Part of the reason the GVSU Physician Assistant Program has been so successful is due to the excellent preceptors that help educate our students. This page has information that preceptors have found helpful throughout the years. It includes tips on how to efficiently and effectively precept students, what expectations preceptors should have of PAS students at the different phases of their PAS education and added perks for being a preceptor such as the GVSU preceptor perks program and Category I and II CME credit offered through the AAPA for precepting.  

Our program is divided into two sections: the didactic phase (PA-S1) and the clinical phase (PA-S2/S3). As a student progresses through these stages of education, so do the expectations that our program sets for them. Below you will find general information as to what is expected of a PA-S1 and PA-S2 level student. It describes general responsibilities and educational objectives we set in place for students such as case presentations, formulating a differential diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.  

       Didactic Learner Roles (PA-S1)

       Clinical Phase Learner Roles (PA-S2/3)

We provide objectives for our students and preceptors for all of our core rotations.  Below you will find a list of the objectives by specialty to help in precepting GVSU PAS Students.

      Emergency Medicine      Family Practice       Women's Health            Rural/Underserved

      Internal Medicine            Behavioral Health              Surgery

The One Minute Preceptor: 5 Microskills for One-On-One Teaching is a short article that has been tested and welcomed by preceptors across the nation to assist in educating health care learners. Health care providers face many challenges in the day to day pursuit of their careers, and those who choose to teach health professions students face the further challenge of efficiently and effectively providing teaching to these learners. GVSU PAS preceptors have found it to be a helpful tool in making the most out of their teaching time.

For information about becoming a preceptor for the GVSU PA Program contact one of our clinical coordinators Mandy German or Amanda Reddy.

Category I CME

The AAPA has developed a policy and a process for earning Category I CME credit for precepting and the GVSU PA program has been approved as a CME provider. Here is a synopsis and procedure:

1. PA programs may award 0.5 credits per each 2 weeks of precepting.
          4-week rotation = 1 credit
          8-week rotation = 2 credits
          One-week = 40 hours
   A maximum of 10 Category I CME credits per calendar year can be awarded to each preceptor.
2. The preceptor must complete a “Self-Reflective Evaluation Form” (will be provided to you at the end of the clinical year in December) and e-mail the form to [email protected].
3. Upon receipt of the completed “Self-Reflective Evaluation,” the GVSU PA program will send you a Certificate awarding the Category I CME credits. 

Category II CME

Precepting can also be reported by the preceptor to AAPA as Category II credits on an hour-by-hour basis and does not require documentation from the PA program (4-week rotation = 160 hours, 8-week rotation = 320 hours).

Note:  The Category I “Self-Reflective Evaluation Form” will be e-mailed by the program to each PA preceptor at the end of each clinical year, in late December.

AAPA Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program

To honor your service, PAEA and AAPA would like to formally recognize your efforts through the Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program. See the eligibility requirements and on-line application on their website here: CLINICAL PRECEPTOR RECOGNITION PROGRAM

You will need the attached endorsement form. E-mail the GVSU PA program at [email protected] to request the completed endorsement.  

Join the program and add the designation, CP or Clinical Preceptor AAPA after your name (e.g. CPAAPA).

Being a preceptor is a great way to help the profession. Not only does precepting help the students, but it also helps continue preceptors growth as clinicians. No matter how prepared you may be, students push your expertise to its limits and allow reflection on your own limitations. Preceptors for the GVSU PAS Program are awarded other privileges as well. These include access to GVSU libraries, discount at Grand Rapids downtown YMCA, and CME programs at the Cook-Devos Center for Health Sciences.  

The GVSU Physician Assistant Studies students undergo extension health screening and hospital training for addressing compliance issues with state and federal guidelines. The training and screening include HIPAA certification, OSHA training, immunization verification to include Hepatitis B, current annual TB skin test, and recent criminal background check. Once a student is confirmed to rotate with a preceptor site, proof of this information is provided from the program and the student. 

Click on the following link to view GVSU's health compliance policy for students:

GVSU HEALTH COMPLIANCE POLICY