Physical Therapy
Pre-Internship & Orientation
Physical Therapy
Pre-Internship-Prepare mentally
 About a month before the experience both the DCE and
the student should contact you via email…go ahead and
reply.
 Review Student’s Information if available
 Review Syllabus
 Review List of courses/competencies
 CPI – Review
– Be sure the DCE has your CPI user name
 Make notes: What do the course objectives look like in
my clinic?
Physical Therapy
Pre-Internship-Prepare your student
 Have Student study and practice special tests that
you commonly use.
 Inform the student of the types of patients and
diagnoses that are common in your clinic.
 Have the student think about and list the common
tools appropriate to your setting. For example, what
should be in a Home Health Bag? Then compare
with your tools when they arrive.
Physical Therapy
Pre- Internship-Prepare your student
 How to handle communication with your student
– Know their learning style (Verbal Visual, Kinesthetic)
– In front of patient?
Physical Therapy
Day 1
 Clear Expectations
• Goal Settingo Review goals on the syllabus or CPI
o What are student expectations
 Review with the student and revise these goals
• Weekly
• Mid term
• Final
Physical Therapy
Day 1
 Most 3rd year interns should be able to manage a full
time caseload by the end of their rotation with you.
 Goals:
– Treatment Planning
– Treatment Length
– Goal writing/Documentation
– Productivity
– In-service
Physical Therapy
Remember
Patient safety is first
They still are your patients
Physical Therapy
Day 1
Hands on Practice (as appropriate to your setting)
– Vital signs
– Practice transfers
– Practice guarding techniques
– Goniometry / MMT/ Balance testing
– Use of Gait belt?
– Review appropriate department handouts
– Department equipment
– Medical Precautions/ hand washing/ cleaning
Physical Therapy
Day 1
Department
– Work schedule, weekends, holidays
– Meal policy
– Review caseload
– Limitations of student by Medicare
Physical Therapy
Model / Discuss/ Return Demonstration
 Start with “hands on” activities IMMEDIATELY

Model the technique the first time

Let the student do the second trial in the same
session if possible. Especially in areas you
feel or are identified by the student as one of
their weaknesses.
Physical Therapy
Model / Discuss/ Return Demonstration
 First Eval, D/C, Reassessment should be done by
the CI to demonstrate polished flow
 Demonstrate effective point of service documentation
 Try to arrange for an evaluation each day-progress
the student regularly.
•
Subjective
•
MMT/ ROM
•
Bed Mobility
•
Transfer Assessment
•
Gait assessment
•
Balance assessment
Physical Therapy
Have fun
This is an important experience that you are providing for
the student. They really want to know what you know-your
clinical reasoning and your methods. They want to
effectively treat patients and learn from you.
Thank you for your time and
commitment to the GFU Physical
Therapy Program!