Establishing a positive relationship with students serves as the foundation for clinical teaching. A positive relationship is based on trust; preceptors must be honest with students and allow students to be honest with them. Open communication lets the student know what is expected of her and how the preceptor thinks she is doing.The preceptor-student relationship requires balance: Preceptors must let students practice the skills learned in the classroom, yet students cannot make independent decisions as they are not licensed. A positive relationship helps to maintain balance because students learn to trust the preceptor, and preceptors come to trust students as they demonstrate clinical capabilities.
Preceptors serve as role models for students. A preceptor is a licensed pharmacist working in the field. Students learn by direct observation of how the preceptor interacts with patients, peers and staff; communication skills are important as pharmacists counsel patients to ensure medication compliance. Preceptors make important decisions daily regarding patient medication, ethical issues and important work practices. According to the University of Austin, role modeling needs to be intentional, meaning preceptors should discuss their behavior with students, explaining the reasoning behind their decisions. The goal is not to have students mimic the preceptor's behaviors but learn the fundamentals and rationale behind them so students can apply them in practice. Preceptors should also allow students to role-play. For example, first demonstrate how to counsel a patient, and have the student practice. Then offer constructive criticism.
Preceptors oversee students as they fill prescriptions, call doctors' offices, interact with patients and deal with paperwork. While constant direct supervision is not encouraged, according to the University of Texas, supervisors must require some type of check-in before students complete a task. For example, after filling a prescription, a student has the preceptor check it. As the student proves his capability, preceptors should assign additional responsibility while maintaining some type of monitoring. Autonomy is important in preparing students to become pharmacists.
As supervisors, preceptors must also evaluate the student's work. The structure for formal evaluation is typically provided by the pharmacy school. Students cannot graduate without successfully passing a preceptorship, and this is determined by the preceptor. Preceptors evaluate a student's competency and determine whether to recommend graduation.
Since preceptorships are not conducted within a traditional classroom, sometimes they lack structure. Preceptors need to set aside time to teach students important skills. This time should be uninterrupted and allow the preceptor to prepare a lesson and allow the student to have the undivided attention of the preceptor. Preceptors should plan lessons based on observation of the student's skills and what he needs to work on.