How to Become a Preceptor
To become a preceptor for Harrison College of Pharmacy, a pharmacist must express a desire and willingness to educate and train student pharmacists within the pharmacist’s practice setting. The pharmacist must be licensed in the state in which he/she practices and must be in good standing with the State Board of Pharmacy. He/she should be a positive role model for students, adhere to the pharmacist’s code of ethical conduct and show a caring attitude toward patients. The preceptor should be able to provide appropriate feedback to students to ensure optimal growth of the student during the experience.
Attributes of Preceptors
- Practice ethically and with compassion for patients
- Accept personal responsibility for patient outcomes
- Have professional education, experience and competence commensurate with their position
- Utilize clinical and scientific publications in clinical care decision-making and evidence-based practice
- Have desire to educate others (patients, caregivers, other healthcare professionals, students, residents)
- Demonstrate willingness and ability to advocate for patients and the profession
- Demonstrate creative thinking that fosters an innovative, entrepreneurial approach to problem solving
- Have an aptitude to facilitate learning
- Be competent in documentation and assessment of student performance
- Have a systematic, self-directed approach to their own continuing professional development and actively participate in self-directed lifelong learning
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals as a visible and contributing member of the team
- Be committed to their practice organization, professional societies and the community
Requirements to become a Preceptor
Preceptors are expected to be competent practitioners who are committed to pharmacy education. The following are additional expectations:
- Adhere to the highest levels of ethical conduct and legal practice
- Have a license in good standing with all Boards of Pharmacy in the states in which you are licensed
- Complete an orientation to the program with the Experiential Programs Office prior to having students assigned to them
- Abide by all program guidelines for student training and evaluation
- Be a licensed practitioner for at least 2 years in pharmacy practice (includes residency training)
- Be a licensed preceptor with the Alabama Board of Pharmacy if practicing in Alabama and this licensure is required for your practice setting as stated in the Alabama Pharmacy Practice Act
- Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and interprofessional communication and relationships
- Develop and provide a syllabus to each student for each training experience (syllabus templates are available from the Experiential Programs Office; faculty assistance is also available to preceptors for syllabus development)
- Have sufficient time to spend with student, providing one-on-one training and assessment in the specific area of pharmacy practice; communicate expectations to the student at the beginning of the rotation block
- Communicate with the Experiential Programs Office if the preceptor is going to miss 5 or more consecutive days of a training period due to vacation, professional meetings, illness, etc. The preceptor and Director will confirm and agree upon training activities for the students during the preceptor’s extended absence. Full-time faculty must have the approval of the Department Head of Pharmacy Practice for time away from the practice site. A licensed pharmacist approved by the Experiential Programs Office and/or the Department Head of Pharmacy Practice must supervise student pharmacists during any absence of the preceptor.
- Allow the student to assume responsibilities of pharmacists’ functions under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist where permitted by law
- Provide feedback to student both verbally and written throughout the training period
- Complete a written midpoint evaluation and final evaluation
- Be available to the student to answer questions and provide guidance throughout the training period
- Participate in on-going preceptor development modules and training
Harrison College of Pharmacy is interested in preceptors who:
- Provide direct patient care to diverse patient populations
- Possess appropriate clinical and teaching skills
- Counsel patients on medication therapy and disease states
- Provide medication therapy management services
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals while providing pharmacy care
- Have access to medical and drug information resources
- Teach clinical problem-solving through:
- Instruction
- Modeling
- Coaching/mentoring
- Facilitating
The training site should have adequate staff to support student training. Each site should also meet or exceed all standards set by accrediting bodies or governmental agencies and be in compliance with all state and federal laws pertaining to pharmacy practice. There should be one primary preceptor for any given practice experience who assumes the responsibility of student orientation, training and assessment.
Pharmacists interested in becoming a preceptor in our program should contact the Executive Director of Experiential Programs at lynn.stevenson@auburn.edu. In order to become a preceptor you must be approved for an appointment as an affiliate clinical faculty by Auburn University. In order to receive this appointment you must complete a Preceptor Application and Information Form, provide an updated copy of your CV/resume and send an official copy of your pharmacy school transcripts (Auburn graduates do not have to request a transcript) to the Experiential Programs Office.
Preceptor applications for affiliate appointment are reviewed and voted on by the Pharmacy Practice faculty at HCOP. Once approved at the college level, the application will then be reviewed by the AU Provost’s office for final approval.
