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 Medicine and Health Sciences support healthcare providers who actively participate in our student's education by offering excellent clinical training opportunities. Clinical instructors transmit skills and serve as mentors who convey the core values important to Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences: 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. 

Learning Objectives

1. List the benefits of supervising multiple students.
2. Describe strategies to facilitate productivity and optimize learning.
3. Discuss opportunities and challenges.

Speakers

Steven Reeves, MD, FACP
Internal Medicine Physician, Greater Regional Health

Dr. Reeves is a board-certified Internist who received his medical degree from the University of Iowa and completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He then opened a private practice in Creston, Iowa, and after five years, the practice became part of the Greater Regional Medical Center. The practice has become a department with four physicians, two advanced registered nurse practitioners, and one physician assistant.

Dr. Reeves is active in Greater Regional’s accountable care organization work as the physician representative, first with Caravan Health and now with Signify. He recently received his Master’s in Population Health Management from Johns Hopkins University. He is a preceptor for medical and physician assistant students within the Internal Medicine Department and usually has two students every month.

James Dickbernd, PT, MSPT
Director, Central Physical Therapy

Mr. Dickbernd is a Des Moines University Medicine graduate and a licensed physical therapist at Concentra Medical Centers in Des Moines, IA. In addition to his role as Director of the Dixon Center Physical Therapy Center, Mr. Dickbernd has served as the Area Physical Therapy Director for the Tri-State area. His tenure with Concentra spans over 25 years, working in Des Moines and Omaha, NE.  

Mr. Dickbernd serves as the onsite specialist for Iowa regions in assessing job sites and formulating job site evaluations, pre-employment, and return-to-work assessment tools for new hires/injured workers. He has been trained in Matheson Ergonomic Job Site Assessment and is strongly interested in ergonomics and wellness/prevention.  He frequently lectures Des Moines to companies interested in reducing and preventing musculoskeletal injuries. Continuing education is paramount to his practice as he regularly attends industrial rehabilitation, spinal rehab, and orthopedic injury care classes. 

One of his passions is being a Clinical Instructor for Physical Therapy students. He welcomes students from various schools and often hosts multiple students simultaneously. 

Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Recording date: May 10, 2024
Date of original release: May 10, 2024
Most recent review/update: May 10, 2024
Termination date: May 9, 2027