Department of Physical Therapy- Clinical Education

Introduction

Clinical Education is an essential component of the Physical Therapy Program. Clinical education experiences assist students to develop the skills and attributes necessary to practice as independent health care practitioners. The Physical Therapy Program has signed contracts with over 390 clinical sites throughout the United States. The sites represent a variety of practice settings that enable students to be prepared as generalists. Students in the physical therapy program participate in three, full time clinical education experiences, totaling 36 weeks. The experiences are each twelve weeks in length and are scheduled intermittently throughout the curriculum.

Students complete their first full time clinical education experience in the fall of their second year.  The twelve-week experience occurs after completion of the Musculoskeletal and Cardiopulmonary systems courses and is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop competence in the management of patients with musculoskeletal and/or cardiopulmonary dysfunction.  The second twelve-week clinical education experience occurs in the summer semester of the students’ second year following completion of the Neurosensory system and Pediatric courses.  This experience is designed to allow students to develop competence in the management of patients with neuromuscular, pediatric, musculoskeletal, and/or cardiopulomonary dysfunction.  The third and final twelve week clinical education experience occurs in the spring semester of the third year after the completion of the Integumentary system and immediately prior to graduation.  At this point in the curriculum, students should be academically prepared to treat patients with musculoskeletal, cardiopulomonary , neuromuscular, pediatric, and/or integumentary dysfunction.  The experience allows students to refine existing skills, develop new or advanced skills, or to experience a unique or different practice setting. 

For more information please contact:

Sally McCormack Tutt, PT, DPT, MPH
Director of Clinical Education
Department of Physical Therapy
Email: SMccormack@une.edu
Phone: 207-294-2555
Faculty Profile: http://www.une.edu/faculty/profiles/smccormack.cfm