Purpose

A clinical instructor is an experienced practitioner who provides supervision during clinical practice and facilitates the application of theory to practice for students and staff learners. They assist the learner by setting expectations, providing effective feedback about their performance, and providing appropriate opportunities to meet their learning objectives.

Des Moines University supports healthcare providers who choose to actively participate in the education of our students by offering excellent clinical training opportunities. Clinical instructors not only transmit skills but are mentors who convey the core values important to Des Moines University: accountability, collaboration, honesty, inclusiveness, and wellness. 

Clinical instructors do what no textbook or classroom can accomplish. As a result, the students benefit from the community-based experience, while preceptors benefit from integrating new ideas and techniques into their practices currently taught in academic health sciences institutions. Join us for a series of educational opportunities which provide precepting pearls to aid in shaping the next generation of clinicians.

Description

This session will introduce the occupational therapy capstone and describe how an occupational therapy capstone is a mutually beneficial experience between the student and mentor. Occupational therapy capstone mentors come from all disciplines and fit the needs of the specific capstone experience. This presentation is appropriate for all disciplines since capstone mentors do not need to be occupational therapists. 

Learning Objectives

1. Introduce the occupational therapy capstone experience.
2. Describe the benefits of having an occupational therapy capstone student.
3. Identify who can mentor an occupational therapy capstone student.

Speaker

Nicole Kuhl, OTD, OTR/L, CBIS

Dr. Kuhl is the Capstone Coordinator and Assistant Professor in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Des Moines University. She received her master’s degree and post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy from the University of South Dakota. She continues to practice in adult inpatient rehabilitation, focusing on brain injury. She serves as the Iowa Ambassador for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the Social Media Editor for the Brain Injury Special Interest Group within the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine. She has researched and published in clinical practice, occupational therapy education, professional identity formation, and professional burnout. Dr. Kuhl has taught courses in neurology, practice skills, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, foundational occupational therapy skills, healthcare policy, and occupational therapy assessment. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist and a member of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Iowa Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Congress of Rehabilitative Medicine. Full biography.

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Recording date: October 5, 2023
Date of original release: October 21, 2023
Most recent review/update: October 21, 2023
Termination date: October 20, 2026