CLINICAL EDUCATION HANDBOOK
FOR STUDENTS
Carrington College
PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT PROGRAM
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA CAMPUS
The PTA program at Carrington College – Las Vegas is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: ; website: www.capteonline.org.
The PTA Associate degree program is included in Carrington College’s grant of institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), 750 First St. NE, Suite 980, Washington, DC 2005, (202) 336-6780. ACICS is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Carrington College – Las Vegas
Student Clinical Education Handbook
Rev 031014 Page 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Common Terms used in the PTA Program 3
Responsibilities of the ACCE 3
Responsibilities of the Student 4
Responsibilities of Clinical Education Site & CI 4
Expectations 5-8
a. Learning objectives
b. Student’s Role
c. Documentation
d. Dress Code
e. Attendance Policy
f. Transportation
g. Student Liability
h. Background Checks and Medical Clearance
i. CPR Requirement
j. Patient Confidentiality
Other Policies and Procedures 9
Failure of Clinical Education Course 9
Clinical Education Disclosure Form 10-11
Clinical Education Disciplinary Policy 12
Disciplinary Action Form 14
Regarding Disabilities 15
PTA Program Requirements for Clinical Externship Form Appendix A
Student Evaluation of Clinical Instructor Form Appendix B
COMMON TERMS USED IN THE PTA PROGRAM
Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education (ACCE) - the faculty member responsible for developing & coordinating the clinical education portion of the curriculum
Program Director - The faculty member responsible for oversight and administration of the PTA program
PTA Faculty - The persons employed to instruct courses in the PTA curriculum
Clinical Affiliation – One of three specific clinical education rotations. Students are supervised by a licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant and required to travel to the facility where the clinical instructor is employed
Clinical Education - the portion of the PTA curriculum where the student develops clinical skills by applying didactic information in a clinical setting
Clinical Instructor (CI) - The licensed physical therapist or physical therapist assistant responsible for direct supervision and instruction of the student during a clinical affiliation
Competency - The minimum level of knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to progress in the PTA program, and to participate in a clinical education affiliation
Instructor - The faculty member, presenter or clinical instructor directly responsible for instruction and supervision of content area within the PTA program
Proficiencies - Psychomotor skills that are taught and assessed for minimal competency
PTA Faculty - The persons employed to instruct courses in the PTA curriculum
Responsibilities of the ACCE
1. Locating clinical sites for the student that provide the opportunity to participate in the delivery of quality physical therapy services under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA).
2. Maintaining current and effective legal contracts with clinical sites to ensure that students have the opportunity to affiliate with quality physical therapy facilities/departments.
3. Contacting and or visiting physical therapy facilities or departments to maintain an open line of communication with regard to student performance, progress, the role of the PTA in clinical practice, the learning objectives of Carrington College and setting up clinical affiliation schedules with the CCCE.
4. Grading students for the clinical education courses utilizing the Clinical Performance Instrument.
Responsibilities of the student
1. Provide background check and immunization records to the clinical site as mandated by their JCAHO accreditation or policies and procedures of the facility
2. Earn and maintain CPR certification prior to beginning the first clinical education course and provide the ACCE a copy of the certification.
3. Contact the clinical facility prior to the first day of the clinical affiliation to discuss facility hours and dress code
4. Arrange transportation to and from the clinical facility at the student’s expense
5. Complete and return the clinical education instructor evaluation and Clinical Performance Instrument evaluation.
Responsibilities of the Clinical Education Site and CI
Students must have successfully completed all physical therapy didactic coursework and be in good standing in the PTA program in order to continue to their clinical education courses. The student must be functioning at the developing level of academic professional behaviors prior to beginning all full time clinical coursework. The faculty reserves the right to require additional learning experiences as deemed necessary to promote a successful clinical learning experience.
