Department of Physical Therapy

MPT placements

Requirements
To be a clinical instructor you must:

• Be a fully licensed physiotherapist in good standing with the regulatory body (College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba for MB clinicians) 
• Have a minimum of one full year of clinical experience

We strongly recommend educators complete the training modules from Western University (available in the clinical instructor resources section)

Expectations
As a clinical instructor, you are expected to: 

• Be a positive role model
• Prepare your workplace/caseload in advance of the student’s start date
• Provide an orientation 
• Make time to assist the student and provide supervision based on the student’s level of experience
• Offer learning opportunities that allow the student to fulfill their learning objectives, as discussed with the student using the Clinical Learning Contract
• Provide feedback and encourage student self-reflection at appropriate intervals to promote continuous learning
• Complete the ACP evaluation tool at midterm and final with the student
• Contact the academic coordinator of clinical education if you have any concerns about student performance

Western University Preceptor Education Program (PEP)

The Preceptor Education Program at Western University is an online resource aimed at preparing students and clinical instructors for clinical placements. It strongly recommends completing the feedback module before the student placement begins.

Past clinical educator workshops

Before each round of clinical rotations in the spring and fall, the Clinical Education team organizes workshops tailored for both new and experienced clinicians. If unable to attend in person, past workshops are available for viewing. Check out the workshop titled “Setting up for Success” on YouTube.

Canadian Physiotherapy Assessment of Clinical Performance (ACP) 2.0 online learning module

The ACP serves as the evaluation tool for all clinical placements at the University of Manitoba. It is completed by both students and clinical instructors at midterm and final stages. The ACP 2.0 online learning module offers a self-paced approach to understanding the tool and provides guidance on completion. Clinicians are encouraged to review this module before supervising students.

HSPnet

All ACP evaluations for University of Manitoba students are conducted through HSPnet. Upon student allocation, an email containing access instructions will be sent from HSPnet. Please check your junk mail folder as this email might be filtered. For any HSPnet-related issues, reach out to ptclined@umanitoba.ca.

Providing feedback

Feedback is integral to clinical education. Cognitive psychologist Dr. LeeAnn Renninger shares her insights in the TED talk titled “The Secret To Giving Great Feedback, The Way We Work,” offering valuable tips on improving feedback delivery and enhancing student engagement.

OT Fieldwork Educator Tips Blog

Our Occupational Therapy (OT) colleagues at the University of Manitoba maintain a fieldwork educator blog covering various topics relevant to supervising students during fieldwork or clinical placements. Topics include providing feedback, establishing safe learning environments, supporting struggling students, and more.

When grading your students' ACP, several key documents can assist in scoring. Refer to the rating scale and anchor descriptors (page 4 of the ACP), as well as the ACP Grading Resource rubric, for guidance on non-expert domains of the ACP.

Concerns about student performance arise when the average rank across all 18 questions of the ACP falls at or below the cutoffs.

If any student's average score falls below the identified cutoffs, clinicians should promptly contact the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education. Students should also be informed that they are not meeting expectations before evaluations to allow for an opportunity to improve. Continuous feedback, student reflection, evening preparation, and goal setting are essential for a successful placement.

Cut-off Points for Concerns about Credit with Reservation or No Credit (Failure)

Placement 1 – MPT1 Spring

• Final – Achieves Credit: Advanced Beginner
• Midterm Red Flags: Safety, behavior, professional issues
• Final – Credit with Reservation: Beginner

Placement 2 – MPT2 Fall (slot 1)

• Final – Achieves Credit: Intermediate
• Midterm Red Flags: Between Beginner/Advanced Beginner
• Final – Credit with Reservation: Advanced Beginner

Placement 3 – MPT2 Fall (slot 2)

• Final – Achieves Credit: Between Intermediate/Advanced Intermediate
• Midterm Red Flags: Advanced Beginner
• Final – Credit with Reservation: Between Advanced Beginner and Intermediate

Placement 4 – MPT2 Spring (1st rotation)

• Final – Achieves Credit: Advanced Intermediate
• Midterm Red Flags: Between Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
• Final – Credit with Reservation: Intermediate

Placement 5 – MPT2 Spring (2nd rotation)

• Final – Achieves Credit: Entry Level
• Midterm Red Flags: Between Intermediate/Advanced Intermediate
• Final – Credit with Reservation: Advanced Intermediate

Clinical education is guided by the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Master of Physical Therapy Program, Clinical Education Policies. All information regarding program requirements, attendance, professional behaviour, evaluation, out of province/international opportunities and more can be found here.

Kelly Codispodi 
Academic coordinator of clinical education
Department of physical therapy 
kelly.codispodi@umanitoba.ca

Maureen Walker
Assistant academic coordinator of clinical education
Department of physical therapy
maureen.walker@umanitoba.ca 

Rhonda Van Veggel 
Administrative coordinator, clinical placements
Department of physical therapy
ptclined@umanitoba.ca