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.