CE166: APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP)

The Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program (CCIP) offers a 16-hour workshop to develop and enhance participants’ clinical instruction skills. Upon completion of this course, participants will be equipped to assume the roles and responsibilities of a clinical instructor; specifically, to:

  • Plan and prepare for health care student clinical education experiences
  • Develop learning experiences to facilitate student progression from novice to mastery
  • Support ongoing learning through questioning and effective feedback
  • Identify & implement performance evaluation metrics
  • Manage students with exceptional situations or circumstances
  • Explore legal implications for clinical educators, including issues presented by ADA legislation

Dates & Time

October 28 & 29, 2025 from 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Location

Virtual

Audience

The “Assessment Center” format provides each participant with the opportunity to apply information from the program in simulated situations. Successful completion of each of the six stations in the Assessment Center results in the awarding of APTA Clinical Instructor Credential.

All participants must attend each day in its entirety in order to complete the Assessment Center and be eligible for certification.

The course and Assessment Center educate both new and experienced physical therapist and physical therapist assistant clinical educators. While the course content covers basic skills for clinical instructors, the interactive tasks and large and small group discussions benefit even experienced educators.

Opportunity for Non-PT/PTA Clinical Educators

APTA invites clinical educators outside Physical Therapy to complete the Credentialed Clinical Instructor Education Program. However, if you are from another discipline, you are neither eligible nor permitted to take the Credentialing (Assessment Center) component. Upon successful completion of the Educational Program, you will receive a certificate of completion for 1.2 CEUs. A Credential cannot be awarded because you are not eligible to take the Assessment Center. To participate in the didactic portion of the Program, you must have a current license, registration, or certification in your discipline, and a minimum of one year of clinical or comparable experience. Also, you must complete a Participant Dossier attesting to clinical competence within your discipline, in accordance with state laws and regulations, as authorized by your direct supervisor.

Payment & Registration

APTA Members: $220
Non-APTA Members: $320
Other Disciplines (Non-PT/PTA): $415

To register for this course, you must complete the two steps below:

Both steps must be completed to confirm registration. Following completion, you will receive an email confirmation your seat in the course.

Questions? Contact Kristin Schweizer at schweizerk@sacredheart.edu or 203-365-4512.

CEUs/CEHs

1.6 CEUs/16 CEHs

Course Schedule

Day 1

Time Schedule
8 a.m. Register by logging in to Zoom
8:15 a.m. Section 1: The Clinician as Clinical Educator
10 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Section 2: Readiness to Learn
12:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. Section 3: Facilitating Learning in the Clinical Environment
3 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Section 4: Performance Assessment
4:45 p.m. Orientation to the Assessment Center/Assessment Center
5:15 p.m. Adjourn

Day 2

Time Schedule
8:15 a.m. Register by logging in to Zoom
8:30 a.m. Assessment Center – Stations 1 and 2
9:30 a.m. Break
9:45 a.m. Section 5: Legal Issues in Clinical Education
11:45 a.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Section 6: Managing the Exceptional Student in Clinical Education
2 p.m. Assessment Center
4:15 p.m. Scoring of Assessment Center
5:15 p.m. Adjourn

Instructors

Leigh Ronald, PT, DPT, GCS

Leigh is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Clinical Education at Sacred Heart University. She teaches across the curriculum in areas of neurology, geriatrics, professional practice and public health. Her clinical practice is focused on older adults, and she is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy and Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult. she is a Level 1 and 2 APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor. Prior to joining Sacred Heart’s faculty, Leigh practiced and served as Clinical Coordinator overseeing provision of services in outpatient, long-term care and home-based settings. Additionally, she had served as Clinical Instructor and Site Coordinator of Clinical Education. Research interests include excellence in clinical teaching and clinical education. Her roots run deep at SHU as she is a proud alumnus of the DPT program and is thrilled to be home giving back to the program.

Kristin Schweizer, PT, DPT

Kristin Schweizer PT, DPT graduated from Fairfield University (BS ’96), Allegheny University of the Health Sciences, formerly Hahnemann University, currently Drexel University (MPT ’98) and University of New England (post-professional DPT ’16). She serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Director of Clinical Education at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Her primary teaching responsibilities include practice management, professionalism in PT practice, neuropathology and neuro-rehabilitation. Kristin is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Trainer for the Level 1 Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program and is a Level 1 and 2 Credentialed Clinical Instructor. Prior to joining Sacred Heart’s faculty, Kristin practiced in acute care and acute rehabilitation and has over a decade of experience in management. Additionally, she had served as Site Coordinator of Clinical Education. Research interests include factors that influence student success, excellence in clinical teaching and clinical education.