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School of Health Professions - Student Handbook 2023-2024


MP Preceptorship Information

Preceptorship Information
Philosophy of Clinical Education
All academic preparation is directed towards the acquisition of the knowledge, technical skills, and attitudes necessary for the practice of the laboratory sciences. Clinical Education is an intrinsic part of the preparation process. For this reason, extensive integration of classroom learning with experiences in the clinical setting must occur. This integration develops in two environments: (1) clinical classroom preparation to the maximum extent possible and (2) education which occurs in the clinical settings must be responsive to the student's individual level of academic preparation and readiness. Students are offered clinical rotations in their professional education, allowing them the opportunity to continuously integrate their clinical skills with didactic work.
In selection of clinical sites, the quality of patient care, the enthusiasm of the staff for working with students, the testing menu offered, and the size of the department or laboratory are all factors carefully considered.
MP Clinical Affiliates
Some affiliates require an application and interview process.
Additional criminal background checks, urine drug screens, and vaccinations are required for some affiliates.
Additional mandatory costs to the student are incurred for expenses at Mayo Clinic.
To view a list of all affiliated facilities, please visit the website below.
https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-of-science-molecular-pathology/affiliates.aspx
Affiliate availability is subject to change. A current, updated list of available cities/towns will be provided to the class after completion of the summer semester.
Molecular Pathology Clinical Preceptorship Assignment Policy and Procedure
Policy:
It is the intent of the MP program to provide each student with a meaningful molecular laboratory preceptorship experience. The activities of the clinical preceptorship include, but are not limited to:
  • Benchwork under supervision
  • Participation in the quality control program
  • Attendance at lectures or seminars at the institution
  • Observation of other departments in the institution
To provide each student with a clinical experience students must be assigned to a preceptorship site months in advance to accommodate the affiliate requirements, needs of the student, and needs of the MP program. Currently, the preceptorship sites are located throughout the United States. The availability of preceptorship sites for the MP program is based not only on a contractual agreement between the facility providing the preceptorship (usually a hospital, reference laboratory, or university laboratory) and the program but on the ability of the affiliate to accommodate a student in a given semester. Due to contract policies, students may not contact current affiliates associated with the MP program to solicit placement. Students are expected to be prepared to relocate to complete their assigned preceptorship.
Procedure:
1. Each applicant interviewed will be informed of the preceptorship assignment procedure.
2. Each applicant accepted into the MP program will be provided an example of the Clinical Preceptorship Assignment Form (CPAF, Appendix B) in the student handbook. The policy and the explanation of the CPAF will be discussed during orientation in May.
3. A current up-to-date CPAF is provided to the student following completion of the summer semester.
4. The completed CPAF is returned, along with any documentation the student wants to be considered during the preceptorship assignment process, by the deadline determined by the clinical education coordinator.
5. The clinical education coordinator will enter the CPAF rankings into a program utilizing the following to make assignments:
a. Needs of the affiliate.
b. Class ranking of students.
c. Needs of the MP program
d. Needs of the student.
6. Each student will receive two copies of a contract during the fall semester informing them of their clinical preceptorship assignment. The student will have five working days to sign and return one of the provided copies of the contract to the Affiliate Coordinator. A student failing to return the contracts within five working days will forfeit their clinical preceptorship spot.
7. Proof of health insurance must be presented to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs by deadline assigned.
8. Students who are recycling through the program or whose performance at a previous clinical experience was below expectations for the level of training will receive their preceptorship assignment based on availability first, class ranking second, and preference last.
The student is responsible for ALL costs associated with clinical preceptorship experiences including onboarding fees, transportation, housing, meals, uniforms (scrubs, if required), drug screens, additional criminal background checks required by the facility, and other incidental expenses associated with relocation and/or preceptorship requirements. This could include additional immunizations and titers to check immunity.
TTUHSC Office of Institutional Health (OIH) reviews all immunizations records submitted by students after admittance into our programs. Each student is responsible for complying with requests from OIH regarding facility-specific requirements that could include titers, TB testing, flu shots, boosters, etc.
NOTE: Based on their contracts, each facility has the right to terminate their affiliation with the MP program up until the student enters their clinical preceptorship. On occasion, a facility will terminate a contract prior to the beginning of the clinical preceptorships. The MP program will make every effort to find the student another preceptorship spot in that location; however, be aware the only available preceptorship spot may be located in another city or another preceptorship spot may not be available at that time. Any and all expenses in changing a preceptorship site are the responsibility of the student.
Students who are not placed in a preceptorship will go on a waiting list (in order of class rank) and will be placed if, and when, a preceptorship site becomes available.
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN charges $1000.00 to each student attending preceptorship. The Mayo Clinic selects up to 4 students via an online interview. This is currently the only affiliate to select students and charge an additional fee directly to the student.
Appeal of the Preceptorship Assignment:
Upon receiving the contract, the student has five working days to appeal in writing the preceptorship assignment. The written appeal with the CPAF and attached documentation will be submitted to the Program Director who will forward the appeal to the Preceptorship Assignment Appeal Committee. The committee will meet within seven working days to review the appeal. Upon reviewing the appeal(s), the committee will provide a written report within three working days to the Program Director. The Program Director will inform the student of the final decision.
Clinical Preceptorship Grade Policy:
The student must score at least a 70% on the professional evaluation and demonstrate or have observed all tasks at the PAS level. Additionally, students must complete disease case reports on molecular tests scoring at least a 70% on each report, submit journal entries at the PAS level, and complete the Program Exit Paperwork to successfully complete HPMP 5342.
In addition, each student will complete the following: Exit Survey, Affiliate Evaluations, and Outstanding Teaching Tech nomination. These items are to be completed by the date designated by the instructor. Any student that does not complete these requirements will receive a PR for preceptorship and will not receive their diploma until all requirements are met. By May 1, each student is responsible for checking that their mailing address is correct in WebRaider since this is where their final transcript and diploma (if necessary) will be mailed.
Attendance Policy:
Students are expected to follow the rotation schedule as set forth by their affiliate. Any changes to preceptorship schedules required by the affiliate site must be approved by both the program and the affiliate site. Dally attendance and promptness are absolute requirements of the program. The department and program are required to document any absences. Absence is excused only by permission of the Clinical Education Coordinator and Education Coordinator. All absences must be made up and will be scheduled at the affiliates convenience. Make-up days can occur during student holiday periods such as Spring Break, Memorial Day, and after scheduled preceptorship. In the case of multiple absences (2 or more days) or extended absence due to medical reasons, a physicians statement will be required. Absences and make-up schedules are documented on the Student Absence Report Form.
Emergency-Related Closures:
Students on preceptorship or clinical placements are to follow the policies of their affiliate or clinical site regarding emergency-related closures. Suspension of classes or office closures on a TTUHSC campus does not supersede the policies of the affiliate or clinical site.