriculum.

    Clinical Prerequisites: Documentation of the following:

    • Background Check completed through CastleBranch
    • 10-panel Drug Screen
    • Up-to-date BLS certification
    • Yearly health examination
    • MMR immunization proof
    • Tuberculosis check: Written proof of negative Tb skin test within twelve months, or chest xray within three years
    • Hepatitis B: Written proof of immunity via titer, or a signed waiver
    • Varicella: Written proof of immunity via titer
    • Tetanus/Diphtheria immunization
    • Professional Liability Insurance – provided by UNF
    • Additional requirements may be imposed by the clinical site.
  • Instructional Methods

    Students receive clinical mentoring at their assigned clinical site by a licensed physical therapist. Students are expected to demonstrate adult learning behaviors by seeking out learning opportunities and clearly communicating goals and expectations to clinical mentors and faculty.

  • Student Health and Wellbeing

    The UNF Counseling Center can help students who are having difficulties managing stress, adjusting to college, or who are feeling sad and hopeless. You can reach the UNF Counseling Center at http://www.unf.edu/counseling-center or by calling (904) 620-2602 during and after business hours for routine appointments or if you or someone you know is in crisis. Walk-in hours are 10-2 PM Monday-Friday. Crisis appointments available.

    The Victim Advocacy Program provides confidential crisis intervention services to anyone in the UNF community impacted by crime or victimization. Services offered range from emotional support to assistance navigating the criminal justice system. The Victim Advocacy Program is located in Founders Hall, Building 2, Suite 2100. Students may contact the 24-hour Crisis Helpline at (904) 620-1010. For more information visit https://www.unf.edu/deanofstudents/victim-advocacy/

  • Course Accommodations

    If for any reason the student feels they will have difficulty meeting the objectives and expectations of this course, the student should notify the instructor within five (5) weekdays of the start of class so that accommodations may be implemented where indicated.

    Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy. Students with disabilities who seek reasonable accommodation in the classroom or other aspects of performing their coursework must first register with the UNF Student Accessibility Center (SAC) center located in Building 57, Room 1500. SAC staff members work with students to obtain required documentation of disability and to identify appropriate accommodations as required by applicable disability laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). After receiving all necessary documentation, the SAC staff determines whether a student qualifies for services with the SAC and, if so, the accommodation will be provided to the student. SAC staff then prepares a letter for the student to provide faculty advising them of approved accommodations. For further information, contact the SAC by phone at (904) 620-2769, or by email at sac@unf.edu, or visit SAC website at unf.edu/sac

  • Military and Veteran

    Students who return from combat exposure may be utilizing the post 9/11 GI bill to continue postsecondary education goals and may need both physical and academic accommodations. Contact the Military and Veterans’ Resource Center by phone (904) 620-5131 or email mvrc@unf.edu.

  • Required Texts/Resources
    • Guide to Physical Therapist Practice
    • Clinical Performance Instrument Web training completed
    • APTA Student Site Evaluation Form (Available in Exxat)
    • Copy of the inservice evaluation form/admin project form (Available on Canvas)
    • Recommended Texts: Students will benefit from utilizing materials and texts associated with previous academic courses and course notes related to the type of clinical experience in which they will be participating.
  • Grading Criteria

    The on-site clinical instructor (CI) will assess and document the student’s performance of skills and written and verbal communication with patients, families, and colleagues utilizing the CPI at midterm and during the final week of the rotation. Students will also self-assess their clinical performance and professional behaviors using the CPI at midterm and during the final week. Students and Clinical Instructors should meet on an on-going basis throughout the clinical experience to discuss goals and objectives, strengths and weaknesses, and to plan future learning experiences.

    Minimal acceptable criteria for this clinical experience are as follows:

    1. Satisfactory completion of all prerequisite requirements as outlined above. Immunizations and certifications must be in compliance with site policies.
    2. Attendance at scheduled clinical rotation sessions.
    3. Timely completion of any written or oral assignments by the DCE/CCCE/CI.
      1. Assignments turned in late without prior communication and agreement will receive a 25% deduction for each day late and a zero after 4 days.
    4. Completion of an inservice on a topic selected in consultation with the CI or DCE, or an educational or administrative project, as required.
    5. Completion and submission of documentation provided to the DCE according to deadlines provided. Documentation includes, but is not limited to: reflection assignments, midterm and final CPI completed and signed by student and the CI, inservice evaluation if performed and, Student Evaluation of Clinical Experience.
    6. Satisfactory completion of performance criteria on the CPI as determined by the DCE in conjunction with the CI. DCE to determine final grade.
    7. No “unresolved significant concerns” by the CI on the CPI.
    8. Must score 85% of the possible points in order to pass.
  • Attendance and Punctuality

    Attendance is mandatory for scheduled work hours with the CI. These hours may vary according to the facility. Any absences must be reported to the DCE on or before the day of occurrence. Students may be required to make up absences. Multiple absences may result in termination of the clinical rotation and failure in the course. Students must be punctual throughout the rotation. Failure to comply will result in termination of the clinical rotation and failure in the course. Students should regularly (at least 4 times a week, check their UNF email for any important communication for UNF/DCE.

