Preceptors
Preceptors serve an integral role in PA education and provide invaluable training to PA students as they acquire the skills necessary for clinical practice.
Apply to become a preceptor by completing the Preceptor Application. For questions, you may contact the PA Program at physician.assistant@okstate.edu.
- Program Overview
The OSU-CHS PA Program is a 28-month program which includes 13 months of didactic coursework and 15 months of clinical training. OSU-CHS recognizes the importance of collaborative, team-based health care. Our program partners with various programs at CHS including the COM and AT Programs, which allows for collaborative learning environments thus highlighting the importance of interprofessional education throughout many courses.
Each cohort will have 26 students. Students are required to complete 8 weeks in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Emergency Medicine as well as 4 weeks in OB/GYN, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. 8-week rotations may be completed consecutively at one site or in two 4-week blocks at separate sites. Students are also required to complete several 4-week elective rotations. Rotations for each cohort begin annually in August.
- Preceptor Resources
- Preceptor Perks
- PA Preceptors may earn up to 20 hours of Category I CME.
- MD Preceptors may claim Category II CME.
- Preceptors willing to take at least 6 students a year may take advantage of discounted rates on select CME provided by OSU-CHS.
- Physician and PA preceptors who are actively involved in PA education may be considered for adjunct faculty at OSU-CHS. Adjunct faculty have access to library resources at https://medicine.okstate.edu/library/ in their capacity as OSU-CHS PA Preceptors. They may also utilize the PA Program Library Guide as a reference. https://libraryguides.health.okstate.edu/physician-assistant.
To be considered, preceptors must:- Train at least 4 PA students per year
- Submit a CV, active medical licensure, and board certification to the University. Should a preceptor fail to meet these requirements annually, they will be subject to removal from adjunct faculty.
- Preceptors or clinical sites that participate in the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services MIPS program may be able to use precepting as a High-Quality Improvement Activity. To qualify, the clinical site must be small (<15 providers) or in a rural or medically underserved area.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What are the requirements to become a preceptor?
A: Preceptors may be PAs, MDs, DOs, or NPs. Preceptors must have an active state license and must be board certified. PAs must be NCCPA certified. MDs and DOs must be board certified in the area they practice. (E.g. A physician who is an Emergency Medicine preceptor must be board certified in Emergency Medicine). Verification of state licensure and board certification will be performed by the Program prior to student placement. Preceptors also must have a minimum of one-year clinical experience post education.
- Q: How do I become a preceptor?
A: Complete and submit the Preceptor Application, which includes information regarding licensure and board certification. The Program will verify credentialing information annually and there is no need for you to submit any additional documentation.
- Q: How many students do I have to take?
A: This is entirely up to you! We understand that clinicians are busy and never want to overburden anyone. Some preceptors prefer to take a couple of students per year and some prefer to take students every month. Preceptors may choose to take more than one student at a time.
- Q: How much paperwork is required?
A: After becoming a preceptor, you are required to submit 1 evaluation for every student at the end of each rotation period. That’s it!
- Q: Are there any other requirements?
A: The Program is required to do site visits with the clinical site annually. The initial site visit should be done in person but can be done by telecommunication thereafter. Site visits consist of the clinical team getting to know the site and ensure that it meets criteria based on our program and accrediting body’s requirements. Annual site visits offer opportunity for both the clinical team and the preceptor to discuss any issues, changes to the site or schedule, student performance, suggestions, etc. There is no paperwork on the preceptor or site’s end to fulfill this requirement.
Affiliation agreements (legal agreements) must be completed and signed by both the University and the clinical site where the preceptor is located. These agreements are typically handled by administrative personnel, but occasionally will be signed by the preceptor if they are also the administrator of the organization. The Program has affiliation agreements with many clinical entities already, so this may already be in place.
- Q: What are the students’ requirements?
A: These vary by rotation. Preceptors will be provided a Preceptor Handbook that outlines the learning objectives and learning outcomes the student is expected to achieve. Students are assigned readings, online modules, quizzes, etc during clinical rotations as well. Preceptors are also provided a copy of the student’s assigned topics should they wish to reference this during the rotation.
- Q: How do I evaluate the student?
A: It is important to provide feedback early and often! We ask that you have an open dialogue with your students on how they are doing throughout the rotation. This can be informal and provided throughout the day between patient interactions. If there are concerns regarding a student’s performance in any way, we ask that you contact us promptly so that we have the opportunity to help the student make improvements as they move through the rotation.
The only formal evaluation that is required will be sent via email the last week of the rotation. Evaluations are due within 2 weeks of the student’s last day. You are not responsible for assigning a grade; however, the evaluation is used as part of the final grade calculation.
- Q: What if I have a problem with a student who is rotating with me?
A: Please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Clinical Education or the Program Director via phone or email immediately. We want open communication between preceptors and our clinical team.