If you are a practicing PA who is interested in serving as a preceptor for PA students, please click here for an interactive map that will lead you to contact information for all programs by state.

PAEA is working with AAPA to tackle one of the most important issues facing the PA profession — the shortage of preceptors and clinical sites that affects PA programs in many parts of the country. The theme of this initiative is "pay it forward": the idea that all PAs can use their knowledge and experience to help the next generation of PAs and carry the whole profession forward.

Workforce shortages are projected in medicine and in many other health care professions over the next decade or two, and the PA profession is well positioned to help meet the demand for health care providers. But a PAEA survey found that while the majority of programs are willing to consider expanding their enrollments, limited clinical training sites and preceptors was the most significant barrier to PA programs expanding. Increasing the number of PAs graduating each year means increasing the number of preceptors.

This is where clinical PAs can help. Precepting a PA student can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a career, according to many PAs who have taken on the role of preceptor. Students bring many wonderful assets to a practice: energy, enthusiasm, technological expertise, and new ideas. They can help educate and enlighten practices and patients about the PA profession. And perhaps most valuable of all, students are a tremendous source of potential new employees; more than one-third of PAs find their first job through clinical rotations. Precepting can also bring more tangible benefits, like adjunct faculty appointments, access to university facilities, and reduced tuition for coursework.

Please review the Related Links side-bar on the right-hand side for more information on precepting.

You can also access the Clinical Preceptors section of this site. 

Click here to access the PAEA Preceptor Flyer. 

New Preceptor Handbook Published

PAEA is pleased to announce the 2012 publication of the Preceptor Orientation Handbook: Tips, Tools, and Guidance for Physician Assistant Preceptors. The handbook was developed by PAEA’s Clinical Education Committee (CEC) and members of its Preceptor Handbook Subcommittee. The handbook is a valuable resource for clinical coordinators and will guide their work with preceptors.

Click here for the online version of the Preceptor Handbook (member log-in required). Please note: This Word document can be customized for use by individual PAEA member programs.

Click here for the print version of the Preceptor Handbook (member log-in required).

To order a print copy of the Preceptor Handbook, contact Danielle DiSilvestro at ddisilvestro@PAEAonline.org. Cost for copies: $10 for members and $15 for non-members.