Clinical education is a vital part of the total program in developing a physical therapist assistant (PTA). The responsibilities of the clinical education programs in health care settings include providing opportunities for the student to:
1. Observe and apply the knowledge required for the practice of physical therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed PT or PTA via patient/client care.
2. Integrate and practice the academic knowledge acquired with the clinical practice of physical therapy under the scope of PTA work.
3. Begin to develop the communication skills and treatment skills necessary to practice as an entry level PTA under the supervision of a licensed PT.
The clinical educator has many roles. A key responsibility is to create and structure a safe and rich learning environment. The clinical educator is also a teacher, a role in which the clinician assesses the student's skills and presents information to the student. The clinical educator is also an influential role model from which the student molds his attributes and behaviors to build a professional image.
An important responsibility of the clinical site and clinical instructor is the evaluation of the student’s performance and accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the clinical education course.
The provision of quality clinical experiences involves four partners: the clinical instructor, the clinical site, the student, and the educational institution. All four must make contributions and cooperate. The clinical educators provide their time and expertise. Without their support and interest, the chances for successful student experiences are severely jeopardized. This responsibility places considerable burdens on the clinical educator. This is an individual who places highest priorities on quality patient care, who may not be well versed in educational skills or concepts, and is asked to develop educational experiences which constitutes one of the most important aspects of physical therapist assistant education. The clinical educator is not expected to do this without guidance, support and assistance from the educational institution. The clinical educator must continually be kept up to date on the curriculum and know what to expect of the students, in order to develop appropriate and meaningful experiences.
CLINICAL EDUCATION SHOULD
1. Allow the student to practice and apply new skills and concepts.
2. Expand academic knowledge base
3. Develop clinical competencies within the scope of PTA work.
4. Identify role models and an understanding of working under the supervision of a PT
5. Develop communication and interpersonal skills needed to function as a professional educator and health care team member.
6. Identify personal areas of interest and/or need.
7. Have a wide variety of experiences in the attempt to become a well-rounded,
multi-faceted professional in multi-cultural environments.
EXPECTATIONS
The clinical fieldwork courses have been designed to provide the student with a variety of patient experiences. These experiences are coordinated with the didactic portion of the curriculum. This should ensure that each student has a well-rounded exposure to physical therapy practice. Clinical Education courses are scheduled for one part time 90 hour affiliation in semester 4 and two full time affiliations for 40 hours per week in semesters 5.
Each clinical assignment will involve the following:
Learning Objectives
1. Each clinical education course has course objectives, which will be disseminated to students and clinical education facilities as part of the course syllabus.
2. Students are expected to generate individualized learning objectives and goals
3. Each clinical site is encouraged to develop learning experiences for students rotating through their department. These objectives can address experiences and/or techniques unique to the facility. Structured learning experiences can then be developed to address the facility’s learning objectives.
Student's Role
The role and level of function of the student during clinical assignments will be determined by the clinical instructor and stated in the individual course syllabi. The student is responsible for their own learning and demonstrating professional behavior at all times. It is the student’s responsibility to keep the ACCE apprised of problems that might arise related to their clinical learning. The ACCE should be contacted as soon as a problem is identified regardless of the clinical site or the student’s desire to have the ACCE intervene. This keeps all parties informed and allows responsible follow-up.
Documentation
All patient treatment notes should be read, approved, and countersigned by the clinical instructor. All treatment notes should be signed by the student with the letters “S-PTA”.
CLINICAL DRESS CODE
1. The student will wear clothing consistent with the clinic’s expectations.
2. Clothes will be clean, neatly pressed and free of odor.
3. Students will be clean, free of body odor, and have well-trimmed fingernails.
4. Makeup will be conservative in nature.
5. Long hair will be pulled back. Beards and mustaches will be neatly trimmed.
6. Jewelry will be kept to a minimum and consistent with the clinic’s expectations.
7. Appropriate undergarments will be worn.
8. Name tags denoting student status will be worn.
9. Shoes will be practical, closed walking shoes that have non-slip soles
10. Tennis shoes are discouraged and may only be worn if approved by the clinical site.
Any student who chooses to disregard the dress code will be verbally warned once and the second infraction will warrant a written warning. A third infraction will result in suspension from the clinical site on that same day until a conference is held with the PTA program director or academic clinical coordinator of education (ACCE).
