Clinical Preceptors
Help Shape the Next Generation of Physician Assistants
Thank you for your interest in serving as a clinical preceptor for the South College Orlando Physician Assistant Program.
Clinical education is where future physician associates become clinicians. The guidance, mentorship, and real-world experience provided by dedicated preceptors cannot be replicated in the classroom. Your investment in teaching directly influences the quality of future healthcare providers and ultimately improves patient care throughout our communities.
At South College Orlando, we view our clinical sites as true educational partners. Our goal is to make the precepting experience rewarding, efficient, and well supported while preparing students who contribute meaningfully to your practice.
Why Precept for South College Orlando?
As a South College clinical preceptor, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Help train the next generation of physician associates.
- Give back to your profession by mentoring future colleagues.
- Evaluate potential future employees before they enter the workforce.
- Stay connected to current evidence-based medicine and PA education.
- Receive ongoing support from our experienced clinical education team.
- Qualify for adjunct faculty appointment and associated college benefits, when eligible.
- Earn CME opportunities when available through our institutional partners.
About Our Students
South College Orlando students complete a rigorous 15-month didactic curriculum before entering clinical education.
Prior to beginning rotations, students have completed extensive instruction and assessment in:
- History and physical examination
- Clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis
- Medical documentation
- Clinical procedures
- Pharmacology
- Evidence-based medicine
- Professionalism and ethics
- Simulation and standardized patient experiences
- BLS and ACLS certification
Students enter rotations prepared to actively participate in patient care under appropriate supervision while recognizing the limits of their training.
What We Ask of Our Preceptors
Our expectations are straightforward:
- Provide a supportive learning environment.
- Supervise students as they participate in patient care.
- Allow students to assume more responsibility as proficiency develops.
- Review and discuss patient assessments and management plans.
- Provide regular formative feedback.
- Complete required evaluations.
- Communicate with our clinical faculty whenever questions or concerns arise.
Students typically complete six-week supervised clinical experiences averaging approximately 40–45 hours per week, depending on the practice setting and specialty.
Detailed expectations are provided in our Clinical Preceptor Manual.
Clinical Rotation Opportunities
We partner with physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, and other qualified healthcare professionals across a wide variety of specialties, including:
- Family Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- General Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Behavioral Health
- Other medical and surgical specialties
No matter your specialty, we would love to hear from you.
You’ll Never Be On Your Own
Our clinical education team works closely with every preceptor before, during, and after each rotation.
We provide:
- Rotation objectives and syllabi
- Evaluation tools
- Student onboarding materials
- Responsive faculty support throughout the rotation
- Assistance with any questions or concerns
Our goal is to make teaching as seamless as possible so you can focus on patient care and mentoring.
Become a Clinical Partner
Whether you’re an experienced educator or considering precepting for the first time, we would welcome the opportunity to partner with you.
If you’re interested in becoming a clinical preceptor or would like additional information, please contact our Clinical Education team.
Email: orlpaclinical@south.edu
Phone: 407-447-6993, and ask for the PA Program Clinical Team
Clinical Preceptor Resources
- Preceptor Flyer
- Mastering the Preceptor Role: Challenges of Clinical Teaching
- One Minute Preceptor Model for Clinical Teaching
- Clinical Preceptors: Tips for Effective Precepting
- Evidence- Based Strategies That Help Office-based Teachers Give Effective Feedback
- Getting beyond “Good Job”; How to Give Effective Feedback