What is a preceptor?
A preceptor is an experienced practising pharmacist that has a minimum of 3 years of post registration experience. Their role is to provide supervision and guidance to help intern pharmacists apply the theoretical knowledge gained during their BPharm to become competent pharmacists.
The preceptor is the primary point of contact for the intern pharmacist during the intern year. They are both a teacher and an assessor to their intern. As a teacher, they facilitate the development of their intern’s knowledge, clinical skills, communication skills and professionalism. As an assessor, the preceptor is responsible for the ongoing assessment of the intern’s competence.
In addition to these roles, a preceptor will wear many hats for their intern. They will supervise, support, guide, act as a role model, provide a safe work environment, and demonstrate ‘hands-on’ skills and experience.
A preceptor praises the intern when praise is deserved and offers constructive criticism when it is needed. They help their intern identify gaps in their practice and help them develop ways to meet these gaps.
A preceptor has a passion for the pharmacy profession and an enthusiasm to pass their knowledge and experience on to the next generation of pharmacists.
PRECEPTOR REQUIREMENTS
A preceptor is an approved New Zealand registered pharmacist, who holds a current annual practising certificate and meets the following criteria:
- a minimum of three years post-registration experience in pharmacy. In the case of a pharmacist previously registered in a country outside New Zealand, at least one year of this experience must be subsequent to registration in New Zealand.
- approved by Pharmacy Council of New Zealand
- not currently or within the preceding five years, have been under investigation by HDC, the Pharmacy Council or the Police
- must be actively undertaking Continuing Professional Development
All preceptors must complete the PSNZ EVOLVE preceptor training.
PRECEPTOR OBLIGATIONS
- Work on monthly goals and training plans together
- Teach the intern skills so that the intern can work at the level of competence expected of a pharmacist
- Provide timely feedback to the intern in regards to their progress towards the Competence Standards
- Carry out and review assessments and assignments
- Review the interns evidence portfolio and the monthly goals
- Providing opportunities for the intern to become competent in all the Competence Standards
- Supervising the intern for a minimum of three full days per week.
- Provide a minimum of 2 hours per week, or 8 hours per month, one on one time with the intern.
- Maintaining contact with EVOLVE especially if the preceptor has any concerns regarding the intern's progress towards completing the programme.
If the preceptor is going to be absent from the pharmacy for more than four weeks, they must let EVOLVE know and make arrangements to ensure the intern’s training can continue unaffected.
A first-time intern preceptor may supervise a maximum of one intern pharmacist during their first year as a preceptor. A first-time intern preceptor cannot supervise a trainee technician. An experienced intern preceptor seeking re-approval may supervise a maximum of two interns or one intern and one trainee pharmacy technician (cannot be a PACT).
An intern preceptor cannot be a PACT preceptor.
