Frequently asked questions
-
What are the differences between a Co-op work term and a Patient Care Rotation?
-
What are the learning objectives for students in their Patient Care Rotations?
-
What is my role as the preceptor for Patient Care Rotations?
-
How often are preceptors required to complete student assessments for Patient Care Rotations?
-
What are the benefits for preceptors who supervise Waterloo students on Patient Care Rotations?
1. What are the differences between a Co-op work term and a Patient Care Rotation?
2. When will the PharmD Patient Care Rotations be offered?
Beginning in February each year, 4th year PharmD Patient Care Rotations take place over the following 6-month period; there are three 8-week rotations during this period. The minimum commitment for a preceptor is one 8-week rotation. Preceptors indicate their availability on the Preceptor Availability Form (provided by the Regional Clinical Coordinator).
Patient Care Rotations under the School’s PharmD Bridging Program occur throughout the year.
3. What are the training requirements for preceptors?
1) Preceptors are asked to complete one of the following Preceptor Development Training modules
- University of Western Ontario – PEP Program
- Dalhousie Faculty of Health Professions Preceptor Training – General Training
- UBC E-tips for Practice Education (Modules 1-8)
- University of Toronto Preceptor Development Program (PDP)*
*Note—While the UofT PDP program satisfies the training requirement for UW School of Pharmacy Clinical Preceptors, preceptors should follow-up with UofT directly in determining their ongoing eligibility for this training program.
2) Preceptors must also attend a University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy specific orientation workshop which is hosted locally by your Regional Clinical Coordinator. Topics covered include an overview of the curriculum, the Community of Practice Model, learning objectives, and assessment tools. This training is mandatory for new preceptors, a refresher session for previous preceptors will be required every 5 years (unless major changes to the program occur).
4. Can I take vacation when I’m supervising a student?
Preceptors should try to avoid taking students during a rotation that coincides with extended planned vacations.
In cases where the preceptor is unexpectedly away for a few days, please make arrangements for a secondary preceptor to provide coverage - preferably a preceptor who has been approved by the School of Pharmacy and (or) has completed preceptor training.
5. What are the learning objectives for students in their Patient Care Rotations?
- Apply core knowledge, skills and professional judgment to provide pharmaceutical care.
- Communicate with diverse audiences, using a variety of strategies.
- Collaborate with a full range of healthcare teams to provide effective, quality healthcare while fulfilling professional obligations.
- Manage the medication therapy of patients with common and complex medication therapy problems.
- Advocate on behalf of the patient and the profession to advance healthcare models.
- Honour their role as a self-regulated professional through individual patient care and fulfillment of professional obligations.
6. What is my role as the preceptor for Patient Care Rotations?
Preceptors play a pivotal role in providing students with valuable practice experience. During the patient care rotations we ask preceptors to:
- Create and foster a positive learning environment.
- Recruit an interprofessional evaluator (i.e. another health care professional) at their site, who will also assess the student’s interprofessional collaboration skills.
- Involve the student in decision-making aspects of patient care.
- Provide support to students to ensure learning objectives are achieved.
- Collaborate with the Regional Clinical Coordinator as required.
- Complete student assessments and assignments as per the specified timelines of the School.
7. What is the role of the Interprofessional Evaluator?
The interprofessional evaluator is a member of another regulated health profession who is asked to provide an assessment of the student at the end of their rotation, with respect to the 6 domains from the CIHC Interprofessional Competency Framework (e.g. Interprofessional Communication, collaborative leadership, role clarification, etc.).
8. How often are preceptors required to complete student assessments for Patient Care Rotations?
Students are assessed at week 2 (feedback only), week 4 (midpoint) and week 8 (final).
9. Are students able to practice independently?
As per Student Legal Authority with regards to Scope of Practice, our students are able to engage in more independent practice whereby the level of supervision is to be determined by the supervisor.
OCP’s Legal Authority for Scopes of Practice chart outlines specifics with respect to supervision of registered pharmacy students. The chart and other information about Pharmacists’ Expanded Scope are available on the OCP website.
OCP has also prepared a fact-sheet about the Supervision of Pharmacy Students & Interns which outlines principles to assist preceptors in determining the level of supervision required in fulfilling patient care and legislative requirements.
10. What are the benefits for preceptors who supervise Waterloo students on Patient Care Rotations?
- Preceptors are provided with 1-year access to the University’s e-library services.
- Preceptors are appointed to the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy as “Clinical Preceptor”.
- Preceptors may include this as part of their learning and professional development OCP learning portfolio.
11. Can a student fail a PharmD patient care rotation?
Yes, this can happen. The Patient Care Rotations constitute academic courses, and sites can fail a student if the student receives lower than the required passing grade percentage for the course.
For more information please refer to the Patient Care Rotation Manual and online Preceptor Resources.