Policy Statement:
In order to ensure a consistent, high-quality learning experience for Fellows enrolled in the MTSA Nurse Anesthesia Educator Fellowship (NAEF), only clinical educator mentors who meet the following criteria are eligible to serve as clinical preceptors for practicum mentorship and evaluation:
1. Minimum of 5 Years of Clinical Preceptor Experience
Clinical preceptors must have a minimum of 5 years of experience serving in a formal clinical preceptorship role within a graduate nursing or nurse anesthesia program.
2. Completion of Clinical Preceptor Microcredential
All clinical preceptors must have successfully completed the MTSA 16-CE Clinical Preceptor Microcredential, which evaluates competency across eight domains:
- Evidence-based clinical education theory
- Communication skills
- Managing challenging learner situations
- Legal responsibilities of preceptors
- Ethical issues in clinical teaching
- Feedback and student evaluation techniques
- Innovation in precepting
- Professionalism and role modeling
This credential ensures that preceptors have current, evidence-based knowledge and are aligned with national best practices in clinical education.
3. Commitment to Mentorship and Formative Evaluation
Qualified preceptors are expected to actively mentor NAEF Fellows, complete structured formative and summative evaluations using standardized rubrics, and provide timely feedback to both the Fellow and the Program Director and in addition are evaluated by the Fellows.
Implementation and Documentation:
- A list of approved preceptors who meet these requirements will be maintained by the Fellowship Director and updated annually.
- Documentation of completed microcredential and clinical preceptorship experience must be on file with the MTSA Academic Affairs Office prior to assigning a Fellow to a clinical educator practicum site.