Dive into Clinical Experiences
Clinical education experiences provide the student with opportunities to practice and perform professional responsibilities with appropriate supervision, professional role modeling, and a variety of patients and learning encounters.
Overview
Clinical education experiences in the University of Florida’s DPT Program are integral parts of the educational process in that they provide the student with opportunities to integrate clinical practice with basic science, physical therapy theories, and critical thinking. Clinical education experiences are designed to allow students to use acquired knowledge, attitudes, communication skills, psychomotor proficiencies, and problem solving abilities to attain professional competency. Expectations of initial and subsequent experiences are structured to build on previous knowledge and performance.
Meet the Team
The purpose of the Clinical Education team is to create the best possible experience for our students and our sites. If you have any questions regarding the clinical experience, please contact us.
Rachelle Studer-Byrnes
Michael J Hodges PT, DPT, OCS
FAQs
How should I prepare for my clinical experience?
It is beneficial to review your coursework and review the evaluations from other students that have had previous clinical experiences at that site. Once you are allowed to contact your site, they also may have recommendations on how to prepare. Your clinical site may also provide you with specific requirements to complete before you arrive.
Are there requirements for my four clinical placements that need to be met?
Yes, we require each student to complete 1 full-time clinical experience in each of the following settings:
- C3 – Category 3: Acute Care / High Medical Complexity
- C2 – Category 2: Neurologic, Oncologic, Pediatric Outpatient, Inpatient Rehabilitation, or Skilled Nursing Facility / Moderate Medical Complexity
- C1 – Category 1: Traditional Outpatient Clinic / Low Medical Complexity
Can I request where I want to be placed for my clinical experience?
You will be given the opportunity to select 10 preferences on your Wishlist from our current list of active clinical sites for each full-time clinical education experience. You will be placed per our placement policy with consideration given to the locations acknowledged on the Wishlist.
Can the DPT Program develop a contract with a new site I am interested in?
The Clinical Education Team is open to developing new contracts for sites that offer experiences in Category 2 (C2) or Category 3 (C3) settings, as these are areas of ongoing need. However, we are currently pausing the development of new contracts for Category 1 (C1) settings due to the high volume of existing contracts already available in those areas.
May I contact a clinical site to see if they can host me for a clinical experience?
No, students are not permitted to contact clinical sites unless advised in writing by the clinical education team.
Will I be expected to travel for a clinical experience?
Yes, you can expect to travel out of the immediate area for one or more clinical experiences. If your request qualifies for a designated hardship per our policy, please follow the procedure for requesting a hardship.
Will I need to pay for housing while out on my clinical experience?
In most cases, you will need to cover the cost for your own housing. Some clinical sites may have low-cost options, but it is subject to availability and is out of the control of the DPT program.
Do my health records need to remain current throughout my duration in the program?
Yes, you must remain in compliance at all times. Failure to update expired records can delay your clinical experience, your graduation and/or result in your dismissal from the program.
Do I need health insurance or am I covered by the school?
It is a UF mandatory requirement for all students to have health insurance at all times. Although the university has liability insurance coverage, your health insurance covers you in the event of an injury.
Who do I contact if I have a special circumstance or medical issue that may affect my clinical education?
Please contact your clinical education faculty to discuss any concerns or questions as soon as something arises to develop the best plan of action.
Who do I contact if there is an emergency (weather, injury, etc.) while attending a clinical experience?
Please contact your school’s clinical education team as soon as possible. You may be asked to leave your clinical experience until it is an appropriate time to return. You may also be required to make that time up in order to successfully complete the experience.
Why would a student not be able to attend a clinical experience?
Academic issues, health and wellness concerns, and/or breaches in professionalism among other reasons may result in a delayed clinical experience. Please review our program policies and contact a clinical education team member if you have any questions or concerns in this area.
Clinical Education Corner
Clinical educators are encouraged to explore the Physical Therapy Clinical Educator Corner—an online resource hub offering a range of forms, tools and materials designed to support clinical education, along with access to our Clinical Education Excellence webinar series.