How to run a preceptor program for EMS students

Preceptors teach your students more hours than you do during clinicals and field internship, usually as a favor. A preceptor program is how you choose them, prepare them, and make it easy for them to tell you how a student is doing.

Choose preceptors on purpose

• Agree with each clinical site and agency on who may precept, and what experience they need.
• Keep a list per site. Students shouldn't pick a preceptor you've never heard of.
• Approve any new name before it can sign off a student's hours or skills.

Orient them in fifteen minutes

A one-page orientation covers most of it: what level the student is at, what they may and may not do, what "competent" looks like for your program, how to sign off a skill, how to raise a concern, and who to call. Have each preceptor acknowledge it and keep the record. Accreditors ask for evidence of preceptor orientation.

Make feedback short and frequent

A five-question evaluation after a shift gets answered. A four-page form at the end of the rotation doesn't. Rate professionalism, assessment, skills and communication on a simple scale, ask whether the student is where they should be, and leave room for a comment.

Close the loop

• Read evaluations weekly and follow up on any low rating within days, not at midterm.
• Thank preceptors, and share good news when their students pass the NREMT.
• Ask preceptors once a year what would make precepting easier, and change something.

How FlagshipEMS helps

Preceptors and clinical site coordinators get their own login to verify hours and sign off skills on their shifts, new preceptors wait for your approval, and evaluations go out as a link to a short form with no account needed. See clinical tracking.