Home / Academics / Find a Program / Master of Medical Science (MMSc) Physician Assistant / Clinical Preceptors | Ursuline - Liberal Arts College in OH
A large part of the success of the Ursuline College Physician Assistant program is the strong hands-on experiences offered in the clinical phase of the program. We cannot provide these excellent experiences without dedicated professional clinical preceptors. Whether new to the PA profession or a seasoned veteran, UCPA needs you!
The UCPA Program is comprised of 24 months of learning. The first 12 are dedicated to didactic learning, and the second 12 months are focused on clinical experiences. We have seven core rotations lasting six weeks (Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Women’s Health) and one elective rotation.
Our students have diverse healthcare experiences and will traditionally excel in their clinical rotations. See our curriculum (Link to this) page for detailed class information. Physician Assistant students are trained to take medical histories, perform physical exams, develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans, and document their findings under the supervision and education of a clinical experience preceptor.
We accept preceptors from all specialties and locations. Preceptors may be physician assistants OR physicians (MD/DO), OR Certified Nurse Practitioners/Nurse Midwives. All preceptors must be licensed in the state they are practicing in, and per the ARC-PA Standards, our Physician partners must be board-certified in their area of expertise. Clinical experiences must provide enough patient contact hours and experiences that align with the program's expectations.
Interested in becoming a preceptor? Fill out the preceptor qualification form.
Help share your medical knowledge and begin to shape the next generation of PAs. For more information, contact the Clinical team at (440) 449-3031 or the Director of Clinical Education at douglas.long@ursuline.edu.
Through a partnership between PAEA and AAPA, ARC-PA accredited PA programs may submit to award AAPA Category 1 CME to their PA preceptors.
Individual preceptors may be awarded AAPA Category 1 CME credits at a rate of 2 AAPA Category 1 CME credits per PA student per 40-hour week, with no limit.
The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) formally recognize your efforts through the Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program. Join this program and add the designation Clinical Preceptor AAPA after your name (CPAAPA). Eligibility requirements are summarized below, and the online application can be found here.
Requirements:
Be a current AAPA fellow or sustaining member.
Have served as a preceptor for at least eight weeks on average for the last two years.
Be endorsed by a PA program(s) you have supported as a preceptor.
If you meet the above requirements and are interested in applying, please email the Ursuline College PA Program Clinical Director at douglas.long@ursuline.edu to request the complete endorsement.
Click the links below to learn more.
Video links coming soon!
A. The UCPA program is a rigorous 24-month curriculum. The first 12 months are dedicated to on-campus, didactic learning, while the second 12 months focus on clinical experiences.
A. Preceptors must be licensed physician assistants, physicians (MD/DO), or certified nurse practitioners/nurse midwives in the state they are practicing. Physician partners must be board-certified in their area of expertise, as per ARC-PA Standards.
A. In addition to physician assistants, physicians (MD/DO) and certified nurse practitioners/nurse midwives can also serve as preceptors.
A. The UCPA program has seven core rotations lasting six weeks each: Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, and Women's Health. There is also one Elective rotation.
A. The time commitment may vary, but preceptors should be able to provide enough hours, patient contact hours, and experiences that align with the program's expectations.
A. PA students are trained to interview patients, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, develop differential diagnoses and treatment plans, and complete medical documentation under the supervision and guidance of a clinical experience preceptor.
A. Preceptors can earn AAPA Category 1 CME credits, apply for the AAPA Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program, and be recognized at UCPA events such as the White Coat and Graduation ceremonies.
A. ARC-PA accredited PA programs may submit to award AAPA Category 1 CME to their PA preceptors. Individual preceptors may be awarded 2 AAPA Category 1 CME credits per PA student per 40-hour week, with no limit.
A. The online application for the AAPA Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program can be found on the AAPA website.
A. To be eligible, you must be a current AAPA fellow or sustaining member, have served as a preceptor for at least eight weeks on average for the last two years, and be endorsed by a PA program(s) you have supported as a preceptor.
A. If you meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in applying, please email the Ursuline College PA Program Clinical Director at douglas.long@ursuline.edu to request the complete endorsement.
A. You can help the UCPA program in various capacities, such as teaching, labs, professional days, interviewing, or tutoring. Send your contact information to douglas.long@ursuline.edu to express your interest.
A. The UCPA program provides a Preceptor Welcome Video, Preceptor Handbook, and UCPA Student Handbook to support preceptors. Preceptors are also invited to join the program's White Coat and Graduation ceremonies and attend a preceptor appreciation event each summer/fall on campus.
A. The Preceptor Handbook and UCPA Student Handbook can be accessed through the links provided on the website.
A. For any additional questions or to learn more about being a preceptor for the UCPA program, please contact the Ursuline College PA Program Clinical Director at douglas.long@ursuline.edu.
If you are interested in helping out the UCPA Program in any other capacity, such as teaching, labs, professional days, interviewing, or serving as a tutor, we would love to have you. Please send contact information to douglas.long@ursuline.edu
