“You Want me to Precept?”: 5 Tips for Transitioning from a Resident to a Residency Preceptor

Gregory T. Sneed, PharmD
Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Clinical Oncology Pharmacist, Baptist Cancer Center
Memphis, TN

You have done it. You’ve completed two years of post-graduate training, landed your first “real” job, and are looking forward to your professional future. You meet with your supervisor on your first day and find out…congratulations, you’re the newest preceptor-in-training—or full preceptor—for their PGY2 residency program! Don’t freak out; nearly all residents will eventually serve as residency preceptors (i.e. co-preceptor, primary preceptor, program director) at some point in their professional careers. I hope this short article provides you with a few helpful tips based on my own personal experience of transitioning from a resident to residency preceptor.

Tip 1: Be Familiar with Accreditation Standards for Residency Preceptors
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has published accreditation standards for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs, which detail the requirements of residency program directors and preceptors.¹ The standard defines a preceptor as an expert pharmacist who gives practical experience and training to a pharmacy resident and is responsible for the evaluation of a resident’s performance. The standard specific to program preceptors (i.e., Standard 4) provides details on preceptor appointment and selection, eligibility, responsibilities, qualifications, and preceptors-in-training; important highlights are below:

Eligibility

• Preceptors must be licensed (or equivalent designation for the country conducting the residency) pharmacists who:
  • Have completed an ASHP-accredited PGY2 residency followed by a minimum of one year of pharmacy practice in the advanced practice area; or
  • Have not completed an ASHP-accredited PGY2 residency but have completed a minimum of three years of pharmacy practice in the advanced practice area.

Responsibilities

• Preceptors are to serve as role models for learning experiences; they must:
  • Contribute to the success of resident and the residency program,
  • Provide learning experiences that contribute to the residency program’s educational goals and objectives to support the achievement of the residency’s purpose,
  • Participate actively in the residency program’s continuous improvement processes,
  • Demonstrate practice expertise and preceptor skills, striving to continuously improve in both areas,
  • Adhere to residency program and department policies pertaining to residents and services, and
  • Demonstrate commitment to advancing the residency program and pharmacy services.

Qualifications

• Preceptors must demonstrate the ability to precept learning experience by meeting at least one qualifying characteristic in each of the following areas:
  • Ability to precept residents’ learning experiences using clinical teaching roles (i.e., instructing, modeling, coaching, facilitating) at the level required by residents,
  • Ability to assess residents’ performance,
  • Recognition in the area of pharmacy practice for which they serve as preceptors,
  • An established, active practice in the area for which they serve as preceptor,
  • Maintenance of continuity of practice during the time of residents’ learning experiences, and
  • Ongoing professionalism, including a personal commitment to advancing the profession.

The majority of pharmacists who graduate from PGY2 residency programs will not meet the qualifications for serving as a residency preceptor immediately following completion of their residency, unless they have previous pharmacy practice in the advanced practice area. ASHP acknowledges this, and created a role specific for this situation, “preceptor-in-training.”

Preceptors-in-Training

• Pharmacists new to precepting who do not meet the qualifications for residency preceptors must:
  • Be assigned an advisor or coach who is a qualified preceptor, and
  • Have a documented preceptor development plan to meet the qualifications for becoming a residency preceptor within two years.

Tip 2: Identify and Learn From an Expert Advisor/Coach Who is a Qualified Preceptor
It is important to identify an individual within your organization who will contribute to your professional and personal growth as a preceptor for their residency program; this is not a decision to take lightly. In identifying that individual, keep in mind your wants/needs as a preceptor-in-training.

A few questions to ask yourself: “How many years of preceptor experience do they possess (i.e., five years v. 20 years)?”, “Do they work in a clinical practice environment that will allow me to learn, and potentially replicate, relevant preceptor practices to my future learning experience?”, “Do they have the time to dedicate to my growth as a future residency program preceptor?” The advisor/ coach you choose will be instrumental in providing guidance and feedback as you observe their preceptor style, develop your precep­tor development plan, and implement various preceptor practices during your time as a preceptor-in-training.

Tip 3: Utilize Available Preceptor Development Resources
A plethora of preceptor development resources (i.e., continuing education presentations, articles, books, etc.) are available to pharmacists interested in serving as preceptors for both student pharmacists and pharmacy residents. ASHP has residency-specific preceptor resources for members which include general resources, articles, and webinars and presentations all related to preceptor development.

The National Pharmacy Preceptor Conference is an annual event focused on pharmacy precepting which offers great content for preceptors-in-training as they develop their preceptor style.2 In addition, it’s important to check with other various local, state, regional, and national pharmacy organizations for continuing edu­cation opportunities related to preceptorship; a lot of organizations have begun to incorporate aspects of preceptor development within their list of presentation topics. Your institution may offer financial assistance in gaining access to these resources so be sure to check with the residency program director or your advisor/coach.

Tip 4: Continue to Refine your Preceptor Style Through Self-Assessment
All residency programs require residents to utilize self-assess­ment as a way to learn and grow across their learning experiences— remember all of those surveys you’ve completed over the past two years? The same self-assessment process is necessary and useful for residency preceptors as you continue in your career.

In using self-assessment, reflect on your experiences as a resident or preceptor-in-training, asking yourself what preceptor practices you enjoyed most during your time as a resident. Self-as­sessment can assist you in identifying areas of improvement in implementing your own preceptor practices (e.g., allowing the resident to develop autonomy too slowly or too quickly, etc.) You will find with continuous self-assessment that there will eventually come a point in time where you feel confident in your preceptor style, making only minor changes along the way.

Tip 5: Elicit Continuous Feedback from Advisors/Coaches and Residents
You are not alone in your transition from resident to residency preceptor. The majority of residency preceptors were once in your shoes, so lean on them to assist you in developing your own pre­ceptor style. If possible, shadow multiple individuals with various preceptor experience during your year as a preceptor-in-training to pick and choose elements of preceptorship that you would like to incorporate into your future learning experiences. In addition, ask other residency preceptors, and your resident trainees, for feedback on your performance as a preceptor. Constructive criticism and feedback can be a wonderful partner in the process of self-discovery as a residency preceptor.

In transitioning from a resident to a residency preceptor, you will have the opportunity to use what you’ve learned as a resident to benefit your future resident trainees. You will certainly face many challenges as you navigate your new role on the other side, but each challenge will allow you to develop new perspectives and grow into the preceptor you are destined to be. Good luck—you’ll do great!

REFERENCES

1. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ASHP accreditation standard for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs. https://www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/professional-development/residencies/docs/pgy2-residency-accreditation-standard-June2017.ashx Accessed July 12, 2021
2. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. National Pharmacy Preceptors Conference. https://www.ashp.org/Meetings-and-Conferences/National-Pharmacy-Preceptors-Conference. Accessed July 12, 2021