Any board certified MD/DO or licensed Physician Associate or Nurse Practitioner may serve as a preceptor.

• Orient students at the onset of the rotation with practice/facility policies and review your expectations of the student and rotation-specific objectives provided by the PA program
• Supervise, demonstrate, teach, and observe clinical activities to aid in the development of clinical skills and ensure proper patient care
• Provide students with an appropriate learning environment in which they will have a variety of patient encounters and learning experiences
• Direct students toward patients with problems and illnesses common to the community and within the realm of Physician Associate practice
• Delegate to the student increasing levels of responsibility for clinical assessment and management as appropriate to the student’s experience and expertise
• Participate in the evaluation of clinical skills and medical knowledge through the following:
  • Direct supervision, observation, and teaching in the clinical setting
  • Evaluation of both oral presentations and written documentation
  • Assignment of outside readings and research to promote further learning
• Provide ongoing, constructive feedback to the student regarding their clinical performance
• Complete a final evaluation of the student’s performance and promptly return the end-of-rotation evaluations to the program
• Dialogue with faculty during site visits to evaluate student progress and promptly notify the PA program of any circumstances that might interfere with the accomplishment of the above goals or diminish the overall training experience
• Avoid placing students in a position of authority or responsibility that exceeds their level of knowledge or skill

• Ensure attendance is timely
• Attend clinical rotations as scheduled by the preceptor, in addition to grand rounds, lectures, and conferences, if made available to the student
• Obtain detailed histories and physical exams, develop a differential diagnosis, formulate an assessment and plan through discussion with the preceptor, present findings through oral presentations, and document findings in the EMR
• Contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the preceptor’s clinical practice by performing all delegated tasks in a timely and competent manner
• Display professional behavior that enhances the preceptor’s practice and reflects positively on the Physician Associate profession
• Inform preceptors in a timely manner of individual needs, concerns, or problems that have the potential of interfering with the delivery of patient care or the effectiveness of the preceptor’s practice
• Maintain an open line of communication and meaningful dialogue between fellow students, program faculty, preceptors, and members of the medical team
• To be sensitive to the demands placed on clinical preceptors, including complicated aspects of patient care, continuing education, community service, research, and the training of a wide range of students

• Orient preceptors and students to the policies and procedures of the clinical year
• Develop and maintain clinical rotation sites that affords students a quality educational experience
• Evaluate student rotations through regular site visits and open communication with clinical preceptors
• Provide malpractice coverage for students during rotations
• Attempt to anticipate student problems before they arise, and provide support, guidance, and encouragement to students throughout the clinical year
• Provide seminars that augment clinical experiences and increase the student’s medical and surgical knowledge and technical skills

The UAB PA clinical faculty will contact all interested preceptors to discuss the potential clinical rotation experience and obtain the necessary paperwork needed to secure the preceptor and clinical site. We will also review the clinical schedule and, along with the preceptor, determine the best rotation dates to host students. The preceptor will be able to communicate directly with the clinical faculty at all times regarding any questions or concerns.

UAB PA clinical faculty will contact the dedicated contact person for each clinical site/preceptor, to schedule an annual site visit. Site visits may be conducted in person, virtually, or via telephone. The purpose of the sit visit is to learn more about the students’ experiences at the clinical site, allow preceptors the opportunity to provide feedback about their experiences with the students, and tour the facilities, if needed.

In a general survey we asked: What aspects of clinical precepting did you find most valuable? Our preceptors cited many valuable experiences such as strengthening their own skills as a provider, giving back to the PA community, and answering thought provoking questions from the students. Please see the following quotes from some of our current preceptors:

• “Teaching is important to me, it gives me a chance to give back”
• “Having students encourages us to continually learn, think about things in new ways, and stay up-to-date with evidence-based medicine”
• “Precepting not only allows one to keep up their knowledge base through teaching, but is a wonderful way to give back to the PA community”
• “I always learn something valuable while precepting. It encourages me to stay abreast of research-based practices”
• “Developing students’ confidence and clinical decision making skills”

The UAB PA program values our preceptors and the time dedicated to our PA students’ clinical education. Thank you for being a part of our team. As always, if you have feedback, we would like to hear from you.

• Opportunities for guest lecturing during the didactic and/or clinical year
• Category 1 CME Credits for PA preceptors
• Category 2 CME Credits for MD, NP preceptors
  • Documentation of weeks/hours served as a preceptor may be provided to obtain Category 2 CME credits
  • Please refer to the appropriate accrediting body for further information
• Annual Preceptor of the Year Award
• Annual Preceptor Appreciation Mixer

• 2020 Preceptor of the Year: Dr. Brandon White, Internal Medicine/Hospitalist, UAB West
  • Dr. White is a 2007 graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and received his Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia State University in 2000. Dr. White currently practices as a Hospitalist at UAB West in Bessemer, Alabama, and he is also the current Medical Director for Alabama Hospice Care in Birmingham. In March 2020, he started BHMcares, a charity that hires local restaurants to feed healthcare workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. White came on board as a full-time preceptor in 2018 and is always excited to host students on his service.
  • When asked to provide his thought on serving as a UAB PA preceptor, here is what Dr. White had to say:
    • “I remember how much it meant to me as a student to have a preceptor that seemed happy with me being there and took time out of their schedule to make sure I was included and learning. It seemed special at the time and I really appreciated it, and now being on the other side of that relationship, I realize how much extra effort it is to really engage with the students and I appreciate it even more. It's very rewarding to teach them and see the light bulb go on over their head, when they wrap their mind around a concept.”
• 2019 Preceptor of the Year: Dr. Ray Browne, Mayfair Internal Medicine
  • Dr. Browne is a 1985 graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York at Albany and his Masters of Public Health from the University of Michigan. He has practiced as an Internal Medicine Physician in Birmingham since 1989 and has served as a UAB PA preceptor for over 10 years.
  • When asked to provide his thought on serving as a UAB PA preceptor, here is what Dr. Browne had to say:
    • “It has been one of the best decisions I've made regarding my practice of medicine. I really enjoy the interaction with the students. I am so impressed with their preparation before they start their clinical rotations. In addition, the politeness and enthusiasm the students display is not lost on my patients. Often when I enter a room without a student - a patient will ask "where is your student?” There is no greater compliment to your program than this.”