Clinical instructional faculty (preceptor) play a vital role during the clinical year for students in our program. The clinical setting synthesizes concepts and application of principles for quality health care delivery. Students work closely with clinical instructional faculty, progressively developing the skills and clinical judgment necessary to become a practicing PA. By joining the UNC-CH MHSPAS clinical instructional faculty, you’ll belong to a strong network of professionals with the power to mentor and shape PAs into colleagues who are ready to face the health care challenges of the future.

We are seeking partners in these areas

Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Behavioral & Mental Health
Pediatrics
Women’s Health

Interested in becoming a Clinical Instructional Faculty?

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Why you should consider becoming a Clinical Instructional Faculty

There are many benefits to becoming a clinical instructional faculty for the PA program. Other than paying it forward to the future of medicine, we also offer our clinical instructional faculty the additional benefits listed below:

Adjunct Faculty Appointment

We offer clinical instructional faculty appointments within the Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine as an adjunct assistant professor with eligibility for promotion. Adjunct appointments include access to the UNC Health Sciences Library online resources (journals, eBooks, Dynamed, etc.) and other campus resources. To learn more about this opportunity please contact the clinical education team.

Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program

The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) recognizes the hard work of preceptors through its Clinical Preceptor Recognition Program, developed in cooperation with the PA Education Association (PAEA). We are pleased to endorse those instructional faculty who are current AAPA fellow or sustaining members and have served as an instructional faculty for an average of eight weeks or more per year for the past two years. You will receive recognition on the AAPA website as a clinical receptor, a professional designation of clinical preceptor AAPA after your name (e.g., CPAAPA), a certificate of recognition, and an AAPA clinical receptor lapel pin.

Preceptor of the Year

The Preceptor of the Year recognizes a UNC-CH MHSPAS Program clinical instructional faculty who made outstanding contributions to the educational developments of future physician assistants by demonstrating high standards of professionalism, ethics, and clinical practice. Nominations for the award are submitted annually by the programs graduating class and voted on by the UNC-CH MHSPAS Program Clinical Affairs Committee.

Aaron Peterson, PA-C

Family Medicine, Primary Care
UNC Health

2022

Past Recipients

Pi Alpha: The National Honor Society for Physician Assistants

Individuals (PA or non-PA) who have rendered distinguished scholarship, as well as leadership or professional service to the PA profession, and those who are not eligible for election through other means are eligible for consideration with honorary status.

Academy of Educators

Academy of Educators is designed to emphasize teaching and support faculty development both in Chapel Hill and across the state. Clinical instructional faculty interested in seeking membership should inquire with the clinical education team for additional information.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program

The DEI program’s curriculum offers workshops and trainings designed to broaden awareness about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion topics among the SOM faculty/staff and deepen engagement with and between individuals in the SOM at all levels – from patients to leadership. The workshops offered accepted as part of the certificate program address a broad array of DEI topics, including those related to race and ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, culture and religion, socioeconomic status, and more.

Continuing Medical Education

Effective in 2022, clinical instructor faculty may be awarded AAPA Category 1 CME credits at a rate of 2 AAPA Category 1 CME credits per PA student per 40-hour week, with no limit.