Become a Preceptor

Why Become a Clinical Preceptor?

• You can give back to the PA profession.
• You can pay it forward just as someone once invested their time and knowledge in precepting and teaching you.
• You can be a role model for PA students by demonstrating excellence as a clinician, leader, and life-long learner.
• You want to help shape the next generation of healthcare providers!

What does a Clinical Preceptor provide for a student?

• A positive learning experience
• Direct supervision and teaching
• Delegation of increasing levels of responsibility
• Ongoing feedback to improve clinical skills
• Facilitates the student’s ability to achieve the learning outcomes of the clinical rotation by gaining hands-on experience in patient care, clinical, and technical skills.
• Mid-Point and Final evaluations of student performance

“Dr. Patel and his entire staff were exceptionally kind, welcoming, and genuinely invested in creating a supportive learning environment. Dr. Patel stood out as an approachable, compassionate, and highly dedicated physician and preceptor. I gained invaluable knowledge—not only in clinical medicine but also in the art of patient-centered care. Dr. Patel consistently demonstrated what it means to be a thoughtful and empathetic medical provider, setting a strong example of professionalism, respect, and dedication to his patients’ well-being.”

“Brian Meusborn, PA-C, is the type of PA that all of us should aspire to be! He puts the patient first, does not shy away from addressing health concerns with patients. He researched treatment plans, was quick using the EMR, and was a confident provider. Patients always liked seeing him because of his knowledge and positive outlook.”

“PA Nathan was an incredible preceptor! He created an environment where I could ask questions openly and receive feedback in a productive manner. Cassie also was a great preceptor who I enjoyed discussing medical practices and techniques with her! The entire Oak Street staff were welcoming and a pleasure to work with, not to mention the clinic is incredible for their patients. Overall, great rotation that I really enjoyed!”

 

 

Preceptor Perks

• Unlimited AAPA Category 1 CME for Physician Assistant/Associate preceptors.
• Unlimited AMA Category 2 CME for MD/DO preceptors.
• Resume augmentation
• Potential UT Southwestern volunteer faculty appointment
  • Access to numerous UTSW Medical School library resources, i.e., books, journals, digital resources, etc. as volunteer faculty
• Opportunity to train potential future employees

Clinical Preceptor Qualifications

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Effective delivery of expectations both verbally and in writing.
  • Students flourish when they know what is expected of them.
• Exhibit professional conduct as a role model for students, including behavior, attitude, appearance, and interactions with patients, students, faculty, and staff.
  • Students look to their clinical preceptors to learn how to interact with other members of the healthcare team.
  • It is equally important to maintain a high level of professionalism when giving, reinforcing, or modifying feedback, especially when correcting mistakes.

Preceptor Benefits

• Category I CME Credit

  For Physician Assistants/Associates who serve as clinical preceptors:

  Earn unlimited AAPA Category I CME credits per calendar year

  Accrual rate: 2 credits/student per 40-hour week

  AAPA CME credits are awarded at the end of the calendar year

  A short evaluation must be completed to qualify for credits.

  For M.D./D.O.s who serve as clinical preceptors:

  Earn unlimited AMA Category 2 CME credits per calendar year.

  Accrual rate: 1 credit/student per hours taught

  Due to AAPA approval, Category 1 credit available to Physician Assistant preceptors only.

  heather.salinas@utsouthwestern.edu for details to complete an evaluation.

• Adjunct Faculty Appointment

  To be considered for an adjunct faculty appointment, preceptors must be nominated by a currently employed UTSW Department of PA Studies faculty member.

  Potential volunteer faculty candidates must serve as a clinical preceptor with direct responsibility for student education and evaluation for a four-week period per calendar year.

• UTSW Library System Access

  Volunteer faculty are eligible to use the UT Southwestern Digital Library and Learning Center’s extensive collections on-campus and online, access to archives, rare books, history of medicine collection, and so much more.

General Expectations

• Completion of a one-page profile about your clinical practice
• Completion of the required affiliation agreement between the host clinical practice and UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Introduce and orient the PA student to the host clinical practice site to allow the student to become a member of the medical team.
• Create a safe and positive learning environment to facilitate effective communication between the student and clinical preceptor.
• Provide feedback to the student regarding their medical knowledge, interpersonal and communication skills, clinical skills, professionalism, and overall performance.
• Supervise all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed by the student.
• Ensure that all student-written progress notes, orders, and prescriptions are co-signed by the clinical preceptor prior to any orders being implemented by nurses, technicians, pharmacists, or other staff.
• Complete a Mid-Point Evaluation and Preceptor Evaluation of Student (PES) and review both with the student.
  • The Mid-Point Evaluation is utilized by the UTSW PA Program to assess student performance prior to completion of the clinical rotation
  • The PES is utilized by the UTSW PA Program to determine the student’s overall performance during the clinical rotation and to determine if the student has achieved the learning outcome of the clinical rotation.

Preceptor Tips for Day 1 and Beyond

• Careful Supervision

  Students should be supervised carefully during the first several days of the experience until the preceptor has attained an adequate sense of the level of a student’s medical knowledge and clinical skills.

• Clear Communication

  Preceptors should communicate clearly to the student about their expectations while on rotation. Some students are quite assertive and will “jump right in,” while others may be quite knowledgeable but wait for directives from preceptors before feeling comfortable enough to become actively involved

• Shadowing Preceptors

  Often the student will be asked to follow or shadow the preceptor, examining patients together, for the first 2 to 3 days.

• Student Competency

  After the level of student competence is ascertained, students should be allowed to assess patients independently, gather the pertinent history, and perform the appropriate physical exam.

• Presenting Patients

  Students should be allowed then to present their patients to the preceptor.

• Discharging Patients

  The patient must be seen by the supervisor prior to discharge.

• Clinical Training

  Clinical training of PA students typically follows the same basic model as medical student training, including the “see one, do one, teach one” approach for clinical procedures. Preceptors are encouraged to allow PA students as much “hands-on” training as feasible.

• Preceptor Availability

  While formalized or scheduled educational sessions are not required of preceptors, it is encouraged that preceptors make themselves available to students to review material, discuss cases, answer student questions, and discuss the student’s progress.