Attendance Policy
1. Students are expected to be present for all clinical experiences.
2. If a student is unable to attend, he/she is to phone the facility and speak with the clinical instructor the morning of the absence based on clinic hours. The student will also notify the ACCE at Carrington College of the absence and reason.
3. Clinical attendance will be documented in the student's record. Changes in the clinical schedule, including make-up days must be coordinated and approved by the ACCE, Clinical Coordinator of Education (CCCE) and clinical instructor.
4. If a student does not report for clinical as scheduled, the clinical instructor and the
ACCE will counsel the student.
5. Students will be allowed one sick day of clinical absence Clinical Education I and three sick days in the full time Clinical Education II and III.
6. Students failing to comply with attendance requirements may be recommended for dismissal from the program.
7. A physician’s release is required to return to clinical following three (3) or more consecutive days of absence due to illness/injury.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation and living arrangements related to clinical affiliations.
Student Liability
All students are covered by Carrington College’s umbrella liability insurance while on their clinical affiliations.
Background Checks and Medical Clearance: see Appendix A
Students of the Carrington College physical therapist assistant program are advised that hospitals and outpatient clinics typically require that students submit to background checks and receive appropriate clearance before they will be permitted to participate in clinical rotations at those institutions. Students who do not receive appropriate clearance may be unable to fulfill their academic requirements at Carrington College, and therefore may not be able to complete their educational program.
To be considered eligible to attend any clinical rotations for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Carrington College, all students are required to show documentation of the following:
Background Check: The background check must be completed at the time of the admission process. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete admissions packet and the applicant will be ineligible for entrance into the PTA program. Each applicant will be given a background check information packet that he/she must complete on their own and submit to Carrington College Las Vegas campus as part of their admission checklist. The site can be accessed at http://www.backgroundchecks.com/ . Each applicant is responsible for the cost which is $49.50.
Medical Clearance Requirements
Mumps, Measles and Rubella: This requires two vaccinations or a titer showing immunity.
Varicella (chicken pox): Must have a varicella vaccine or a titer showing immunity. The titer results will typically take up to 7 days.
Hepatitis B: This requires three vaccinations over six months or a waiver may be signed.
TDAP or Tetanus, Diptheria , and Pertussis: This requires a copy of proof of current vaccination.
TB Screen: This can be done either by a negative TB skin test or a chest x-ray (if positive). If a student is required by their employer to obtain this testing, a copy of the results is sufficient.
Drug screen: Negative results from a urine sample for the follow substances.
Amphetamine (AMP)
Barbiturate (BAR)
Benzodiazepines (BZD)
Cocaine (COC)
Marijuana (THC)
Methadone (MAD)
Methamphetamine (MET)
Oxycodone (OXY)
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Propoxyphene (PPX)
(Please refer to Appendix H of the PTA Student Handbook for more information on completing these tests.)
CPR: Must have been completed as a requirement for admission into the PTA program. Carrington College may provide the BLS CPR course on campus for all students and faculty.
Patient Confidentiality
During your clinical education students will be expected to collect data regarding patients/clients being treated in the physical therapy department or facility. Under NO circumstances should this data be discussed outside of the clinic, photocopied or identified with a particular patient or individual. All HIPAA violations will be considered a reason for failure of the clinical education course as well as dismissal from the PTA program. Patient information is to be discussed only with the supervising physical therapist. Patient information includes: diagnosis, age, gender, previous medical history, prescribed medications, physical therapy plan of care or any other physical therapy documentation. Students have the same responsibility of keeping confidential information related to internal and external affairs of the facility in which they are completing their clinical affiliations.