| Be a Preceptor "While finding fulfillment in ‘giving something back’ to the profession I love, I have also benefited as a preceptor from daily encounters with students enthusiastic about entering the workplace. Eager-to-learn students stimulate discussion, broaden perspective, and boost professional morale. I have often learned from students about the latest medications, modes of information retrieval, and new research findings. Our last student did a detailed presentation on vascular dementia, and I learned the latest recommendations regarding this disease." —Polly Robinson, PharmD, CGP, FASCP St. John Medical Center Tulsa, OK Perspectives in PreceptingPrecepting is a practice, one that provides students the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques, and to develop attitudes, values, and an individual approach to patient care.Preceptors provide students with responsibilities that correspond to their capabilities and their school’s experiential learning program’s objectives. Preceptors ask students questions to engage them in the active learning process, encouraging them to express opinions and share knowledge or experiences. Preceptor duties will differ depending on the student’s school of pharmacy. Basic responsibilities exist however, and serve as the foundation of collegial relationships. Preceptors are to guide and evaluate students in a continuous, consistent, and timely manner, to assure that both student and preceptor are on the same page. Preceptors are also expected to incorporate information from other areas of practice, often times enhancing the student’s learning experience. Preceptors must also provide constructive criticism when evaluating students and their learning process and above all, serve as a role model by acting and performing in a manner the exhibits professionalism and accountability. The influence that preceptors have on the professional and personal development of future pharmacists remains significant for a lifetime. Get references here. (PDF) The Consultant and Senior Care PharmacistInterested in precepting? Help yourself to the ASCP Precepting Tool Kit, a collection of resources designed to help you introduce student pharmacists to consultant and senior care pharmacy practice. |
