GENERAL
What is the Learning Rheum Preceptor Network?
The Learning Rheum is the latest addition to an expanding line-up of AAPA services to support members’ professional development needs of PAs and PA students. This online tool includes a searchable database – that facilitates the establishment of precepting relationships. It is user-driven, allowing registered students to search among registered preceptors using specified criteria to find rheumatology providers who are willing to provide clinical rotations in this specialty. Likewise, registered preceptors can search for and identify potential students.
Is there a fee associated with using The Learning Rheum?
There is no charge to use this resource. The Learning Rheum is supported by an independent medical education grant from Pfizer.
How are Students and Preceptors matched?
Users must first enroll as a Preceptor, or Student . During the enrollment process, users will select preferences (including location, practice characteristics, and timeframes) to establish their personal criteria.
A registered Student will visit the “Find a Preceptor” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Preceptors. The Student will click the names of the potential Preceptors to view their profiles. Once the Student has decided on a Preceptor they will click on the Preceptor badge (seen below the registered Preceptor's profile picture) to request that person as their Preceptor. An e-mail will be sent to the Preceptor alerting them that they have been requested as a Preceptor. The Preceptor will be able to accept or decline the request.
A registered Preceptor will visit the “Find a Student” page and fill in their search criteria to search for possible Students. The Preceptor will click the names of the potential Students to view their profiles. Once the Preceptor has decided on a Student, they will click on the Student badge (seen below the registered Student's profile picture) to request that person as their Student. An e-mail will be sent to the Student alerting them that they have been requested to be a Student. The Student will be able to accept or decline the request.
FOR PRECEPTORS
How do I become a Preceptor?
Click here to enroll as a Preceptor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences and also to complete your profile.
Who are the Students?
Students are persons enrolled in an ARC-PA accredited PA program who are interested in securing an elective clinical rotation in rheumatology.
Can I have more than one Student?
While there is no limit to the number of precepting relationships you can establish, we recommend that you be judicious in selecting only Students who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience. You can limit the number of Student requests you are willing to accept on the Precepting Enrollment page.
How do I find Students?
Once you have enrolled as a Preceptor, go to the "Find a Student" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Student search. Click on the Students’ names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Student badge (seen below the Student's profile image) to send the Student an email request.
How will I know if a Student has selected me as their Preceptor?
You will receive an email from the Student requesting you to be their Preceptor. You will be prompted to accept or reject the request.
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, but there should be a good reason to do so. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential Student has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find him/her to be an inappropriate match. If you want to decline a request, go to the "My Precepting Relationships" page and check the “decline” button next to the specific request.
What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
Go to the "Preceptor Enrollment" page, click the “Preceptor Status” link then click on the check-box next to “Temporarily Not Participating.” Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Student requests at the moment, and your Precepting profile will not be included in a Student’s search for a Preceptor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Students.
What are the expectations for participating Preceptors?
We expect that you will fulfill your commitment to develop at least one Precepting relationship. We expect you to respond to initial requests from Students in a timely manner, and that you communicate with your students and their clinical coordinators as necessary.
What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Preceptor in the program?
All Preceptors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon identifying you as a Preceptor. An important benefit will be in exposing PA students to the field of rheumatology. If some of your students choose to work in rheumatology, you will have contributed to expanding access to rheumatology service to patients.
FOR STUDENTS
How do I find a rheumatology rotation through The Learning Rheum?
Click here to enroll as a Student. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your profile.
Who are the Preceptors?
Preceptors are experienced rheumatology providers who are willing provide clinical rotations to students who would like to learn more about the field.
How do I find a Preceptor?
Once you have enrolled as a Student, go the "Find a Preceptor" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Preceptor search. Click on the Preceptors' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click on the Preceptor badge (seen below the Preceptor's profile image) to send the Preceptor an email request.
What should I do if I don’t hear from the Preceptor I requested?
If you don’t hear from the Preceptor within one or two weeks, feel free to contact them using the contact information found on their profile page.
FOR CLINICAL COORDINATORS
Are clinical coordinators able to register on the site?
Clinical Coordinators are encouraged to register on the site. During registration, they should select the Role designation of Clinical Coordinator.
What are clinical coordinators able to do on the site?
Clinical coordinators will be able to search the available preceptors according to criteria that are important to the program in preparation for a counseling session with a student.
What sorts of information can I expect to find on the site?
In addition to location, clinical coordinators will be able to see the number of providers at the site, information about the number of patients seen, the number of providers, and information on their qualifications and licensure.
After a clinical coordinator discusses potential sites with a student, what is the next step?
Because of the way that the site is constructed, matches are made between a student and a potential preceptor site. Once a clinical coordinator and a student have discussed one or more potential sites, the clinical coordinator should instruct the student to register on the site and request a match. The student should also be told to notify the clinical coordinator once a match has been made.
Once a match has been made, what are my next steps?
Once a student has informed their clinical coordinator that they have been matched with a preceptor site, the coordinator should proceed as they normally would with a new site according to their program's policies and procedures. This is likely to include a request that the preceptor site signs the student's institution affiliation agreement. We have tried to provide enough information about each site to make a preliminary assessment of their compliance with an institution’s requirements. Clinical coordinators may need to request additional documentation as required by specific institutional policies.