CSEMS Council Regional Preceptor Program

The goal of the Central Shenandoah EMS Council Regional Preceptor program is to provide assistance as a provider relates the classroom material to real life scenarios. It is well known that classroom practice and real life practice can be completely different.

Oversight of the Central Shenandoah EMS Council Regional Preceptor program is handled by the CSEMS Council Medical Control Review Committee, which is comprised of all the EMS Physicians (OMDs) in the region, CSEMS staff, and providers at large.

The Regional Preceptor program is dependent on regional cooperation and consistency. Each agency is encouraged to develop a core group of preceptors and a committee for quality assurance and improvement.

The Central Shenandoah EMS Council Regional Preceptor program provides standardized mentoring of Advanced Life Support students attending EMT-Enhanced and EMT-Intermediate courses during the field internship component of the course. Students attending ALS courses are required to complete a field internship program prior to state testing. During the field internship, students administer emergency medical care under the direct supervision of a regional preceptor. Only providers who have completed regional preceptor training are authorized to function as a preceptor for students enrolled in EMT-Enhanced and EMT-Intermediate courses.

During the field internship, regional preceptors complete documentation evaluating the student's performance during a shift using the Patient Care Report and the Daily Clinical Evaluation Form.

Preceptors are unique people. It not only requires the individual to be an excellent provider with a broad knowledge base, but it also requires patience and teaching ability. Not all outstanding providers will make outstanding preceptors.

CSEMS Council Regional Preceptor Requirements

1. Hold valid Virginia ALS certification at the level for which the candidate is applying to precept. The candidate shall have practiced at that certification level for at least one year.

2. Be a member in good standing with an EMS agency in the CSEMS region.

3. Not be on probation or suspension with the above EMS agency.

4. Attend the regional preceptor workshop or complete on-line orientation.

5. Agency EMS Physician and officer approval for each level of mentoring.

6. Approval from the Medical Control Review Committee.

7. Attend updates as needed and presented by CSEMS/EMS Physician.

8. Maintain CSEMS skills drill requirements.

9. Participate as an evaluator at one (1) skills drill OR as an adjunct instructor at one (1) ALS class laboratory session OR as an evaluator at one (1) ALS certification examination during each calendar year. The lead instructor will complete an evaluation form provided by the regional preceptor. The regional preceptor will forward the evaluation to the CSEMS Council.

Providers wishing to become regional preceptors must complete a regional preceptor application and submit to CSEMS Council. A regional preceptor that transitions to a higher level certification must submit another application to precept at the higher level certification. The online orientation will not need to be repeated.

Regional preceptor recognition is valid for three years from the end of the month of recognition as long as the provider remains in compliance with the regional preceptor requirements. A regional preceptor requesting recertification must submit a regional preceptor application to be approved by the Medical Control Review Committee (MCRC). A schedule of MCRC meetings can be found on the CSEMS Council website. The regional preceptor is responsible for submitting the application in a timely manner to avoid a lapse in recognition.

A regional preceptor who fails a written examination and/or a skill-based examination, at a CSEMS Council or agency-based skills drill, will be suspended as a regional preceptor for one (1) year. The preceptor may reapply for regional preceptor status after one (1) year.

A regional preceptor who has ALS practice privileges suspended for failure to comply with regional skills drill attendance requirements will be suspended as a regional preceptor. If the regional preceptor becomes compliant with attendance requirements during the next skills drill month, regional preceptor privileges will be automatically reinstated. If the regional preceptor does not become compliant with attendance requirements during the next skills drill month, the regional preceptor will be suspended as a regional preceptor for one (1) year. The preceptor may reapply for regional preceptor status after one (1) year.

Central Shenandoah EMS Council
2312 W. Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401
www.csems.vaems.org