Workplace and practice environments are more complex and demanding than ever before with consistently shifting policy decisions, fluctuating staff skill mixtures, increasingly complex and competing regulatory sanctions and audits, safety and education reforms, and information overload. Employees at all levels of an organization need to experience the guidance and facilitation shown by experienced staff and leaders in work and clinical settings. Not everyone can be a Preceptor—selection criteria is critical when identifying those who can successfully navigate the many demands folded into preceptoring others. Experienced Preceptors demonstrate skills in communication and the ability to work collaboratively with individuals at various levels of onboarding and competence. They guide students, new graduates, new hires, and those transitioning into new positions in academic, administrative, leadership, and practice roles. They serve in academia, healthcare organizations, and diverse communities of practice.

In this course, participates will review current and evolving roles and definitions of Preceptor and Preceptee. They will explore some of the scope and standards of practice for Preceptors drawn from the strong foundations built by professional staff development, nursing, and pharmacy educators and practitioners to advance Preceptors through recognition and certification. Preceptorship models provide a framework for success as organizations demonstrate leadership and operational excellence in the development, promotion, implementation, evaluation, and revision of competency-based standards for Preceptor specialty practice.

OBJECTIVES After reviewing this content, participants will be able to:

1. Interpret the criteria selection for Preceptors
2. Describe the attributes of a Preceptor
3. Comprehend the Preceptor as a lifelong learner