Physician Assistant Studies (MS)

Would you like to become involved in helping to educate the next generation of PAs? 

If you would like to be contacted about any of the ways to help the program, please complete this form. 

The Pitt PA program is always looking for more help in the following areas: 

• Graders 
  • Grading opportunities arise throughout the semester based on specific course instruction and faculty needs. Grading opportunities typically involve reviewing a written document or activity and providing student feedback in a similar method. These are not generally live activities. A department staff member will reach out regarding upcoming activities.
• Facilitating labs/standardized patient encounters 
  • Laboratory sessions and standardized patient (SP) encounters occur at set times throughout the curriculum. Activities will occur virtually throughout the semester and can be facilitated remotely from the campus in Oakland. Students will also spend three (3) one-week sessions on campus throughout the curriculum with live activities occurring on the Oakland campus. A department staff member will reach out regarding upcoming activities. 
• Adjunct Lecturers 
  • Upon successful completion of grading and/or facilitation activities, it is possible to become an adjunct lecturer.  

Clinical Preceptors 

Why Serve as a Clinical Preceptor? 

Clinical preceptors form an essential part of the Physician Assistant Studies program. Student clinical learning experience is guided by a preceptor who can help guide, answer clinical questions and direct patient management problems. In addition to helping students learn practical skills in a hands-on setting, preceptors enjoy other benefits.

• Facilitate the recruitment of your next great coworker and colleague.
• Develop leadership, teaching and supervisory skills of yourself and your colleagues.
• Access free continuing education credits (see below).
• Receive an official appointment as a faculty member of the University of Pittsburgh.
• Building out a CV and access the benefits available to faculty.
• Benefit patients by adding a student to the health care team, which:
• Provides an additional communication partner.
• Further individualizes patient care and planning by a focused student.
• Contribute to the field of PA Studies.
• Keep health care teams up to date with current knowledge and best practices.

The Preceptor Role 

Any successful PA education depends on dedicated clinical preceptors who provide fulfilling clinical experiences to students. Upon partnering with the program through a formal affiliation process, the primary preceptor will need to:

• Be physically present to supervise the PA student.
• Familiarize themselves with the clinical rotation instructional objectives and learning outcomes.
• Provide the student with a variety of patient encounters and an appropriate learning experience to best meet the learning outcomes and instructional objectives of the program.
• Demonstrate, teach and supervise the PA student in clinical activities to develop the student’s knowledge and skills and to ensure proper patient care.
• Ensure that the PA student does not practice beyond his/her competence or legal authority.
• Review and sign all student notes.
• Actively participate in the evaluation of all aspects of the student’s clinical skills and knowledge base.
• Offer timely constructive feedback to students and the program regarding strengths and areas of needed improvement.

Other Benefits of Precepting 

The program provides continuing education credits, including: 

• Pitt Preceptor Continuing Education and Preceptor Training (PreCEPT): An innovative learning opportunity for Preceptors of APP students that was developed by the Pitt PAS department in conjunction with APP Preceptor Leadership from UPMC. The PreCEPT program empowers preceptors with the knowledge and tools to enhance the quality of clinical experiences for students. Participants gain access to best practices, resources and a supportive community, allowing them to customize their learning experience. Upon completion, learners will excel in mentoring, utilize effective teaching strategies and establish valuable connections within the precepting community. Get started today!   
• CME Credits for Precepting Students – The American Academy of PAs offers PAs Category 1 CME credit for clinical precepting. After you have precepted, fill out this form to obtain your certificate. 
• Feedback and Mentoring of Clinical Students
  • Earn up to 1.5 hours of Category 1 CME credit at no charge! 
  • If you don’t already have one, create an account with the University’s WISER Institute.  
  • Request registration using this link: 
  • Click “Register for a Class” and follow the instructions 
    • When registering, please mark your Role in Class as a “PARTICIPANT” (not as an instructor) and the Preferred Class Date as “12/31/2020 01:01 AM – 12:00PM” (this sets a deadline for course completion, but you will be able to access the course soon after registration). 

Pittsburgh SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment) 

Hosted by the Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) of the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, SBIRT is a comprehensive and integrated public health approach to the delivery of early intervention and treatment services through universal screening for persons with substance use disorders (SUD) and those at risk of developing these disorders. Click here to request SBIRT training for a maximum of 8 hours of Category 1 CME credit at no charge! 

Physician Assistants Advancing Diversity (PAAD) Preceptors 

PAAD is an opportunity for students at any Pitt campus to better understand the PA profession. We acknowledge that many undergraduate students are not aware of the Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) profession and/or are unsure of what it takes to get there, we are launching an immersive experience of all things PA!  

• PAAD is provided by the University of Pittsburgh Physician Assistant Studies Program in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).  
• If you are interested in serving as a preceptor, please email Tara McSwigan at (tmm142@pitt.edu).