  • Academic Integrity Code And Academic Misconduct Policies

    Students are expected to abide by the graduate school’s policy on academic integrity. The academic integrity of UNF and the Physical Therapy Program will be strictly enforced. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: Cheating, Fabrication and Falsification, Multiple Submissions, Plagiarism, Abuse of Academic Materials, and Complicity in Academic Dishonesty. Adherence to this policy is consistent with behaviors expected of a health care professional and reinforces the APTA Code of Ethics that forms the foundation for ethical practice of physical therapy. Failure to abide by the UNF policy on academic integrity will result in immediate dismissal from the Physical Therapy Program.

  • Grading Scale

    This course will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must show timely and satisfactory completion and submission of all documentation noted in the Grading Criteria section of this syllabus.

  • Disruption Due to Emergency

    In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency such as hurricane, pandemic, or other unforeseen event or combination of events, the format of this course may be modified in order to enable completion of the course requirements. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to this syllabus that will supersede this version. It is your responsibility as a student participant to be proactive during any emergency to check daily for instructions posted in Canvas and/or sent via email.

  • Notification of DCE/ADCE

    If at any time a student suspects a potential or current problem within the clinical rotation, the DCE should be notified as soon as possible. Failure to do so may negatively impact the ability of the program to assist the student in the completion of a satisfactory rotation, and may ultimately delay the student’s graduation.

  • Course Objectives

    Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

    1. Accepts responsibility for patients by identifying, acknowledging, and accepting responsibility for actions and reporting errors. (level 4)
    2. Convey to appropriate authorities suspected cases of fraud and abuse. (level 3) (7D2, 7D3)
    3. Interact with patients, clients, family members, other healthcare providers and communitybased organizations for the purpose of coordinating activities to facilitate culturally competent, efficient and effective patient or client care. (level 5) (7D7, 7D34, 7D39
    4. Incorporates effective use of time and resources by managing a partial caseload. (level 5) (7D28,7D36)
    5. Assist in organizing a health promotion, wellness and prevention program as appropriate. (Level 5) (7D34, 7D34)
    6. Assess patient needs in order to appropriately refer and coordinate services with other healthcare providers as needed, in conjunction with the clinical instructor. (Level 4.0) (7D16, 7D17)
    7. Advocate for patient rights within the current and evolving health care environment (from political, economic and cultural perspectives). (Level 4) (7D14)
    8. Direct and supervise PTAs and support personnel in an ethical and legal manner. (Level 5.0) (7D1, 7D2, 7D4, 7D5, 7D25, 7D29)
    9. Consider reimbursement and regulatory issues when developing treatment plans, documentation, and billing. (Level 6.0) (7D1, 7D3, 7D4, 7D5, 7D24, 7D32, 7D42)
    10. Develop self-assessment and self-directed learning through reflection. (Level 6.0) (7D5, 7D10, 7D11, 7D38)
    11. Synthesize examination data by identifying body structure and function impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions that can be minimized or alleviated through physical therapy using the ICF model. (Level 5) (7D21, 7D22)
    12. Integrate knowledge and skills from all previous academic and clinical coursework to perform screenings, examinations, and differential diagnosis on simple and complex patients. (Level 6.0) (7D10, 7D11, 7D16, 7D17, 7D18, 7D19, 7D20)
    13. Compose patient care plans utilizing clinical problem solving and professional judgment, with limited input from the clinical instructor. (Level 6.0) (7D10, 7D11, 7D21, 7D23, 7D24)
    14. Synthesize skills in order to examine patients, evaluate findings, design and modify appropriate interventions, develop plan of care, and follow through in discharge planning and development of home exercise plans as an effective member of the healthcare team. (Level 6.0) (7D10, 7D11, 7D21, 7D23, 7D24, 7D26, 7D27, 7D30, 7D31, 7D32, 7D36, 7D36, 7D39, 7D42)

** The course instructor reserves the right to alter course requirements and/or assignments based on new materials, discussions with Clinical Faculty, or other legitimate pedagogical objectives.
Revised 2023