16 Clinical Instructor Skills for Your Career and Resume

Clinical instructors provide guidance and instruction to students in clinical settings, such as hospitals and clinics. They often have a wide range of responsibilities, from teaching students about medical procedures to supervising them during hands-on training. Clinical instructors need to have a variety of skills to be successful in their roles. If you’re interested in becoming a clinical instructor, understanding what skills are necessary can help you prepare for this career.

Therapeutic Interventions

Therapeutic interventions are the skills and knowledge that clinical instructors need to help students develop their therapeutic skills. This includes knowing how to assess student progress, create lesson plans based on individual needs and provide feedback. It also involves understanding the various types of therapy available and what each type entails. For example, a clinical instructor who works with occupational therapists should know about the different types of equipment they use and how to instruct students in using it properly.

Emergency Procedures

Clinical instructors should be familiar with the emergency procedures of their facilities and know how to respond in an emergency situation. This is especially important if you work at a hospital or other medical facility where emergencies are common. You may also need to instruct students on how to handle certain situations, such as administering CPR or using defibrillators.

Organization

Organization is the ability to keep track of multiple tasks and responsibilities. Clinical instructors often have many duties, including creating lesson plans, preparing for classes, attending meetings with students and faculty members and maintaining records on student progress. Having strong organizational skills can help clinical instructors manage their workload and ensure they complete all necessary tasks in a timely manner.

Patient Assessment

Clinical instructors assess their students’ knowledge and skill levels to determine how to best instruct them. For example, if a student is struggling with anatomy, the clinical instructor may ask them to read an anatomy textbook before class so they can better understand the course material. Clinical instructors also assess their students’ personalities and learning styles to help them create lesson plans that appeal to each student’s interests.

Professionalism

Clinical instructors should be professional in their interactions with students and faculty. This means being punctual, dressing appropriately for the workplace and maintaining a calm demeanor when instructing students. Professionalism also includes following all rules and regulations set by your employer and treating everyone you work with respectfully.

Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is the language used by medical professionals to describe body parts, diseases and treatments. Clinical instructors who have a strong understanding of medical terminology can help students learn about anatomy, physiology and other topics in medicine. Medical terminology also allows clinical instructors to communicate with health care professionals when they observe their students during practical training.

Patient Education

Patient education is the ability to explain medical procedures and treatments in a way that patients can understand. Clinical instructors often use patient education skills when teaching students about health care topics, such as anatomy or physiology. This skill set also includes explaining complex concepts in ways that are easy for patients to remember. For example, clinical instructors may teach students how to read an electrocardiogram by breaking down each part of the test into simple steps.

Clinical Documentation

Clinical instructors must be able to document their observations and evaluations of students. This can include recording student attendance, grades and any feedback they may have received from previous clinical instructors or supervisors. Clinical instructors should also be able to write detailed notes about the skills each student has mastered and those that need improvement.

Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy and physiology is the study of how the body works. Clinical instructors who have a strong understanding of anatomy and physiology can help students learn about the human body, which may be necessary for medical careers. For example, clinical instructors in nursing programs often teach students about the different systems of the body, such as the nervous system or digestive system.

Infection Control

Clinical instructors must be knowledgeable about infection control procedures to ensure the safety of their students and patients. This includes knowing how to handle infectious diseases, sterilization techniques and proper hand washing methods. Having a thorough understanding of infection control can help clinical instructors create safe learning environments for their students and ensure that they are following all necessary protocols.

Leadership

Clinical instructors often lead groups of students through clinical training programs. This requires strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate others and provide clear direction. Clinical instructors also need to be able to manage their time effectively so they can prepare for classes, conduct lessons and evaluate student progress. Strong leadership skills are essential in this role because clinical instructors may supervise students who are learning how to perform medical procedures on patients.

Communication

Clinical instructors must be able to communicate effectively with their students and colleagues. This includes being able to explain complex topics in a way that is easy for others to understand, as well as communicating any changes or updates to the curriculum. It’s also important for clinical instructors to communicate clearly with their students so they can answer questions and provide feedback on student performance.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Clinical instructors often have to be flexible when scheduling classes, meeting with students and handling unforeseen challenges. Being able to adjust your plans can help you maintain a positive attitude and keep everyone involved in the learning process happy. Flexibility also allows you to respond quickly to any issues that may arise during clinical training sessions.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is the ability to identify and resolve issues. As a clinical instructor, you may need to solve problems that arise in the classroom or during an assignment. For example, if students are struggling with a task, you can use problem-solving skills to help them overcome their challenges. You also might be able to find alternative ways for students to complete assignments when necessary.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the knowledge of medications and their effects. Clinical instructors who have a strong background in pharmacology can help students understand how to use medications properly, which may be important for patient safety. For example, clinical instructors with a background in pharmacology might know that certain medications should not be taken together or that one medication has an interaction with another.

Interpersonal Skills

Clinical instructors often work with a team of other professionals, including doctors and nurses. They must be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues in order to plan treatment for patients and ensure that everyone understands the goals of each session. Clinical instructors also work closely with students, so they need to have good interpersonal skills to help them feel comfortable and confident during training sessions.

How Can I Learn These Clinical Instructor Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the necessary skills to become a clinical instructor. Many of these skills can be learned through on-the-job training, or by completing a certification program. However, if you want to learn these skills in a more formal setting, you can consider taking a course or completing a degree in nursing education. This will give you the opportunity to learn about different instructional methods and how to effectively teach patients.