Responsibilities of the clinical site SCCE and the Clinical Instructor

• Maintain open lines of communication with the DCE and students with regard to the student’s performance, progress and any concerns on behalf of the site or the student.
• Coordinate the clinical education program at the facility that supports and maintains a safe environment that is conducive to learning.
• Provide the student with guidance and supervision during the clinical practicum.
• (CI) Provide instruction via direct supervision for the student and it is the PT or PTA’s license to practice which allows the student to provide patient care in the clinical environment, within the scope of the PTA.
• Properly introduce student PTA to patients and acknowledge the patient’s right to refuse care.
• Provide student with frequent ongoing feedback based on day-to-day experiences & complete the Clinical Performance Instrument (midterm & final).
• Provide proper role-modeling of the PT/PTA team, including student interactions with the supervising PT (if the CI is a PTA).
• FNU encourages the site to follow the APTA’s guidelines to determine the qualifications for individuals serving as SCCE’s or CI’s, as well as, self-assessment instruments for both.

The SCCE must notify the DCE or Program Director in the event of a change in the CI/student assignment. The new CI needs to meet the criteria of having a valid PT or PTA license for at least one year. The newly assigned CI also needs to receive a copy of the FNU PTA Handbook and sign the FNU Handbook Acknowledgement Receipt Form. At no time will the student provide patient care without the direct supervision of a qualified CI.