Welcome to our Preceptor Portal for the Physician Assistant (PA) Program. As a preceptor, you play a vital role in shaping the next generation of compassionate, skilled healthcare providers. By offering students real-world clinical experiences, modeling professional best practices, and providing constructive feedback, you help bridge the gap between classroom learning and patient care. Thank you for your dedication to educating future PAs and for maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and clinical excellence.
Why become a preceptor?
- Professional Impact – Play a vital role in training future PAs and shaping the future of medicine.
- Faculty Appointment – Qualify for a community faculty appointment.
- Fresh Perspectives – Engage with eager learners and gain fresh insights into clinical practice.
- Give Back to the Profession – Support the education and training of tomorrow’s PAs.
- Opportunity for Future Recruitment – Identify high-performing individuals who might become ideal candidates to join your team after graduation.
- In some instances, there may be precepting stipends available. For additional information, please contact vhs-elo@odu.edu.
Who can be a preceptor?
Eligible preceptors must be actively practicing and meet the following criteria:
- Be a licensed PA, MD, DO, or NP
- Be board certified in their area of practice
- Have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience in the field they are teaching.
Preceptors are expected to demonstrate safe and effective standards of care, as well as teach and observe clinical activities to aid in the development of clinical skills.
Preceptor Role and Responsibilities
As a preceptor, you are responsible for creating a supportive learning environment, guiding students as they develop clinical skills, and ensuring patient safety remains the top priority. Key
Responsibilities include:
- Providing supervised clinical training and mentorship to students
- Offering progressive learning experiences as students develop their skills
- Encouraging students to take active roles in patient evaluation and management
- Giving constructive feedback to enhance student learning
- Completing student evaluations in a timely manner
For full details, download the Preceptor Handbook.
Preceptor Resources
How to Receive CME Credit for Precepting
PA preceptors are eligible to receive AAPA Category 1 CME credit, while non-PA providers receive Category II CME credit.
Credits are awarded each August following the completion of the applicable rotation cycle. For example, if a rotation begins in May 2024 and concludes in May 2025, credit will be granted in August 2025.
To obtain AAPA Category 1 CME credit, complete and submit the Preceptor Evaluation and Reporting Form and Disclosure Form by the indicated due date. Eligible preceptors earn two AAPA Category 1 CME credits per PA student per 40-hour week, with no maximum limit.
Supervision Guidelines
Proper supervision is paramount to ensure that PA students learn effectively, maintain patient safety, and adhere to professional standards. While preceptors may not be physically present for every patient interaction, it is crucial to:
- Be readily available for consultation.
- Assign an appropriate alternate preceptor (MD, DO, PA, NP) for any period of absence or when the primary preceptor is off duty.
- Prohibit students from providing unsupervised care or being treated as staff; they are always under the direct or delegated supervision of the preceptor.
Support and Contact Information
We are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us:
Clinical Director
Clinical Educator
Clinical Coordinators
General Questions
PA Clinical Year Team
PEVMSPACYT@odu.edu
757-446-7193
