Becoming a Preceptor
The Elon University Physician Assistant Program will rely on the professional expertise of community preceptors to provide students with hands-on clinical experience and patient interaction. This experience may take place in a community-based office setting or within a hospital or health care facility. Students are not permitted to function as staff.
Preceptor Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible to be a preceptor?
You are eligible to serve as a preceptor if you are:
- An NCCPA-certified physician assistant (PA), board-certified medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO), a nurse practitioner (NP) or a certified nurse midwife (CNM).
- Licensed and in good standing with your state licensing board.
- Have practiced for at least a year in your current discipline.
- Are willing to assist students in meeting their learning objectives for the rotation.
What kind of clinical experiences are you seeking?
All second year PA students are required to complete clinical rotations in: family medicine, pediatrics, inpatient medicine, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, surgery and women’s health, where the focus is on gynecology/prenatal health. All rotations are 6 weeks, with the exception of behavioral medicine and women’s health, which are 3 weeks. In addition, students will have the opportunity to select one 6-week “selective” that can be completed in any discipline. All experiences should provide hands-on patient care for a minimum of 35 hours a week. Participation in call, weekend rotations and other activities, such as visits to long-term care facilities or nursing homes with preceptors, is encouraged.
What should I expect a second year PA student to know and be able to do?
Second year students should be able to perform comprehensive and focused histories, and physical examinations. While their clinical reasoning skills will strengthen over time, they should be able to develop a list of differential diagnoses, and determine the next steps in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions. They should have basic skills in patient education and counseling related to common medical problems, and will have had practice with medical procedures such as phlebotomy, splinting and wound care. Experience and ability of each student may vary, as they come from diverse backgrounds.
What is required for the students during the clinical experiences?
Each rotation the student is required to complete will have learning objectives that will guide the experience. These will be provided to both the preceptor and the student in advance of the rotation. On the first day of the rotation, preceptors should meet with the student to discuss mutual expectations, and should have a mid-rotation meeting to assess progress. Daily, informal honest feedback is important to help a student refine their skills and grow into successful health professionals. A final evaluation completed by the preceptor will assess the student’s knowledge, assessment and clinical reasoning skills, and professionalism. Program clinical staff are available at any time throughout the rotation to provide support as needed.
How do I best incorporate a student into my practice setting?
Effective preceptors create an atmosphere that allows the student appropriate learning opportunities. It is typical on the first day or two to allow the student to become oriented to the practice and observe the preceptor. Then after a preceptor observes the student performing history and physical examinations, and feels comfortable with their skills, they should be able to progress to doing these without direct observation. The student then can present the patient to the preceptor, discuss possible next steps and complete the patient visit with the preceptor confirming the student’s findings. Periodic direct observation throughout the rotation is recommended.
Students also need to practice clinical procedures as opportunities arise. This includes phlebotomy, starting IVs, wound care, splinting and pap smears, which are taught in the first year and need to be reinforced throughout the clinical year. Students in a surgical setting need to be involved in the pre- and postoperative management of patients, and as appropriate, should assist in surgery.
Can the student spend time with other colleagues in the practice?
Students are allowed to spend time with other qualified practitioners within the practice. All preceptors must be identified to the program and complete a preceptor profile. It is typical for some practices to identify a primary preceptor who will be responsible for coordinating the student’s experience. The student can then spend time with several practitioners in the group over the course of the rotation. All practitioners who supervise the student should provide feedback to the final student evaluation.
Are the student and institution covered in the event of a malpractice claim?
Both the student and Elon University are insured in the event of a malpractice claim. A $1 million/$3 million malpractice binder covers students. For additional information please contact Stephanie Henderson, Director of Clinical Education, at (336) 278-6841 or shenderson13@elon.edu.
Have the students been trained for OSHA and HIPAA?
Our students are trained and aware of HIPAA and OSHA regulations and have been trained in post-exposure incident management. In addition, we require that students be fully immunized before the start of clinical rotations and we perform annual tuberculosis screening.
What are the benefits of volunteering as a preceptor?
Precepting a PA student is a rewarding experience that benefits not only the student but also the preceptor, their practice, and their patients. Many preceptors find that mentoring future healthcare providers enhances their own clinical knowledge, introduces fresh perspectives to patient care, and fosters a dynamic learning environment. By serving as a preceptor, you play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of medical professionals while giving back to and strengthening the profession.
The Elon University Physician Assistant Program greatly values the dedication and expertise of our preceptors and is committed to recognizing their vital role in PA education. To show our appreciation, we offer certificates for both Category I and Category II CME credit, allowing preceptors to earn continuing education while mentoring students. Those who precept consistently may also qualify for Affiliate Clinical Faculty status, which provides access to university resources, including libraries, campus events, and professional development opportunities. To further show our appreciation, we also offer an honorarium to support and acknowledge the time and effort our preceptors invest in training PA students.
We continuously seek new ways to recognize and support our preceptors and welcome any input on how we can make this experience even more valuable. Your mentorship is instrumental in preparing PA students for successful careers, and we are grateful for your partnership in advancing medical education.
Who should I contact to become a preceptor?
Stephanie Henderson serves as the Director of Clinical Experiences. She can be reached at (336) 278-6841 or shenderson13@elon.edu.