Clinical Rotations and Expectations

The clinical phase of physician assistant education is one in which a certain degree of variability is expected and anticipated in the education of the student. However, there are expectations and responsibilities for students, preceptors, and the PA program.

Student Responsibilities:

To report to the clinical site on time ready to learn and work with the preceptor
To act professionally in the clinical setting including wearing a nametag and dressing appropriately
To accrue the minimum number of clinical hours (>= 36 hours/week) required by the program and to be sensitive to the schedule of the clinical site
To be sensitive to the comfort of the patients and their willingness to be seen and evaluated by the student
To follow the rules and regulations of the clinical sites
To successfully complete the requirements of the rotation outlined in the course syllabus
To actively pursue opportunities for enhanced, engaged learning
To review expectations and objectives of the rotation with the preceptor
To use data related to personal performance (exam scores, review material performance, feedback from preceptors, faculty, and staff) to develop goals and action plans for self-improvement

Preceptor Responsibilities:

To create an environment for learning committed to inclusivity and attentive to concerns related to personal safety (i.e., free from harassment, bullying)
To provide an appropriate clinical environment and a variety of patient encounters necessary for a productive learning experience
To provide a minimum number of clinical hours (>= 36 hours/week) to attend and participate in clinical activities at the rotation site. During this time the preceptor must be available for supervision, consultation, and teaching, or designate an alternate preceptor.
To acquaint students at the onset of the rotation with the practice/site policies and procedures and review the expectations and objectives for the rotation
To supervise, demonstrate, teach, and observe clinical activities in order to aid in the development of clinical skills and to ensure proper patient care; to delegate increasing levels of responsibility for clinical assessment and management as skills develop
To provide ongoing feedback regarding clinical performance to the student and PA program through mid-rotation feedback, confirmation of skills acquisition (longitudinal skills assessment sign off) and timely completion of final preceptor evaluations
To promptly notify the PA Program of any circumstances or situations that might interfere with the accomplishment of the above goals or diminish the overall training experience
To ensure students are not used as a substitute for clinical or administrative staff during their supervised clinical practice experience
To serve as a role model for the students by demonstrating an ethical approach to the care of patients
To demonstrate cultural humility in all interactions with patients, families, health care teams and systems

Program Responsibilities:

To recruit and retain clinical sites for students
To generate placements for students in sites that agree host to students
To ensure onboarding requirements are understood and communication to students
To orient preceptors and students to the policies and procedures of the clinical year

To prepare students academically and clinically for the clinical phase of their education

To forward to the preceptor in a timely manner information regarding students being precepted, including any documentation they may require
To inform the preceptor of rotation objectives and supply student evaluation materials
To serve as a resource in developing quality rotation sites and to facilitate the introduction of the PA role to the community, in general, and the medical community, specifically
To respond to questions and concerns from the preceptor or student in a timely manner
To maintain close contact with the preceptor in an attempt to anticipate problems before they arise

Up one level

Clinical Education Phase